Detroit: Politics, Government, and City Services
George Romney campaigning for governor, Detroit, 1962 (George W. Romney papers, Visual material series, Box 1) image bl004043
Newspaper history of the Detroit street railway system, ca. 1899
- 5 volumes.
Mimeographed typescripts of articles relating to Detroit's street railway system, 1862-1899.
Ankenbrandt, Stephen W.
- Stephen W. Ankenbrandt scrapbooks 1916-1941.
- 11 volumes.
Postal worker.
Newspaper clippings concerning the United States Postal Service in Detroit and the activities of the locals of the National Association of Letter Carriers and the Michigan Federation of Post Office Clerks.
Bradley, Martin R., 1888-
- Martin R. Bradley papers, 1918-1961.
- 2 linear ft.
Democratic state representative from Menominee County, Michigan, in the Upper Peninsula, 1923-1925 and 1927-1935.
Correspondence, subject files, and clippings and scrapbooks primarily relating to his legislative career. The collection includes two files relating to the arbitration of the Detroit Street Railway dispute in 1949.
Brewer, Clarence E., 1892-1964.
- Clarence E. Brewer papers, 1914-1964.
- 2 linear ft.
Pioneer in the public recreation movement, Detroit Recreation Commissioner.
Correspondence, memoranda, and printed matter relating to the work of the War Camp Community Service program in the 1920s.
Burt, Flora, collector.
- Flora Burt family papers 1820s-1980s
- 3 linear ft. and 1 oversize folder.
Historical documents, family papers, and photographs accumulated and maintained by Flora Burt relating to the Burt family and to other family lines. Included are materials and information pertaining to James P. McKinstry, officer in the U.S. Navy in the 19th century, and to John R. Williams, 1st mayor of Detroit. The collection also contains letters, 1839-1846, to William A. Burt from his son Alvin Burt, then doing survey work in Iowa; also letter, 1845, from William Burt to Alvin Burt, describing the solar compass that he patented.
Conely, Edwin Forrest, 1847-1902.
- Edwin Forrest Conely scrapbook, May-December 1882.
- 1 volume.
Detroit superintendent of police.
Scrapbook containing newspaper clippings with accounts of police matters in which Conely was involved.
Cudlip, William B., 1904-
- William Byrnes Cudlip papers, 1922-1985.
- 9 linear ft.
Detroit attorney, Republican regent of the University of Michigan.
Files relating to his activities as regent of the University of Michigan, 1963-1972, to his work as delegate to Michigan's Constitutional Convention, 1961-1962, and as general counsel for the Michigan Bankers Association, 1932-1953; personal and political correspondence, 1922-1985, detailing in part his involvement in Republican Party affairs, especially his friendship with Michigan senator Arthur H. Vandenberg and his support of Vandenberg's candidacy for the Republican nomination for president in 1940; speeches relating mainly to banking during the depression.
Cushing, George, 1888-
- George Cushing papers, 1942-1955.
- 11 linear ft.
News editor and vice president of Detroit radio station WJR; moderator of radio program, In Our Opinion.
Correspondence, radio transcripts, scrapbooks, broadcast discs, and audio-tapes of discs; include material concerning career of Senator Arthur H. Vandenberg, the senatorial campaign of 1942 between Prentiss Brown and Homer Ferguson, and radio broadcasting in general.
Finding aid available in library
Democratic Party (Mich.). 17th Congressional District Official Democratic Party Organization.
- 17th Congressional District Official Democratic Party Organization records, 1968-1985.
- 1 linear ft.
Congressional district encompassing Oakland County and parts of Detroit.
Election files, 1968-1980; minutes of meetings; newsletters of Liberal Conference of 17th District Democrats; and subject files.
Denby, Edwin, 1870-1929.
- Edwin Denby papers 1845-1846 and 1880-1929
- 2.4 linear ft. Photographs .4 linear ft.
Detroit attorney; U.S. Congressman, 1905-1911; and U.S. Secretary of the Navy, 1921-1924.
