Ora L. Wildermuth papers, 1901-1963, bulk 1925-1960
A Guide to his Papers at the Indiana University Archives
Elia Van Lith
Electronic finding aid encoded by
Beth Benda
Summary Information
Repository
Indiana University Archives
1320 East Tenth Street
Herman B Wells Library E460
Bloomington, IN 47405-7000
Phone: 812-855-1127
Email: archives@indiana.edu
http://www.libraries.iub.edu/archives
Creator
Wildermuth, Ora L.
TitleOra L. Wildermuth papers,1901-1963, bulk 1925-1960
Collection No.
C130
Extent
2.3 cubic feet
Language
Materials are in English.
Abstract
Ora L. Wildermuth was an Indiana
University alumnus and trustee; a lawyer and judge; and a library trustee in both
Indiana and Florida. He was also one of the first residents of Gary, Indiana. The papers
of Judge Ora L. Wildermuth includes correspondence, diaries, speeches, lectures, and
both published and unpublished writings. A great deal of genealogy information can be
found in the Wildermuth Family Association series.
Access Restrictions
This collection is open for research.
Advance notice is required.
Biographical Note
Ora Leonard Wildermuth was born on his father’s farm near Star City, Indiana, on October
15, 1882 and entered Indiana University in 1902, thus beginning a close relationship
with the University that would continue until his death on November 16, 1964.
Upon receiving his LL.B in 1906 he moved to the new town of Gary, Ind., becoming one of
its first citizens. He then proceeded to serve as Gary’s first school teacher, Sunday
school teacher, municipal judge (1910-1914), librarian, and first president of the Gary
Bar Association (1908). He also opened Gary’s first library in his law office, Lucas,
Clifford and Wildermuth.
In 1907, he married Cordelia W. Wilds, and in 1909 they welcomed the birth of a
daughter, Maxine Elizabeth. Cordelia passed away in 1941, and in 1942 Judge Wildermuth
remarried, wedding Mae R. London.
He served on the Indiana University Board of Trustees for 27 years from 1925-1952 and
further distinguished himself as vice president of the Board from 1936-1938 and
president from 1938-1949. Among Wildermuth's triumphs while he was on the Board were the
building of the fieldhouse and the advancement of the library.
Wildermuth did not limit his activities to Indiana University. He was a lifelong
supporter of public and academic libraries, serving as president of the Gary Public
Library Board of Trustees and on the Board of Trustees for the Florida Library
Association, and holding various offices with the Indiana Library Trustees Association
and the American Library Association. He also served on the editorial committee for
A Handbook for Library Trustees (1955) and authored a
handbook for Florida Library Trustees. In 1939 he was elected president of the
Association of Governing Boards of State Universities and Allied Institutions and was
vice president and director of the Barnes Ice & Coal Co. of Gary
(1910-1914).
His second wife Mae passed away in 1952, and in 1955 he married for a third time to
Mildred Z. Polak.
In 1954, the Gary Public Library honored the Judge with the dedication of the Ora L.
Wildermuth Branch Library, and in 1971 Indiana University followed suit with the
renaming of the fieldhouse as the Ora L. Wildermuth Intramural Center.
Arrangement
Organized into nine series: Correspondence; Writings; Speeches; Eulogies; Indiana
University; Social organizations; Professional papers; Personal papers; and Wildermuth
Family Association.
Scope and Content Note
The collection is organized into nine series: Correspondence, Writings, Speeches,
Eulogies, Indiana University, Social organizations, Professional papers, Personal
papers, and Wildermuth Family Association. Most of the materials in the collection
relate to Indiana University and Wildermuth’s career as a lawyer and judge.
The Correspondence series spans the period from 1925-1963 and is arranged alphabetically
by surname. This is the largest of the nine series and consists primarily of personal
correspondence and correspondence with members of his immediate and extended family.
Correspondence related to Indiana University, his professional career, social
organizations and his family association can be found Indiana University, Social
organizations, Professional papers, and Wildermuth Family Association series.
