Politics and Government Collections |
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| MS-2 | COX, JAMES MIDDLETON (1870-1957). Papers, 1908-1957. 21 lin. ft. |
| Consists of correspondence, reports, speeches, photographs, clippings, and other printed materials relating to Cox's long career as a journalist and politician. Cox was a U.S. Congressmen representing Ohio's 3rd District from 1909- 1913, and the governor of Ohio from 1913-1915 and from 1917-1921. In 1920 he was the Democratic nominee for President with Franklin D. Roosevelt as his running mate. Cox was also the owner and publisher of several newspapers including the Dayton Daily News and the Dayton Journal Herald. The bulk of the material in this collection is correspondence covering such topics as local, national, and international politics, labor, monetary policy, economic matters, and journalism. A (partial) list of nationally known correspondents includes: William Jennings Bryan, Bernard Baruch, Josephus Daniels, James Farley, Cordell Hull, Walter Lippmann, Sam Rayburn, Franklin Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt, Adlai Stevenson, Harry Truman, Woodrow Wilson, and Orville and Wilbur Wright. The speeches include a number of radio campaign speeches (1920), speeches by Cox while Governor of Ohio (1913-1915), and speeches in support of Franklin Roosevelt and the policies of his administration. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-3 | SCHLAFMAN, MERRITT E. Papers, 1937-1943. 6 lin. ft. |
| Schlafman was a judge in Dayton, Ohio, during the 1930's and 1940's. His papers contain transcripts of trials broadcast from his courtroom, mostly on gambling offenses. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-4 | THOMPSON, GLENN (1904- ). Papers, 1938-1973. 5 lin. ft. |
| Thompson was a Dayton, Ohio, journalist and editor of the Dayton Journal Herald. His papers consist of correspondence, reports, clippings, speeches, memos, photographs, and printed materials reflecting his wide-ranging interests in education, politics, environmental problems, historic preservation, and journalism. Correspondents include Richard Nixon, Robert Oelman, Stanley Allyn, Clarence Brown, and James Rhodes. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-7 | LESTER L. CECIL LINCOLN COLLECTION. Papers, 1861-1961. 5 lin. ft. |
| Judge Cecil's collection of Abraham Lincoln memorabilia contains pamphlets and clippings concerning Lincoln and his administration, letters from the members of Lincoln's cabinet including William Seward and Gideon Welles, photographs and prints of Lincoln and his family, and other micellaneous items. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-40 | NEWBERRY LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS COLLECTION. Records , 1956-1972. 5.5 lin. ft. |
| This collection was donated by Jane Newberry, an active member of the Dayton League of Women Voters. Included are various issues of the League's newsletters and an assortment of reports, papers, and surveys on such topics as education, welfare, mental health, foreign policy, prison reform, housing, taxes, and pollution. Alosn included are some administrative, financial, and membership records. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-73 | SIMMS, CHARLES V. Papers, 1972-1976. 8.5 lin. ft. |
| Includes correspondence, subject files, memos, reports, clippings, and working papers of Simms who was a Montgomery County Commissioner during the early 1970's. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-76 | YOUNG, FREDERICK N. (1932- ). Papers, 1968-1976. 11 lin. ft. |
| The papers in this collection cover the years 1968-1976 when Young served as a State Representative from Dayton to the Ohio General Assembly. The majority of the papers consist of correspondence with constituents and political colleagues. There are also working papers, clippings, reports, speeches, and campaign materials. There is also a file of correspondence and photographs on the 1970 Kent State University incident. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-86 | SOMERS, FRANK (1898-1978). Papers, 1958-1965. 1 lin. ft. |
| Somers' papers contain a variety of materials covering his activities as the Mayor of Dayton, Ohio, and his interest in the Sister Cities Program. Included are campaign materials, clippings, biographical information, and photograph albums from his trips abroad. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-94 | LOCAL DAYTON SOCIALIST PARTY. Records, 1898-1956. 2.5 lin. ft. |
| The bulk of records in this collection were generated by the Socialist Party organization in Dayton, Ohio, from 1901-1924 and include membership meeting minutes, the minutes of various committees, financial records, and a listing of new members for the years 1906-1908 and 1912-1917. Also included is a small collection of Socialist Party literature, some state and national Party materials, and a miscellaneous collection of notices, handbills, correspondence, and photographs. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-112 | BEAVERCREEK COMMITTEE OF ELEVEN, INC. Records, 1965-1980. 3 lin. ft. |
