Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Campbell family letters

Abstract

The Campbell family letters (dated 1912-1966, undated; 0.2 cubic feet; 8 folders) comprise letters written to Eugene and Marjorie Campbell of La Grange Illinois, during the twentieth century.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Campbell family letters
Date
1912-1966, undated (inclusive)
Extent
0.2 Cubic Feet
Subjects
Death
Draft
Family.
Illinois
Love-letters
Letters.
World War, 1914-1918.
World War, 1914-1918 -- Personal narratives, American.
World War, 1939-1945.
Arrangement
Collection is arranged by subject. The Wade Hall Collection of American Letters has been processed into discrete collections based on provenance.
Finding Aid Author
Hanna Rumbarger
Preferred Citation
2009ms132.0342: [identification of item], Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Campbell family letters, 1912-1966, undated, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
The Campbell family of La Grange Park, Illinois included paternal grandparents Samuel Campbell (1856-1925) and Jennie Campbell (1862-1921), maternal grandparents William Travis (b. 1860) and May Travis (b. 1863), parents Eugene Reynolds Campbell (1889-1964) and Marjorie Travis (1891-1975) and their son Roderick Campbell (b.1927). According to Michigan Marriage Records, Eugene and Marjorie married in May of 1917 before Eugene was drafted into World War I. They later had one child, Roderick Campbell. During the 1940s, Eugene was drafted again in World War II.
American Letters collector Wade Hall (1934-2015) was a native of Union Springs, Alabama. Starting in 1962, he lived in Louisville, where he taught English and chaired the English and Humanities/Arts programs at Kentucky Southern College and Bellarmine University. He also taught at the University of Illinois and the University of Florida. He held degrees from Troy State University (B.S.), the University of Alabama (M.A.), and the University of Illinois (Ph.D.). He served for two years in the U.S. Army in the mid-fifties. Dr. Hall was the author of books, monographs, articles, plays, and reviews relating to Kentucky, Alabama, and Southern history and literature. His most recent books include A Visit with Harlan Hubbard; High Upon a Hill: A History of Bellarmine College; A Song in Native Pastures: Randy Atcher's Life in Country Music; and Waters of Life from Conecuh Ridge.
Scope and Content
The Campbell family letters (dated 1912-1966, undated; 0.2 cubic feet; 8 folders) comprise letters written to Eugene and Marjorie Campbell of La Grange Illinois, during the twentieth century. This collection includes the letters that Marjorie and Eugene wrote one another while Eugene was stationed in both Chicago and New York during World War I. These letters discuss his life at camp, including the cold weather, the clothes and items soldiers were issued, and the lack of privacy. There are also letters written to Eugene from his parents and other relatives during this time and the time period after his marriage to Marjorie 1917. These family members write about family gossip, daily activities and wishes that couple are doing well. Marjorie also received multiple letters from friends and relatives. From 1947 to 1948, Marjorie was in correspondence with the Kemmerer Orphan's Home, where Marjorie and Eugene would host young girls over holiday breaks. Marjorie's mother May would write the couple often, and these letters discuss family deaths, daily gossip, and the well being of her grandson.
The Campbell family letters are part of the Wade Hall Collection of American Letter, which includes correspondence and diaries from all over North America covering the time period of the Civil to Korean Wars. The materials were collected by Wade Hall and document everyday men and women.

Restrictions on Access and Use

Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open to researchers by appointment.
Use Restrictions
The physical rights to the materials in this collection are held by the University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.

Contents of the Collection

Letters to Eugene Campbell, 1912-1915, undated

  • Box WH-15 , folder 1
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Marjorie Travis letters to Eugene Campbell, 1915-1916

  • Box WH-15 , folder 2
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Eugene Campbell letters to Marjorie Travis, 1915-1918, undated

  • Box WH-15 , folder 3
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Letters to Marjorie Campbell, 1921-1925, 1930-1934

  • Box WH-15 , folder 4
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Kemmerer Orphan House letters to Marjorie Campbell, 1947-1948

  • Box WH-15 , folder 5
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Campbell family letters, 1947-1949, undated

  • Box WH-15 , folder 6
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Eugene and Marjorie Campbell letters from Mother, 1922, 1954-1958, undated

  • Box WH-15 , folder 7
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Letters to Marjorie Campbell, 1950-1966, undated

  • Box WH-15 , folder 8
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You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.

If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.

UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Appointments are encouraged but not required. Schedule an appointment here.

Researchers must have an SCRC Researcher Account to request materials. View account set-up and use instructions here.

Questions? Contact SCRC via our Contact Form.

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You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.

If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.