Diary of young California woman, 1909

Heading: (California)
Author: Van Wormer, Clara G.
Title: Diary kept by Clara G. Van Warmer, who knew and worked for Luther Burbank in the early 20th century
Place Published: San Francisco
Publisher:
Date Published: c.1907-1915
Description:

Approx. 43 pp. used, mostly in pencil, with some ink - plus a larger portion of unused leaves at end. 15.3x9 cm (6x6½"), flexible leather.

Diary/daybook kept by a young Northern California woman who was to wind up working for Luther Burbank. Most of the diary records an eventful trip up the coast to Seattle that occurred in the first half of 1909, but the writer does provide a timeline of events both before and after the main time period. Clara G. Van Wormer was born in 1889 in West Salem, Wisconsin, her father Clement Harry Van Wormer was an attorney and real estate agent there. The family moved soon to Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California. There are two photographs, one a cyanotype, of Clara G. Van Wormer and her sister Josephine Ethel Van Wormer, who was born in 1891.

At the beginning of the diary is a brief chronology, including:

"Graduated from High School Christmas 1909.
Got diploma Business College, June 1910.
Began working for Mr. Burbank on October 24, 1910.
Pauline worked there until October 8, 1911. Then I took her place."

Clement Van Wormer knew Luther Burbank, and introduced her daughter to him.

Pauline Olsen was indeed secretary to Luther Burbank, a position she held until 1908. Pauline Olsen and Luther Burbank had a tempestuous relationship. Later she returned to Burbank as bookkeeper, and till October 8, 1911 she was in charge of Information Bureau of Luther Burbank's private experimental grounds on Santa Rosa Avenue.

The account of Ms. Van Wormer's trip up the west coast by train is revelatory, both for the events themselves, and the perspective of a young woman recently come of age in the early years of the 20th century.

At the end is a short chronology of events from 1912 to 1915, beginning with a few camping trips, then her engagement, marriage, and honeymoon, and finally a trip to the Panama Pacific International Exposition.
Condition Report: Rubbing and edge wear to covers; very good.