Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Samuel Alvin Overstreet letters

Abstract

The Samuel Alvin Overstreet letters (dated 1974-1979, undated; 0.08 cubic feet; 4 folders) comprise letters that document the dissemination of the Overstreet's genealogy book to friends and family in Kentucky.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Samuel Alvin Overstreet letters
Date
1974-1979, undated (inclusive)
Creator
Overstreet, Samuel Alvin, 1896-1986
Extent
0.08 Cubic Feet
Subjects
Family archives -- Kentucky.
Genealogy.
Letters.
Physicians -- Kentucky -- Louisville.
Arrangement
Collection is arranged by recipient. The Wade Hall Collection of American Letters has been processed into discrete collections based on provenance.
Finding Aid Author
Sarah Coblentz
Preferred Citation
2009ms132.0186: [identification of item], Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: Samuel Alvin Overstreet letters, 1974-1979, undated, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
Samuel Alvin Overstreet (1896-1986) was born in Fort Nelson, Kentucky to Alvin Overstreet (1861-1953) and Lucy Grant Overstreet (1863-1897). From 1918 to 1919, Overstreet served in the US Marine Corps, upon his release from the military he attended medical school at the University of Louisville, graduating in 1923. In 1924, he married Irma Grace Jones (1899-1994), and together they had three sons, Peter (1926-2000), Arthur Evan (1929-2005), and Robert (b. 1931). While working as a medical professional, Overstreet was actively involved in multiple organizations and associations, he was founder and president of the Jefferson County Medical Foundation and past president of the Kentucky Baptist Hospital and Methodist Evangelical Hospital Staffs. He was a retired professor at the University of Louisville School of Medicine, a past Kentucky counselor of the Southern Medical Association, and a past Kentucky governor of the American College of gastroenterology. He was also past editor of the Kentucky Medical Association Journal and a member of the Jefferson County Medical Society, the American Gastroenterology Association, and the International Society of Internists. Overstreet was a former member of the state Board of Health.
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 Samuel Alvin Overstreet letters (dated 1974-1979, undated; 0.08 cubic feet; 4 folders) comprise letters that document the dissemination of the Overstreet's genealogy book to friends and family in Kentucky. The majority of the letters are addressed to Sam and Irma, although some are only written to Sam or Irma. Mainly the letters discuss the Overstreet family genealogy, either providing more details on family members or asking for information on others, and congratulations to Sam and Irma for producing their genealogy book. There are a few letters where the authors discuss recent events in their lives and as well as the lives of members of their immediate families.
The Samuel Alvin Overstreet letters are part of the Wade Hall Collection of American letters, 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
The 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 Irma Overstreet, 1974, undated

  • Box 254, folder 7
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Letters to Samuel Overstreet, 1974-1979, undated

  • Box 254, folder 8
To top

Letters to Samuel and Irma Overstreet, 1974-1979, undated

  • Box 254, folder 9
To top

Letter and newspaper clipping, undated

  • Box 254, folder 10
To top

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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.