Correspondence, 1880-1927, concerning personal matters, business affairs, and political activities; letters to Mrs. Denby regarding Denby's death; articles, speeches, notes and memoranda on various topics including the Panama Canal, Boxer Indemnity, United States Navy, and oil leases; photostats of letters exchanged between Nathaniel Denby and George Bancroft, 1845-1846; and photographs. Correspondents include: Joseph G. Cannon, Calvin Coolidge, James J. Couzens, Josephus Daniels, Fred W. Green, William H. Hobbs, Herbert C. Hoover, Truman H. Newberry, Chase S. Osborn, Elihu Root, Arthur J. Tuttle, Arthur H. Vandenberg, Henry C. Wallace, and Curtis Dwight Wilbur.
Dingell, John D. (John David), 1894-1955.
- John D. Dingell papers, 1932-1956.
- 4 linear ft.
Democratic U.S. Congressman from Michigan's 15th District.
Biographical material; speeches, press releases, and interviews; and legislation files concerning the bills introduced in Congress by Dingell (Restricted access).
Earle, Horatio Sawyer, 1855-1935.
- Horatio S. Earle diaries 1870-1934
- 1 linear ft. (51 v.).
Detroit, Michigan, salesman, president of the Earle Equipment Company and Michigan State Highway Commissioner.
Descriptions of farm and road equipment sales, the good roads movement, the League of American Wheelmen, and Michigan politics, including the 1912 election.
Gomon, Josephine Fellows, 1892-1975.
- Josephine Fellows Gomon papers, 1913-1975.
- 10 linear ft. and 2 oversize volumes.
Executive secretary to Detroit Mayor Frank Murphy, 1930-1933, chairwoman of the Mayor's Unemployment Committee, later director of the Detroit Housing Commission, candidate for Detroit public office, and director of women personnel at the Willow Run Bomber Plant during World War II.
Correspondence and diaries concerning the Murphy mayoralty, Clarence Darrow and the Ossian Sweet murder trial of 1925, and local Detroit politics; and photographs.
Griffiths, Martha Wright, 1912-
- Martha W. Griffiths papers, 1956-1976.
- 60 linear ft. and 8 oversize volumes
Detroit attorney, Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives, 1955-1974, and member of the House Ways and Means Committee. Griffiths? district included a portion of Detroit.
Congressional papers, arranged by term, include legislative files, bills files, topical files, schedules, sound recordings, photographs, motion pictures, and scrapbooks. The collection details relationship with colleagues and constituents and pertains to committee activities, legislation sponsored, and issues of the day. Topics of interest include civil rights, the war in Vietnam, Sleeping Bear Dunes, the humane slaughtering of animals, the economy and the fiscal policy of the federal government, women's rights, the Equal Rights Amendment, economic problems of women, and the need for national health insurance legislation.
Hart, Philip A. (Philip Aloysius), 1912-1976.
- Philip A. Hart papers, 1948-1976.
- 281 linear ft., 3 oversize volumes and 2 oversize folders.
Democratic U.S. Senator from Michigan, 1959-1976.
Legislative, staff, and press files; other records relating to operation of Hart office; speeches and press releases; political materials detailing Democratic Party activities and his election campaigns in 1964 and 1970; and photographs and films; include materials documenting the legislative issues of the 1960s and 1970s, especially civil rights, environmental protection, and the Vietnam War.
Heineman, David Emil, 1865-1935.
- David Emil Heineman papers, 1899-1912.
- 18 volumes. and 1 oversize folder.
Detroit merchant and attorney, state legislator from Wayne County, Michigan, later Detroit city councilman.
Newspaper clippings relating to his political career and Detroit politics; also photograph album of the Heineman home, and memorial clippings on his death. Poem written by Isidore Frankel, 1886, and dedicated to Emil Heineman, David Heineman's father.
Finding aid available in library
Karlstrom, Signe.
