University of Illinois at Springfield
Oral History Collection
Abstracts of Transcribed MemoirsA.
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AA76. Aarup, John C. (1903-1998)
Interview and memoir
1 tape, 60 min., 14 pp.LINCOLN MEMORIAL GARDENS PROJECT
Aarup, long-time resident of Springfield, recalls his work at Lincoln Garden between 1950 and 1971. He discusses his work on the park's rock garden, bridges, and benches. He also discusses his work with the Girl Scouts, damage caused by vandals, co-workers Mrs. Knudson and Mrs. Gaule, and his hopes for future changes in the garden.Interview by Sara Wells, 1985
OPEN
Acton, Naomi Gorey
See SA15 Sacred Heart Academy, Class of 1927
AD18. Adams, J. Fred b. 1904
Interview and memoir
1 tape, 90 min., 10 pp.SPRINGFIELD ROTARY CLUB PROJECT
Adams, Rotary Club member since 1959, discusses Rotary Club members, induction ceremonies, and club meetings at the St. Nicholas Hotel and Elks Club, as well as group activities and field trips.Interview by Ron Krouse, 1988
OPEN
See collateral file
AH47. Ahlberg, Merle (1917-1995)
Interview and memoir
1 tape, 90 min., 11 pp.ILLINOIS COAL: THE LEGACY OF AN INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY
Ahlberg, a resident of Taylorville, Illinois during the mine wars of the early 1930's, recalls his family's experiences with the PMA and UMW, working conditions in the mines, mining techniques, and his training of women miners in the 1970's. He also discusses strikes, the differences between the union today and in the 30's, and John L. Lewis.Interview by Kevin Corley, 1986
OPEN
See collateral file: newspaper clipping on female miners
AI47. Aikman, Herbert (Bert) (1878-1977)
Interview and memoir
25 tapes, 1710 min., 388 pp.Aikman discusses his experiences in Macoupin and Montgomery Counties, Illinois; childhood and farmlife, one room school education, homemade foods and remedies, his family's log cabin in Hornsby, children's games, hunting, family recreation, and Christmas celebrations. He recalls his first automobile and early transportation, building the Illinois Central Railroad, paving Route 66 and local roads, and electric trolleys. He also recalls businesses in Raymond, Illinois, travelling entertainers and speakers in Litchfield, and the towns of Honeybend, Morrisonville, Farmersville, and Waggoner. He also discusses farming: hazards, pests, crops, livestock, soil types, field tiling, fences, fertilizers, weather, planting and harvesting, cooperation between neighbors, and superstitions. He recalls employment as a railroad telegraph operator and ticket man and the impact of the railroad on the community, hazards, train wrecks, mail delivery, traffic to the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis, and experiences with railroad people and passengers.
Interview by Horace Q. Waggoner, 1975
OPEN
See collateral file: interviewers notes, newspaper clipping, and photos of the town of Waggoner and farm implementsSee full text of memoir
: Volume I; Volume II; Volume III; Volume IV.
AL15. Albright, Carl H. b. 1921
Interview and memoir
5 tapes, 450 mins., 91 pp.Albright, retired Air Force Lt. Col., discusses his career in the Air Force, aviation cadet training, European assignments and missions during WWII; return to U.S., discharge, and return to college; reenlistment, and assignment as a nuclear chemist; and retirement. He also discusses growing up during the Depression in Springfield and attending Feitshans High School.
Interview by Geraldine C. Albright, 1980
OPEN
See collateral file
Alderfer, William
See H630 Historical Sites Project
AL27. Alexander, John b. 1942
Interview and memoir
2 tapes, 180 min., 32 pp.Alexander served as a delegate to Illinois's 1970 Constitutional Convention representing the 52nd district. He discusses his work as a delegate and his feelings regarding public support for the convention. He also recalls the opening of the convention, the election of officers, and convention politics. He describes his duties, committees, chairmanships, Chicago and downstate partisan politics, lobbyists, and public hearings. He mentions Gov. Ogilvie and Paul Simon.
