ELWYN B. ROBINSON DEPARTMENT OF SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
CHESTER FRITZ LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA
GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA 58202
COLLECTION: OGL #97
DATES: 1863-1923
SIZE: 1 linear foot
ACQUISITION: The Neil C. Macdonald Papers were deposited in the Orin G. Libby Manuscript Collection. The acquisition records are unavailable.
ACCESS: Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Department of Special Collections.
RELATED COLLECTIONS:
Kathrine Tiffany Papers, OGL#266
Donald C. MacDonald Papers
Chester Fritz Papers, OGL#410
Neil Carnot Macdonald was born on March 17, 1876 at Michael's Bay, Manitoulin Island, Ontario. He was the son of Neil Macdonald, Sr. and Isabelle (McLeod) Macdonald. Neil Carnot Macdonald emigrated with his family to Cavalier County in northeastern Dakota Territory in 1885. Macdonald graduated form Mayville Normal School in 1896. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1900 and Master of Arts degree in 1908 from the University of North Dakota. He obtained a doctoral degree in education from Harvard University in 1921, with a dissertation entitled "Rural Schools and Rural Public Consolidation."
In 1892, Macdonald started teaching at a country school near his home. By 1900, he was superintendent of schools for Cavalier County. Between 1903 and 1909, he served as superintendent of schools in Lidgerwood and held a similar position in Mandan the following year. On June 14, 1904, he married Katherine Belanger, daughter of Ferdinand Belanger and Margery Johnston Belanger. Macdonald was appointed State Inspector of Elementary Schools during the summer of 1911, and was elected North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction in 1916. His wife served as the Assistant Superintendent.
As both the State Inspector and the State Superintendent, Macdonald traveled throughout the state, inspiring teachers, county superintendents, and school boards. His efforts came to a climax in 1917, when he conducted "Better Rural School Rallies" in every county of the state. The rallies took the form of a one week workshop for teachers, and a one day conference for school board members. North Dakota historian Elwyn Robinson called the rallies "the most effective campaign for school improvement ever conducted in the state" (History of North Dakota, p.305). From 1911-1917, Macdonald succeeded increasing the average number of days students attended school, the length of the school year, and the number of farm children attending school. The number of standard rural schools, which were eligible for state aid, rose from 169 to 599. At the same time, the number of consolidated districts increased from 114 to over 400.
Macdonald's efforts ended when was defeated for re-election in 1918. In a campaign of "slander and smear" (History of North Dakota, p.306), North Dakota conservatives painted Macdonald, a member of the Nonpartisan League, as a socialist who was corrupting children by introducing them to Socialist books. Following his election loss, the Macdonalds left North Dakota in 1921 for the Pacific Northwest. Neil Macdonald died unexpectedly in Glasgow, Montana, on September 8, 1923, of uremic poisoning while en route to accept a deanship at Seattle Pacific College.
The Neil C. Macdonald Papers date from 1863-1923, and consist primarily of materials related to his educational career. Included are his writings, some of which were composed while he was the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Material related to his time at Harvard University, and his illness and death can also be found.
125 photographs were separated and added to the Orin G. Libby Photograph Collection. Most of the photographs depict Neil Macdonald and his work in the field of education. There are also several photographs of the extended Macdonald family.
Box 1
Folder
Box 2
Folder
125 photographs were separated and added to the Orin G. Libby Photograph Collection. Most of the photographs depict Neil Macdonald and his work in the field of education. There are also several photographs of the extended Macdonald family.
