Collections : [University of Michigan Bentley Historical Library]

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Collection

George Meader Papers, 1922-1990 (majority within 1943-1966)

45 linear feet — 1 oversize folder

Ann Arbor, Michigan attorney, counsel to U.S. Congressional committees, and Republican Congressman, 1951-1965. Correspondence files concerning work with the Senate Committee Investigating the National Defense Program after World War II, and Congressional files, especially concerning his work with the House Judiciary Committee and the House Committee on Government Operations; also photographs and motion picture films.

The George Meader papers primarily document his Congressional service from 1951 to 1964. There are some materials documenting his personal and professional life aside from his work in Congress. The papers relating to Congressional service include correspondence, speeches, campaign literature, texts of radio broadcasts, press releases and newsletters, photographs, and sound recordings. The other materials include memoirs, diaries, correspondence and memoranda, case files, photographs and film, scrapbooks, and correspondence regarding organizations to which Meader belonged and relating to the opening of his Ann Arbor law practice in 1939. Also included in the Meader papers are the diaries, notebooks, and student papers of his daughter, Barbara.

The collection has been divided into five series: the National Defense Investigating Committee, Congressional Files, Personal, Professional, and Visual Materials. The first two series cover Meader's professional activities in Washington, D. C., including what he saw as crucial work on the Truman committee. The original order of material in these series has been pretty much maintained. The next two series, Personal and Professional, reflect the artifice of the archivist as the original order of materials in the groups was significantly altered in the course of processing.

Collection

Gerald L. K. Smith Papers, 1922-1976

102 linear feet — 2 phonograph records

Founder of the America First Party, head of the Christian Nationalist Crusade, and outspoken anti-Semite. Correspondence, speeches, oral history transcript, memoranda and other materials detailing his criticism of America's participation in World War II, his Michigan senatorial race in 1942, his campaign for the presidency in 1944, his opposition to the spread of communism after the war, and his support of conservative Christian causes and right wing individuals and organizations; and photographs. Portraits of Smith and his wife, Elna Smith; photographs of meetings and conventions of the America First Party, of picketing and other political activity in support of Smith and his platform, and of Smith's associates and supporters; also photographs and portraits of celebrities, buildings, and activities, which Smith collected, probably for use in his publication The Cross and the Flag.

The papers of Gerald L.K. Smith include correspondence, speeches, oral history transcript, memoranda and other materials detailing his criticism of America's participation in World War II, his Michigan senatorial race in 1942, his campaign for the presidency in 1944, his opposition to the spread of communism after the war, and his support of conservative Christian causes and right wing individuals and organizations; and photographs.

The major portion of the Gerald L.K. Smith papers came to the library in the spring of 1982. Before then, the library had accumulated a smaller group of Smith materials, mainly publications of the Christian Nationalist Crusade, mailings out of the Smith office from the 1960's and 1970's, the tapes and transcripts of an interview conducted with Smith in 1968 by a library staff member, and a few microfilm reels of a very small section of Smith's papers.

With the 1982 accession, the Smith collection now totals 102 linear feet of correspondence, memoranda, clippings, published materials, and photographs and motion pictures. The collection covers the years, 1922-1976, but bulks largest for the period since 1939. Regrettably, only scattered materials for the period before 1939 have survived so there is slight documentation of Smith's activities in Louisiana with Huey Long. What has survived from these years are a few letters from parents, some published sermons and radio speeches, and an assortment of notes, clippings, and meeting materials. It is perhaps surprising that not more of the collection had been discarded or mislaid. As the papers came from storage in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, the earlier files had been shifted about several times as Smith and his organization moved their base of operation: from Louisiana to Detroit, to St. Louis, to Los Angeles, and then to Eureka Springs. Smith seems to have been a careful record-keeper, however, and very little of the post-1939 files needed processing.

Collection

Glynn Family papers, 1870s, 1934-1992

0.75 linear feet

Alphrett and Mary Ann Glynn family, settlers to Millington Township, Tuscola County, Michigan. Papers relating to the history of the family; family reunion records including letters from family members unable to attend reunion; some of these letters are from family serving in the military during World War II; also photographs.

This collection chronicles the lives of members of the Glynn family through letters and records of the annual family reunion. While there are very few items from the early years of their settlement in Michigan, there is a great deal of information on the children and grandchildren of Alphrett and Mary Ann.

The collection is arranged into three series, Family History, Family Reunion, and Photographs.

Collection

Goebel family papers, 1901-1990 (majority within 1920-1974)

4.5 linear feet (in 8 boxes and 3 oversize volumes)

The Goebel family of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Scrapbooks, correspondence, photographs, and printed materials related to Paul G. Goebel Sr., his wife, Margaret E. Goebel, and their son, Paul G. Goebel Jr. Materials primarily document the senior Goebel's student athletic career as a University of Michigan football player, mayor of Grand Rapids, and U-M Regent as well as the Goebel Jr.'s unsuccessful run for Michigan's 5th Congressional District.

The Goebel family papers are comprised of scrapbooks, correspondence, photographs, and printed material documenting two generations of the Goebel family. The collection primarily documents Paul G. Goebel Sr. (1901-1988) including biographical materials, photographs from Japan during World War II, and scrapbooks and newspaper clippings from his athletic career including captain of the University of Michigan football team, Mayor of Grand Rapids, and U-M Regent. Of note are a small number of personal letters from President Gerald R. Ford, with whom the Goebels were friends.

The Margaret E. Goebel materials (1942-1987) include a scrapbook of her writings and biographical files. The papers of Paul G. Goebel Jr. (1970-1974), document his two unsuccessful bids for public office including the University of Michigan Board of Regents (1970) and United States Republican Congressman from Michigan (1974).