Writings span the period from 1938-1949 and are arranged chronologically. They consist
of articles, musings and remembrances spanning almost every aspect of his life, from his
role as a library and university trustee, to a friendly encounter on a train, to his
views on patriotism. Two handbooks he wrote/co-wrote on library trusteeship can be found
in the Social organizations series.
Speeches span the period from 1927-1960 and are also arranged chronologically. They
consist of speeches given primarily in connection with Indiana University, including
many campus building dedications and the inauguration of H. B Wells as University
President. The series also includes speeches stemming from his work with the Gary Public
Library and from his role as president of the Association of Governing Boards of State
Universities.
Eulogies, spanning the years 1932-1933, is a small series consisting of writings that
pay tribute to the lives of some of his friends and professional colleagues. Some of the
eulogies were read by Wildermuth at the memorial services. The series is arranged
alphabetically.
Series number five, Indiana University, spans the years 1901-1964 and is further
organized into four subseries: Student materials, Administration, Alumni materials, and
Correspondence. The subseries are in chronological order with the records within each
subseries arranged alphabetically by folder title. This diverse series includes
datebooks from his student days, files on planned university expansions in Calumet
County, Gary, and Ft. Wayne, correspondence, and records of the Board of Trustees and
alumni associations. The meeting minutes of the Board of Trustees are not very extensive
and consist primarily of material from his last board meeting. Notable correspondents
include William Lowe Bryan, Alexander Campbell, and Agnes and Herman B Wells. Some
material relating to I.U. can be found in the Notebook located in the Personal papers
series. Press clippings have been transferred to Wlidermuth’s clippings file.
The sixth series, Social organizations, spans 1925-1964 and is further organized into
nine subseries: Association of Governing Boards of State Universities, American Library
Association, Gary Public Library, Midwest Inter-Library Center, American Library
Trustees Association, Florida Library Association, and Naples (Florida) City Council.
The subseries are in chronological order with the records within each subseries arranged
alphabetically by folder title. Prominent types of records within the series include
meeting minutes, correspondence, manuscript drafts, and press clippings from various
organizations, primarily library organizations, in which Judge Wildermuth participated.
It also includes drafts of and correspondence concerning two handbooks he wrote for
library trustees. Some material relating to this series can be found in the Notebook
located in the Personal papers series.
Professional papers is the seventh series and spans the period from 1925-1963. It is
organized into three subseries: Datebooks, Legal material, and Correspondence. The
subseries are in chronological order with the records within each subseries arranged
alphabetically by folder title. This series consists primarily of material chronicling
Wildermuth’s career as a lawyer and judge. Of particular interest are files on the Alien
Enemy Hearing Board dating from WWII. Press clippings have been transferred to
Wildermuth’s clippings file.
Personal papers span the period from 1908-1963 and are arranged chronologically. This is
also a diverse series, containing notes on the poet James Whitcomb Riley, press
clippings, files on property he owned, invitations to parties and events, and
biographical materials. Of note is a folder of letters from students at the Union Street
School thanking Judge Wildermuth for talking to their class about the founding of Gary
and the construction of their school.
The ninth series is entitled Wildermuth Family Association. This series spans the years
1750-1962, is arranged chronologically and consists of material dealing with his
family’s Association. Founded in ca. 1945 with articles of association and a Board of
Trustees, the Association was strong and vital during Wildermuth’s lifetime, at one time
having as many as 400 names on their mailing list. The series consists of genealogical
materials, the articles of association, family reunion notices, press clippings, and
correspondence among many members of the Association. Much of the correspondence
chronicles the Association’s fund-raising efforts to relocate, renovate and maintain the
historic family church built by their ancestors. In 1957 it was discovered that then
Vice President Richard Nixon was related to the Wildermuths by marriage, and there is a
photocopy of a letter Nixon wrote and other secondary materials on this topic. A family
tree printed by the Association in 1963 can be found in the clippings file.
