Ira J. Anderson oral history
Collection
Identifier: OH026
Scope and Contents
This collection contains two reel-to-reel audiotapes and a transcript of four oral history interviews with Ira J. Anderson, conducted by F. Gerald Handfield, Jr. during May 12-13 and June 22-23, 1976. During the discussion, Anderson talks about his life, travel, politics, farming, World War I, and his work as a State Representative and State Fire Marshal.
Dates
- 1976 May-June
Creator
- Indiana State Library (Interviewer, Organization)
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
Ira Jefferson Anderson, a farmer and member of the Indiana General Assembly from Perry County, was active in Democratic politics from the early 1930s to the 1960s. He received an Outstanding Farmer Award in 1972.
Born November 11, 1894, near Celina, Anderson spent his youth in Perry County, attending a one-room school and helping on the farm. Indianapolis lured him north and after a short stay, he traveled west in search of the wondrous sights described by his two uncles. American entry into World War I ended his western trip. He served with the U.S. Army in France. On his return, he tried his hand at business and farming in the 1920s and entered politics in 1932. In the 1930s, he served in Perry County as treasurer and state representative. He worked for the State Fire Marshal, the Highway Department and farmed until his election as state senator in 1954. He resigned in 1961 to become State Fire Marshal under Governor Matthew E. Welsh.
Anderson married Hattie B. Tucker on May 29, 1921. They had four children: Virginia, Helen, Anelka and John. Anderson died December 15, 1991 in Dubois County, Indiana.
Born November 11, 1894, near Celina, Anderson spent his youth in Perry County, attending a one-room school and helping on the farm. Indianapolis lured him north and after a short stay, he traveled west in search of the wondrous sights described by his two uncles. American entry into World War I ended his western trip. He served with the U.S. Army in France. On his return, he tried his hand at business and farming in the 1920s and entered politics in 1932. In the 1930s, he served in Perry County as treasurer and state representative. He worked for the State Fire Marshal, the Highway Department and farmed until his election as state senator in 1954. He resigned in 1961 to become State Fire Marshal under Governor Matthew E. Welsh.
Anderson married Hattie B. Tucker on May 29, 1921. They had four children: Virginia, Helen, Anelka and John. Anderson died December 15, 1991 in Dubois County, Indiana.
Extent
0.01 Cubic Feet (1 bound transcript; 2 audiotape reels)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
This collection is arranged chronologically.
Custodial History
This collection was created by the Indiana State Library Oral History Project in 1976.
Accruals
No further additions are expected.
Existence and Location of Copies
Digitized materials from the collection are available online in the ISL Digital Collections (http://digitalcollections.library.in.gov): https://indianamemory.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p16066coll40/id/1979/rec/15
Processing Information
Collection processing completed 2004/04 by Jennifer Duplaga. EAD finding aid created 2004/04 by Jennifer Duplaga. Collection reprocessing completed 2020/03/05 by Brittany Kropf. EAD finding aid revised 2020/03/05 by Brittany Kropf.
Creator
- Indiana State Library (Interviewer, Organization)
- Title
- Ira J. Anderson 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
