This is a collection primarily of law office correspondence for Ferris M. White, his son, Kenneth S., and his law office partner, John W. Davison, River Falls, Wisconsin. There are also many letters relating to politics, National Guard activities and politics, and military matters for Kenneth S. White. In addition there are personal letters from friends, business associates and members of organizations with various members of the White family.
Because of the original distinctive arrangement of the collection, it was decided to retain, as far as practical, the initial organizational scheme of the collection. Accordingly, an archival arrangement was used with the different aspects of the White family's careers and interests placed in “series” or groupings. For example, the legal correspondence for the firm of White and White is separate from the legal files kept by both Kenneth S. White and his father, Ferris M. This is also the case for the successor firm of White and Davison. In addition, separate files were retained for Kenneth S. White's political correspondence, his World War I and II correspondence, as well as the letters of John W. Davison; and John Spencer, Charles, and Helen White. Also the correspondence kept by Ferris M. White as County Attorney for the Home Owners' Loan Corporation is a separate grouping.
Within these separate “series” or groupings, the correspondence is arranged—as it was originally—chronologically by date and alphabetically thereunder. A folder of legal correspondence, for example, is labelled “White and White, 1938 May 1 — , M, N, O.” This means that all correspondence for the period following the first day of May 1938, under M, N, or O, is within that folder. No terminal date for the correspondence within the folder is given except in a few isolated cases where this was possible. Terminal dates were impractical as both the Whites and Davison frequently stapled or clipped together correspondence for the same case in one folder for a period of several years. Wherever correspondence, work papers, and materials were stapled together, this arrangement was retained. Wherever several documents were held together either by paper clips or pins, these materials were stapled and considered to be a unit with all materials applying to the same case or correspondent. Consequently, materials referring to the same correspondent, problem, or case are usually attached.
Within both the personal and legal files for the Whites and also for Davison, the correspondence may be filed either by name of the correspondent, the name of a particular legal case, or the name of the firm's letterhead as given on incoming letters. There is, however, near uniform consistency once the arrangement was established. Ferris M. White, for example, always filed all correspondence pertaining to his activities in the League of Wisconsin Municipalities under “M.” Other cases may be less clear; for example, the letters addressed to the County Treasurer, Loan, Iowa, concerning land ownership are under “C.” Generally, however, the filing scheme is either evident immediately or else easily ascertained.
Ferris M. White Legal Correspondence
The first three boxes of the collection contain the legal correspondence, 1934-1939, of Ferris M. White. White retained this correspondence separately from the White and White legal firm correspondence as it is concerned primarily with the law cases which he conducted alone, his positions and special interests in the Board of Bar Examiners, the League of Wisconsin Municipalities, his work as City Attorney for River Falls, Wisconsin; as well as his investments in lands and property in Wisconsin, Iowa, Texas, Montana, Winnipeg and the province of Saskatchewan, Canada; and stocks in various municipal funds and companies.
For years Ferris M. White served as chairman of the Board of Bar Examiners. His correspondence with others on the committee deals with improving the scholastic and moral standards for state bar candidates. For 1935 there are letters from state Supreme Court justices, judges, lawyers, scholars, and politicians regarding the passage of an improved state bar bill. In that year the belief was strong that the State Bar Association should be a self governing organization with all practising lawyers in the state holding active membership in the organization. White's own views on this matter are given in a series of letters written in 1937 to R.B. Graves, the president of the State Bar Association.
White corresponded with other Board of Bar Examiners committee members regarding complaints of unethical practices made against Wisconsin lawyers. Examples of this type of correspondence include letters from Spencer Haven (see especially the letter dated December 31, 1937); and other letters filed under “S” for September 7 and 21, 1936; and under “L” in 1937. In many cases the charges and preliminary and final investigation reports against lawyers are discussed in detail. In several cases, there are copies of appeals to the Wisconsin Supreme Court from disbarred lawyers, notices to appear in court and at hearings, and similar legal papers. The researcher is advised to use this material with caution, as an investigation implies neither censure nor disbarment.