| Records document a 15-year struggle by a citizens' committee to prevent neighboring cities from annexing portions of Beavercreek Township in Greene County and secure incorporation for Beavercreek as a village. Included are minutes, membership lists, correspondence, legal papers, petitions, community attitude surveys, fund raising materials, and newspaper clippings. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-128 | MIAMI CONSERVANCY DISTRICT. Records, Scrapbooks, Photographs, 1897-1983. 20 volumes, 33.5 lin. ft. |
| Records include the founding documents, minutes, financial records, and reports of the Dayton Citizen's Relief Commission and the Dayton Flood Prevention Committee, two early organizations formed to deal with the aftermath of the 1913 Dayton Flood. The remainder of the Conservancy records consist of administrative and financial reports, publications, files from the (Arthur) Morgan Engineering Company, legal materials, diaries, correspondence, files pertaining to the labor camps organized to construct the flood prevention works, and files pertaining to the relocation of railroad lines. In addition there are extensive subject files and technical reports. The scrapbooks cover the years 1913-1927 and consist of newspaper clippings from local and national papers covering such subjects as the 1913 Flood and its aftermath, the early movement for flood prevention, the formation of the Miami Conservancy District, opposition to its formation, and the construction of the Conservancy's flood prevention works. The 3500 photographs in this collection include many formats, glass plate, negatives, prints, and lantern slides, and cover such subjects as flood damage, construction, labor camps, railroad relocation, aerial views, Conservancy personnel, and various street scenes and images of early 20th century Dayton and the surrounding area. A complete microfiche edition of these photographs as well as a card file identifying each image is available. Finding aid also available for the scrapbooks and records. | |
| MS-143 | WEISENBORN, CLARA. (1910-1985). Papers, 1960-1980. 3.5 lin. ft. |
| Weisenborn represented Montgomery County in the Ohio State Legislature for over 20 years. Her papers consist primarily of files connected with her legislative career and include working papers, committee reports, bills, correspondence, and newspaper clippings. Weisenborn's most active areas of interest were the environment, health, and education. While detailing her work in the Ohio Legislature, the papers offer very little insight into her personal life. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-146 | BROWN, KATHARINE KENNEDY. (1890-1986). Papers, 1830-1976. 47 lin. ft. |
| Brown was an important figure in the Republican Party from 1920 until 1968. The bulk of materials in this collection are connected with her activities as the National Republican Party Committeewoman from Ohio. Political materials include correspondence, publications, campaign records, convention and election memorabilia, photographs, and records reflecting her activities with state and national GOP women's organizations. Correspondents include major Republican leaders and presidents Harding, Coolidge, Hoover, Eisenhower, and Nixon. Her papers also include personal and family materials consisting of diaries, correspondence, and financial records dating from the 1830's. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-147 | BROWN, MARTHA MCCLELLAN. (1838-1916). Papers, 1764-1916. 8.5 lin. ft. |
| A nationally known leader in the temperance movement as well as a strong advocate of women's rights and suffrage, Martha McClellan Brown lectured widely in the United States and Great Britain and held important posts in the Independent Order of Good Templars and the National Prohibition Party. She was also one of the founders of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union and edited a weekly temperance newspaper. Her papers include copies of her published talks and articles, handwritten drafts of lectures, personal correspondence, temperance and suffrage publications, photographs, memorabilia, and a small collection of materials reflecting her interest in Spiritualism. Also included are papers belonging to Brown's husband, Rev. William K. Brown, a Methodist minister with a strong interest in women's rights and the temperance movement. His papers include sermons, published articles, correspondence, church papers, and two books he authored. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-154 | FRIES, THOMAS L. (1942- ). Papers, 1981-1982. 2 lin. ft. |
| Fries was a Dayton-area (86th District) state legislator from 1971-1982. His papers contain material pertaining to legislation considered and/or composed by Fries during the 114th General Assembly of 1981-82. Included are copies of legislation, correspondence, memos, and speeches. Finding aid available.
