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Frank C. Emerson papers, 1904-1931

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Emerson, Frank C. (Frank Collins), 1882-1931
Title
Frank C. Emerson papers
Dates
1904-1931 (inclusive)
Quantity
1.35 cubic feet (3 boxes)
Collection Number
00043
Summary
The collection primarily consists of Emerson's incoming and outgoing correspondence during his first gubernatorial term. Also included are clippings and speeches that Emerson gave as both state engineer and governor.
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
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

Engineer, businessman, and Republican governor of the state of Wyoming, Frank C. Emerson was born in Michigan in 1882. He received his civil engineering degree from the University of Michigan, and he later came to Wyoming and engaged in banking and other businesses. In 1919, he became Wyoming state engineer. He was elected governor in 1926 and reelected in 1930. Emerson died of pneumonia in February 1931, just after his second term as governor began.

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Content Description

The collection primarily consists Emerson's incoming and outgoing correspondence during his first gubernatorial term. There are also letters of condolence and tributes following his death. The collection also includes clippings, as well as speeches that Emerson gave as both state engineer and governor.

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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.

Preferred Citation

Preferred Citation

Item Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Collection Name, Collection Number, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

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Administrative Information

Related Materials

Related Materials

As of the date of processing, there is one other archival collection created by Frank C. Emerson: Governor Frank C. Emerson Papers, Wyoming State Archives.

Acquisition Information

Acquisition Information

Materials were received from Mrs. Jean Emerson Grothe, 1947 and 1966; Mrs. Kelso Morgan, 1972; and David W. Emerson, 1993.

Processing Note

Processing Information

The collection was processed by Roger Simon in December 2017.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Container List
  • Series I. State Engineer

  • Series II. Governor

    The series includes materials related to Emerson's 1926 gubernatorial campaign.

    • Clippings

      Container: Box

      • Description: Frank C. Emerson

        Includes obituaries and clippings regarding Emerson’s death and funeral.

        Dates: 1926-1931, undated
        Container: Box 1
      • Description: Nellie Tayloe Ross

        Ross was Emerson’s Democratic opponent and the incumbent in the 1926 gubernatorial race.

        Dates: 1925-1926, undated
        Container: Box 1
      • Description: Assorted
        Dates: 1926-1930, undated
        Container: Box 1
    • Correspondence

      Container: Box

    • Description: Republican State Headquarters, Memoranda
      Dates: 1926
      Container: Box 2
    • Description: Resolutions and Tributes

      Regarding Emerson’s death.

      Dates: 1931
      Container: Box 2
    • Description: Speeches & Writings

      Includes a program from the twenty-second annual session of the Governors’ Conference (Salt Lake City, UT), which lists Emerson as speaking on “The Public Domain”; it also lists FDR, then governor of New York, as speaking on “Unemployment and Old Age Pensions.”

      Dates: 1930, undated
      Container: Box 2
    • Description: Assorted

      Includes the following: (1) a list of expenses for the Governor’s mansion from 1923 to 1926; (2) the 1928 annual report from the Irrigation Division of the American Society of Civil Engineers; (3) proposed legislation regarding investment of the Permanent Funds of the State; (4) a press release from President Herbert Hoover; (5) documents regarding state budgets and taxes; and (6) documents regarding the 1926 political campaign.

      Dates: 1926-1931, undated
      Container: Box 3
  • Series III. General

    • Description: Bulletins

      A bulletin from the Wheatland General Hospital and “Venturi Meter – Directions – Type M – Register-Indicator-Recorder – Single Float,” bulletin no. 154B from Builders Iron Foundry.

      Dates: 1929, undated
      Container: Box 3
    • Description: Court Documents

      Documents from two court cases dealing with Wyoming water rights: (1) Ide v. United States, 263 U.S. 497 (1924), a U.S. Supreme Court decision (the opinion was written by Willis Van Devanter); and (2) United States v. Hampleman, a Wyoming federal district court case (William A. Riner was the judge).

      Dates: 1916-1924
      Container: Box 3
    • Description: Handwritten notes
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box 3
    • Description: The Michigan University Songbook

      Emerson graduated from the University of Michigan in 1904. Includes a clipping announcing Emerson’s death and bookplate stating that the book belonged to Mrs. Kelso A. Morgan, who donated the book to the collection.

      Dates: 1904, 1931, undated
      Container: Box 3
    • Description: Pamphlets

      Includes the following: (1) “Debt – Expenses Slashed – Taxes Cut,” Republican National Speakers’ Bulletin; (2) “Under a Protective Tariff,” Republican National Speakers’ Bulletin; (3) “From Hard Times to Prosperity,” Republican National Speakers’ Bulletin; (4) “Much More about Old Age Pensions,” Old Age Pension Commission of the Fraternal Order of Eagles; (5) “The Times Demand Old Age Pensions,” Old Age Pension Commission of the Fraternal Order of Eagles; and (6) “Recommendation for an Old Age Pension Bill,” Old Age Pension Commission of the Fraternal Order of Eagles.

      Dates: 1926, undated
      Container: Box 3
    • Description: Personal Financial

      Includes stock certificates, a collateral note, and tax notices.

      Dates: 1916-1926, undated
      Container: Box 3
    • Description: Photograph

      A black-and-white photo of Emerson and five other men, with handwritten notes by Emerson’s wife, Jean, on a small cardboard sheet. According to the sheet, the men are, from left to right, (1) Charles E. Winter (mislabeled as “Senator”)—he served in the U.S. House for 3 terms (1923-1929) and ran for but lost a seat in the U.S. Senate in 1929; (2) John A. Whiting, the seventh state engineer (1927-1933); (3) “Johnson,” a state engineer—possibly Clarence T. Johnson, the third state engineer (1903-1911); (4) Frank Emerson; (5) Elwood Mead, the first state engineer (1888-1889); and (6) Bryant B. Brooks, governor of Wyoming from 1905 to 1911.

      Dates: undated
      Container: Box 3
    • Description: Women’s Organizations
      Dates: 1926, undated
      Container: Box 3
    • Description: Assorted

      Includes an incomplete biography of Emerson, two resolutions from the 1929 Western States Air Commerce and Airways Conference, and minutes of a meeting of the state Game and Fish Commission.

      Dates: 1925-1929, undated
      Container: Box 3

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Corporate Names

  • Wyoming. Governor (1927-1931 : Emerson)

Geographical Names

  • Wyoming -- History -- 1919-1945.
  • Wyoming -- Politics and government.

Occupations

  • Engineers.
  • Politicians.

Other Creators

  • Corporate Names

    • Wyoming. State Engineer's Office.
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