White always filed his correspondence with members of the League of Wisconsin Municipalities under “M.” Besides correspondence with other League trustees, members, and officials, there are copies of minutes of the meetings of the League, minutes of committee meetings which White attended, a few monthly balance sheets of receipts and disbursements of the League, and several scattered annotated copies of the Washington News Letter of the national American Municipal Association. These copies were retained as specific articles within these particular issues of the Newsletter are referred to in White's correspondence.
White also held financial interests in lands, property, and stock investments. Correspondence concerning his holdings near Modale, Iowa are filed under “O;” those in Texas under “W;” the property and lands in Winnipeg, Canada; and also in the province of Saskatchewan are with his correspondence to and from Charles M. Simpson, a real estate agent and investor in Winnipeg. Besides the usual legal and tax matters involved in absentee ownership, the correspondence also includes commentary on lands, the effects of drought and depression, the inhabitants, and local business conditions. Most of the correspondence between White and brokers is with the H.M. Byllesby and Company of Minneapolis, Minnesota. These lengthy letters give detailed reports on current stock market conditions and the affairs between a broker and his client.
Besides the legal correspondence and the special interests of White's as given above, White also corresponded on politics and personal matters with relatives and business associates.
Among the letters relating to politics is one written to R.W. Monk, Wausau, Wisconsin, on August 11, 1934. Another example is a letter, March 7, 1936, from Edward J. Dempsey, president (1924-1949) of the State Board of Normal [Teachers College] Regents, to White. This letter includes an enclosed copy of a nine page letter from Dempsey to John J. Raskob, New York, of the Liberty League, in which Dempsey is critical of the League's objectives and activities. A letter, dated January 20, 1937, from Daniel H. Grady to White discusses White's support of Jim Dan Hill for the presidency of the University of Wisconsin. Other correspondents include Senator F. Ryan Duffy (especially in 1934 when White sought to influence Duffy's recommendations for a postmaster in River Falls, Wisconsin); and with Grover Broadfoot, later a Chief Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, relating to legal matters, the Board of State Bar Examiners, and Wisconsin politics.
A single folder at the end of Ferris M. White's legal correspondence (labelled 1939 July 15 --, Miscellaneous) contains letters of sympathy extended to the White family after the death of Ferris M. White. These letters are from Supreme Court justices, judges, attorneys, public officials, and friends.
Ferris M. White Home Owners' Loan Corporation Correspondence
Boxes 4 through part of 6 contain Ferris M. White's records and correspondence, 1933-1935, as (Pierce and St. Croix) County Attorney for the Home Owners' Loan Corporation.
Created in 1933 as a quasi-federal relief agency, the Corporation assisted home owners through the exchange of their present mortgages and indebtedness for new long term loans handled by the Corporation. White processed all legal papers including deeds, quit claims, and insurance for loan applicants in the two counties.
The correspondence includes letters of transmittal, requests for information between himself and bankers, mortgagees, other lawyers, and the state branch and national offices of the Corporation. In some cases, carbon copies of the applicants' forms listing their assets, liabilities, and anticipated future incomes are included. In addition there are some preliminary and final certificates of titles to homes, a few insurance policies, and other legal papers.
This series is arranged chronologically by the first date of materials within the folders and alphabetically thereunder. In addition, other letters referring to White's work for the Corporation are also scattered throughout the Ferris M. White legal correspondence and in the correspondence for the firm of White and White.
White and White Legal Correspondence
In many respects, the legal correspondence (part of box 6-part of 13) for both Ferris M., and Kenneth S. White, for the period 1933-1940, is an extension of Ferris M. White's separate legal correspondence. It is distinct, however, in that it contains the legal correspondence for cases undertaken by the partners. There are letters from clients, officials of city, town, and state government; as well as with representatives of organizations and business concerns. Also, for each year in every folder marked “W” are itemized lists giving all receipts and disbursements for each month among the partners. These accounts include the fees, expenses for rent, electricity, telephone, office help and supplies, as well as the share of profit for each partner. In addition, this “series” within the collection includes many of the same correspondents for both the Whites which are named and identified elsewhere in this inventory.
