ELWYN B. ROBINSON DEPARTMENT OF SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
CHESTER FRITZ LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA
GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA 58202

ROSAMOND O'BRIEN LOWE PAPERS

COLLECTION: OGL #18

DATES: 1957-1972

SIZE: 1.50 linear feet

INTRODUCTION

ACQUISITION: The Rosamond O'Brien Papers were deposited in the Orin G. Libby Manuscript Collection. The acquisition records are unavailable.

ACCESS: Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Department of Special Collections.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

Rosamond Thoe was born in Devils Lake, North Dakota, on April 26, 1904. She was the daughter of Halvor and Jennie (Sampson) Thoe. Rosamond was educated in Devils Lake and graduated from high school there in 1922. She took a course at Valley City State Teacher's College before marrying Harry O'Brien on December 31, 1923 in Devils Lake. Harry was born and raised in Devils Lake, served in World War I and attended Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis, studying journalism.

In 1930, Rosamond and Harry purchased the Walsh County Press newspaper, published in Park River. Harry O'Brien was elected to the North Dakota House in 1935, where he served until 1941, when he was elected to the North Dakota Senate. He continued to serve in the Senate until 1952, when he decided not to run for re-election. Rosamond was then elected to fill her husband's former seat. She served the Senate continuously until 1960, when she decided not to seek re-election. Ironically, both of the O'Briens were, for a time, the only Democrats in the Senate.

Harry O'Brien died in 1953, and Rosamond married Kenneth Lowe on April 11, 1959 in Park River. After Harry's death, Rosamond became the sole editor and publisher of the Walsh County Press. She also taught a course in journalism at Walsh County High School, assisted with the publication of the school newspaper, was a member of the North Dakota Press Women and president of the North Dakota Federation of Women's Clubs. She was presented with the Woman of Achievement Award by the North Dakota Press Women in 1960.

Kenneth Lowe died in 1971. Rosamond Lowe died February 6, 1974 in Grand Forks.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

The Rosamond O’Brien Lowe Papers consist of four scrapbooks. Three of the scrapbooks consist of copies of Lowe’s newspaper column “Short Stops,” which was a commentary on contemporary news, events and issues. The last scrapbook includes newspaper clippings and pictures involving Rosamond O’Brien Lowe, her family and friends, poems written by her and several Mother’s Day and birthday cards.

BOX AND FOLDER INVENTORY

Box 1

1. Scrapbook: “Short Stops,” March 1959-April 1971
2. Scrapbook: “Short Stops,” January 1957-November 1972

Box 2

1. Scrapbook: “Short Stops,” February 1960-November 1972
2. Scrapbook: Newspaper clippings and photos

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