
Personal 1864-1969
1 | Dirksen, Everett McKinley (1896-1969), Papers Personal, 1864-1969 3 Linear Shelf Feet |
The Personal series contains files marked “personal” and files pertaining to the Dirksen family’s private activities. Many of the documents were designated by Everett Dirksen. There was a great deal of inconsistency in Dirksen’s and his staff’s classification of documents; consequently, related materials and comparable documentation exist in other series of the Dirksen papers.
The Personal series is organized alphabetically by subject and chronologically within each subject. The quality of the series is uneven at best, but the most substantive are “A Senator’s Notebook,” related to a syndicated newspaper column authored by Dirksen, 1968-69; “Autobiography,” containing drafts of Dirksen’s memoir, The Education of a Senator, published years after his death; and “Family Letters, 1917-1967,” consisting of letters primarily by Everett to Louella dating from his years in the U.S. House.
Each of the three major divisions of Politics is described more fully in the finding aid.
Folder Title List |
Description |
“A Senator’s Notebook.” Correspondence, 1967-1969 (3 folders) |
Correspondence with Carl Riblet, Jr., to develop Dirksen’s weekly newspaper column. Subjects: contract, writing style, subject matter, syndication, schedules, advertising, payment, and others. Includes Riblet’s appraisal of Arizona politics in 1969. The Los Angelese Times Syndicate eventually purchased the rights to the column from the Carl Riblet Syndicate. |
“A Senator’s Notebook.” Drafts, 1968-1969 (4) |
Typed drafts of columns arranged by column number. Preliminary drafts prepared in outline and textual form can be found in the Notebooks series of the Dirksen Papers. |
“A Senator’s Notebook.” Releases, 1968-1969 (4) |
Final version of the columns distributed as syndicate press releases. Arranged chronologically. The column as it appeared in newspapers can be found in the Remarks and Releases series of the Dirksen Papers. |
American Legion, 1918-1969 |
Chicago Tribune clipping listing Dirksen as a graduate of officers’ training school; certificates of membership; certificate of appointment as second lieutenant. |
Autobiography, 1968-1969 |
Staff memorandum regarding Dirksen’s contract with the Doubleday Company to write his autobiography; a transmittal letter to the Foley Agency, literary agents. |
Autobiography. Drafts, 1968-1969 (3) |
Typed, lightly annotated draft chapters for what was initially titled, “So You Want to Be a Senator” but which was later published by the University of Illinois Press as The Education of a Senator. |
Autobiography. Galley Proofs, 1969 (3) |
|
Autograph Book, 1888-1893 |
Autograph book addressed to “Friend Alfred” and signed by schoolmates. |
Baker, Howard H. Jr., n.d. |
Draft of a joint participation agreement concerning oil and gas leases; memorandum regarding the Tennessee Steel Corporation. |
Ball, Edward, 1967-1969 (2) |
Correspondence regarding donations by Mrs. Jesse Ball DuPont for Dirksen to distribute to various charities of his choice. Some of the funds were used to establish scholarships at several colleges and universities, amounting to more than $40,000. |
Biographical, 1875-1968 |
Certificate from Germany (2875); childhood recollections; explanation of legal education; campaign biographies; clippings. |
Central America, 1943-1946 |
One page of Dirksen’s typed outline; published reference material on Pan American agriculture. |
Certificate of Death, 1969 |
Certificate of Death for Everett Dirksen issued by the District of Columbia Department of Public Health. |
“Chinese Love: A Play in Two Acts,” 1922 |
Dirksen and C. Hubert Ropp’s play published by the T.S. Denison & Company, Chicago. |
Christmas Cards, n.d.-1968 (4) |
The Dirksen family Christmas cards. Those dated before 1960 were personally designed and drawn by a member of the family. |
“Corn Is King,” 1967 |
Correspondence and text related to a Dirksen-authored article for the Family Circle Magazine. |
Correspondence, 1946-1959 |
Miscellaneous letters dealing with family matters, insurance, and financial transactions; controversy over developments at the Second Reformed Church in Pekin, 1954; telegrams to Louella from Everett during his 1955 trip to Asia; a letter from Westbrook Pegler chastising Dirksen. |