- Signe Karlstrom papers, 1954-1979.
- 1 folder.
Detroit area civic leader.
Correspondence exchanged with Thomas Schippers, conductor of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.
Kemp, Edward Gearing, 1887-1962.
- Edward G. Kemp papers, 1920-1962 and undated.
- 1.5 linear ft. and 1 oversize folder.
Detroit attorney and aide of Frank Murphy.
Correspondence and other papers dealing with personal and professional affairs, particularly his work with Murphy in the Philippines and service as an assistant U.S. Attorney General; also, scrapbook, 1933-1962, with photographs, clippings, and other memorabilia of his public career.
Kennedy, G. Donald (George Donald), 1900-
- G. Donald Kennedy papers, 1928-1968.
- 6 linear ft. and 15 oversize volumes.
Civil engineer, Michigan state highway commissioner, and president of the Portland Cement Company in Chicago.
Correspondence, speeches, scrapbooks, photographs, and reports relating to his professional career; contain files relating to his work as municipal engineer in Pontiac, with the Mackinac Straits Bridge Authority, the American Association of State Highway Officials, the Automotive Safety Foundation, and the Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority; include papers relating to highway and airport construction, to economic mobilization during World War II, the Willow Run Bomber Plant, Democratic Party politics, and the campaign visit of Franklin Roosevelt to Michigan in 1936. Included are materials on the development of the Detroit freeway system and of the expressway to the Willow Run bomber plant during World War II.
Lacy, Arthur J. (Arthur Jay), 1876-1975.
- Arthur J. Lacy papers, 1891-1975.
- 10 linear ft. and 1 oversize volume.
Detroit attorney and judge, Democratic candidate for governor in 1934.
Correspondence, legal case files, family materials, speeches, essays, diary notes, financial materials, newspaper clippings, scrapbooks, photographs, and transcript of oral interview.
League of Women Voters of Detroit.
- League of Women Voters of Detroit records, 1931-1988.
- 4 linear ft.
Board meeting minutes, correspondence, newsletters, position statements on various statements, and pamphlets and other publications; also visual materials; subjects covered by files include environmental quality, education, and women's rights issues.
League of Women Voters of Michigan.
- League of Women Voters of Michigan records, 1924-1985.
- 31 linear ft.
Papers of the state office of the League of Women Voters.
Minutes, annual reports, presidents' letters, legislative programs, issue files concerning its involvement with such issues as child welfare, civil service, the Constitutional Convention of 1961-1962, election law reform, environmental quality, fair employment practices, human resources, reapportionment, taxation, and voters services; also include materials relating to local branch offices.
Leonard, Donald S. (Donald Sparling), 1903-1976.
- Donald S. Leonard papers, 1925-1966.
- 33 linear ft. and 1 oversize folder.
Michigan Director of Civil Defense, 1943-1952; Commissioner of the Michigan State Police, 1947-1952; Detroit Police Commissioner, 1952-1954; Republican candidate for governor in 1954; officer in various police organizations, including the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police and the International Association of Chiefs of Police; chairman of the Liquor Control Commission, 1964-1966; and Detroit Recorder's Court Judge, 1966-1976.
Correspondence, memoranda, reports, photographs, and other materials concerning his law enforcement and political activities.
Lincoln, James H.
- James H. Lincoln papers, [ca. 1949-ca. 1980].
- 3 linear ft.
Detroit and Harbor Beach, Michigan, resident and Detroit city councilman and later Wayne County juvenile court judge.
Notebooks containing copies of clippings, letters, speeches and other materials concerning his career, the career of Justice Frank Murphy, the development of Detroit's water system in the 1950s, and the genealogy of the Lincoln family of Harbor Beach, Michigan.
Michigan. Circuit Court (Wayne County)
- Wayne County Circuit Court papers, 1822-1851.
- 3 linear ft. (34 reels microfilm: positive and negative, and ca. 2000 items)
Court journals, calendars, and case files; photocopy of court agenda, 1838; and miscellaneous case listings and indices.