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Indexing Terms
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The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
IUCAT, the IU Libraries' online
catalog. Materials about related topics, persons or places can be found by searching the
catalog using these terms.
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Separated Material
Photographs have been transferred to the Photographs Collection.
Administrative Information
Acquisition Information
Accession 9086-9090.
Usage RestrictionsThe donor(s) of this collection have not transferred their copyrights for the materials to the Trustees of Indiana University.
For more information, please contact the Indiana University Archives staff.
The Indiana University Archives respects the intellectual property rights of others and does not claim any copyrights for
non-university records, materials in the public domain, or materials for which we do not hold a Deed of Gift. Responsibility
for the determination of the copyright status of these materials rests with those persons wishing to reuse the materials.
Researchers are responsible for securing permission from copyright owners and any other rights holders for any reuse of these
materials that extends beyond fair use or other statutory limitations.
Digital reproductions of archival materials from the Indiana University Archives are made available for noncommercial educational
and research purposes only. If you are the copyright holder for any of the digitized materials and have questions about its
inclusion on our site, please contact the Indiana University Archivist.
Preferred Citation
[Item], Ora L. Wildermuth papers, Collection C130, Indiana University Archives, Bloomington.
Processing InformationProcessed by Elia Van Lith.
Completed in 2004.
Series:
Correspondence, 1925-1963,
undated
Box 1
A-General file
Ackerman, F. Eugene, 1958
American Association of University Professors, 1949
Avery, M.P., 1953
Barber, Dr. Ray, 1953
Barnes Ice & Coal Company, 1950-1956
Barr, John, 1955,
1956
Berg, Mrs. Samuel “Ruth”, 1957-1958
Blue, H.E., 1960
B-General file
Borg-Warner Corp., 1961
Brandon, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur, 1956
Brookfield Congregational Church, 1937
James J. Burke Storage & Van Co., 1952
Butler, Stew, 1961
Chesapeake & Ohio Railway Company, 1943-1948
Citizen’s Historical Association, 1935
Cline, Mrs. John “Bessie” (sister-in-law), 1955,
1956,
undated
Collins, Wetzel and Dorothy, 1958,
1959,
1963
Connable, Alfred and Dorothy (cousin), 1950,
1956,
1962
Connable, Horace and Genevieve “Geno” (cousin), 1951-1961
Cohrt, Ina, 1955
C-General file
Calumet Township Board of Trustees, 1937
Chevrolet Motor Division, 1953
Cleveland, Chester W., 1940
P.F. Collier & Son, 1953
Coons, Mr. and Mrs. Wilfred C., 1953
Deutsch, Leo, 1952-1961
Divich, Major Steve M., 1943
D-General file
Dalton Coal and Supply Co., 1956
Daniel, Mrs. Doris, 1953
Davis Clinic, 1992
Doering, E.C., 1957
DuRand, O.B., 1943
Direct Photo Lab Service, Inc., undated
Earle, William, 1951
