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ODESSA McCLISTER (nee ARNOLD) : 1944 ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT WORLD WAR II MID WEST DIARY HANDWRITTEN BY HARD WORKING AKRON HOME MAKER ALL THE WHILE WITH THE DARK BACKDROP OF THE WAR

12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall. On offer is an interesting diary of a homemaker during the last years of WWII, The diary measures 7.5 inches by 5 inches. It contains 365 pages plus additional 16 pages of supplementary information. It is about 75% complete. The front cover has separated from the spine but otherwise the covers and pages are all in good condition. The handwriting is clear and legible. The context suggests that the author belonged to the Arnold family and casual research suggests most likely written by Mrs. Odessa McClister (nee Arnold), wife of Virgil McClister, in the early 1920s they graduated from the Palmer School and shortly worked as chiropractors, McClister was member of the city council and had state government jobs. At the time the diary was written Odessa was a president of South High Home and School League. Living in Akron OH, she is managing the household for her elderly father and much younger sister. Her mother (who would have been 83 that year) has passed away. She mentions her sister Nola Craig, her brother Elton D. Arnold, who had passed away 11 years previously at age 35 [Nov 19], and his wife Esther Arnold, whose son Dale was a P-40 pilot during the WW2 and was lost in action in the South Pacific. Context suggests that she is 49 years old, from a birthday reference on [Dec. 29]. She lives with her father and her 15 year old daughter, Pat (Patricia McClister), who is still in high school. Later Patricia would study at the Kent State University and work as a teacher. This is a thoroughly delightful recounting of daily life in middle America during the war. The entries are full of the daily tasks that she sets out to accomplish: "Washed solarium windows in and out. Nice weather so I can easily do them on the outside. Also scrubbed the side porch, window sills sure so dirty. Feel pretty good, I hope" [Jan 20]. "Had a big wash. Did some cleaning in the basement again. If I do a little at a time, then maybe sometime I'll get there. Feel pretty good. Hope I continue" [Mar 27]. "Had a tremendous ironing. Pat makes quite a lot of washing when she goes to summer school. And it's been so hot, everything gets so sweated up. ... It was 96o today." [July 11]. Her daughter Pat is a typical teenager. School, homework and exams concern her. She has a busy teenage social life and her mother's entries reflect parties, dances, and outings with friends and several boyfriends: "Pat went to the Firestone Dance at Summit Beach with Kenny. ....." [June 23]. That was a large dance party organized by the Firestone Rubber and Tire Company. "Pat went with Harry to the De Molay Initiation. Was so happy they went together. She said she had a nice time." [Oct 10]. "Pat to Rainbow Initiation tonight. ... Pat is all excited about the game tomorrow. Sure hope she has a nice Thanksgiving and I think she will." [Nov 22]. She is active in her church community and takes a regular part in Parent - Teachers Meeting, going as far as to attend a PTA conference out of town. "To Toledo PTA Convention. Up at 4 o'clock to bus terminal at 5 o'clock. ... out to Macomber Auditorium in evening for meeting. ... Like Mrs. [ ] my room mate quite well." [Oct 10]. Although not referred to frequently, the war is definitely a background presence: "... Nola called and said she had a letter from Esther that Dale is missing in action in New Guinea. I wonder what will become of us if this war lasts much longer. He has been missing since Apr 7th" [Apr 25]. "... Quite an exciting day. We invaded the continent today. Pres. Roosevelt spoke over radio tonight in fact it was a prayer for our boys over there. ... " [June 4] . "Boy. What a day. Had the Craigs in for a picnic in honor of our soldiers, Bud, Eddie and Donald. ..." [June 30]; "... out to Camp Perry, was very interesting to see the German prisoners sure wasn't working very hard." [Aug 23]. This diary is an excellent window into daily life in urban America during WWII. It is a terrific resource for a social historian looking at that time period. A researcher or student of Women's Studies would find this a wonderfully detailed look at the role of an urban American mother during the war.. Illustr.: /. Manuscript. Book Condition: Good

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