The photo albums series (1971-1987) includes three volumes that contain the Goebel family photographs; as well as personal letters from President Gerald Ford and his wife Betty Ford, photographs, programs, clippings, and ephemera related to various events at the White House.

Collection

Harley Harris Bartlett Papers, 1909-1960

11 linear feet — 13 film reels (in 4)

Professor of botany and director of the Botanical Gardens at the University of Michigan. Correspondence, research notes, forty-nine volumes of diaries, and other papers relating to his professional career, including his botanical expeditions to South America and the Philippines and his interest in the Phoenix Project of the University of Michigan; also a history of the botany department of the University containing material on Mark W. Harrington, professor of astronomy and director of the University Observatory; and photographs.

The collection has been divided into the following series: Correspondence; Phoenix Project of the University of Michigan; Miscellaneous; Diaries; and Other Bound Records.

A significant portion of the collection is the diaries that Bartlett maintained from 1926 to 1960. Included are detailed diary entries for the period 1934-1935 when he was an exchange professor of botany at the University of the Philippines. While in the Philippines, Bartlett also compiled Philippine English vocabularies and a two-volume Sambali-English-Tagalog vocabulary.

Collection

Harold M. Dorr papers, 1922-1973

17 linear feet — 1 oversize folder

Professor of political science and dean of state-wide education at University of Michigan. Correspondence, notebooks and other papers concerning University activities, the Rotary Club, his work with the Ann Arbor Township, Washtenaw County (Mich.) Zoning Board and Planning Commission, and his work as special consultant to the occupation forces in Germany following World War II; records, 1956-1959, relating to the establishment of the Dearborn campus of the University of Michigan; and photographs.

The Harold M. Dorr collection provides excellent documentation of the professor's activities both in and out of the classroom. There is extensive material detailing his long-time activities with the Ann Arbor Rotary and as a member of the zoning board and planning commission of Ann Arbor Township. Also documented is his role with the U-M Extension Service and his interest in the university's state-wide education program. The series in the collection are: Family; Correspondence; Other materials; Notebooks; Manuscripts of writings; Department of Political Science; Ann Arbor Township activities; and Topical and organizational activities. Portions of the collection are unprocessed.

Collection

Harry A. Towsley papers, 1876-1990

9.0 linear feet — 1 oversize folder — 73 film reels — 26.25 GB

Pediatrician, professor and philanthropist, joined University of Michigan Dept. of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases in 1934, and served with the 298th General Hospital Unit during World War II. Papers include medical school lecture notes, class of 1931 files, medical research files; correspondence, histories, photographs and motion pictures relating to the 298th General Hospital Unit, family history materials including Frank A. Towsley's diary, 1876, and family correspondence, 1878-1926 and photographs.

The papers of Harry A. Towsley provide a broad overview of the many facets of his career, including his medical education at the University of Michigan, his service with the 298th General Hospital during World War II, and his professional career as a pediatrician and educator. The collection is arranged in eleven series as follows: Biographical Material; Correspondence; Family History; Foundation Relations Committee Files; General Files; Iodine and Goiter Research; Pediatric Files; Student Notes; Reunion Files; 298th General Hospital Records; and Films.

Collection

Haughey Family Papers, 1917-1955

3 linear feet

Wilfrid H. Haughey family of Battle Creek, Michigan; letters of Haughey to his wife and children written while he was serving as an army surgeon in France during World War I; letters of members of the family attending University of Michigan; extensive correspondence of the Haughey children written from throughout the United States and the world during World War II.

The collection is composed primarily of correspondence with a smaller series of miscellaneous items. The letters are of Wilfred H. Haughey to his wife and children written while he was serving as an army surgeon in France during World War I. There are also letters of Haughey family members written to their family while attending the University of Michigan and from other members of the family written while serving in World War II.

Collection

Henry Moore Bates papers, 1886-1950

5 linear feet

Professor of constitutional law at the University of Michigan. Papers include correspondence, reports, articles, speeches, photographs, and notebooks, relating to Bates' professional career, with material concerning activities of Ann Arbor National Defense Committee; life and career of Lawrence Maxwell, lawyer and U.S. Solicitor General in the Cleveland administration, funding and building the Michigan Union (1911-1918); Republican politics in the 1930's and 1940's; Franklin D. Roosevelt's attempt to reorganize the Supreme Court in 1937; and campus life at the University of Michigan during the first and second World Wars.

The Henry M. Bates papers include correspondence, reports, articles, speeches, photographs, and notebooks, relating to Bates' professional career, with material concerning activities of Ann Arbor National Defense Committee; life and career of Lawrence Maxwell, lawyer and U.S. Solicitor General in the Cleveland administration, funding and building the Michigan Union (1911-1918); Republican politics in the 1930's and 1940's; Franklin D. Roosevelt's attempt to reorganize the Supreme Court in 1937; and campus life at the University of Michigan during the first and second World Wars.

The papers are organized into Correspondence undated and 1886-1949, Michigan Union Building, 1911-1918; Committee of Nine on Mineral Law, 1927-1929; Miscellaneous Papers; and Photographs.

Collection

Homer Ferguson Papers, 1939-1976

26 linear feet — 1 oversize folder — 35 phonograph records — 769 MB (online)

Online
Republican U.S. Senator from Michigan, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines; files relating to his various career responsibilities, photographs, sound recordings.

The Homer Ferguson collection has been divided into eleven series based primarily upon the important phases of his public life: Personal; Circuit Judgeship; Senate Career; Interregnum: November 1954 - April 1955; Hoover Commission; Philippine Ambassadorship; United States Court of Military Appeals; Inter-Parliamentary Union; Photographs, Sound Recordings, and Myrtle Ferguson Papers.