The University of Toledo

Politics and Government

JAMES M. ASHLEY PAPERS, 1860-1960. [PDF]
Radical Republican congressman and railroad executive from Toledo (1824-1896)
Collection consists primarily of Ashley's memoirs, which were written during the last year of his life; a few letters written to him by his son Charles; and a fragmentary political proposal. The papers were collected by John M. Morgan, Professor Emeritus of Library Administration, University of Toledo, in conjunction with his thesis research (UT thesis, "James M. Ashley and Emancipation," 1940). MSS-002, 6 inches.

BLACK WOMEN'S DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS RECORDS, 1987-1988, 1997-1999. [PDF]
Local political organization, founded in 1985.
Collection contains correspondence, newspaper articles, and assorted printed materials documenting the activities of the organization. MSS-168, .25 linear feet.
See also: entries under African-Americans and Women

MARY BOYLE BURNS PAPERS, 1935-1977. [PDF] 
Vice chair, Ohio Democratic Party (1938-1968); Vice chair, Lucas County Democratic Party (1945-1968); Deputy clerk, Lucas County Board of Elections (1945-1971), (1892-1977)
Five scrapbooks containing newspaper clippings from three Toledo newspapers: the Blade, Times, and News-Bee. Most concern Democratic Party affairs, Toledo elections, and political issues such as relief payments and federal aid to Toledo (1935-1937); aid to parochial schools (1935-1936); property tax (1937); payroll income tax (1946); city government reorganization (1946); and township incorporation and annexation in the postwar years. The collection includes some photographs and pamphlets. MSS-034, 1 linear foot.
See also: entry under Women

FRED H. DEERING PAPERS, 1975-1992. [PDF]
Former Ohio State Representative (1975-1992)
Collection includes legislative (Ohio House and Senate) files, correspondence, memoranda, invitations, telephone messages, and various ephemera arranged chronologically. MSS-109, 61 Linear Feet.

NOTE: This collection is housed off-campus. Therefore, Canaday Center staff will require a 48-hour advanced notice for its retrieval.

MIKE FERNER PAPERS, 1978-2010.  [PDF] 
Political activist, later Toledo Councilman, peace activist and national president of Veterans for Peace, Inc.
Collection consists of documents concerning Ferner's early activism, City Council campaigns from 1987 to 1991, office records from 1989 to 1993, and records of his mayoral run in 1993.  Materials documenting his activism in labor affairs and peace/anti-war campaigns, as well as his involvement with Veterans for Peace, Inc., are also featured in this collection and include photographs and VHS video recordings. MSS-241, 7 linear feet.
See also: entries under Civic Interests and Municipal Government

LINDA FURNEY CITY COUNCIL FILES, 1984-1986.  [PDF] 
Toledo Councilwoman (1983-1986), later State of Ohio Senator (11th District, 1987-2002)
Collection consists mainly of correspondence, printed material, notes, and legal documents generated by Linda Furney, members of City Council, and the community. Topics include City Council, city services, community development, the National League of Cities, natural resources, planning, the Port Authority, public safety, public service, public utilities, and the Toledo Area Convention and Visitors' Bureau. MSS-150, 9 linear feet.
See also: entries under Civic Interests, Municipal Government, and Women

NOTE: This collection is housed off-campus. Therefore, Canaday Center staff will require a 48-hour advanced notice for its retrieval.

LINDA FURNEY PAPERS, 1985-1998. [PDF]
State of Ohio Senator from Toledo (11th District, 1987-2002)
Collection includes personal papers generated during Furney's service as State Senator, including House and Senate bills; legislative files; campaign and fund raising files; and correspondence. These materials reflect her interest in and support of labor, women's, and environmental issues. MSS-134, 40 Linear Feet.
See also: entries under Labor and Women

NOTE: This collection is housed off-campus. Therefore, Canaday Center staff will require a 48-hour advanced notice for its retrieval.

HUGH GREGORY GALLAGHER PAPERS, 1880-2002. [PDF]
Disability Rights Activist (1932-2004)
Paralyzed by polio contracted at the age of 19, Gallagher was known as the "father of the disability rights movement."  He was the author of the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968, and wrote several books and articles.  Gallagher was also a respected Franklin D. Roosevelt scholar.  Perhaps his best-known book is FDR's Splendid Deception, which explored the former president's disability and how he hid it from the public.  This collection contains correspondence, biographical and family files, Mr. Gallagher's writings, research files, senate files, photographic material, awards, and artifacts.  MSS-185, 13 linear feet. 
See also: entries under Disability History, Medicine and Health, and Social Welfare

HUEY G. HUHN PAPERS, 1951-1974. [PDF] 
General traffic manager, Libbey-Owens-Ford (b. 1889)
Huhn's papers were generated during his retirement in Rogers, Arkansas and consist primarily of letters, articles, and short stories written on a variety of subjects in the areas of business and politics.  Huhn also wrote a book, Great Oaks, which provides short histories of large U.S. corporations. In addition, the collection contains poetry, a typescript for Great Oaks, clippings, photographs, publications, and a copy of a speech that President Kennedy was to make in Dallas the day he was assassinated. MSS-011, 2 linear feet.
See also: entries under Business and Commerce and Glass Industry

