The E. L. Diedrich Collection is a selection of manuscript items compiled by his son Duane Norman Diedrich and dedicated to his memory. The content of these letters, documents, and other manuscripts reflect the life and interests of E. L. "Bud" Diedrich (1904-1988), most prominently subjects pertinent to government, business, and patriotic music. Items include correspondence from early United States politicians, discussing aspects of the developing Federal government and political parties; letters respecting the U.S. Presidency; holograph manuscripts and correspondence respecting patriotic music, such as the Battle Hymn of the Republic; and much more.
The collection is comprised of over 50 letters, documents, manuscript songs, and photographs, and other items. For a comprehensive inventory and details about each item in the collection, please see the box and folder listing below.
The E. L. Diedrich Collection is a selection of manuscript items compiled by his son Duane Norman Diedrich (1935-2018) and dedicated to the memory E. L. Diedrich (1904-1988).
Elmer L. "Bud" Diedrich was born on November 7, 1904, in Bloomington, Illinois, to parents Charles and Mathilda Lartz Diedrich. He was one of at least three children; their father worked as a stationer. Bud Diedrich married Blandina Steege (1903-1996), also of Bloomington, in 1927. The couple had one son, Duane Norman Diedrich (1935-2018). Bud Diedrich spent his career in the retail business, working as a manager and superintendent for the S. S. Kresge Corporation (later Kmart Corporation). This work took him and his family to multiple cities, including Kalamazoo, Michigan, and Peru, Anderson, and Muncie, Indiana. Bud Diedrich died on February 19, 1988, and is interred at Elm Ridge Mausoleum in Muncie, Indiana.