E-General file
Early, Maurice, ca. 1951
Edwards, Fred C., undated
Ellsworth, Ralph E., 1956
Elsen, Earl, 1927
Ember Co., 1963
Enoch Pratt Free Library, 1948
Exchange Club of Naples, Florida, 1961
Fadell, Thomas R., 1960
Fesler, J.W., 1925-1951
Fox & Hall, Real Estate Brokers, 1953
F-General file
First Federal Savings & Loan Association, 1954
Fort Harrison Hotel, 1960
Gary Chamber of Commerce, 1944,
1945
Gary Post Tribune, 1939-1958
“Gladys”, undated
Glen Park Rotary, 1946
G-General file
Gasser, Mrs. W.W., undated
Geiger, Dr. Dillon, 1949
Hotel George Washington, 1956
H-General file
Hastings, John S., 1949
Heighway, George F., 1934
Howard, Viola, 1954
L-General file
Lake County Assessor, 1953
League of Women Voters, undated
Eastern Air Lines, 1956
Marshall Fields & Company, 1952-1959
The Mayo Clinic, 1950
McLaughlin, J.J., 1956
M-General file
Miller, A.B., 1955
Mitchell, Mrs. H.B., 1950
National Bank of America, 1929-1931
N-General file
The Naples Company, 1955
National Exchange Club, undated
Norman, Mrs. Lucille, 1963
Norris, Miss Rosalie, 1958
State Mutual Life Insurance Company, 1932
S-General file
Sparks, Frank H., 1948
Sports Afield, 1934
United States Steel Corporation of Delaware, 1948
Van Nuys, Senator Frederick, 1933
Weathers, C.W., 1927-1953
Weaver, John, 1937,
1939,
1940
Welsh, M.W., 1937
Welter, William J., 1943-1944
White, Governor Hugh, 1939
Wildermuth, Cordelia (first wife), 1930
Wildermuth, Dwight G. “Dee” (cousin) and Olive, 1927-1964
Wildermuth, Elias Faye “Wildy” (cousin), 1932-1963,
undated
Wildermuth, Ella (aunt), 1953-1960
Wildermuth, Fred (cousin) and Margaret, 1936-1963
Wildermuth, Joe (brother) and Madeleine, 1927-1962,
undated
Wildermuth, Mae (second wife), 1951,
1952,
undated
Wildermuth, Maxine (daughter), 1927-1963,
undated
Wildermuth, Richard “Dick” (nephew), 1937,
1956,
undated
Wildermuth, William (cousin) and Earlene, 1949,
1954,
1959
Wildermuth family, 1930-1961,
undated
Wolf, Anna, 1939,
1944,
1945
Wolpers, John H., 1941-1951
Wood, William R., 1932
Woods, Sam B., 1950,
undated
Woodward, G.B. “Woodie”, 1945,
1947
W-General file
Wabash College, 1959
Wanamaker, Miss Essie, 1932
Wardley, George P., 1944
Warren, David, M., 1952
Warren, Hazel, ca. 1949
Warvel, H.G., 1939
Weaver, Charles E., 1948
Whitmore, Mrs. Philip, 1962
Whitmore, Philip, 1950
Fred O. Wildermuth Agency, 1955
Williams, Floyd E., 1926
Williams, Park D., 1948
Willis, Grant B., 1932
Wilkie, Fred and Helen, 1952
Wilkie, Wendell, 1942
Wilson, Fred E., 1928
Wilson, K.L., 1926
Wilson, Wasson J., 1948
Winser, Mrs. Gerald H., 1952
White, Jesse H., 1930
Writelers, M., 1928
Woodfolk, Roger W., 1934
Wulfing, G.E., 1935
Wylie, Philip, 1959
Y-General file
Yavore, Marie G., 1934
Young, V.U., 1929
YMCA, 1941
Zurich General Accident and Liability Insurance, 1946
Fragments and Unknown, 1939-1959,
undated
Series:
Writings, 1938-1949,
undated
Box 1
"Aboard a United Mainliner"
1938
"Time to Take Stock"
: Published in ALA
Bulletin, vol. 33, no. 2, 1939
"Educational Administration at a Tender Age,"
ca.
1943
"The Gary Public Library,"
ca.