White and Davison Legal Correspondence
This “series,” in parts of boxes 13 and 14, includes the correspondence for the law firm of Kenneth S. White and John W. Davison, for 1941-1946. Davison entered the partnership after White had reported for active military duty; and, in 1942, Davison himself was called into service. Much of the correspondence concerns the arrangements made between White and Davison in undertaking the partnership and the eventual closing of the firm during the war. There is some legal case correspondence; but, for the period following July 14, 1944 (when White returned from active duty) many of the letters are from friends still in the service. They wrote about army camp life and existence on the battlefields; and, in turn, White related the problems faced by civilians at home during wartime. A letter, dated December 15, 1945, from Justin [William] to the White family and John W. Davison relates the problems of life in occupied Japan and the impact of two distinct cultures in meeting, and the reactions of the Japanese people to the American soldiers.
Letters between White during July, August, and September 1945, and members of Congress, including Andrew J. Biemiller, Merlin Hull, Frank B. Keefe, Reid F. Murray, Alvin E. O'Konski, Thad F. Wasielewski, and Jim Dan Hill are concerned primarily with White's proposals of reorganizing the national Army and maintaining a strong active military force in peacetime.
John W. Davison Correspondence and Materials
Included within Box 14 are materials and correspondence for John W. Davison (1907? --) who, in 1942, with Kenneth S. White, formed the legal firm of White and Davison at River Falls, Wisconsin. Upon graduation from River Falls Normal in June 1929, Davison taught in a high school at Clintonville, Wisconsin. While there he coached the school's debate team, and much of his correspondence for the period following 1930 concerns Davison's requests for information and materials to be used by the debate squads, and scheduling tournaments. In addition, the collection contains correspondence from the Clintonville School Board regarding his work and offers of new contracts for the coming school year. Several copies of his teaching contracts outlining his duties and salaries are included. There are also several resume sheets concerning his college career and Davison's correspondence to and from prospective employers.
Davison was well known in the locale for his oratorical ability, and, in 1930, he offered his services to the Progressive Party. Phillip F. La Follette thanked him for his offer in a letter dated March 11, 1930. Two years later Davison delivered campaign speeches for the Republican ticket and several letters for 1932 refer to this activity.
Davison served as a Justice of the Peace in River Falls, Wisconsin, for a time and a single folder contains legal papers, complaints, copies of marriage licenses, warrants, records of hearings, and similar legal papers.
At one time Davison prepared a genealogical chart of Davison family members. This chart is also included with the Davison materials in box 14.
Kenneth S. White Military Correspondence and Papers
Kenneth S. White's correspondence and papers for both World Wars are found in boxes 15, 16, and 21. White's correspondence for World War I begins in the fall of 1917 with his letters to his parents. Although enrolled in the University of Wisconsin's Law School as a student, Kenneth's letters describe his attempts to obtain a commission into the regular Army, the enthusiasm among the students to enlist, commentary from his friends who have entered the service, and the emergency measures adopted by the University administration to conserve fuel and assist students entering the forces. Early in 1918 White received a position in the Motor Section Training School.
Included among the correspondence are his almost daily letters from Camp Herring, Peoria, Illinois; motor school at Clintonville, Wisconsin; and Camp Raritan, Metuchen, New Jersey. After September 1918, White served with the American Expeditionary Forces in Europe.
Besides family affairs and matters, White's correspondence describes in detail the outstanding events as well as the minutiae of military life. He wrote to his parents about daily details, life in the barracks, the areas he visited and the inhabitants he met, and about his fellow soldiers. His letters from the European combat theater describe front-line conditions and wartime life in France. For example, a letter of October 18, 1918, tells in detail the joy of being able to take a full bath in a French hotel. Other letters, particularly one from November 5, 1918, and a later one of November 12 relate his reactions as a witness to a French memorial service and the reactions of the soldiers and citizens to the armistice.
The correspondence for World War I is arranged chronologically.
There are five folders of personal correspondence for World War II. Arranged chronologically by date within “series” and alphabetically thereunder, the correspondence begins with a few scattered Wisconsin National Guard orders, notices, and forms for the period after 1936. The bulk of the papers, however, are for the war years after Lieutenant Colonel White entered full time service in the fall of 1940 following the presidential call which activated Wisconsin's 32nd Division. Since White had been active in politics, the letters written to him contain numerous comments about the political situation in Wisconsin. For example, a letter, April 30, 1944, from a newsman, Chubb?, of River Falls, Wisconsin, analyzes the local political situation. Other letters for this period of a political nature include those from C.A. Dawson, of the State Medical Society, and from White's friend, Jim Dan Hill. The letters from Hill also contain
information concerning the administration and politicking within the Wisconsin National Guard.