Interview by John E. Vrooman, 1973
OPEN
See collateral file: convention booklet of delegates
See also IL62 Illinois Constitutional Convention
Allen, Lawrence
See ST31.1 Steamer Avalon #1
AL53. Allerton, John Gregg (1899-1985)
Interview and memoir
1 tape, 90 min., 26 pp.John Gregg Allerton, adopted son of Robert Allerton, an art collector, discusses meeting Allerton at the University of Illinois, his adoption, acquisition of art pieces and statues, home life, landscaping of formal gardens, parties, and distinguished guests. He also discusses the Allerton estate at Monticello, Illinois, the Allerton library, and his friendship with Adlai Stevenson II.
Interview by Nancy M. Becker, 1984
OPEN
See collateral file: interviewers notes, "Allerton Revisited," an exhibit proposal, and correspondence.
AL56. Allison, "Duke" Vern b. 1915
Interview and memoir
1 tape, 90 min., 15 pp.ILLINOIS COAL: THE LEGACY OF AN INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY
Allison, coal miner, recalls working conditions, hazards, pay, and relations between co-workers in Christian County, Illinois. He also discusses work done at the mine, reaction to the Progressive Miners movement, mechanization, and the problems of unemployment and obtaining insurance.Interview by Kevin Corley, 1986
OPEN
See collateral file: newspaper articles
AL79. Alton Area and Jersey County Historical Society
Memoir
56 pp.Narrators discuss rural life in the early 20th century near Alton, Shipman, Wood River, Grafton, and Jerseyville, Illinois. They recall family and childhood, one room schools, teaching, early transportation, riverboats, entertainment, farming, and merchandising in Bertman's store. They also recall Civil War stories, poetry, and holidays. The memoir is comprised of individual interviews with the following: Thelma Bartels, Mr. Bertman, Rolland Cook, Mrs. Donham, Eva McKee, and Sarah Pivoda Thornton.
Interview by Marjorie Dintelmann, 1980-81
Donated by Marjorie Dintelmann
RESTRICTED: May be read but cannot be quoted, cited or reproduced.
See collateral file
Alred, Hazel
See IL67 Illinois School for the Deaf
AN22. Anderson, Howard Phineas (1889-1975)
Interview and memoir
1 tape, 90 min., 23 pp.Howard Anderson discusses his great-grandfather, a Revolutionary War veteran, and his father's education and career as teacher and county superintendent of schools. He also discusses his own experiences teaching in small rural schools around Virginia, Illinois, including changes in school curricula, attitudes toward education, school activities, and discipline.
Interview by Marjorie Taylor, 1973
OPEN
See collateral file
AN23. Anderson, Lowell E. b.1921
Interview and memoir
2 tapes, 120 min., 26 pp.Lowell Anderson discusses the restoration of the Illinois Governor's Mansion in Springfield during Governor Ogilvie's administration. He recalls the condition of the mansion, contents of the attic, termite problems, and structural changes that had been made to the roof and staircase. He discusses the process of restoration, selection of architects, craftsmen, and furniture, the Executive Mansion Association, project funding, and the construction of the rear addition to the building.
Interview by Melinda Kwedar, 1984
OPEN
See collateral file: interviewer's notes and publications and articles on the Old State Capitol and Executive Mansion restoration.
Anderson, Lowell
See H630 Historical Sites Project
Anderson, Marjorie Ellen
See EA77 East Park Baptist Academy Memoir
Anderson, Roy R.
See T413 353rd Fighter Group's 1983 Reunion
Anderson, Stuart
See W893 World War II Project
AN24. Anderson, Yeatman (1922-1995)
Memoir
12 pp.STEAMBOATS AND INLAND RIVERS
Yeatman Anderson recalls his work as a deputy inspector with the U.S. Corps of Engineers, river boats, dam construction at New Richmond, Ohio and problems prior to the dam's construction. He also discusses towboat experiences, supervising a dredge crew, and conditions for crew members on packetboats.Interview by John Knoepfle, 1957
OPEN: released by John Knoepfle
AN61. Anker, Dorothy b. 1913
Interview and memoir
4 tapes, 360 min., 96 pp.Anker, retired owner of a Springfield photo studio, recalls her life in Germany prior to WWII, conditions for Jewish people in the 30's, memories of Crystal Night, and the effects of Nazi government policies on her family and their business. She also discusses her training in photography prior to the war, emigration to England and to America, arrival in Springfield, operation of a photo studio, and involvement in the Springfield community.
