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Faburn E. DeFrantz "To Kathy and David" memoir and photographs

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: S1006

Scope and Contents

This collection contains photocopies of a typed 152 page memoir by Faburn E. DeFrantz circa 1952. Written for his first two grandchildren, Kathy and David, he relates his early life in Topeka, Kansas and his many experiences while working for the Senate Avenue YMCA in Indianapolis, Indiana. DeFrantz also discusses his stand against the Ku Klux Klan, his opposition to segregation in public schools, segregated housing at state universities, the 'policycrats', and his retirement.

Dates

  • circa 1952

Creator

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

Faburn E. DeFrantz was born February 9, 1885 in Topeka, Kansas to Alonzo and Samella DeFrantz. He studied medicine at Washburn College and Kansas Medical College, but never practiced in the medical profession. Instead, his interest in physical education led him to his work with the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA). He worked at YMCAs in Topeka and Washington D.C. before moving to Indianapolis in 1913. He joined the staff of the Senate Avenue 'Y' as Physical Director and a few years later became executive secretary. Under his leadership, the Senate Avenue branch grew from only 350 members in 1916 to more than 5,200 when he retired in 1951. He was an early civil rights leader and worked tirelessly to end discrimination in education and employment. He married Myrtle Mae Summers on June 18, 1917 and they had two sons, Faburn and Robert, and six grandchildren. He passed away at the age of 79 on September 24, 1964.

Sources:

Information found within collection.

Ancestry.com. "Faburn E. DeFrantz." Indiana Death Certificates, 1899-2011. Accessed September 16, 2017. https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/.

"'Builder' of Senate Avenue 'Y' To Step Aside." Indianapolis Star (IN), February 18, 1951.

"F.E. DeFrantz Marks 30 Years at Helm of Senate Avenue Branch of Y.M.C.A." Indianapolis Star (IN), November 9, 1943.

"F.E. DeFrantz, 'Y' Leader, Dies." Indianapolis Star (IN), September 25, 1964.

Extent

0.02 Cubic Feet (2 folders)

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

This collection is arranged chronologically.

Custodial History

This collection was received by Rare Books and Manuscripts as a donation from Joseph L. Skvarenina on 2017/09/02.

Accruals

No further additions are expected.

Related Archival Material

Materials relating to this collection may be found in the following collections in Rare Books and Manuscripts, Indiana State Library, Indianapolis, IN:

L406: Indianapolis Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA)

Processing Information

Collection processing completed 2017/09/18 by Laura Eliason. EAD finding aid created 2017/09/18 by Laura Eliason.
Title
Faburn E. DeFrantz "To Kathy and David" memoir and photographs
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