George Durand Wilder Papers, 1922-1945, n.d.
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Administrative/Biographical History
George Durand Wilder was born in Ripon, Wisconsin on June 26, 1869, the son of Theodore Wilder and Frances Ellen (Durand) Wilder. George Durand Wilder attended Yankton Academy and College before enrolling in the Theological Seminary at Oberlin in 1891. He received his Bachelor’s Degree of Divinity from Yale University in 1894, later to be bestowed by Oberlin College an honorary Doctorate Degree of Divinity in 1915.
In 1894, Wilder was ordained a Foreign Missionary in Oberlin, and he traveled to Tungcho China with his mother. Wilder began his evangelistic, as well as his educational work in Tientsin China. He later returned to Tungcho to be elected pastor of the native church. During the Boxer Rebellion (1900), Wilder assisted hundreds of Chinese Christian refugees as well U.S. soldiers in caring for the wounded, taking care of their laundry, and other manual needs.
In 1910, Wilder began teaching Theological Seminary at the University of Peking. He continued to teach in theological schools until his retirement in 1938. Wilder then served as the Secretary of North China Committee on Coordination of Emergency Relief in Tehsien, located in the Shatung Province. Due to escalating conflicts between Japan and China, Wilder was detained in Japan. He and his wife later returned to the United States in May of 1943.
George D. Wilder married Gertrude Stanley (OC 1894). Both worked as Missionaries in China. They had four children; all of whom studied at Oberlin College; Theodore (OC 1918), Margaret (OC 1921), Ursula (OC 1923), George Durand (1917-1920).
George Durand Wilder passed away on Sunday, May 5, 1946. He suffered a heart attack, and was admitted to Allen Memorial Hospital, Oberlin Ohio, where he later died.
Sources Consulted
Oberlin Alumni Magazine, Vol. 19 (pg. 15), Dec. 1922; Vol. 30 (pg. 116), Jan. 1934.
Student File of George Durand Wilder (RG 28).
Author: Freedom Nguyen, Kenneth M. Grossi Forms of Material (links to similar genres) Administrative InformationFor more information please see http://www.oberlinlibstaff.com/archon/index.php?p=collections/controlcard&id=5.
The George Durand Wilder Papers consists primarily of letters, 1922-45, between George Durand Wilder and his cousins and friends regarding his missionary work and family matters. In 1936, Wilder was detained by the Japanese government upon his departure from China. He wrote to his cousin, Jamie, and described his stay in Japan, and the corruption in China. Wilder’s reference to the actions of the Japanese can be identified as the first conflicts of WW II in the Pacific. Included with the correspondence is a colored drawing of the Holy Mother of Tai Shan, and Chinese funeral money. Also included is a crochet cloth edging with an alphabet design.
Series I. Correspondence, 1922-45, n.d. (1f)
Consists of Correspondence between family and friends concerning daily life, and George Wilder's experiences as a Professor and Missionary in Tientsin and Peking China. A copy of a Chinese text sent by Wilder was identified to be a reference to the Bible; MICAH 6: 9-13. Later correspondence consisted of letters to his cousins.
Series II. Genealogy, 1925 (1f)
Includes an outline of George Durand Wilder’s life–education, career, wife and children. Also includes genealogy two generations ahead of George Wilder.
Series III. Non-Textual, n.d. (1f)
A white crochet cloth edging with an alphabet design, in good condition.
INVENTORY
Series I. Correspondence, 1922-45, n.d.
Box 1
Correspondence, 1922-45 (1f)
Series II. Genealogy, 1925
Box 1 (cont.)
Photocopy of the original Wilder
Genealogy, 1925
Series III. Non-Textual, n.d.
Box 1 (cont.)
White crochet cloth edging with
alphabet design, n.d.