Correspondence, 1963-67 |
Letter enclosing a 1924 letter from Dirksen to Commercial Solvents, Peoria, seeking a job and Dirksen’s response; correspondence regarding delivery of a La-Z-Boy recliner; January 1967 letter from the Assistant Attorney General regarding campaign contributions solicited by Robert G. “Bobby” Baker. |
DeBary, Florida, 1956-1964 | Florida fishing license; correspondence regarding property taxes; pamphlet about the Frederick DeBary mansion. |
Dirksen, Joy, 1929-1951 (3) |
Correspondence; “Student Manual and Course of Study, Pekin Community High School, 1935-1936”; autograph book featuring signatures of Congress members, 1937; application documentation, Hollins College, 1946; wedding photographs; Cherry Blossom Festival 1951 (Joy was First Blossom Princess). |
Dirksen Brothers Bakery, 1935-1941 | Undated material relating to Dirksen’s option to buy out A&E Wholesale Bakers; documentation of disputed tax claim against the Dirksen bakery. |
Education, 1895-1919 (5) |
Pekin High School Commencement programs (1895, 1897, and 1913); program for Class of 1909 Tazewell County Graduation Exercises; grade and credit reports for Dirksen; Pekinians; grade transcripts from the University of Minnesota; membership card, LaSalle Extension University, Chicago, Department of Law (1919). |
Elks Club, 1929 |
Constitution and Statutes, Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks. |
Family Letters, 1918-1949 (58) |
Personal letters written primarily by Everett to Louella while he served in the House of Representatives while she and their daughter, Joy, remained in Pekin, living with her mother, Lillie Carver. Louella published excerpts from these letters (and others not in the collection) in her memoir, The Honorable Mr. Marigold. Dirksen’s letters are rich in detail and comparable to diary entries. Often he would write three or four letters each day, although there are gaps in the chronological series. Subjects include his daily activities, speaking engagements, family plans, legislation, House and Senate personalities and proceedings, trips, and constituents. Occasionally, Dirksen will describe how he came to a position on legislation, but these are rare. There are some letters from Louella and others letters relating to business and finances in the late 1920s. There are two difficulties with the family letters. First, most of them were undated and arrived at The Center in no apparent order; archival staff has attempted to date them by internal evidence and context. Second, although granddaughter Cissy Baker donated scores of letters to add to the series in 2013, gaps remain—letters known to have existed when Louella wrote her memoir are apparently lost. |
Files Disposition, n.d. |
Lists of Dirksen office files transferred to storage. |
First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Chicago, 1960 |
Minutes of the February 10 Board of Directors meeting. |
Gifts, 1964-1969 |
Lists of gifts sent by Dirksen for parcel post auctions, celebrity auctions, bazaars, and other fund-raising events; memorandum on gift taxes. |
Heart’s Desire, 1960 |
Two pages from the guest register at the Dirksen home in Virginia—the signatures are primarily from senators; map to Broad Run Farms. |
Home Owners Mutual Insurance, 1958 |
Dirksen’s investment in HOMI. |
Illinois History Magazine, 1959 |
Dirksen’s, “From Committee to Debate: The Work of a Senator.” |
Keeshin Air Transport Service, 1957 |
Legal matter. |
Lincolniana, 1864-1967 (24) |
Copiers of 1864 Lincoln letters; Abraham Lincoln Sees Peoria (1939); Lincoln Day programs; magazine articles and pamphlets; Wigwan edition, Life, Speeches, and Public Services of Abraham Lincoln; remarks and writings by others about Lincoln; selected copies of the Lincoln Herald; materials related to the Lincoln Sesquicentennial. |
Masons, 1953-1958 |
Dirksen’s consistory record; election as 33rd degree Mason; Dirksen speech to Masons. |
Medical, 1947-1969 |
