William H. Williams papers
MSS.122
This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit
June 19, 2014
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Ball State University Archives and Special Collections
Alexander M. Bracken Library
2000 W. University Avenue
Muncie, Indiana, 47306
765-285-5078
libarchives@bsu.edu
William H. Williams papers MSS.122
Table of Contents
Summary Information ................................................................................................................................. 3
Biographical Note.......................................................................................................................................... 4
Scope and Contents....................................................................................................................................... 4
Arrangement...................................................................................................................................................5
Administrative Information .........................................................................................................................5
Controlled Access Headings..........................................................................................................................5
Collection Inventory...................................................................................................................................... 7
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William H. Williams papers MSS.122
Summary Information
Repository
Ball State University Archives and Special Collections
Title
William H. Williams papers
Date
1902-1907
Extent
0.2 Cubic feet 1 box
Language
English
Preferred Citation
William H. Williams papers, Archives and Special Collections, Ball State University Libraries
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William H. Williams papers MSS.122
Biographical Note
William H. Williams, known as Billy, was the chairman of the Delaware County Republican Party and
Muncie Postmaster. He was widely known throughout Eastern Indiana.
Williams H. Williams was born on a farm in Liberty Township, Indiana, the son of William Henry and
Joann (Fielder) Williams. He was a member of one of the oldest families in Eastern Indiana. In 1892,
he married Miss Susie Black. Together they had one son, Claude Williams, and two daughters, Harriett
Scott, and Joanna Williams before her death in 1897.
Williams led a very active business and professional life. He taught school from 1892-1899, working
at the Freideline, Mud Valley, Graham, Smithfield and Salem Schools. While working as a teacher, he
passed the examination to become a railway mail clerk, but did not pursue a position as a clerk. He owned
and operated several businesses in Selma, including a hardware store and drug store. He also managed a
grain elevator and coal yard. Mr. Williams worked as a telegraph operator for the Big Four Railroad and
became a lawyer, although he did not have a regular law practice. For several years he also operated a
loan company in Terre Haute for Oliver W. Storer, a Muncie banker.
“Billy” Williams was also active in politics. He served as chairman of the Delaware County Republican
organization for many years, campaigning for local, state and national candidates. He also served as
deputy prosecutor of Delaware County and he was elected to two terms as Liberty Township Trustee,
beginning in 1915. From 1918 until 1926 he was superintendent of the Delaware County Infirmary.
President Calvin Coolidge appointed Mr. Williams as Muncie Postmaster in 1924. He was reappointed by
Herbert Hoover and served as postmaster until June 1, 1932.
Following his retirement, he returned to Selma, where he opened the Selma Food Market. He died in 1937
and is buried in the White Cemetery in Selma, Indiana.
Scope and Contents
The collection primarily consists of letters to William H. Williams (1921-1928). It also contains Williams'
obituary, notifications of appointment to the Railway Mail Service (1902), a notice of eligibility to the
U.S. Civil Service Commission (1902), and a program from the Annual Reunion of the 19th Indiana
Volunteers (1921).
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William H. Williams papers MSS.122
Arrangement
This collection is arranged chronologically.
Administrative Information
Publication Information
Ball State University Archives and Special Collections
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Legal title, copyright, and literary rights reside with Archives and Special Collections, Ball State
University Libraries, Muncie, IN. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to
Archives and Special Collections.
Custodial History
This collection was received by Archives and Special Collections as a donation.
Accruals
No further additions are expected.
Processing Information
Collection processing completed 1994/04 by J. Richards and M. Sears. Collection processing revised
2007/07 by M. Read. EAD finding aid created 2012/10/05 by Julie Hausknecht. EAD finding aid revised
2013/01/22 by Bethany Fiechter and 2014/06/18 by Brandon Pieczko.
Controlled Access Headings
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William H. Williams papers MSS.122
Genre(s)
• Correspondence
• Documents
Geographic Name(s)
• Delaware County (Ind.)
• Muncie (Ind.)
• Selma (Ind.)
Personal Name(s)
• Williams, William H.
Subject(s)
• Postal service
• Stoeckel Archives of Local History
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William H. Williams papers MSS.122
Collection Inventory
House of Representative members; Williams, William H., Sr.
Box
Folder
1
1
1
2
1
3
1
4
1
5
1
6
1
7
1
8
1
9
1
10
correspondence, 1902/05/20
Railway Mail Service notifications of appointment documents,
1902/09/06-1902/09/08
United States Civil Service Commission notice of eligibility documents,
1902/02/23
Williams, William H.; Williams, William H., Sr. correspondence,
1910/11/09
Bullock, Margaret; Williams, William H. correspondence, 1916/05/28
19th Indiana volunteers annual reunion program, 1921/10/04
Williams, William H.; Long, Harry correspondence, 1921/12/02
Williams, William H.; Vestal, Albert H., Hon. correspondence,
1921/12/05
Watson, James E.; Williams, William H. correspondence, 1921/12/14
Watson, James E.; Williams, William H. correspondence, 1924/01/14
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William H. Williams papers MSS.122
Watson, James E.; Williams, William H. correspondence, 1924/01/15
Long, Harry; Williams, Williams H. correspondence, 1924/01/28
Bennett, John H.; Williams, Williams H. correspondence, 1924/04/09
Long, Harry; Williams, William H. correspondence, 1924/08/25
Watson, James E.; Williams, William H. correspondence, 1927/07/16
Vestal, Albert H.; Williams, Williams H. correspondence, 1928/03/09
Ross, Dr. W. B.; Williams, William H. correspondence, undated
Williams, William H. obituary newspaper clippings, undated
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1
11
1
12
1
13
1
14
1
15
1
16
1
17
1
18