| OGL#97-1 |
Unidentified negatives |
| OGL#97-2 |
Unidentified negatives |
| OGL#97-3 |
Neil Macdonald, Harvard Graduation, June 1921 |
| OGL#97-4 |
Neil Macdonald, Harvard Graduation, June 1921 |
| OGL#97-5 |
Neil Macdonald, Harvard Graduation, June 1921 |
| OGL#97-6 |
Neil Macdonald, circa 1916 |
| OGL#97-7 |
Neil Macdonald, circa 1916 |
| OGL#97-8 |
Neil Macdonald, Superintendent of Public Instruction |
| OGL#97-9 |
Neil Macdonald, at his office in Bismarck: 1917 |
| OGL#97-10 |
Neil Macdonald with other state employees and spouses at a picnic |
| OGL#97-11 |
Neil Macdonald with other state employees and spouses at a picnic |
| OGL#97-12 |
Neil Macdonald with other state employees and spouses at a picnic |
| OGL#97-13 |
Neil and Kathrine Macdonald on the grounds of the State Capitol |
| OGL#97-14 |
Kathrine Macdonald and Sport (hunting dog) - the photograph was taken outside of the Valley City home where Neil and Kathrine lived when Neil was the State Inspector of Elementary Schools, 1910-1916 |
| OGL#97-15 |
Neil Macdonald on a rural school inspection trip: circa 1910-1916 |
| OGL#97-16 |
Neil Macdonald on a rural school inspection trip: circa 1910-1916 |
| OGL#97-17 |
Neil and Kathrine Macdonald, along with E.J. Taylor, Superintendent of Public Instruction: circa 1910-1916 |
OGL#97-18 |
Neil Macdonald in Shriner’s uniform |
| OGL#97-19 |
Neil Macdonald in Mason’s uniform |
| OGL#97-20 |
Neil and Kathrine Macdonald, August 1904 |
| OGL#97-21 |
Neil Macdonald at graduation from Mayville Normal School: 1896 |
| OGL#97-22 |
Neil Macdonald at graduation from UND: 1900 |
| OGL#97-23 |
Bachelor’s Club, Mayville Normal School: 1894-1895 |
| OGL#97-24 |
Neil Macdonald and other members of the UND Class of 1900 |
| OGL#97-25 |
Neil Macdonald: 1893 |
| OGL#97-26 |
[MISSING] |
| OGL#97-27 |
Unidentified train |
| OGL#97-28 |
Edith Jean Macdonald: 1939 |
| OGL#97-29 |
Neil Macdonald’s hunting dog, Sport |
| OGL#97-30 |
Unidentified school |
| OGL#97-31 |
Schulke Block, Langdon, North Dakota: circa 1916 |
| OGL#97-32 |
Freeman University, circa 1916 |
| OGL#97-33 |
8th grade boys, Eden Valley School |
| OGL#97-34 |
8th grade boys, Eden Valley School |
| OGL#97-35 |
“Growth of Consolidated Schools,” (Photograph of Chart): undated |
| OGL#97-36 |
“Growth of Consolidated Schools,” (Photograph of Chart): undated |
| OGL#97-37 |
“Growth of Consolidated Schools,” (Photograph of Chart): undated |
| OGL#97-38 |
“Growth of Consolidated Schools,” (Photograph of Chart): undated |
OGL#97-39 |
“Growth of Consolidated Schools,” (Photograph of Chart): undated |
| OGL#97-40 |
“Growth of Consolidated Schools,” (Photograph of Chart): undated |
| OGL#97-41 |
“Growth of Consolidated Schools,” (Photograph of Chart): undated |
| OGL#97-42 |
“Growth of Consolidated Schools,” (Photograph of Chart): undated |
| OGL#97-43 |
“Growth of Consolidated Schools,” (Photograph of Chart): undated |
| OGL#97-44 |
Unidentified School |
| OGL#97-45 |
Unidentified School |
| OGL#97-46 |
Manning School District #10 |
| OGL#97-47 |
Pisek, North Dakota, School |
| OGL#97-48 |
Sarnia School, Whitman, North Dakota |
| OGL#97-49 |
Dawson, North Dakota, High School |
| OGL#97-50 |
“A Happy North Dakota Farmer & His Well Built Sod Cottage” |
| OGL#97-51 |
Neil Macdonald (?) as a child |
| OGL#97-52 |
Temporary Schoolhouse, Dunn County |
| OGL#97-53 |
14 year old boy kept out of school to assist in the harvest |
| OGL#97-54 |
14 year old boy kept out of school to assist in the harvest |
| OGL#97-55 |
10 year old boy kept out of school to assist in the harvest |
| OGL#97-56 |
Depot and Train, Hannah, North Dakota: circa 1915 |
| OGL#97-57 |
Red River Oxcart |
| OGL#97-58 |
14 year old girl kept out of school to assist in the harvest: 1912 |
| OGL#97-59 |
Unidentified students at an unidentified school |
| OGL#97-60 |
“Consolidated Schools in North Dakota,” (Photograph of Chart): 1914 |
