Mildred Scholl Gathman (1918-2001) was born in rural Arrowsmith and lived there much of her life. She graduated Illinois State Normal University with a teaching certificate in 1937 and taught at Cornell School in Arrowsmith Township. She wed farmer Floyd Gathman in 1938. After starting a family, she substitute taught for many years.
Mildred was an active 4-H club leader from mid-1950s to mid-1970s. She worked as a clerk at local farm elevators during harvest season. She was a member of Arrowsmith Christian Church, Home Extension, and the Republican Women’s’ Club.
A Bellflower native, Floyd Gathman (1914-1991) became a leader in the Arrowsmith Christian Church, Over the Top 4-H Club, town government, the McLean County Fair, and other local organizations. He farmed for over fifty years and his family farm was designated as a centennial farm by the state of Illinois.
Materials include farm financial records, Mildred’s school workbooks, and some miscellaneous items.