Photostatic copies of portions of the microfilmed records available.
Moody, Blair, 1902-1954.
- Blair Moody papers, 1928-1954 and undated.
- 31 linear ft.
Detroit newspaperman and United States Senator from Michigan.
Correspondence chiefly with his wife, mother and other family members, concerning his 1952 senatorial campaign and his newspaper work in the United States and abroad during World War II; also include Moody's record of voting in the Senate; appointment books; scrapbooks of newspaper articles written by Moody and published for the most part in the Detroit News and Barron's Weekly [34 volumes]; tape recordings; films; addresses; notes; and miscellaneous newspaper articles and other materials; and photographs.
Moore, George William, b. 1847.
- George William Moore papers 1874-1941
- 5 linear feet, 3 oversize volumes, and 1 oversize folder.
Detroit attorney; member of the Michigan Democratic Party State Central Committee; supporter of William Jennings Bryan in his three presidential campaigns.
Correspondence, letterpress books, and other records of the law firm of Moore & Moore; scattered materials relating to his involvement in the Democratic Party of Michigan; and correspondence from family members living in Romulus, Michigan.
Mudge, James Maxwell, 1914-1970.
- James M. Mudge papers 1951-1970
- 1.2 linear ft. and 1 oversize folder.
Newspaper reporter and columnist for Grand Rapids Herald, Grand Rapids, Michigan, bureau chief for Detroit Free Press, and press aide to Congressmen Gerald R. Ford and Guy Vander Jagt.
Correspondence, certificates, drafts of speeches, and clippings of his newspaper articles and columns, including material on Detroit, Michigan, mayor Jerome Cavanagh, especially his campaign for U.S. Senate in 1966. Correspondents include: Robert Griffin, John B. Swainson and G. Mennen Williams.
Murphy, Frank, 1890-1949.
- Frank Murphy papers, 1908-1949.
- 106 linear ft., 39 volumes, and 2 oversize folders
Detroit Recorders Court Judge, Mayor of Detroit, Governor of Michigan, Governor-General of the Philippines, U.S. Attorney General, and Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
Correspondence, reports, speeches, scrapbooks and other papers relating to his personal life and public career, with extensive material on Detroit and Michigan politics, Philippine Islands in the thirties, sit-down strikes of 1937 and New Deal politics, Presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt and international affairs; also photographs and other visual materials.
Murphy, George, 1897-1961.
- George Murphy papers, 1911-1961.
- 15 linear ft. and 1 volume.
Judge of Detroit Recorder's Court and aide to his brother Frank Murphy.
Correspondence, legal briefs, grand jury findings and public hearings, newspaper clippings, and other materials concerning Detroit politics, 1935-1961, campaign of Franklin D. Roosevelt for presidency in 1932, grand jury investigation of Detroit street railways, 1936, arbitration of labor disputes, 1936-1941, and investigation of Charles Street housing project in Detroit, 1939-1940; also interview, 1957, concerning Frank Murphy and his role in sit-down strike of 1937, and other materials relating to public careers and personal affairs of Murphy family, particularly in relation to Detroit politics and Philippine Islands.
Murphy, Marguerite.
- Marguerite Murphy papers, 1901-1949.
- 4 linear ft.
Papers of Marguerite Murphy Teahan of Detroit.
Correspondence with her parents and brothers, Frank and George, and clippings and other materials relating to Frank Murphy's career as Recorder's Court judge and as Governor General and U.S. High Commissioner to the Philippines.
O'Brien family.
- O'Brien family (Detroit, Mich.) papers, ca. 1932-1965.
- 0.3 linear ft. and 1 volume.
Papers of the O'Brien family of northern Michigan and Detroit.
Papers and scrapbooks of John H. O'Brien, newsman with the Hearst newspaper chain largely concerning campaign, 1952-1957, for better interstate highway system; and scrapbooks and miscellanea of Michael O'Brien relating to insurance business and to the political campaigns of his brother Patrick H. O'Brien for mayor of Detroit.