Descriptions of medical equipment related primarily to respiratory problems; medical journal articles on respiratory illness; 1947-1948 medical reports on Dirksen’s eyes; x-rays of Dirksen’s broken hip, 1966; 1968 and 1969 eye examination reports. |
Miscellaneous, 1919-1965 (7) |
Resolution proposing Dirksen as president; Invictus, Dirksen’s favorite poem; pamphlets; lists; blank postcards; illustrations of U.S. presidents; dance card, officers’ mess, Treves, 1919; warranty deed, color illustrations of American Indians; Dirksen’s 1965 speaking schedule. |
Pekin Players, 1924 |
Playbill, “The Pekin Players” present “A Thousand Years Ago”; the script by Percy Mackaye. |
Pere Marquette Building Corporation, 1939 |
Report to stockholders. |
Recordings, 1966-1969 (2) |
Memoranda regarding Dirksen’s proposed contract with Gene Shalit and Artists Agency Corporation concerning RCA recordings; press release from Capitol Records announcing the debut of “Gallant Men”; proposed legislation dealing with copyright of sound recordings; Function Media, Inc., radio programs, “Decisive Moments,” featuring Dirksen; clipping describing Dirksen’s recording career; letter regarding agreement with MCA Inc. |
Recordings. ABC, 1967-1968 (2) |
Correspondence and memoranda concerning a one-hour documentary walking tour of the U.S. Capitol with Dirksen and Howard K. Smith, “Everett Dirksen’s Washington”; notations on reference cards; script of the documentary which aired on January 22, 1968. |
Recordings. Dolan Productions, 1969 |
Information concerning the “Bold Americans” series to be hosted by Dirksen. |
Recordings. Red Skelton, 1967-1969 |
Correspondence regarding Dirksen’s appearance on the “Red Skelton Show”; Skelton’s notes of his impression of Dirksen. |
Taxes, 1938-1948 |
Personal income tax forms and information; real estate tax statement. |
Tazewell County Chateau Club, 1959 |
Tax claim. |
Tournament of Roses, 1967-1968 (3) |
Program, publicity, and correspondence related to Dirksen’s appearance as Grand Marshal. |
Trip Diary, 1955 |
Photocopy of Dirksen’s diary entries, which are mostly mundane but which include autographs from heads of state, during his trip to Asia and Europe. |
War Ration Books |
War ration books issued to the members of the Dirksen family by the Office of Price Administration during World War II. |
Washing Machine, n.d. |
Advertising brochure for the Tri-Plex washing machine, manufactured by Pekin’s Vacuum Electric Washing Machine Company. |


Collection Guide
The Everett McKinley Dirksen Collection consists of five major groups of material: reference volumes, still photographs, audiovisual items, memorabilia, and papers. Each group is described individually in finding aids housed at The Center. Arrangement varies according to type of record.
The Dirksen Papers, the largest of the five divisions, consist predominately of files accumulated during Everett Dirksen's years as a U.S. Senator, 1951-69. Several smaller additions to the main collection include material spanning other years of Dirksen's life.
Major file groups encompass campaigns and politics, public works, legislation, constituent correspondence and casework, patronage, congressional leadership activities, remarks and releases, and clippings. Each of these sections, and smaller ones as well, are described in more detail in The Center's finding aids.
List of Collection Series
Appointment/Guestbooks, 1951-70
4.0 linear shelf feet
Office and personal appointment books and office guest sign-in books.
Chicago Office File, 1880-1972
99.0 linear shelf feet
Constituent casework, Illinois patronage, inter-office memoranda, and, notably, political and campaign files for Dirksen's four Senate campaigns and his other political activities. Includes personal files of the office's director, Harold E. Rainville.
Clippings File, 1930-70
7 linear shelf feet
Dirksen Information file, 1933-present
1 linear shelf foot
Created by Center staff, this file contains copies of articles about Dirksen, the Congressional Record index to his remarks, the New York Times Index of references to him, and the Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature citations to Dirksen. For more information about Dirksen, click here for an online version of the bibliographical essay that appears in his memoir, The Education of a Senator.
