The Hamilton Family

Charlotte Monona (Hamilton) Nafziger

known as Monona

Birth: 2 March 1907, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Father: Elmer William Hamilton

Mother: Ida Pearl (Richmond) Hamilton

Married: Ralph Otto Nafziger on 18 June 1932. Ralph was born on 18 April 1896, in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Albert Nafziger and Emmy (Brennermann) Nafziger. He died on 25 September 1973 in Madison, Wisconsin. A summary biography of Ralph Nafziger has been written by William David Sloan in Makers of the Media Mind pp296-301, describing him as "one of the founding giants in communication research methods". Professor Nafziger wrote a number of books, including International News and the Press (1940), An Introduction to Journalism Research (1949), Introduction to Mass Communications Research (1958) and The Frontiers of Journalism: A Symposium Honoring Professor Ralph O. Nafziger on the Occasion of His Retirement (1968).

Occupation: Journalist

Death: 1 April 2005, in Madison, Dane county, Wisconsin, United States, aged 98

Obituary:
Nafziger, Charlotte Monona Hamilton 
MADISON - Charlotte Monona Hamilton Nafziger, age 98, died peacefully on Friday, April 1, 2005. Monona, as she was always known, was born on March 2, 1907, in Winnipeg, Canada, the daughter of beloved parents, E. William and Ida Pearl (Richmond) Hamilton. A graduate of St. Mary's Academy in Winnipeg, Monona received the A.C.T.M. degree in 1925 from the Toronto Conservatory of Music, which also awarded her its nationwide silver medal, A gifted musician, she performed and taught both piano and cello. As a result of a depression in western Canada, her father, a prominent magazine editor, moved his family in 1925 to Madison, where both he and Monona's mother had strong roots. (Monona was a grandniece of Charlotte and Susan Richmond, who founded the Wisconsin Academy, and of T.C. Richmond, a prominent lawyer and gubernatorial candidate, whose gift of deer to the city of Madison marked the beginning of Vilas Park Zoo). In 1928, Monona received her B.A. degree in journalism from the University of Wisconsin. Launching her professional career just in time for a second, even worse depression, this time in the United States, she was nevertheless successful from the start. Directly after graduation, she was appointed assistant society editor of The Capital Times and was quickly promoted to society editor. Among her duties at the ripe age of 21, she posed as "Aunt Anna" in dispensing advice to the lovelorn. As she later observed, "I was relieved when that experience was over." In her next position, as assistant editor with the Wisconsin Power and Light Company, she learned what needed to be learned about steam generators and other technology and became the first woman to serve as general office chairman there, On her marriage in 1932 to Ralph O. Nafziger, then an assistant professor in the UW School of Journalism, Monona largely suspended her writing career to devote herself to marriage and the home. She did however, write a weekly column for the Milwaukee Sentinel on Madison activities. Her partnership with her husband in journalism circles was renowned at the UW during the 30s, later at the University of Minnesota, and then a second time at the UW when her husband returned in 1949 as Director of the School of Journalism. While raising her family, to which she was utterly devoted, Monona somehow found time to undertake substantial writing, editing, and civic leadership in both Minneapolis and Madison. For example, she planned and edited the first Directory of the University League here. Among her numerous leadership positions, she served as a board member of the Madison Civics Club, Madison YWCA, Wisconsin Division of the American Association of University Women (A.A.U.W.), Women in Communications, the National League of American Pen Women, and several PTA organizations. In honor of her accomplishments, Monona was listed in "Who's Who of American Women." Her enthusiasm for international education was manifested in endless hospitality to foreign students, service on the executive committee of the Friends of International Students, and travels abroad. Her travels were highlighted by lengthy sojourns in Vienna (1961), Berlin (1964) and New Delhi (1966 to 1967) during her husband's professional work in those locations. Monona was a longtime member of the First Congregational Church, Madison, and for more than 50 years, of Chapter AX of the P.E.O. Sisterhood. She was an avid birdwatcher, gardener, reader and cookie baker. Above all, her family came first. She is survived by her two sons, Ralph of Albany, Oregon, and James of Salem, Oregon; as well as by several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents; husband; and a sister, Marjorie. Memorial services will be held at FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, CHAPEL, 1609 University Ave., at 2 p.m. on Friday April 29, 2005. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Ralph O. Nafziger Lecture Fund at the University of Wisconsin Foundation, Chapter AX of the P.E.O. Sisterhood or the First Congregational Church.
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(source: Capital Times (Madison, WI) - 5 Apr 2005)

