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TABLE OF CONTENTS |
Dolly-Maude Harris Fowler PapersAn Inventory of the Collection
Biographical NoteDolly-Maude Harris Fowler was born April 4, 1902, on a farm near Manor, Travis County, Texas. She was the great-granddaughter of Samuel Bolivar Giles, who settled in Travis County in the mid-1800s. Her parents were Banton White Giles and Leora Norwood and Dolly Maude was one of seven children born to the couple. Fowler was educated in the Austin schools and the University of Texas. She continued her education in Hollywood, London and Paris, then returned to Austin to open the D-M Dress Shops. In 1948 she sold the shops and retired. After ten days she decided to make a career out of her interest in floral artistry and opened University Florist, which she operated until her (second) retirement. An active clubwoman and volunteer Fowler was one of the founders of the Zonta Club and the Capital City Business and Professional Women's Club. She died in 1985. Her sister, Bythenia Jeanette Giles was born on April 13, 1909 in Manor, Texas. Jeanette was also educated in Austin school and attended the University of Texas where she received her Bachelors and Masters degrees in Education. She taught Social Studies in both Austin and Dallas public schools, including Webb Junior High School. She was active in civic affairs and a life member of the Texas State Teachers Association and the National Education Association. She married Major William Charles Wilkes in 1943. Jeanette died on April 3, 1971 Return to the Table of Contents Scope and ContentsThe biographical materials related to Jeanette Giles include school diplomas and certificates, a birth certificate, an obituary and Senate Resolution No. 938 in memory of Miss Jeanette Giles. Also included is a letter in recognition for Fowler's volunteer work with the United States War Finance Committee. Artifact in the collection include several American Women's Voluntary Services (AWVS) buttons, a World War II identification flag (or blood chit), ration book and ration token (red point), and a hair bracelet. The bracelet was accompanied by a note dated 1935 that says the bracelet was given to Fowler by Mrs. Stanhope Henry, whose husband was a direct descendent of Patrick Henry, and the bracelet was made from hair of Patrick's wife. Also included in the collection are eleven letters dated between 1833 and 1842 written between the various descendants of Thomas Jefferson Amis of Rogersville, Tennessee. The majority of the letters are from Lucy Howell to her cousin Lucy Amis Hagan. The relationship between Dolly-Maude Harris Fowler and the Amis family is unclear. Return to the Table of Contents RestrictionsRestrictions on AccessOpen to all users. Restrictions on UseNone. Return to the Table of Contents
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Return to the Table of Contents Administrative InformationCustodial HistoryDonated by the Estate of Dolly-Maude Harris Fowler. Preferred CitationDolly-Maude Harris Fowler Papers (AR.1991.066). Austin History Center, Austin Public Library, Texas. Acquisition InformationDonor #:DO/1985/060 Donation Date: 1985 Processing InformationFinding aid created and encoded by Molly Hults in 2013. Return to the Table of Contents Detailed Description of the Collection
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