1944
"A University Trustee Views the Academic
Profession,"
1949
"I am not an Agnostic,"
undated
A Christmas Story: untitled, incomplete, undated
First general election in Gary, undated
Box 3
"Forgot his Coat and Lost his Suit,"
undated
(oversize)
Box 1
"I Prefer the Independent Library Board"
undated
"Let Freedom Ring"
undated
Regarding an encounter with Horace Rackham, undated
"What is a Sovereign State?,"
undated
Series:
Speeches, 1927-1960,
undated
Box 1
Opening of radio station WJKS on Thanksgiving, 1927
Presentation of leather medal to William Black: Press Club annual
banquet, 1930
Box 3
Gary Bar Association: Memorial meeting, 1931
(oversize)
Box 1
Daughters of the American Revolution: Pottawatomie Chapter, 1933
Box 3
Role of colleges and universities in preparing youth for government
service, 1936
(oversize)
Box 1
Administration Building dedication, 1937
Conferring of LL.D. on Dr. William Lowe Bryan, 1937
First Gary school site dedication, 1937
Box 3
Honoring William Lowe Bryan at Chicago Alumni Association, 1937
(oversize)
Box 1
Foundation Day address, 1938
Inauguration of H.B. Wells, 1938
Box 3
"The Trustee and Public Relations"
ALA
Midwinter Meeting, 1939
(oversize)
Box 1
Honoring James A. Woodburn: Read by Pres. H.B. Wells, 1940
"Legal Status of American State Universities"
1940
University Auditorium dedication, 1941
"Role of Universities in the War Effort,"
1943
"The Gary Public Library"
: Read at Gary Lions
and Rotary Clubs, 1944
Public library dedication on Memorial Day, ca. 1945
Wildermuth Memorial Church Education Wing Dedication, 1960
On American civilization: incomplete, undated
To the American Legion, undated
Box 3
“Financing the Public Library”, undated
(oversize)
Box 1
Parent-Teacher meeting, undated
Presentation of the gavels: AGSU, undated
Presentation of gavel to Meritt H. Perkins: Regent, University of
Colorado, undated
“A Public Library”, undated
Regarding the founding of Gary, undated
"Role of a Governing Board in University
Administration,"
undated
Series:
Eulogies, 1932-1933,
undated
Box 3
Feder, Dr. William: Society B’nai B’rith, 1933
(oversize)
Box 1
Knotts, Thomas E., undated
Box 3
Melton, Colonel Arthur P., 1932
(oversize)
Underwood, John H., undated
(oversize)
Box 1
Wood, William R., 1933
Series:
Indiana University, 1901-1964,
undated
Subseries:
Student materials, 1901-1907
Box 1
College expense record book, 1902-1906
Receipt books, 1906-1907,
undated
Box 3
School of Law, 1906
(oversize)
Box 1
Student handbooks, 1901-1907
(6 folders)
Subseries:
Administration, 1925-1963
Board of Trustees,
Box 1
1925-1963,
undated
Box 3
1925-1963,
undated
(oversize)
Box 1
Meeting minutes, 1925-1963,
undated
Calumet Extension,
1938-1944,
undated
Box 3
1938-1944,
undated
(oversize)
Box 1
Fort Wayne Extension, 1940
Gary Extension,
1938-1959,
undated
Box 3
1938-1959,
undated
(oversize)
Box 1
Purdue University, 1944-1945
State College of Washington, Presidential inauguration, 1945
(Wildermuth attended as I.U. delegate)
Subseries:
Alumni materials, 1925-1952
Box 1
Alumni associations, 1925-1952,
undated
Football materials, 1927,
1937
Indiana Society of Chicago, 1939-1945
Subseries:
Correspondence, 1925-1964
Box 1
Bartley, E. Ross, 1939-1951
Bryan, William Lowe, 1928-1954
Byrd, C.K., 1939
Campbell, Alexander M., 1944
( Photo of Mr. Campbell has been transferred to the Photographs
Collection.)