O'Hara, James G.
- James G. O'Hara papers, 1958-1987.
- 53 linear ft. and 2 oversize volumes.
Democratic congressman from Michigan, member of the House committees on Education and Labor, Interior and Insular Affairs, Budget, and the Joint Committee on Congressional Operations; and chairman of the Democratic Study Group, 1967-1968, and chairman of the Democratic Party Commission on Rules, 1969-1972. O?Hara?s district included a portion of the city of Detroit.
Congressional files, political files, Democratic Party materials; and photographs.
Pingree, Hazen S., 1840-1901.
- Hazen Smith Pingree papers, 1896 and 1901.
- 3 items.
Mayor of Detroit and governor of Michigan.
Mayor's annual report to Detroit Common Council, 1896, and letter to King Edward VII of England, 1901; also includes passport, 1901.
Pistorius, Frederick.
- Frederick Pistorius letter 1862
- 1 item.
Soldier from Detroit, Michigan who served as a first lieutenant in the Ninth Michigan Cavalry during the Civil War.
Letter to the Reverend Mr. Hildner concerning impending draft.
Rickey, Joseph.
- Joseph Rickey papers, 1850-1862.
- 5 items.
Detroit businessman.
Four business papers and a letter from Lewis Cass, 1850, on action by territorial legislatures on slavery issue.
Romney, George W., 1907-
- George W. Romney pre-gubernatorial subgroup, 1939-1962.
- 21 linear ft. (includes 6 linear ft. of sound recordings of speeches)
President of American Motors, governor of Michigan.
Biographical information; personal, family, and church correspondence; speeches and articles; files from his service with Nash-Kelvinator and American Motors; and subject files detailing civic involvement with Citizens for Michigan, revision of the Michigan constitution, and his gubernatorial campaign in 1962. The library also houses the gubernatorial papers of George Romney.
Schmidt, Carl Ernest, 1856-1934.
- Carl Ernest Schmidt scrapbooks, 1892-1935.
- 16 volumes.
Detroit German-American businessman.
Newspaper clippings, printed articles, photographs, ink drawings, and handwritten sections concerning his role on the Detroit Board of Police Commissioners, 1892-1894, the State Board of Arbitration and Mediation, 1897-1898, and the State Forest Inquiry Commission, 1907-1908.
Sinclair, John, 1941-
- John and Leni Sinclair papers, 1957-1999.
- 60.5 linear ft., 1 oversize folder, and 1 oversize volume.
John and Leni Sinclair were leaders of the counterculture movement in Michigan, organizers of radical social, political, and cultural endeavors primarily in the areas of music, poetry, graphic design, and community welfare projects. John Sinclair was also a performer and producer of jazz performances. He also had numerous radio programs about jazz that he produced and moderated in Detroit and New Orleans.
Papers and photographs relating to all phases of their careers, including participation in the Artists' Workshop in Detroit, the Rainbow Multi-Media Corporation, the White Panther Party and its offshoot, the Rainbow Peoples Party; also materials concerning the legalization of marijuana, radical politics, and prison reform. The papers dated 1979-1999 relate to the career of John Sinclair as a writer of poetry and performer/producer of jazz and rock concerts.
Smith, Gerald L. K. (Gerald Lyman Kenneth), 1898-
- Gerald L. K. Smith papers, 1922-1976.
- 102 linear ft.
Founder of the America First Party, head of the Christian Nationalist Crusade, and outspoken anti-Semite. During the 1930s, Smith was a vocal opponent of communism and the CIO. In 1939, he began a series of broadcasts over WJR in Detroit and as a result of their reception, Smith relocated to Detroit from Louisiana. Smith ran unsuccessfully for the United States Senate from Michigan in 1942. In 1947, he moved his base of operation from Detroit to St. Louis.
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.
