Isabella L. "Belle" Bever papers
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Scope and Contents
The Isabella “Belle” Bever papers date from 1917 to 2016 and measure 4 linear inches. The papers consist of 74 numbered folders and are arranged in 3 series: Biographical Materials, Belle Bever’s Columns, Belle’s Own Clippings, and Artifacts. The collection also begins with a detailed table of contents and a USB drive containing digital files of the collection materials.
The Biographical Materials series contains two essays about Belle Bever written by her great-great niece Margaret Fones Zimmerman, the donor of the collection. The letter of condolence, from William R. Boyd to Bever’s niece Myrtilla Daniels provides a glimpse into Bever’s personality: “She filled a large place in the life of this community. She was inspiring, helpful. Her wit was kindly.”
The Belle Bever’s Columns series consists of 31 reproductions of articles and pieces written by Belle Bever over the course of her career, especially social commentary and human interest pieces, for publications including the Cedar Rapids Republican and the Des Moines Register. A transcription of an unpublished essay is also included.
The Belle’s Own Clippings series contains original clippings Belle Bever herself saved over the course of her career, either explicitly written by her or a clear example of her style. The clippings date from 1917 to the early 1930s, relate to society, women’s news, or human interest stories, and are extremely fragile. These materials do not have digital backups on the collection’s USB drive.
The Artifacts series, containing Bever’s pocket watch of gold and rose gold and her decorative bonbon dish, completes the collection.
Dates
- Creation: 1917-2016
Creator
- Bever, Isabella, 1856 - 1937 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
The papers are open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright held by the donor has been transferred to the University of Iowa.
However, copyright status for some collection materials may be unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owner. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility and potential liability based on copyright infringement for any use rests exclusively and solely with the user. Users must properly acknowledge the Iowa Women’s Archives, The University of Iowa Libraries, as the source of the material. For further information, visit https://www.lib.uiowa.edu/sc/services/rights/
Biographical / Historical
Isabella Lowry Bever was born in Carroll County, Ohio, in 1856. She was one of four daughters born to Minerva Coyan Bever and Henry Vaughn Bever. The family moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, shortly after the death of Minerva Bever in 1875. After her father’s death in 1880, Belle Bever lived with her sister Myrtilla and brother-in-law Edward Foster.
In 1897 Bever worked as society editor for two Cedar Rapids newspapers, The Evening Times and The Republican, and for the next 35 years she pursued a career in journalism. After the two newspapers merged into The Cedar Rapids Gazette in 1928, she continued as the Cedar Rapids correspondent for The Des Moines Register. She moved to Des Moines in 1936 where she lived with her niece until her death in 1937. Bever was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery in Cedar Rapids. No obituary survives.
[Based on biographical information provided by Belle Bever’s great-great niece, Margaret Fones Zimmerman.]
Extent
4.00 linear inches
1 item (Artifact in box 2. )
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Columnist for two Iowa newspapers in the early 20th century.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The papers (donor no. 1471) were donated by Margaret Fones Zimmerman in 2016.
- Author
- Carla DeWit, 2016.
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- eng
Repository Details
Part of the Iowa Women's Archives Repository
100 Main Library
University of Iowa Libraries
Iowa City IA 52242 IaU
319-335-5068
319-335-5900 (Fax)
lib-women@uiowa.edu