Title: Chester Graham Papers
Inclusive Dates: 1929-1979

Creator:

• Graham, Chester, 1892-

Call Number: Micro 755

Quantity: 2 reels of microfilm (35mm)

Repository:

Wisconsin Historical Society, Division of Library, Archives, and Museum Collections

Archival Locations:

COLLECTION MAY BE STORED OFF-SITE: see catalog entry to request materials and for additional information.

Wisconsin Historical Society (Map)

Abstract:

Microfilmed papers of Chester Graham, a cooperative leader and ardent social activist, primarily relating to his work as director of the Ashland Folk School, Grant, Michigan, 1928-1938, and to his interest in world affairs. Included are newsletters, clippings, editorials, and correspondence that reflect Graham's continuing interest in the folk school, farmers' problems, world issues, and non-violent protest, particularly that of the 1960s. Prominent correspondents include Frank Zeidler, Tony T. Dechant, Paul H. Douglas, and E. L. Kirkpatrick.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-micr0755

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Chester Graham, director of the Ashland Folk School, state supervisor of the WPA Workers Education in Wisconsin, field worker and director of organization for the National Farmers Union, field representative for the Friends Committee on National Legislation, and cooperative leader and activist, was born near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, March 31, 1892. He was graduated from Oberlin College in 1917 and was awarded his Masters degree in Education by the University of Illinois in 1926.

On June 16, 1921 Graham married Margaret Rutledge. They had five children: James, Frank, Martha, Lois, and Donald. Margaret died in childbirth in 1939. On February 6, 1944, Graham married Viola Jo Kreiner. They had three children: Laurie and twins Jean and Jere.

An ardent social activist Graham began his employment in the Americanization program in the Akron, Ohio, public schools, 1920-1925. From there he moved to the Pocono People's College, Henryville, Pennsylvania, where he was the associate director, 1926-1927; and to the Ashland Folk School, Grant, Michigan, where he was the resident director, 1928-1938. From 1938 until 1968 he lived in Madison, Wisconsin. During these years, he was involved in Farmers Union activities at the local, state, regional, and national levels. His work with the Friends Committees began in 1947 with the Committee on National Legislation. From 1948-1955 he broadcast a daily 30-minute farm radio program in North Dakota.

Throughout his career Graham continued to hold many positions as a volunteer on cooperative boards, anti-war organizations, farmers' groups, and civil organizations. The cooperative boards were particularly important since he felt that the cooperative movement is the only solution to economic problems.

These microfilmed papers relate primarily to Graham's involvement in the Ashland Folk School, the planning of the 50th reunion of its students in 1978, and his interests in world affairs. Included are correspondence, newsletters, clippings, and editorials. The correspondence reflects Graham's continuing interest in the Folk School, farmers' problems, world issues, and non-violent protest (particularly in the 1960s) There are many letters to and from Congressmen regarding current issues. Little is included concerning his participation in the cooperative, farmers, and Friends activities. These papers, other than those pertaining to the Ashland Folk School, reflect some of his activities while living in Madison, Wisconsin. Noted correspondents include Frank Zeidler, Tony T. Dechant, Paul H. Douglas, and E. L. Kirkpatrick. Graham's papers are to be donated to the Bentley Historical Library at the University of Michigan.

Acquisition Information

Loaned for microfilming by Chester Graham, Muskegon, Michigan, 1979. Accession Number: M79-210

Processing Information

Processed by Gregor Trinkaus-Randall and Max J. Evans, August 1979.

Reel   1 Frame   1-29	American Country Life Association, 1930-1936
	Ashland Folk School
Reel   1 Frame   30-463	General, 1929-1938, 1958, 1960, 1967, 1974-1975
Reel   1 Frame   464-654	Reunion, 1977-1979
Reel   1 Frame   655-659	Christian Social Action Movement, 1934
Reel   1 Frame   660-834	Congress - Correspondence, 1966, 1970-1972, 1979
Reel   1 Frame   835-871	Dechant, Tony T., 1976-1979
Reel   1 Frame   872-897	Douglas, Paul H., 1935-1936, 1972
Reel   1 Frame   898-1143	Economic Issues, 1936, 1956-1958
Reel   2 Frame   1-77	Kirkpatrick, E.L., 1931-1933, 1936
Reel   2 Frame   78-229	Letters to the Editor, 1970-1979
	Non-Violence
Reel   2 Frame   230-466	General, 1957, 1967-1968, 1973-1979
Reel   2 Frame   467-552	Committee for Non-Violent Action, 1963-1964
Reel   2 Frame   553-627	Public Ownership League, 1934-1937, 1973
Reel   2 Frame   628-727	Zeidler, Frank, 1969, 1974-1979