Poxson, Elijah – 33
Subjects:
Family life in first half of 20th century; writing for pleasure and emotional connection; establishing auto dealerships on five continents; pride in three children (father often absent); live-in grandmother; two world wars; Michigan history
Writing Description:
In letters sustaining 48 years of marriage, we first meet Elijah in 1909 as he writes courtship letters to Nell from the Midwest as a traveling salesman, employed at the Lansing Journal. Subjects covered in the letters include two World Wars, Elijah’s recovery from the 1918 influenza while away from his family, the birth of 3 children, summer house on Burt Lake in Michigan, bankruptcy, their son’s involvement in WWII, Elijah’s travels on 5 continents for Reo Motors and General Motors culminating in 5-1/2 years residency in Sao Paolo as head of GM Brazil and on 5th Ave, NYC. [Also see Nell Poxson’s listing, Id #32.]
Manuscript of letters titled “You Are Where I Live—Letters Between Nell and Elijah Poxson.”
Writing Type:
Letters
Gender:
Male
Birth Year:
1887
Death Year:
1964
Occupation and Interests:
Traveling salesman, head of Dort Motor Company’s export sales dept., domestic and foreign sales manager for Reo Motors, head of General Motors Brazil.
Age(s):
22-63
Author Location(s):
Lansing, Flint, Burt Lake, MI; Paris, New York City, England, Cuba, Brazil, and many other countries, including Africa, Germany, Australia, Mexico, etc.
Writing Location(s):
Dates:
1909-1956
Handwritten:
Yes
Typed:
Yes
Digital:
Yes
Self-published:
Yes
Number of Pages, etc.:
Approx. 290 pages of typed, bound letters edited from handwritten letters, divided into chapters with explanations/interpretations and table of contents. Introduction and Epilogue written by granddaughter. Includes photographs.
Contact Person:
Judith Poxson Fawkes
Contact Person/Author Relationship:
Granddaughter
Address:
3137 NW Thurman St.
Portland, OR 97210
Phone:
503-243-2397
Email:
jpfawkes[at]earthlink.net
Date Entered:
07/2005
Date Revised/Confirmed:
02/2007