Interview by Josephine B. Saner, 1979
OPEN
Arjmand, Towfig
See F761 Foreign Born Physicians in Springfield, Illinois
AR54. Armbrust, Wilda Hayden (1914-1990)
Interview and memoir
tapes, 180 min., 41 pp.Armbrust recalls her childhood on a farm near Petersburg in Menard Co., Illinois, grade school at Indian Point, butchering, and food preparation. She also discusses nurses training at Deaconess School of Nursing in Lincoln, Illinois, classmates, working at Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital, her career as a private and hospital nurse, experiences working at a printshop, and recuperation from two broken hips.
Interview by Jean Hauffe, 1987
OPEN
See collateral file: Deaconess School of Nursing Alumni Roster
AR55. Armitage, Katherine b. 1936
Interview and memoir
1 tape, 90 min., 17 pp.Armitage, charter member of Sangamon State University library faculty, recalls her interview and hiring, impressions of the university, library staff, curriculum committee, and the opening of the university. She also discusses the temporary library in the Osco building and the early circulation policy.
Interview by Cullom Davis, 1975
OPEN
See collateral file
Armstrong, William
See IL62 Illinois Constitutional Convention
AR64. Arnold, John b. 1950
Interview and memoir
8 tapes, 720 min., 136 pp.Arnold, a "Marine Against the War," discusses the development of his political and social beliefs and his decision to enlist in the Marines to learn the truth about the Vietnamese Conflict and organize anti-war sentiment from within the military. He describes training experiences, treatment of recruits, involvement with a military underground paper, lack of training and supplies for troops being sent into war, living conditions at An Hoe Combat Base in Vietnam, and the military's treatment of the Vietnamese. He retells his tour of duty and reflects on life after military service, his work for the War Resisters League and Vietnam Vets Against the War, the treatment of veterans, destroying his military medals in protest, and the lasting effects of the war on veterans.
Interview by Charles Hill, 1982
OPEN
See collateral file: photographs from Vietnam, anti-war literature and newspapers, copies of military newspapers, and "Individuals Against the Crime of Silence" literature.
AR76. Artis, Orville (1908-1976)
Interview and memoir
4 tapes, 360 min., 81 pp.BLACK COMMUNITY PROJECT
Artis, long-time African American resident of Springfield, discusses his family history, growing up on a farm near Buffalo, and attending a one room school house. He recalls his move to Springfield, conditions for black residents, black businesses, and neighbors. He describes Chicago race riots and conditions after the 1908 Springfield race riots. He discusses his work as an AFL union counselor for building service employees, a contractor laying linoleum, and tax assessor. He discusses race prejudices and discrimination, relations with white neighbors, racial stereotypes, and impressions on the progress of black civil rights.Interview by Rev. Negil L. McPherson, 1974
OPEN
See collateral file
AR89. Arvey, Colonel Jacob (1896-1977)
Memoir
60 pp.ADLAI E. STEVENSON PROJECT
Arvey discusses his experiences in Illinois politics during his tenure as chairman of the Cook County Democratic Committee (1946-51) and as Democratic National Committeeman. He recalls his relationship with Adlai Stevenson, Stevenson's presidential campaigns of 1952 and 1956, his gubernatorial administration, support for Stevenson within the party, and the patronage system. Arvey also discusses his own political philosophy and family background.Interview by Kenneth Davis, 1967
Donated by the Oral History Research Office, Columbia University, New York.
RESTRICTED: May be read but not quoted, cited, or reproduced
AU54. Ault, James
Memoir
13 pp.STEAMBOATS AND INLAND RIVERS
Ault, riverboat musician, recalls his experiences as a musician on board riverboats on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers: music and songs performed, bands and musicians, working conditions, and the cargo transported on the boats.Interview by John Knoepfle, 1956
OPEN: released by John Knoepfle
Azeria, Harry Talivaldis
See F761 Foreign Born Physicians in Springfield, Illinois
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