SANDY ISENBERG PAPERS, 1981-2002. [PDF]
Lucas County Commissioner (1980-2002) and advocate for Women and children (b. 1939)
Collection consists of materials related to Isenberg's political activities and re-election to the Lucas County Board of County Commissioners. There are also clippings form The Blade, Toledo Union Journal, and various newsletters documenting the public reception of her political activities. MSS-173, 1 linear foot.
See also: entries under Municipal Government and Women

CASEY JONES PAPERS, 1970-1994. [PDF] 
Democratic Politician, businessman (b. 1915)
An Ohio State Representative from 1969 until 1995, Jones was especially active in minority affairs. His papers document his political career and consist of correspondence, legislative materials, press releases, speeches, newspaper clippings, awards, and subject files devoted to issues of ongoing political interest. MSS-107, 1 linear foot.
See also: entry under African-Americans

JOHN P. KELLY PAPERS, 1941-1976. [PDF]
Democratic Party leader of Toledo, Ohio (b. 1896)
Collection consists of presidential election memorabilia, including 110 8" x 10" news photographs of presidential candidates; films (The Pursuit of Happiness [1955?], narrated by Senator John F. Kennedy, and The Greatest Heritage [1952?] on Ohio election procedures); and tape recordings of Kelly's retirement dinner. MSS-055, 2 linear feet.

FOY D. KOHLER PAPERS, 1914-1987 (bulk 1931-1978). [PDF] 
Career Ambassador, United States Foreign Service (1908-1990)
Papers encompass Kohler's entire career in the Foreign Service (1931-1967), including his four years as ambassador to the USSR (1962-1966) and his ten years at the University of Miami's Center for Advanced International Studies (1968-1978). The collection includes correspondence with his wife, Phyllis Penn Kohler, both before and after their marriage as well as letters from such prominent leaders as Hubert Humphrey; Richard Nixon; Elbridge Durbrow; and Averell Harriman. Files on Kohler's speeches includes his notes, itineraries, and other materials related to speeches in general and notes for meetings with Premier Nikita Kruschev and other Soviet dignitaries. Consultations and conference files detail Kohler's work as a consultant to many advisory panels from 1967 to 1978. Subject files in the collection include two noteworthy files on Germany that date from 1958 to 1959, a crucial period in east-west relations. Other series in the collection document Kohler's activities with the National War College, the Committee on the Present Danger, Radio Free Europe, Radio Liberty, the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, and the Voice of America. Many photographs document the Kohlers' private and public lives, and newspaper clippings; sound recordings; oral history tapes; and memorabilia support these extensive papers. MSS-036, 90 linear feet.

MAHER FAMILY COLLECTION, 1757-1938. [PDF]
Prominent Toledo family
Collection consists primarily of letters to William H. Maher (1846-1913), a businessman, writer, and political reformist, but also includes letters written to his wife Anne (Kelsey) Maher, as well as a few written to their daughter Amy Grace Maher, feminist and social activist. William also purchased a number of autographed letters and signatures from the Revolutionary, Early National, and Civil War eras. MSS-005, .75 linear feet.
See also: entries under Collectors and Collecting; War, Soldiers, and Veterans; and Women

NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR WOMEN: TOLEDO, OHIO CHAPTER RECORDS, 1972-2004. [PDF]
Largest women's rights organization in the United States (1966-Present)
This collection contains records of the local, state, and national chapters and includes meeting minutes; newsletters and other publications; bylaws; and annual conference programs. Subjects include job discrimination; affirmative action; ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment; Title IX compliance; and the Toledo group's association with the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Local 544. MSS-035, 3.5 linear feet.
See also: entries under Labor and Women

SCOTT NEARING PAPERS, 1943-1988. [PDF]
Radical professor, socialist, World War I era pacifist, author and lecturer, leader of the "back-to-the-earth" movement (1883-1983)
Nearing's papers consist primarily of newsletters (especially world events); pamphlets and leaflets on various subjects, including fascism; U.S. economics; capitalism; imperialism and Sovietism; war; and peace. Nearing was a Social Science professor and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Toledo from 1915 to 1917, but was discharged because of his pacifist and socialist views. The University of Toledo Archives also has holdings documenting Dr. Nearing's tenure at UT. MSS-062, 6 inches.
See also: entry under Education and Schools

GUSTAVUS OHLINGER PAPERS, 1821-1987. [PDF]
Lawyer, member of the Toledo United Nations Association (1877-1972)
Collection includes journals, correspondence, literary productions, scrapbooks, printed materials, and photographs related to Ohlinger's civic, professional, and personal life. Some correspondence documents his high school years in Chefoo, China. A journal kept by Ohlinger from 1902 to 1905 chronicles his law career in Shanghai and his participation in post-Russo-Japanese War negotiations. "Our Summer Odyssey, August 1 to September 1, 1954," a journal/photo album of a European vacation, further documents some of Ohlinger's travels. Also included in this collection are papers generated and collected by various family members. The most extensive group is the papers of Ohlinger's sister, Constance Ohlinger. MSS-013, 5.25 linear feet.
See also: entries under Civic Interests, Social Welfare, and Travel

JOHN WILLIAM POTTER PAPERS, 1962-2005. [PDF]
Judge, Sixth Appellate District of Ohio and United States District Court, Northern District of Ohio, Western Division
Collection contains court records, conference materials, speeches, correspondence, photographic material, personal files, and printed material.  MSS-192, 25 linear feet.

