Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: John A. Wood letters

Abstract

The John A. Wood letters (dated 1934-1946, undated; 1.58 cubic feet; 4 boxes) comprise letters sent between John and his family that document life in the military and life in Ohio during World War II.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: John A. Wood letters
Date
1934-1946, undated (inclusive)
Creator
Wood, John A.
Extent
1.58 Cubic Feet
Subjects
Letters.
Families.
World War, 1939-1945.
Military life.
Ohio
Travel.
Friendship.
Mississippi
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
Sarah Coblentz
Preferred Citation
2009ms132.1122: [identification of item], Wade Hall Collection of American Letters: John A. Wood letters, 1934-1946, undated, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
John A. Wood (1916-1982) was born in Oberlin, Ohio to John P. Wood (1876-1944) and Jeanette McCoy (1887-1957). He served in the military during World War II. In 1957, he married Mary Jane Webber (1927-1999) and together they had three children. John worked as an accountant and auditor.
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 John A. Wood letters (dated 1934-1946, undated; 1.58 cubic feet; 4 boxes) comprise letters sent between John and his family that document life in the military and life in Ohio during World War II. John writes weekly to his parents, discussing joining the military, experiencing boot camp, taking various classes, participating in drills, spending time with friends, moving to Jackson, Mississippi to be stationed at the Mississippi Ordnance Plant, getting passes to visit home and have free time in Mississippi, saving money, his thoughts about the heat, his thanks for his parents sending items to him, encounters with superior officers, and his hopes to be home soon. His parents write just as frequently, discussing daily life in Ohio, the weather, local gossip, spending time with family and friends, how work is going at his father's construction supply yard, going on vacation, planting a garden, personal health, the supply yard catching fire, attending social events, and their excitement when they are able to see John. John also receives letters from his aunt and friends, discussing personal health, life in other branches of the military, getting married, and their hopes to return home soon.
The John A. Wood letters collection is 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
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

Donald DePane to John A. Wood, 1943-1945

  • Box 1, folder 1
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Edith McCoy to John A. Wood, 1937-1942

  • Box 1, folder 2
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Edith McCoy to John A. Wood, 1943

  • Box 1, folder 3
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Edith McCoy to John A. Wood, 1944

  • Box 1, folder 4
To top

Father to John A. Wood, 1937-1942

  • Box 1, folder 5
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Father to John A. Wood, 1943

  • Box 1, folder 6
To top

Father to John A. Wood, 1944

  • Box 1, folder 7
To top

Mother to John A. Wood, 1937-1940

  • Box 1, folder 8
To top

Mother to John A. Wood, 1942

  • Box 1, folder 9
To top

Mother to John A. Wood, 1943

  • Box 2, folder 1-3
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Mother to John A. Wood, 1944

  • Box 2, folder 4-5
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Tom Hardgrove to John A. Wood, 1943-1945

  • Box 2, folder 6
To top

Walter A. Wood to John A. Wood, 1934-1942, undated

  • Box 2, folder 7
To top

Letters to John A. Wood, 1935-1946, undated

  • Box 2, folder 8
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John A. Wood to Edith McCoy, 1940-1944

  • Box 2, folder 9
To top

John A. Wood to Father, 1942

  • Box 3, folder 1
To top

John A. Wood to Father, 1943

  • Box 3, folder 2-3
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John A. Wood to Father, 1944

  • Box 3, folder 4
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John A. Wood to Mother, 197, 1942

  • Box 3, folder 5-6
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John A. Wood to Mother, 1943

  • Box 3, folder 7-8
To top

John A. Wood to Mother, 1944

  • Box 4, folder 1-3
To top

General letters, 1943-1945, undated

  • Box 4, folder 4
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.