Martha Stevens Mills family papers

Collection — Box: 1

Identifier: MSP 329

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Martha Stevens Mills family papers includes photographs, negatives, diaries, letters, periodicals, and biographical information created and collected by members of the Stevens and Mills families. The majority of materials relate to Martha Dicks Stevens Mills, the first woman to earn an engineering degree at Purdue. Also included is biographical information related to her father, Moses Cobb Stevens, Professor of Higher Mathematics at Purdue University and secretary of the Purdue Board of Trustees. Photographs, diaries, and letters feature additional family members, including Sarah Dicks Stevens and Marie Mills.

Dates

Creation: 1882 - 1920

Creator

Mills, Martha Dicks Stevens, 1875-1918 (Person)
Stevens, Sarah Dicks, 1838-1924 (Person)
Mills, Marie (Person)

Access Information

The collection is open for research.

Copyright and Use Information

Material in this collection is in the public domain. Consult with Purdue University Archives and Special Collections prior to reproduction of materials.

Biographical Information

The Stevens Mills family consists of members, descendants, and relatives of Sarah Dicks Stevens (1838-1924) and Moses Cobb Stevens (1827-1910). Sarah Dicks married Moses Cobbs Stevens and had one daughter, Martha Dicks Stevens.

Moses Cobbs, originating from Maine and earning his degree in Applied Minors (A.M.) from Earlham College in 1883, joined the faculty of Purdue University in 1883 as a Professor of Higher Mathematics, previously served as Purdue's registrar and librarian (1880), and served as secretary for the Board of Trustees (1885-1889).

Martha Dicks Stevens (1875-1918) is the first woman to earn an engineering degree from Purdue University. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and Biology (1894), Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (1897), and Master of Science (1898), all from Purdue University. She spent a year as a Presbyterian Missionary and then taught college mathematics before retiring to care for her aging parents. In 1907, Martha Dicks Stevens married attorney John Bibbs Mills and they had four children.

Martha's husband, John Bibbs Mills (1877-1950) was an attorney who earned his degrees in Maryland, where he and Martha lived until the end of their lives. His sister, Marie Mills, lived with John and Martha in Maryland.

There is not much information known about Sarah Dicks Stevens and Marie Mills.

Extent

0.552 Cubic Feet (One legal-size full-width manuscript box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

The Martha Stevens Mills family papers are arranged into three series by format.

Biographical Information
Correspondence
Photographs

Acquisition Information

Collection donated by Marcia Magee in May/June, 2017. Magee is the granddaughter of Martha Stevens Mills.

Related Materials

MSF 361, Moses C. Stevens papers, Purdue University Archives and Special Collections, Purdue University Libraries.

UA 7 , Women in Engineering Program records, Purdue University Archives and Special Collections, Purdue University Libraries.

Processing Information

No original order upon receipt of items, therefore order was developed thematically and by material type. Fragile items such as photographs and negatives have been placed in individual sleeves for preservation. All materials have been housed in acid-free folders and in an acid-free box. One blank envelope accompanying the wedding invitation was discarded. All other materials were retained.