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| MS-181 | DAYTON POLICE DEPARTMENT HISTORICAL COLLECTION. Papers, 1905-1956. 2 lin.ft. |
| An eclectic collection of historical materials saved from Dayton Police files over the years. Including Bertillion Cards of persons arrested in Dayton, a selection of arrest files, and clippings of notorious criminals containing information about Clyde Barrow, Bugs Moran, and Pretty Boy Floyd, and a file on the Dayton capture and arrest of John Dillinger. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-245 | HARRISON TOWNSHIP WOMEN'S REPUBLICAN CLUB Records, 1944-1992. 1.5 lin.ft. |
| Organized in 1944, the Harrison Township Women's Republican Club is part of the Ohio and National Federation of Republican Women's Clubs. Records consist of minutes, financial records, correspondence, membership rolls, and information about the club's activities. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-278 | KREBS, FRANK MARTIN. Papers, 1900-1965. 1 lin.ft. |
| Frank Krebs was a successful Dayton businessman, who was also politically active. Between 1942-1945, Krebs served as the Mayor of Dayton, and throughout his life held various political offices. The collection consists of personal correspondence, mayoral related materials, newspaper clippings and photographs. Find aid available. | |
| MS-280 | PARRISH, MARGUERITE. (1885-1983) Papers, 1930-1980. 2.5 lin.ft. |
| Parrish was an active Democratic leader for over sixty years. She worked with the Democratic Party at the loval, state, and national level. Through her work, she gained many acquaintances with leading political figures such as Harry Truman, John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. Her papers also include correspondence and information materials on the workings of the Democratic Party. Some of the most exensive information deals with her work in the Federated Democratic Women of Ohio organization of which she was President. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-306 | EDITH HOLSINGER. (1912-) Papers, 1958-1987. 5 lin. ft. |
| . Edith Holsinger was an English teacher, teaching at both Fairmount West High School and Barnes Jr. High School. In 1964, Holsinger aided in the creation of the Kettering Teachers Union and was an active participate in the union until her retirement. The collection consists of administration papers, newsletters, and personal correspondence. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-322 | MCGEE, JAMES H. (1930-) Papers, 1930-1980. 2.5 lin.ft. |
| James Howell McGee was the first African-American mayor of Dayton, Ohio and one of the first African-American mayors of a major U.S. city. McGee was born in West Virginia and spent his developmental years in Steubenville, Ohio. He received his undergraduate degree from Wilberforce University and his law degree from Ohio State University in 1948. Upon graduation, McGee practiced law in the Miami Valley and became involved in civil rights and Dayton city politics. His papers include speeches, correspondence, and photographs. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-332 | CRAWFORD, DON L. (1921-2000) Papers, 1918-2003. 2.5 lin.ft. |
| This collection includes newspaper clippings, magazine articles, scrapbooks, correspondence, speech notes and publicity, photographs, certificates, and campaign literature. Most items are by or about Don L. Crawford, Jr., one of Dayton’s best-known African American leaders of the 1960s-1980s. A few items in the collection relate to other Crawford family members Don L., Sr., Agatha Crawford Payne, and Donella Crawford. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-341 | HALL, TONY. Papers, 1959-2006 (bulk 1979-2002). 198 lin.ft. |
| The papers document the career of Tony Hall as both a U.S. Congressman, representing the Third District of Ohio, and as the United States Ambassador to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture. The papers contain voting records, congressional bills, constituent correspondence, personal correspondence, speeches, photographs, scrapbooks, newspaper clippings, memorabilia, and research on a variety of topics. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-346 | CURRAN, CHARLES J. (1939-) Papers, 1941-2006 (bulk 1990-2006). 3.5 lin.ft. |
| The collection includes correspondence, speeches, campaign information, photographs, certificates, advertisements, news clippings, and research documents. Most items are by or about Charles J. Curran and his time as Montgomery County Commissioner from 1983-2006. A few items in the collection relate to other local politicians or Curran family members. Finding aid available. | |
| MFM-31 | SPRINGFIELD CONSERVANCY DISTRICT. Records, 1929-1985. 16 reels. |
| Contains a complete run of the Board of Director's minutes (1929-1985) as well as administrative files (1935-1944) consisting of correspondence, financial records, reports, legal papers, and public notices. There are also plans and reports of the Chief Engineer (1930-1932). The last reel contains a scrapbook of newsclippings pertaining to the 1929 Springfield, Ohio, flood and photo albums which document the flood and construction of the Conservancy's flood protection works. | |