With the outbreak of the war, the staff officers and administrative personnel of the 32nd Division were dispersed throughout the world. Much of the correspondence is concerned with news of old friends and their current addresses. Many of the letters to and from White with his fellow staff officers describe the environment, the fighting, soldier life, and local inhabitants. Among the letters from former members of the 32nd Division are frequent suggestions of disgruntlement and discouragement that the regular Army destroyed the unity and integrity of the Wisconsin National Guard.
Also included in the “series” are some of Lieutenant Colonel (later Major) White's official administrative papers. Organized within folders (see the contents list below) these papers concern the National Guard's mobilization (including such items as memoranda and directives on the convoy's movements from River Falls, Wisconsin, to the camp in Louisiana, as well as bills and receipts for gas and maintenance for the convoy's trucks); inspection reports, payroll information, daily reports, directives concerning the use of the Post Exchange; and papers concerning military boards of inquiry and inquests and court martials concerning accidents to men under White's command.
In addition, box 20 of the collection contains seventeen letters from Kenneth S. White's son, John Spencer, for the period, 1940-1946, while John served in the U.S. Navy and was stationed in the United States and Puerto Rico.
The items in Box 21 were received in 1979 and include items similar to those in Box 16. They include military bulletins for White's unit and “A Discussion of Military Training at the University.”
Kenneth S. White Political Correspondence
Kenneth S. White's political correspondence (boxes 17-part of 20) begins as a separate series in 1936. In that year White was elected as a pledged delegate to the national Republican convention in support of Senator William E. Borah. White corresponded with other supporters of Borah; and among these letters are two (April 17 and August 25, 1936) from L. B. Nagler, the executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Wisconsin Borah for President Club. The first letter is marked “confidential” and relates who supplied funds to the financially hard pressed organization. Also, for this period, there are letters with the state Republican Party members (see the letter from White to Edward J. Samp, Chairman of the state Republican committee, November 13, 1936, as an example of this) and from committee members attempting to influence White's vote for the party's national committee representatives.
Also in 1936 White announced his candidacy for the state senate seat held by Progressive Walter H. Hunt, a teacher at River Falls State College. The correspondence between White and his backers at this time relates their dis-satisfaction with the Wisconsin Progressive Party. In addition, there are numerous letters from candidates seeking White's support for appointive legislative and civil service positions, such as sergeant of arms, clerks' positions, and employment in state offices.
For the period covered by the collection, there are letters between White and Merlin Hull, Congressman from Wisconsin's Ninth District. Almost all these letters are concerned with politics, particularly with the Ninth and Tenth Districts; and are filed under “H.” A few scattered letters, especially for 1936, are marked “confidential.” For 1938, there are several letters, between White and Hull concerning damage done to the “fish ponds” at Bay City, Wisconsin; the responsibility of the federal government for its alleged failure to control the dams and flood-gates; and the possibility of compensation for the aggrieved parties.
For the period, 1936-1946, one of White's most consistent correspondents was Jim Dan Hill, president of Superior State College, Superior, Wisconsin. Both White and Hill served as officers in the Wisconsin National Guard and were actively interested in the politics involved in promotions and placement of officer personnel. Throughout the collection are many letters regarding Guard politics and many of these are marked “confidential.” Most of the correspondence concerning the Guard is in the political “series” of the collection; but additional letters are found in the series for the law firms of White and White, and White and Davison; as well as in Kenneth S. White's World War II files.