SHE TOOK FACULTY WIFE ROLE TO HEART CHARLOTTE MONONA NAFZIGER, WIDOW OF LATE JOURNALISM SCHOOL DIRECTOR, HAD BEEN A JOURNALIST HERSELF.

Charlotte Monona Nafziger was every bit the textbook faculty wife. She was a devoted mother to two sons, kept a nice home in Shorewood Hills and graciously entertained her husband's University of Wisconsin colleagues.

"She was always keenly aware of anything that went on at the university," said Susan Adams of Monona Nafziger, her close friend and neighbor.

She was a journalist herself, yet the career of her husband -- Ralph O. Nafziger, third director of the School of Journalism -- came first.

And she stayed committed to the university and the School of Journalism after her husband's death in 1973. She had planned to be at its centennial celebrations this weekend, her son said.

Instead, a memorial service for Nafziger, who died at age 98 April 1 at UW Hospital, will be at 2 p.m. Friday at the First Congregational Church.

Her son, James Nafziger of Salem, Ore., said his mother displayed her intellectual curiosity daily. "Always seek the truth," was her motto, he said.

Nafziger, a 1928 graduate of the School of Journalism, was society editor for The Capitol Times before she married her husband on June 18, 1932.

After her marriage, Monona Nafziger wrote a weekly column on Madison life for the Milwaukee Sentinel, but once she had children, her writing career was largely personal.

"She kept wonderful diaries," Adams said. "When my husband was invited to Japan, she loaned me her diary (from her travels there) so I would have a little more idea of the culture. It was exactly as she described."

She also ran "a superb clipping service" for him and his brother Ralph as well as friends, James Nafziger said.

"She really kept in touch with families of journalism faculty when they moved away," he said. "She would always keep them in touch by sending them clippings from the (Wisconsin) State Journal."

She was a generous friend. When Nafziger noticed that her neighbors were overwhelmed, she would cook two casseroles -- the extra for Adams and her husband.

She cherished books and belonged to several reading clubs. She was involved in the University League and was a board member of the Madison Civics Club, Madison YWCA, Wisconsin Division of the American Association of University Women, Women in Communications and the National League of American Pen Women.

Monona Nafziger had moved from Shorewood Hills to Attic Angel Retirement Community. She spent each winter in Oregon with James and Ralph, who lives in Albany, Ore.

She had just returned home when she fell ill.

Adams said her friend was private and modest, and she didn't put on airs about her family's background or money.

"She had a strong value system," Adams said. "Integrity. She was one of those friends you could tell anything and you don't have to worry it's going to be told to the world. I just loved her."

Sources:

Elmer William Hamilton

Birth: 7 June 1879, in Wisconsin, United States

Father: Alexander Hamilton

Mother: Clara Belle (Miller) Hamilton

Education: Graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1904 with a Bachelor of Arts in Commerce.

Married: Ida Pearl Richmond on 30 August 1905

Children:
Occupation: Magazine Editor. He was an inventor, lecturer and writer.

Death: 8 August 1961, in Madison, Dane county, Wisconsin

Burial: Forest Hill Cemetery, Madison, Dane county, Wisconsin

Notes: Elmer emigrated to Canada in 1904. As a result of a depression in western Canada, E. William moved his family in 1925 to Madison, Wisconsin, where both he and Ida Pearl had strong roots.

Census & Addresses:
1880: Arena, Iowa county, Wisconsin
1906: Avoca Block, cnr Kennedy & Sargent, Winnipeg, Manitoba
1907: Winnipeg, Manitoba (birth of daughter Charlotte)
1925: Madison, Wisconsin (noted in obituary of  daughter Charlotte)

Sources:
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