George Durand Wilder Papers
Scope and Contents
The George Durand Wilder Papers consists primarily of letters, 1922-45, between George Durand Wilder and his cousins and friends regarding his missionary work and family matters. In 1936, Wilder was detained by the Japanese government upon his departure from China. He wrote to his cousin, Jamie, and described his stay in Japan and corruption in China. Wilder’s reference to the actions of the Japanese can be identified as the first conflicts of WW II in the Pacific. Included with the correspondence is a colored drawing of the Holy Mother of Tai Shan, and Chinese funeral money. Also included is a crochet cloth edging with an alphabet design.
Dates
- Creation: 1922-1945, undated
- Other: Date acquired: 1990 September 7
Creator
Conditions Governing Access
Unrestricted.
Biographical or Historical Information
George Durand Wilder was born in Ripon, Wisconsin on June 26, 1869, the son of Theodore Wilder and Frances Ellen (Durand) Wilder. George Durand Wilder attended Yankton Academy and College before enrolling in the Theological Seminary at Oberlin in 1891. He received his Bachelor’s Degree of Divinity from Yale University in 1894, later to be bestowed by Oberlin College an honorary Doctorate Degree of Divinity in 1915.
In 1894, Wilder was ordained a foreign missionary in Oberlin, and he traveled to Tungcho, China with his mother. Wilder began his evangelistic and educational work in Tientsin, China. He later returned to Tungcho to be elected pastor of the local church. During the Boxer Rebellion (1900), Wilder assisted hundreds of Chinese Christian refugees as well U.S. soldiers in caring for the wounded, taking care of their laundry, and other manual needs.
In 1910, Wilder began teaching Theological Seminary at the University of Peking. He continued to teach in theological schools until his retirement in 1938. Wilder then served as the Secretary of North China Committee on Coordination of Emergency Relief in Tehsien, located in the Shatung Province. Due to escalating conflicts between Japan and China, Wilder was detained in Japan. He and his wife later returned to the United States in May of 1943.
George D. Wilder married Gertrude Stanley (OC 1894). Both worked as missionaries in China. They had four children; all of whom studied at Oberlin College; Theodore (OC 1918), Margaret (OC 1921), Ursula (OC 1923), George Durand (1917-1920).
George Durand Wilder passed away on Sunday, May 5, 1946. He suffered a heart attack, and was admitted to Allen Memorial Hospital, Oberlin Ohio, where he later died.
Sources Consulted
Oberlin Alumni Magazine, Vol. 19 (pg. 15), Dec. 1922; Vol. 30 (pg. 116), Jan. 1934.
Student File of George Durand Wilder (RG 28).
Note written by Freedom Nguyen, Kenneth M. Grossi.
Extent
0.20 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Method of Acquisition
The papers of George Durand Wilder were received from Auror Lee Hanson in 1990 (accession 1990/91).
Accruals and Additions
Accession No: 1990/91.
- Title
- George Durand Wilder Papers Finding Guide
- Author
- Freedom Nguyen, assisted by Kenneth M. Grossi
- Date
- 2001 February 1
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Revision Statements
- 2001 February: Processed by Freedom Nguyen, assisted by Ken Grossi
- 2024: Prepared for migration by Emily Rebmann and Lee Must.
Repository Details
Part of the Oberlin College Archives Repository
420 Mudd Center
148 West College Street
Oberlin OH 44074-1532 US
440-775-8014
440-775-8016 (Fax)
archive@oberlin.edu