Simeon Reesor

Classification scheme:

Hist.Mss.1.287 (s.c.)

Title: Simeon Reesor fonds

Dates of creation: 1917-1919

Physical description: 1 cm of textual material ; 4 photographs

Biographical sketch: Simeon Reesor was born 20 Apr 1896. He was the son of farmer Isaac and Emma (Rittenhouse) Reesor of R.R.#1 Markham, Ontario. Reesor applied for exemption from military service in 1917. Since he was an adherent of a Mennonite church but not yet a baptized member, his exemption was not clear. Although he spent most of the First World War on leave at home on the farm, he was required to report to the Niagara and Hamilton camps for brief periods. Following the war, he married Anna "Annie" Wideman. Simeon Reesor died in 1988.

Custodial history: Received from George Reesor in 2016; donated to the Mennonite Archives of Ontario by Ernest Smith, son-in-law of Simeon Reesor.

Scope and content: The fonds consists of records related to his military exemption, letters from military camps to Anna Wideman, and a few miscellaneous items.

Notes: For photographs related to Simeon Reesor search the Mennonite Archival Image Database.
Further materials related to Simeon Reesor may be found by searching the Archives.
Correspondence re Simeon Reesor's military exemption can also be found in the Non-Resistant Relief Organization fonds (XV-11.2.2/2.3).
Original description created by Laureen Harder-Gissing in 2016.

  1. Military Service Act medical history form for Simeon Reesor, 12 Oct 1917
  2. Military Service Act postmaster's receipt for claim for exemption from military service by  Simeon Reesor, 15 Oct 1917
  3. Military Service Act notice of hearing of application for exemption for Simeon Reesor, 8 Nov 1917 (date of hearing)
  4. Receipt for quarter master to issue an outfit, [May 1918?]
  5. Letter from Simeon Reesor to Annie Wideman from Niagara Camp, 20 May 1918
  6. Certificate of membership in the Mennonite Church, 10 Jun 1918 (date signed)
  7. Inventory of the effects of Simeon Reesor on his admission for leave, 17 Jun 1918
  8. Draft of letter from Simeon Reesor to military district office in Toronto with notice that he is engaged in farming, 29 June 1918
  9. Form letter from Exhibition Camp commanding officer, 1st Depot Battalion, 2nd C.O.R., to Simeon Reesor with instructions for granting discharge on demobilization, 18 Dec 1918
  10. Letter from Simeon Reesor to Annie Wideman from Exhibition Camp, 10 Jan 1919
  11. Letter from Miss E. Libbetts of Toronto to Miss Reesor requesting a pair of socks for a soldier friend going overseas, 14 Mar 1917
    Note: Miss Reesor is possibly one of Simeon Reesor's two sisters
  12. Charms for pain, fever, and burns or scalds
  13. Photographs

Note: Original description created 2016 by Laureen Harder-Gissing