Dickens, Phil, 1962
Franklin, J.A., 1951-1955
Green, Bert, ca. 1950
Martin, J.B.H., 1944
Reed, F.T., 1948
Visher, Stephen S., 1938
Wei-lo, Pan, 1948
Weimer, Arthur M., 1941,
1948
Wells, Agnes E., 1925,
1929
Box 2
Wells, Herman B, 1936-1964
(3 folders)
Willis, Hugh E., 1942
Wood, William R., 1932
Zeigler, Martha L., 1949
Series:
Social organizations, 1925-1964,
undated
Subseries:
Association of Governing Boards of State Universities, 1925-1959
Box 2
Correspondence, 1945-1959
Meetings, 1925-1959
Notes on state education statutes, 1948,
1956
Press clippings, ca. 1950
Box 3
State vs. University of Minnesota, 1951
(oversize)
Box 2
UNC Sesquicentennial Celebration, 1946
Subseries:
American Library Association, 1928-1958,
undated
Box 2
Conferences, 1928-1958,
undated
Correspondence, 1933
Subseries:
Gary Public Library, 1943-1964,
undated
Board of Trustees,
Box 2
1947-1961,
undated
Box 3
1947-1961,
undated
(oversize)
Box 2
Correspondence, 1953-1957,
undated
Press clippings, 1943-1964,
undated
Receptions honoring O.L. Wildermuth, 1953,
1954,
1959
Subseries:
Midwest Inter-Library Center, 1948-1960,
undated
Box 2
Board of Directors, 1949-1960
Correspondence, 1948,
1958-1960
Director searches, 1949,
1958
Floor plan blueprint, undated
Newsletter, 1957,
1959
Subseries:
American Library Trustees Association, 1961-1962
Box 2
Correspondence and booklet, 1961,
1962
Handbook for Library Trustees:
Correspondence, 1951-1954
Drafts, undated
Published volume, 1955
Reviews, undated
Subseries:
Florida Library Association, 1956-1958,
undated
Box 2
Correspondence, 1956-1958
Handbook for Florida Library Trustees, 1957,
1958,
undated
Subseries:
Naples (Florida) City Council, 1958,
undated
Box 2
Meeting minutes, 1958,
undated
Series:
Professional papers, 1925-1963,
undated
Subseries:
Datebooks, 1925,
1950-1953
Box 2
1925
1950
1952
1953
Subseries:
Legal material, 1928-1945
Alien Enemy Hearing Board,
Box 2
1941-1945,
undated
Box 3
1941-1945,
undated
(oversize)
Box 2
Indiana Highway Commission, undated
Box 3
Joe Wildermuth et al vs. Mrs. Paul Navejar, 1957
(oversize)
Box 2
National Arbitration Association, 1928
Subseries:
Correspondence, 1933-1963
Box 2
Chicago Law Institute, 1935-1963
Clifford, Tom, 1953-1958
Columbia Casualty Company, 1949
Elderkin, Vernon H., 1955,
1956
Ford, Virginia, 1959
Grimes, Lester F., ca. 1953
Kovatch, John P., 1948
Shake, Curtis G., 1944
Walker, Henry B., 1940
Wallace, Paul G., 1952,
1955,
undated
Walter, Woody & Heimerdinger, 1935,
1938
Wildermuth, London & Nehrig, 1950-1951
Wildermuth & Force, 1933,
1938,
1940
Williams, Marie Basso, 1950
Williams, Marshall, 1948
Series:
Personal papers, 1908-1963,
undated
Box 2
Notebook: Includes Gary Public Library meeting minutes, and material
related to the I.U. and Social organizations series, 1908-1953
Riley, James Whitcomb, 1916,
undated
Press clippings, 1927-1963,
undated
Property files, 1932,
undated
Invitations, 1939-1955,
undated
Who’s Who in America, 1939,
1962,
undated
Launching of USS Indiana, 1941
Great Books Foundation, 1948-1953,
undated
Indiana Magazine of History, 1956,
1958
Union Street School, 1956
First Presbyterian Church, Naples, Florida, 1958,
undated
Biographical materials, undated
Blueprint: Bali Cove Development, Marathon, Florida, undated
Christmas cards, undated
Series:
Wildermuth Family Association, 1750-1962,
undated
Box 2
Family history, ca. 1750-1950
Reunion announcements, 1939-1960,
undated
Correspondence, 1941-1962,
undated
Board of Trustees, 1950-1954,
undated
Newsletters, 1953-1962,
undated
Nixon, Richard M., 1957-1960,
undated