John Jung Letters

Collection — Box: 1

Identifier: OGLMC-995

Scope and Contents

The John Jung Letters consist mainly of 25 letters from Jung to Fanny (Boulden) Peterson, 1929-1936. The letters reveal Jung's adjustment to and reflections on life in the United States, as well as his common daily activities and his experiences in the American educational system. As indicated by Fanny Peterson in 1984, "his intriguing letters are a literary event, I feel. They reveal a developing personality and a young man dedicated to making it in a 'white man's world'.” (see folder 27) Also included is one letter from Nelson Sawvain, former Superintendent of Schools in Devils Lake, to Jung; a story written by Jung after he had been in Boulden’s class for eight weeks; a biographical account about Jung written by Carol Welte; and photocopied materials from the archives at Purdue University.

Dates

created: 1929-1936, 1984
Other: Majority of material found in 1929-1936
Other: Date acquired: 12/00/1984

Creator

Jung, John (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections.

Biographical or Historical Information

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In the fall of 1928, a young Chinese immigrant named John Jung entered Fanny Boulden's fourth grade class in Devils Lake, North Dakota. Besides attending school, Jung also worked in his father's laundry. The following year, Miss Boulden was married, retired from teaching, and moved to a farm near Larimore in Grand Forks County. Jung later moved to Bismarck where he attended school and worked in a cafe with his father. In January 1932, Jung returned to China for approximately eight months. While in China, he visited his mother, and also enlisted in the Chinese Army. After returning to North Dakota, he graduated from Bismarck High School in 1935. Following graduation, Jung continued his education on a scholarship at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. He was enrolled as an engineering student at Purdue through the 1936-1937 school year, and was an active member of the Cosmopolitan Club, an all nationality organization. The last letter to Fanny from Jung was from December 27, 1936. In this letter, there was no indication that he intended to return to his homeland. The question remains, however, whether or not Jung was part of the 2nd Sino-Japanese War, which broke out in China in July 1937.

Note written by

Full Extent

0.25 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

1929-1936; Letters from a young Chinese immigrant to his former elementary school teacher from Devils Lake, North Dakota

Source of Acquisition

Fanny Boulden Peterson, Larimore, North Dakota

Method of Acquisition

Donation; 84-1338. In 1984, the Department of Special Collections borrowed the original letters for duplication from Fanny Boulden Peterson. The original letters were later deposited by Fanny Welte (Peterson’s daughter), Aneta, North Dakota, on November 18, 2003. The photocopies were given to Welte in exchange for the originals