Dirksen, Louella Carver, 1933-76
2 linear shelf feet
Information regarding Mrs.Dirksen's participation in various service and political organizations, letters of condolence upon Senator Dirksen's death, notes and drafts for The Honorable Mr. Marigold.
Films, 1951-69
681 films
Bulk of films are Your Senator Reports, Dirksen's weekly television broadcast. Also documentaries and miscellany. Selected films have been converted to videotape.
Financial Records, 1928-62
2.5 linear shelf feet
Bank statements, canceled checks, invoices, and ledger pages for the most part dealing with political campaigns.
Form Letters, 1951-69
In order to reply to constituents, the Dirksen office created a library of responses arranged alphabetically by subject within each year. Having these online will give viewers a quick snapshot of the legislative workload and, in a sense, Dirksen's style of representation and constituent service. The folder numbers in the list below designate the folders of the Chicago Office File in which the originals are located.
Legislative File, 1933-70
24 linear shelf feet
Copies of bills introduced, co-sponsored, or amended by Dirksen and his voting records.
Memorabilia, 1918-74
ca. 1,500 items
Newsletters: Congressional Front, 1933-46
From his first week in office in the House of Representatives through 1946, Congressman Everett Dirksen personally composed and typed weekly newsletters (while Congress was in session) to his constituents in central Illinois. Congressional Front, as it was called, covered the personalities, politics, and policies of Congress and the federal government.
Notebooks, 1932-69
4 linear shelf feet
More than 12,500 pages of outlines and texts, reference materials, and other documents collected by Dirksen and kept in a set of personal notebooks.
Pamphlets and Periodicals, 1916-69
1 linear shelf foot
Patronage, 1939-70 RESTRICTED
4.5 linear shelf feet
Material related to applicants for federal jobs and judicial appointments. Closed to research.
Personal, 1864-1969
2 linear shelf feet
Scattered correspondence and information about Dirksen's medical condition, memoir, and recordings.
Photographs, ca. 1860-1975
10 linear shelf feet
Politics, 1928-69
11 linear shelf feet
Correspondence and material related to Dirksen's campaigns and political activities, including his participation in Republican National Conventions.
Public Works File, 1931-70
55.5 linear shelf feet
The record of federally-funded projects (community projects, depressed areas, highways, and rivers and harbors) in Illinois and Dirksen's involvement in them.
Remarks and Releases, 1941-69
6.0 linear shelf feet
Drafts and transcripts of speeches; selected remarks in Congress (The Center does not have copies of the Congressional Record featuring Dirksen speeches on the floor), interviews of radio and television; Republican leadership press releases; weekly constituent newsletters; transcripts of Your Senator Reports; and, Dirksen's newspaper column. Unfortunately, Dirksen rarely composed his remarks in advance; in many cases no record of them survives.
Republican Leadership File, 1916-69
4.0 linear shelf feet
The Joint Senate-House Republican Leadership Minutes and Statements section documents the meetings of Republican congressional leaders, 1961-68. A second section pertains to the National Republican Senatorial Committee, 1949-59, which Dirksen chaired, 1952-54.
Joint Senate-House Republican Leadership Minutes, 1961-68
The minutes of the Republican leadership during the presidential administrations of John Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson. In their original state, each session’s minutes generally include attendance, brief summaries of topics discussed, and background “fact sheets” for statements at press conferences following the meetings. The digitized document presented here include only the formal minutes. The press conferences following the leadership meetings achieved fame as the “Ev and Charlie” and “Ev and Jerry” shows. For audio samples and curricular materials associated with a small sample of these minutes, please visit “The 1960s: A Multi-Media View from Capitol Hill” http://www.dirksencenter.org/emd_audio/index.htm.
Working Papers, 1857-1969
41 linear shelf feet
Topically arranged reference file for legislation, selected constituent cases, speeches, and other matters. The bulk contains information concerning legislation between 1964 and 1969. Topics receiving relatively substantial attention include civil rights, foreign trade, Internal Revenue Code amendments, attempts to repeal Section 14(b) of the Taft-Hartley Act, Dirksen's prayer amendment and reapportionment amendment, and the activities of the Trading With the Enemy Act subcommittee.
