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William E. Koch Papers, 1833-1978

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Koch, William E.
Title
William E. Koch Papers
Dates
1833-1978 (inclusive)
Quantity
2.45 cubic ft. (3 boxes)
Collection Number
02711
Summary
William “Bill” E. Koch (1910–1991) was an emeritus professor of English and folklorist at Kansas State University. This collection contains his research papers, including diaries of early settlers of Kansas and the west, as well as some of his correspondence and articles.
Repository
American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
American Heritage Center
University of Wyoming
1000 E. University Ave.
Dept. 3924
Laramie, WY
82071
Telephone: 3077663756
ahcref@uwyo.edu
Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.

Languages
English
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Historical Note

William “Bill” E. Koch (1910–1991) was an emeritus professor of English and folklorist at Kansas State University. Born on October 11, 1910, Koch became widely recognized for his work in preserving and studying the folklore of the Central Plains in the United States. Among his significant contributions was coauthoring Kansas Folklore, a comprehensive collection of songs, proverbs, legends, and tales, created for the Kansas centennial in 1961. In addition to his academic work, Koch hosted the radio show “Legends and Lore of the Great Plains” on Kansas State’s station (KSAC) for four years. He also held leadership positions, including serving as president of the Kansas Folklore Society and was actively involved with the Kansas Authors Club and the Kansas Historical Society. Over his career, Koch contributed his expertise as a consultant for various historical and educational film productions. William Koch passed away in May 1991 in Manhattan, Kansas, at the age of eighty.

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Content Description

This collection contains the research papers of Professor William E. Koch. Included are various diaries of settlers of Kansas and the West, including those of George Washington Franklin, who established a farm in Kansas in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Also included are copies of some of the articles Koch wrote in his career, some correspondence, and information about some of his professional pursuits.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Copyright Information

The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.

Restrictions on Use

Statement on Potentially Harmful Language and Images Found in Collections

The American Heritage Center aspires to approach all areas of our work in ways that are respectful to those who create, use, and are represented in our collections. For a variety of reasons, however, users may encounter offensive or harmful language or images in some of our finding aids, catalogs, and collection materials.

Note that the AHC does not censor or alter contents of the collections as they provide context and evidence of a time, people, place, or event. Therefore, we encourage users to bring questions and concerns about descriptions in our finding aids to our attention via email or anonymous web-form. For more information, read our full statement.

Preferred Citation

Preferred Citation

Item Description, Box Number, Folder Number, William E. Koch Papers, Collection Number 02711, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

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Administrative Information

Related Materials

There are no known other archival collections created by William E. Koch at the date of processing.

Acquisition Information

The material was recieived from William E. Koch between 1984 and 1989.

Processing Note

The collection was processed by Brittany Heye in August of 2024.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Container List
  • Description: Diaries - G.W. Franklin, numbers 2-41
    Dates: 1889-1915
    Container: Box 1
  • Description: Diaries - G.W. Franklin, numbers 25-64
    Dates: 1918-1935
    Container: Box 2
  • Description: Diaries - G.W. Franklin, numbers 1 and 60
    Dates: 1885-1886, 1932-1933
    Container: Box 2
  • Description: Diaries - G.W. Franklin, numbers 29 and 34
    Dates: 1920, 1922
    Container: Box 2
  • Description: Diaries - G.W. Franklin, numbers 46 and 51
    Dates: 1926-1929
    Container: Box 2
  • Description: Diaries - G.W. Franklin, numbers 55 and 59
    Dates: 1930-1932
    Container: Box 2
  • Description: Diaries - G.W. Franklin, numbers 52 and 61
    Dates: 1929, 1933-1934
    Container: Box 2
  • Description: Diaries - Anna Perkins - Iowa + Nebraska
    Dates: 1859-1877
    Container: Box 3
  • Description: Diaries - Blackman Diary
    Dates: 1979
    Container: Box 3
  • Description: Diaries - Emma Baldwin + Article by William E. Koch
    Dates: 1882
    Container: Box 3
  • Description: Diaries - Ferdinand Stith Petway Journal
    Dates: 1872-1873
    Container: Box 3
  • Description: Diaries - Graham Journal - Oregon Trail
    Dates: undated
    Container: Box 3
  • Description: Diaries - Graham Journal - Hand drawn map of the Emigrant Road by T.H. Jefferson & others
    Dates: 1833-1885
    Container: Box 3
  • Description: Diaries - John Steele
    Dates: 1850
    Container: Box 3
  • Description: Diaries - Walter John Butis Day Book
    Dates: March 11, 1895-July 20, 1905
    Container: Box 3
  • Description: "The Big Circle Back to Kansas" by William E. Koch
    Dates: May 1966
    Container: Box 3
  • Description: Correspondence
    Dates: 1966-1967
    Container: Box 3
  • Description: "Farm Building on the Nebraska High Plains: The Diary of George Washington Franklin" edited by William E. Koch
    Dates: January 1977
    Container: Box 3
  • Description: "Folk Songs Out of Kansas" from the Kansas Art Reader - article by William E. Koch
    Dates: 1975
    Container: Box 3
  • Description: Kansas State University English Department Newsletter
    Dates: April 17, 1989
    Container: Box 3
  • Description: List of the G.W. Franklin Diaries
    Dates: undated
    Container: Box 3
  • Description: Map
    Dates: undated
    Container: Box 3
  • Description: Newspaper Clippings
    Dates: undated
    Container: Box 3
  • Description: Road Maps of Kansas and Missouri
    Dates: undated
    Container: Box 3
  • Description: "Tales, Tall and Short" by William E. Koch from the Kansas Art Reader
    Dates: 1976
    Container: Box 3
  • Description: William E. Koch articles
    Dates: 1983, 1978
    Container: Box 3
  • Description: William E. Koch Professional Pursuits List
    Dates: undated
    Container: Box 3
  • Description: Work Sheets of W. E. Koch pertaining to the G.W. Franklin Diaries
    Dates: December 1972
    Container: Box 3

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Agriculture -- Kansas -- Fort Scott.
  • Oregon Trail.

Personal Names

  • Franklin, George Washington, 1860-1935.
  • Graham, A. N.

Geographical Names

  • Kansas -- History
  • West (U.S.) -- History.

Form or Genre Terms

  • Diaries.
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