| OGL#97-61 |
Unidentified ledger book |
| OGL#97-62 |
Brooklyn School |
| OGL#97-63 |
“Consolidated Schools in North Dakota,” (Photograph of Chart): 1914 |
| OGL#97-64 |
Brooklyn School |
| OGL#97-65 |
Unidentified School |
| OGL#97-66 |
8th Grade Girls: 1912 |
| OGL#97-67 |
Tractor |
| OGL#97-68 |
Boy kept out of school to assist in the harvest |
| OGL#97-69 |
Ox driven wagon |
| OGL#97-70 |
13 year old boy kept out of school to assist in the harvest |
| OGL#97-71 |
“Map Showing Number and Location of Consolidated Schools in the United States,” (Photograph of Chart): 1921 |
| OGL#97-72 |
Neil Macdonald, undated |
| OGL#97-73 |
Neil Macdonald, undated |
| OGL#97-74 |
Neil Macdonald, undated |
| OGL#97-75 |
Neil Macdonald, undated |
| OGL#97-76 |
Neil Macdonald, undated |
| OGL#97-77 |
Neil Macdonald, undated |
| OGL#97-78 |
Neil Macdonald, undated |
| OGL#97-79 |
Neil Macdonald, undated |
| OGL#97-80 |
Neil Macdonald, undated |
| OGL#97-81 |
Neil Macdonald, undated |
| OGL#97-82 |
Neil Macdonald, undated |
| OGL#97-83 |
Neil Macdonald, undated |
| OGL#97-84 |
Neil Macdonald, undated |
| OGL#97-85 |
Neil Macdonald, undated |
| OGL#97-86 |
Neil Macdonald, undated |
| OGL#97-87 |
Neil Macdonald, undated |
| OGL#97-88 |
Neil Macdonald, undated |
| OGL#97-89 |
Neil Macdonald: 1917 |
| OGL#97-90 |
Neil Macdonald: 1917 |
| OGL#97-91 |
Neil Macdonald, undated |
| OGL#97-92 |
Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital, Glasgow, Montana |
| OGL#97-93 |
Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital, Glasgow, Montana |
| OGL#97-94 |
Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital, Glasgow, Montana |
| OGL#97-95 |
Linden School District: 1893 (Neil Macdonald - teacher) |
| OGL#97-96 |
Macdonald family home, Hannah, North Dakota |
| OGL#97-97 |
Neil and Isabelle (McLeod) Macdonald (father and mother): 1898 |
| OGL#97-98 |
John (brother) and Isabelle Macdonald |
| OGL#97-99 |
Neil Macdonald and his sister, Charlotte, and her daughter, Evangeline |
OGL#97-100 |
Charlotte and Belle Macdonald (sisters): 1898 |
| OGL#97-101 |
N.R. Macdonald (brother) and his wife, Meda |
| OGL#97-102 |
Charlotte and her husband, George, with their children: Howard, Donald, and Evangeline |
| OGL#97-103 |
Isabelle Macdonald |
| OGL#97-104 |
Alexander Macdonald, Blois, France: July 1918 |
| OGL#97-105 |
Colin C. Macdonald |
| OGL#97-106 |
Isabelle Macdonald and four of her grandchildren |
| OGL#97-107 |
Colin Macdonald (brother) |
| OGL#97-108 |
Colin and Donald Macdonald (brothers) |
| OGL#97-109 |
Evangeline George |
| OGL#97-110 |
Neil A. Macdonald (nephew of Neil Macdonald) |
| OGL#97-111 |
Macdonald Family Portrait |
| OGL#97-112 |
Isabelle Macdonald |
| OGL#97-113 |
Norman and Evelyn Macdonald |
| OGL#97-114 |
Charles Y. Macdonald: 1914 |
| OGL#97-115 |
Henry McLean |
| OGL#97-116 |
Helen Sullivan, Assistant Superintendent of Public Instruction |
| OGL#97-117 |
Alexander Macdonald, UND Graduation Picture: 1912 |
| OGL#97-118 |
John Wellington Macdonald, UND Graduation Picture: 1953 |
| OGL#97-119 |
Neil C. Macdonald (son of Neil Carnot Macdonald's’s brother, Donald) |
| OGL#97-120 |
U.S. Senator Gerald Nye and John Wellington Macdonald |
| OGL#97-121 |
Donald, Neil C., and John Wellington Macdonald |
| OGL#97-122 |
Newspaper clipping of Edith Macdonald (daughter of Donald Macdonald, winning a bicycle contest): September 6, 1948 |
| OGL#97-123 |
Newspaper clipping of John Wellington Macdonald leaving UND to enter the U.S. Military: January 1951 |
| OGL#97-124 |
Newspaper clipping of Joyce Macdonald (daughter of Alexander C. Macdonald) at UND: December 1952 |
| OGL#97-125 |
Newspaper clipping of Donald C. Macdonald playing chess with Samuel Reshevsky, world famous chess player |
| Original Donation | First Addition: 1896-1970 |
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