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 - Page 2 - 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 - Page 3 - 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). - Page 4 - 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 - Page 5 - 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 - Page 6 - 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 - Page 7 - 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 - Page 8 - 1 11 1 12 1 13 1 14 1 15 1 16 1 17 1 18