This collection contains diaries, correspondence, photographs, publications, and other material pertaining to Nellie Suydam Cowley, an average citizen who spent much of her life in Glendora, California. Her diaries and writings are based on what she considered to be her "ordinary" life and the "ordinary" events that encompassed it. While much of the material pertains to Glendora there is also material that documents her time in Arizona. Includes Cowley's diaries which depict the everyday happenings of her life in California and Arizona over a span of fifty-three years, photographs of her family, friends, residences, and travels, and her published poems and short stories. Also includes documents such as mortgage and stock certificates pertaining to her financial dealings.

Nellie Suydam Cowley was raised in both Southern California and Arizona. She grew up filled with a love for books that eventually led to her love of writing. Nellie chronicled her life and dreams through her diaries and letters. As one of two children, Nellie and her family moved to California in 1885 where she spent the majority of her life in the city of Glendora. Her writings are based on what she considered her "ordinary" life and the "ordinary" events that encompassed it. Cowley had dreams of becoming a writer and going to college but ultimately was never able to achieve these goals. Unable to become a writer, Nellie became a printer and in 1913 set up a printing shop in Arizona with her husband Harry Cowley. After the death of her mother, the failure of the printing shop, and the dissolution of her marriage Nellie relocated to Glendora, California. She continued to write stories, some of which were published; participate in civic events; and completed twenty-nine diaries detailing her life before dying of cancer in 1946.

1.67 linear feet (4 boxes)

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The collection is open for research.