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Wilhelm, Claire, 1898-1984

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1898 - 1984

Biographical History

Claire Wilhelm (1898-1984) was the sister of artist Lillian Wilhelm Smith and companion to Western author Zane Grey.

Claire Wilhelm was born on July 20, 1898 in New Jersey to Henry T. and Leonore Wilhelm. She was the youngest of seven children, the oldest of which was the artist Lillian Wilhelm Smith. She was the cousin of Lina Elise Grey, wife of Western novelist Zane Grey. She accompanied Zane Grey on various fishing and camping expeditions beginning in 1914. In 1918, Grey's attentions turned to other women and Wilhelm found herself estranged from him. She married Phillips Carlin in June 1921.

In 1924, Grey began inviting Wilhelm to accompany him once again after Wilhelm sustained serious injuries in a car accident. She entered into Grey's employ as a secretary when her marriage began to fail. After nine months with Grey, Wilhelm finally parted ways with him and returned to New York City where she resolved the strains in her marriage. She had two daughters, Virginia and Patricia, and gave up travelling to raise them, however, she continued to correspond with Zane and Lina Elise Grey for many years afterward.

Claire Wilhelm died on January 15, 1984 in Branford, Connecticut.

Citation:
Claire Wilhelm collection on Zane Grey, approximately 1900-1956 (Claire Wilhelm, born July 20, 1898 in New Jersey, sister of artist Lillian Wilhelm Smith, cousin of Lina Elise Grey-wife of Western novelist Zane Grey, accompanied Zane Grey on various fishing and camping expeditions 1914-1918, married Phillips Carlin, secretary to Zane Grey 1924, died January 15, 1984 in Branford, Connecticut)

Ancestry.com, November 21, 2013 (Claire E. Carlin; b. Jul. 20, 1898, New Jersey; d. Jan. 15, 1984, Branford, Connecticut; two daughters, Virginia and Patricia)

FamilySearch, November 21, 2013 (parents, Henry T. and Leonore Wilhelm)

Zane Grey: His Life, His Adventures, His Women, 2005: p. 156 (Claire Wilhelm; youngest of seven children; younger sister of Lillian Wilhelm Smith), p. 119 (cousin of Lina Elise Grey), p. 171 (accompanied Zane Grey on various expeditions from 1914), p. 193 (Wilhelm estranged from Zane, 1918; married Phillips Carlin, June 1921), p. 243 (accompanied Grey in 1924 after car accident; became a secretary) p. 251 (returned to New York City and fixed marriage)

Found in 8 Collections and/or Records:

Claire Wilhelm collection of Zane Grey ephemera, 1915-1954

 Series
Identifier: MSS 8277 Series 2
Scope and Contents

This series contains silhouettes of Zane and Lina Elise Grey, a Christmas card from Zane Grey to Claire Wilhelm, and a Zane Grey book plate, dating from 1915 to 1954.

Dates: 1915-1954
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Claire Wilhelm collection on Zane Grey

Claire Wilhelm collection of Zane Grey photographs, approximately 1900-1956

 Series
Identifier: MSS 8277 Series 1
Scope and Contents

This series contains 76 black and white photographs of Zane Grey and his family, Claire Wilhelm and various other women on expeditions with Zane Grey, and scenes from Zane Grey movies dating from approximately 1900 to 1956.

Dates: approximately 1900-1956
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Claire Wilhelm collection on Zane Grey

Claire Wilhelm collection on Grey family, approximately 1900-1956

 Sub-Series
Identifier: MSS 8277 Series 1 Sub-Series 1
Scope and Contents

This subseries contains photographs and postcards of Zane Grey, his siblings, Ellsworth, R. C. and Ida Grey, his wife, Lina Elise Grey, his children, Romer, Betty Zane and Loren Grey, and various other members of his family from approximately 1900 to 1956.

Dates: approximately 1900-1956
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Claire Wilhelm collection on Zane Grey / Claire Wilhelm collection of Zane Grey photographs

Claire Wilhelm collection on Zane Grey films, 1919-1938

 Sub-Series
Identifier: MSS 8277 Series 1 Sub-Series 5
Scope and Contents

Contains photographs of William Farnum in a film adaptation of the Lone Star Ranger and a replica of Jane Withersteen's home that was used in the film adaptation of Riders of the Purple Sage. Dated 1919 to 1938.

Dates: 1919-1938
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Claire Wilhelm collection on Zane Grey / Claire Wilhelm collection of Zane Grey photographs

Claire Wilhelm collection on Zane Grey property, 1915-1921

 Sub-Series
Identifier: MSS 8277 Series 1 Sub-Series 2
Scope and Contents

This subseries contains photographs and postcards of the home in Zanesville, Ohio where Zane Grey was born, and the Lackawaxen River, Pennsylvania from 1915 to 1921.

Dates: 1915-1921
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Claire Wilhelm collection on Zane Grey / Claire Wilhelm collection of Zane Grey photographs

Claire Wilhelm photographs, approximately 1910-1950

 Sub-Series
Identifier: MSS 8277 Series 1 Sub-Series 3
Scope and Contents

This subseries contains photographs and postcards of Claire Wilhelm, Lillian Wilhelm Smith, Mildred Fergerson, Dorothy Ackerman, Mildred Smith, Elma Schwarz, Polly Hunter, and various others on fishing trips, camping trips and in other situations with Zane Grey from approximately 1910 to 1950.

Dates: approximately 1910-1950
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Claire Wilhelm collection on Zane Grey / Claire Wilhelm collection of Zane Grey photographs

Claire Wilhelm photographs of Native Americans, approximately 1920

 Sub-Series
Identifier: MSS 8277 Series 1 Sub-Series 4
Scope and Contents

This subseries contains photographs of Native Americans, possibly taken on visits made by Claire Wilhelm to their villages. Dated approximately 1920.

Dates: approximately 1920
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Claire Wilhelm collection on Zane Grey / Claire Wilhelm collection of Zane Grey photographs

Claire Wilhelm collection on Zane Grey

 Collection
Identifier: MSS 8277
Scope and Contents Contains documentation of Wilhelm's interactions with Grey while accompanying him on various expeditions. The collection contains black and white photographs of Zane Grey and his family, Claire Wilhelm and various other women on trips with Zane Grey, Native Americans, and scenes from Zane Grey movies. It also contains ephemera collected by Claire Wilhelm including silhouettes of Zane and Lina Elise Grey, a Christmas card from Zane Grey to Wilhelm, and a Zane Grey book plate. Materials date...
Dates: approximately 1900-1956
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections

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