NOTE: This collection is housed off-campus. Therefore, Canaday Center staff will require a 48-hour advanced notice for its retrieval.

BETTY A. REARDON PAPERS, 1960-2009. [PDF]
Acknowledged founder of peace education (b. 1929)
The Reardon papers include published and unpublished manuscripts, correspondence, curricula, policy documents, reports, presentations, projects, and notes. MSS-226, 9 linear feet. 
See also: entries under Civic Interests, Education and Schools, Social Welfare, and Women

NOTE: This collection is housed off-campus. Therefore, Canaday Center staff will require a 48-hour advanced notice for its retrieval.   

LLOYD ROULET COLLECTION, 1945-1977. [PDF]
Jeweler, Local Politician, Mayor of Toledo (1942-1948)
Collection contains correspondence, newspaper clippings, printed materials, photographs, and ephemera relating to Lloyd Roulet's political career, jewelry design business, and accomplishments as Mayor. These materials are complemented in the Toledo Mayoral and City Council collections (MSS-061) by his professional papers. MSS-136, 4.1 Linear Feet.

DAVID WARREN RYDER SOCIAL CREDIT PAPERS, 1930-1955. [PDF]
San Francisco journalist (1892-1975)
Papers document the internal workings of the American Social Credit movement and its pursuit of economic reform. This collection consists primarily of correspondence, along with manuscripts, newspaper clippings, and photographs. Topics covered include unions, banking practices, the New Deal, communism, democracy, and the disruption of the American Social Credit Union in 1937. MSS-004, 3 inches.

TOLEDO MAYORAL PAPERS, [1920]-1982. [PDF]
Public records of mayors Ollie Czelusta, Lloyd Roulet, John Yager, Michael Damas, John W. Potter, William Ensign, Harry Kessler, Douglas DeGood, and vice mayor Robert Savage. Categories of files include: Finance Department, Health Department, Department of Public Safety, Department of Public Service, and Welfare Department. Each officer also generally kept numerous subject files and voluminous constituent correspondence. General topics include mass transit, utilities, parks, traffic, urban planning, and other policy issues. MSS-061, 84 linear feet.
See also: entry under Municipal Government

TOLEDO METROPOLITAN AREA COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS RECORDS, 1963-1993. [PDF] 
Voluntary non-profit association of local governments in northwestern Ohio and southeastern Michigan that provides technical assistance to its members
Collection contains correspondence, meeting minutes of various committees within "TMACOG," reports, printed materials, program materials, personnel and payroll records, and budgets. MSS-114, 30 linear feet.
See also: entry under Municipal Government

TOLEDO WOMAN'S SUFFRAGE ASSOCIATION RECORDS, 1903-1927. [PDF] [Digital Collection] 
One of the earliest organized groups working for women to have the right to vote (1869-1915)
This collection consists of minutes (1909-1915), by-laws, speech notes, newspaper clippings, correspondence, pamphlets, and flyers pertaining to the suffrage movement and its activities. MSS-091, .25 linear feet.
See also: entry under Women

NAOMI TWINING COLLECTION, 1940s-1990s. [PDF]
Member in and officer of The American Civil Liberties Union of Northwest Ohio
The Naomi Twining papers largely consist of articles and publications used as research for her book on the history of the Northwest Ohio chapter of the ACLU.  The collection also contains reports and minutes from the Board of Directors, annual meetings, and interim reports, in addition to correspondence; drafts of Twining's book (They Fought for Civil Liberties: Genesis of the ACLU of Northwest Ohio); speeches; interview notes; and other materials.  MSS-216, 1 linear foot.
See also: entry under Women

EDWARD F. WEBER PAPERS, 1980-1983. [PDF]
Toledo, Ohio attorney and U.S. Congressman; Republican member of the House Banking Committee and the House Small Business Committee (b.1931)
Collection includes correspondence, subject files, some campaign materials, photographs, newspaper clippings, and press releases. MSS-058, 16.5 linear feet.

BRAND WHITLOCK LETTERS, March 1915. [PDF]
Toledo, Ohio mayor; lawyer; author; and U.S. ambassador to Belgium (1869-1934)
This collection consists of approximately 7000 letters written by the schoolchildren of Ghent, Belgium, expressing thanks for American shipments of food and clothing following World War I. MSS-023, 5 linear feet.
See also: entry under Social Welfare