Emily Virginia Willis Lindsey Papers

Collection

Identifier: A-0018

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of scrapbooks, diaries, and loose items including correspondence; clippings about friends, relatives, and religious leaders; obituaries; verse, humor, and human interest stories; writings of Edward B. Willis; recipes; marriage and birth announcements; programs; photographs; financial records; sketches of birds and butterflies; religious notes, and poems Mrs. Lindsey wrote upon special occasions for family and friends.

Dates

Creation: 1887-1958

Creator

Lindsey, Emily Virginia Willis (Person)

Language of Materials

The collection is in English.

Conditions Governing Access

Open for research.

Biographical or Historical Information

Emily Virginia Willis, daughter of Mary Alice Hamilton Willis and Edward B. Willis, was born in Sabine County, Texas on July 2, 1870. Her family lived for awhile in Tyler and Denton, and in 1889 Emily arrived in Nacogdoches. Emily (also known as "Emma" and "Emaline") studied music at the Cincinnati College of Music and taught music in Nacogdoches for forty years. She was also the organist for the First Baptist Church, and organized the Symphony Club in Nacogdoches. On July 8, 1894 she married Robert Lindsey, who was born on December 16, 1870 in Lindale, Smith County, Texas. Mr. Lindsey was a real estate agent in Nacogdoches for fifty years, and a member of the Rotary Club and Woodmen of the World. The Lindseys were active in civic and cultural events including fairs, parades, and community variety shows. Emily died in Nacogdoches on October 28, 1954, and Robert passed away in the Cherokee Nursing Home in Jacksonville, Texas on December 26, 1958.

("Emily Virginia Willis Lindsey." Control File, East Texas Research Center. Ralph W. Steen Library. Stephen F. Austin State University)