Stanczyk, Benjamin C. (Benjamin Conrad), 1915-
- Benjamin C. Stanczyk papers, 1944-1975.
- 3 linear ft. and 12 oversize volumes.
Detroit Judge of Common Pleas.
Correspondence, notebooks, scrapbooks, and miscellanea largely relating to Democratic Party Affairs, Polish-American activities and organizations, and legal and political interests.
Sugar, Maurice, 1891-1974.
- Maurice Sugar correspondence, 1923, 1931, 1937-1939.
- 13 items.
Detroit labor attorney.
Office correspondence, including letter, 1937, accusing Michigan governor, Frank Murphy of making an anti-labor speech.
Swainson, John Burley, 1925-
- John Burley Swainson papers, 1943-1975.
- 71.5 linear ft., 1 oversize folder, and 1 oversize volume.
Attorney, Democratic Lieutenant Governor, Michigan Governor, 1961-1962, and state Supreme Court judge.
Political and gubernatorial files, judicial papers, and personal papers, including World War II correspondence and papers, 1969-1970, reflecting his interest in drug rehabilitation.
Travis, Noble, 1901-
- Noble Travis papers, 1927-1970.
- 1 linear ft.
Detroit banker, state Republican Party worker, leader of the Wayne County, Michigan, Republican Precinct Organization.
Papers concerning his work surveying the commercial aviation facilities of the Detroit area in the 1920s, his work with the Detroit Chamber of Commerce, and his political interests, especially in the elections of 1942 and 1944, and his work in opposition to Frank McKay's control of the Michigan Republican Party.
Finding aid available in library
Ungermann, Charles William, d. 1968.
- Charles William Ungermann papers, 1939-1967.
- 1 linear ft.
Detroit police officer.
Scrapbooks containing material concerning the Detroit Police Department and Ungermann's career; also photographs.
Weideman, Carl May, 1898-1972.
- Carl May Weideman papers, 1921-1972.
- 4 linear ft., 2 oversize volumes, and 1 folder.
Detroit trial attorney, Democratic Congressman, 1933-1935, and Wayne County Circuit Court Judge.
Correspondence and other materials concerning his term in Congress, national and local politics, and various judicial decisions; miscellaneous diaries, newspaper clippings, and scrapbooks concerning his association with the American Turners Association (German-American athletic society), Detroit politics, and the election and recall of Detroit Mayor Charles Bowles; and photographs.
Williams, G. Mennen, 1911-
- G. Mennen Williams papers, 1883-1988.
- 818 linear ft.
Michigan Democratic Governor, 1949-1960; Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, 1961-1966; U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines, 1967-1969; Michigan Supreme Court justice, 1970-1987.
Official and personal files arranged into four series of papers: 1) Gubernatorial papers, 1949-1960 (681 linear ft.); 2) Non-gubernatorial papers, 1883-1948 and 1958-1988 (107 linear ft.); 3) Visual materials, ca. 1911-1988 (ca. 25 linear ft.); and 4) sound recordings, 1950-ca. 1988 (5 linear ft.). Included with the collection are scrapbooks and unmounted clippings covering Williams' career activities (with some gaps) from 1948 to 1988, also scrapbooks and personal papers of Nancy Quirk Williams. Many of the issues Williams faced as governor impacted on the city of Detroit.
Wing, Warner, 1805-1876.
- Warner Wing papers, 1837-1878.
- 0.2 linear ft.
Democratic State Legislator and Michigan Supreme Court Justice.
Family letters of Wing, his wife Eliza Anderson Wing, their daughter May Wing, and other relatives, including letters written from Monroe and Detroit, Michigan, with mention of Wing's activities as judge; also two biographical sketches, and an abstract, 1878, of the Wing homestead.
Moving into the Sojourner Truth Housing Project, Detroit, April or May 1942. The housing project, on Nevada St., was the scene of conflict over integration. Families moving in were protected by members of the Michigan Home Guard. (Donald S. Leonard papers, Box 33) image bl004020