Ralph F. Gates oral history
Collection
Identifier: OH020
Scope and Contents
The collection contains two copies of a transcript and a reel-to-reel audiotape of an interview with Ralph F. Gates conducted by Randall Jehs for the Indiana State Library Oral History Project on February 3, 1971. There are also clippings from 1976 to 1978.
Gates discusses his family and childhood; his political views; Indiana Republican politics and his involvement; practicing law; the Ku Klux Klan; the American Legion; and running for Governor and his term in office. He also talks about Albert Beveridge, Arch Bobbitt, Homer Capehart, Henry Schricker, Henry Wallace, James E. Watson, Wendell Willkie, and various other Indiana political figures.
Gates discusses his family and childhood; his political views; Indiana Republican politics and his involvement; practicing law; the Ku Klux Klan; the American Legion; and running for Governor and his term in office. He also talks about Albert Beveridge, Arch Bobbitt, Homer Capehart, Henry Schricker, Henry Wallace, James E. Watson, Wendell Willkie, and various other Indiana political figures.
Dates
- 1971/02/03
Creator
- Gates, Ralph F. (Ralph Fesler), 1893-1978 (Interviewee, Person)
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Legal title, copyright, and literary rights reside with Rare Books and Manuscripts, Indiana State Library, Indianapolis, IN. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to Rare Books and Manuscripts.
Biographical Note
Ralph Fesler Gates was born on February 24, 1893, in Columbia City, Indiana. His parents were Benton E. and Alice (Fesler) Gates. He received his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Michigan. After graduation, he returned home to enter his father’s law practice. On August 8, 1917, he entered the U.S. Naval Reserve as Ensign and served during World War I. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant and was head of the U.S. Navy air station in LeCroisic, France. Following the war, he married
Helene Edwards, with who he had two children, Robert and Patricia.
In 1944, Gates was elected Governor of Indiana, the first Republican to hold that office since 1928. During his term, he created departments to deal with revenue problems, flood control, veteran’s affairs, and traffic safety. After leaving office in 1949, he returned to his Columbia City law practice. His son and daughter joined the practice and he remained active in the firm until 1974. Gates served one term each as Columbia City Attorney and Whitley County Attorney (appointed 1922). In addition to his legal activities, he served as Indiana Commander of the American Legion, Republican Party District Chairman (1926-1941), Chairman of the Indiana State Republican Central Committee (1941-1944), and a national committeeman of the Republican Party. He died on July 28, 1978.
Sources:
Indiana Governor Ralph F. Gates. Indiana Historical Bureau. 12 May 2006.
Post, Margaret Moore. First Ladies of Indiana and The Governors, 1816-1984. Indianapolis: Pierson Printing Company, 1984.
Who’s Who and What’s What in Indiana Politics. Indianapolis: James E. Perry, 1944.
In 1944, Gates was elected Governor of Indiana, the first Republican to hold that office since 1928. During his term, he created departments to deal with revenue problems, flood control, veteran’s affairs, and traffic safety. After leaving office in 1949, he returned to his Columbia City law practice. His son and daughter joined the practice and he remained active in the firm until 1974. Gates served one term each as Columbia City Attorney and Whitley County Attorney (appointed 1922). In addition to his legal activities, he served as Indiana Commander of the American Legion, Republican Party District Chairman (1926-1941), Chairman of the Indiana State Republican Central Committee (1941-1944), and a national committeeman of the Republican Party. He died on July 28, 1978.
Sources:
Indiana Governor Ralph F. Gates. Indiana Historical Bureau. 12 May 2006.
Post, Margaret Moore. First Ladies of Indiana and The Governors, 1816-1984. Indianapolis: Pierson Printing Company, 1984.
Who’s Who and What’s What in Indiana Politics. Indianapolis: James E. Perry, 1944.
Extent
0.03 Cubic Feet (1 transcript, 1 folder, 1 reel-to-reel audiotape)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
This collection is arranged by format.
Custodial History
This collection was received as a donation from the Indiana State Library Oral History Project during 1971.
Accruals
No further additions are expected.
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Christina Baich during May 2006. Finding aid revised by Brittany Kropf on 2015/11/04. EAD finding aid created by Bethany Fiechter on 2019/07/01. Collection reprocessing completed 2020/03/05 by Brittany Kropf. EAD finding aid revised 2020/03/05 by Brittany Kropf.
- American Legion
- Beveridge, Albert J. (Albert Jeremiah), 1862-1927
- Capehart, Homer E. (Homer Earl) 1897-1979
- Columbia City (Ind.)
- Indiana -- Politics and government
- Indiana -- Social life and customs
- Indiana. Office of the Governor
- Ku Klux Klan (1915-)
- Oral history interviews
- Politicians
- Politicians -- Indiana
- Politics and government
- Reel-to-reel audiotapes
- Republican Party (Ind.)
- Schricker, Henry F. (Henry Fredrick)
- Sullivan, Reginald Hall, 1876-1980
- Transcriptions
- Watson, James E. (James Eli), 1863-1948
- Whitley County (Ind.)
- Willkie, Wendell L. (Wendell Lewis), 1892-1944
- World War, 1914-1918
Creator
- Gates, Ralph F. (Ralph Fesler), 1893-1978 (Interviewee, Person)
- Indiana State Library (Interviewer, Organization)
- Jehs, Randall (Interviewer, Person)
- Title
- Ralph F. Gates oral history
- Status
- Completed
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Repository
Contact:
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