In addition, White and Hill were also interested in education and the problems of improved salaries for teachers in the state college system. Hill's letters dated March 20, March 23, and April 3, 1937, and the period following deal primarily with this matter. In 1939 Senator White sponsored important legislation for the state college system and in a letter to Hill, December 7, 1939, White outlined his efforts to restore the cut which had been made in the salaries of state college teachers. (A separate folder containing correspondence and materials relating to White's work for the “Teachers College Bill, 1939” is in box 20 of the collection.) Also, at the same time White frequently consulted with state college presidents and other state educational officials. For example, there are letters to and from J.H. Ames, president of River Falls Teachers College concerning teachers' salaries in 1937. Also, many of Hill's letters relate to educational-politics, particularly referring to the situation at Superior State College (see a letter from Hill to White dated January 21, 1939 as an example of this). Another letter, December 8, 1944, from Hill to “John” [?] (carbon copy to Kenneth S. White) is complimentary of the fighting ability of the German army, but Hill draws the distinction between the calibre of education as it exists in the United States, as compared to the educational systems in England, Germany, and France.
White also corresponded frequently with Ralph Immell, state Adjutant General. Their correspondence is concerned primarily with promotions and advancements for friends and associates within the National Guard, commentary on local units of the Guard, with some emphasis on the 120th Field Artillery, and other Guard political matters. (For example, see the letter from Immell dated July 20, 1937). For the period of the collection, many of White's other correspondents, particularly Jim Dan Hill and other Guard staff officers, commented within their letters about Immell's abilities, his command, his position within the Guard, and his work with the national army during World War II. (For the calibre of these “comments” see a letter under “C” dated 1940).
Among White's more frequent correspondents with other state and national politicians was Warren P. Knowles, New Richmond, Wisconsin and later Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin. These letters relate to political activities and politicians in the state, candidates and campaigns for public office, and include some mention of legal clients and case work. Again, throughout the collection there is mention made about Warren P. Knowles by others who wrote to White.
Another of White's correspondents was Alexander Wiley, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin and United States Senator. Among the letters which the two exchanged are a group from July 1936, relating to White's arranging an appearance for gubernatorial candidate Wiley at an Ellsworth, Wisconsin, fair; and Wiley's inquiries during his speech preparation regarding ethnic groups, and the interests and problems of the inhabitants within the area. Again, White's other correspondents, including Jim Dan Hill, refer frequently to Senator Wiley and his policies in their letters.
On occasion, White also corresponded with Progressive Governor Philip F. La Follette. There are a few letters for 1937 and 1938 concerning appointments. Moreover, much of White's correspondence with others refers to Philip La Follette and the Wisconsin Progressive Party.
As early as 1940, White contemplated becoming a candidate for the office of lieutenant governor. After the war he announced his candidacy; and much of the correspondence for 1946 concerns his efforts and the work of his supporters. There are a few letters between Oscar Rennebohm and White regarding the possible candidacy of either or both for the office (and, for an earlier period, some correspondence between the two concerning Republican party appointments). White's supporters, in addition, refer frequently to Rennebohm's candidacy and his qualifications. They also comment on the candidacy of Governor Walter S. Goodland, his appointments, his qualifications, his advanced age and his ability to serve a full term in office.
A folder in box 20 contains political materials retained by White for his 1946 campaign. Included are brochures, flyers, lists of supporters, and some correspondence. A few letters, for the period following the 1946 Republican party endorsing convention at Oshkosh, refer to White's failure to receive the party endorsement and his pledge to uphold and work for the entire endorsed ticket.
White Family Miscellaneous Correspondence and Materials
Box 20 contains items pertaining to the members of Kenneth S. White's family. A speech, possibly delivered by White (or at least by one closely associated with him) demonstrates White's own immediate postwar thoughts on military preparedness, the necessity for a strong active military force, and the stamping out of un-American activities.
Also included are a few letters from White's son, Charles, as a camp counselor at Camp Warren, Eveleth, Minnesota, in 1945; and clippings and correspondence from Charles as a student at the University of Wisconsin for the period from 1947-1949. While at the University, Charles participated actively in campus politics, the local and state Young Republican organizations, and helped found a Harold Stassen for President Club.
Seventeen letters, 1940-1946, written by Kenneth White's son John, describe his service in the United States Navy while stationed in the United States and in Puerto Rico.
Kenneth S.'s wife, Helen K., held a district office in the Wisconsin Congress of Parents and Teachers. Included within the collection are two folders of correspondence, 1946-1947, and such materials as attendance registers, local units' annual reports, and copies of the minutes of the meetings of the Board of Managers of the Wisconsin Congress of Parents and Teachers.
