Collections : [University of Michigan Bentley Historical Library]

Ann Arbor title insurance company. The record group consists of packets of title abstracts for named subdivisions and additions in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Saline, Dexter, and other communities in Washtenaw County. The principal series is arranged alphabetically by name of subdivision with a smaller series of miscellaneous (largely unnamed) parcels of property in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti (with a scattering of other cities and villages included.

Niles, Michigan business family involved in various business endeavors, including mining; business papers and plans.

This collection includes business papers of the family of Henry Austin Chapin of Niles, Michigan (1813-1898), his son, Charles Augustus Chapin, of Chicago, Illinois, (who died between 1913 and 1915), and the heirs of Charles Augustus Chapin.

The collection includes business papers relating to the family's operations, including leases, reports, and maps of Chapin Mining Company, operators of the Chapin Mine. There are also leases, correspondence and legal papers of Indiana and Michigan Electric Company relating to power dams at Buchanan and Berrien Springs, Michigan. Other portions of the papers include newsletters and related material of the American Manganese Producers Association; and papers relating to the Chapin Memorial (First) Presbyterian Church, Niles, Michigan.

Journalist, historical researcher from Kalamazoo, Michigan; Correspondence, research articles and notes, and photographs.

The Weissert collection includes correspondence, 1893-1947, including letters from Joseph Bailly, Clarence M. Burton, Gurdon S. Hubbard, Chase S. Osborn, Albert E. Sleeper, and George Van Pelt. There are also speeches, and writings mostly on Michigan history topics, including Indian history and the history of Kalamazoo and Barry County. The series of research notes illustrates the variety of Weissert's interests: historical personalities, forts, Michigan cities, and early state history. The photographs and snapshots pertain to Weissert's interest in Michigan history, especially homes, churches, mills, hotels, businesses, and other sites primarily in western Michigan, but also including Sault Ste. Marie and Mackinac Island. There are also photographs of Michigan pioneers, particularly from the Hastings, Michigan area.

Charles A. Hill was African American pastor of Hartford Avenue Baptist Church (renamed Hartford Memorial Baptist Church in 1981) in Detroit, Michigan; collection includes church materials, scrapbooks and photographs, information collected about Hill and his activities by the Detroit Police Department, and family information.

The Charles A. Hill Family Papers are comprised of 2.7 linear feet and range in date from 1970 to 1981. The collection focuses primarily on the life and work of Charles A. Hill, Sr., although papers concerning other family members are also included. The collection is arranged into four series: Hartford Avenue Baptist Church, Charles A. Hill and Family, Red Squad Files, and Scrapbooks/Photographs.

Charles A. Sink was president of University Musical Society. Photographs (mainly autographed portraits) of musical performers, many of whom appeared in performances of the University Musical Society.

The collection consists of photographs (mainly autographed portraits) given to Sink in his responsibility as president of the University Musical Society. There are over 550 photographs, most of them are 8" x 10" prints. They have been arranged into two alphabets, one for individual photographs and one for photographs which were originally in an album. The listing includes "see" and "see also" references so that every occurrence of a person can be located whether it is in a file for a different individual or located separately because of size. The exception to this is for some of the group photos for which the group is identified but individuals are not (or their signatures are not legible). Unidentified photographs (there are three) are in a folder at the beginning of Box 1. There is one photograph per folder unless otherwise indicated. Some of the multiples are duplicates.

Republican member of the state house and the state senate; president of the University Musical Society. Legislative and campaign files, 1919-1935, detailing his election campaigns, his activities within the legislature, and his various responsibilities as a member of the Republican State Central Committee; general correspondence files, 1922-1960, largely pertaining to his work with the University Musical Society and other civic activities; topical files; family history and memoirs; diaries and appointment books; papers of wife Alva Gordon Sink; and visual materials.

Smith was a Detroit, Mich. Jewish dentist, philanthropist, and Freemason who was involved with and supported the state Republican Party. He served as a Chairman of the Wayne County Delegation to the Republican Progressive League in 1928-1929 and served as a Wayne County Chief Deputy Clerk in the 1930s. Smith advised and corresponded with many Michigan Republican politicians, among them Senator Arthur H. Vandenberg and Michigan governor Fred W. Green, as well as judges, attorneys, physicians, and business people. The collection includes correspondence with Michigan Senator Arthur Vandenberg, Governor Fred W. Green, politicians Howard C. Lawrence and Seth Q. Pulver, Judge Charles Rubiner, among others, on various political topics and current political events. The collection also includes Smith's personal and business correspondence. Also materials relating to Smith's philanthropic and advocacy work for the Jewish community.

Correspondence constitutes the bulk of the materials. Letters written to Smith reflect on his political alliances, his role as a supporter and advisor to Michigan public officials, lawyers, judges, business people, as well as Smith's colleagues in the medical field. The collection includes numerous thank you letters and letters asking for his assistance in difficult situations concerning other people's careers. Also of note are two folders with correspondence relating to clemency appeal for two Michigan men convicted for murder in the first degree. The collection also contains materials related to Smith's business activities as well as his affiliation with the Freemasons. A small group of documents relates to Smith's brother Jacob.