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Republican Party Home Front papers

 Collection
Identifier: Collection 210

Scope and Contents

Collection 210 was formerly known as the Ekdal J. Buys Collection, containing only one folder. With the receipt of new Home Front photocopied material, from former GRPL Archivist Dick Harms and Calvin College, the two accessions were combined, providing additional information on Buys, as well as other significant individuals in the Home Front movement.

Dates

  • 1942-1948

Creator

Ekdal J. Buys biographical note

Ekdal J. Buys was born in 1914. He was the nephew of John Buys who proposed building a canal from Grand Rapids to Lake Michigan. Ekdal served in the United States Naval Reserves until 1945, when he became active in local politics. He married a woman named Mina and worked as an investment broker.

Extent

0.42 Linear Feet (One box)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The Home Front was a political reform movement in the Republican Party of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Local politicians prominent in the movement included Ekdal J. Buys, Paul G. Goebel, Stanton W. Todd, Willard B. Vermeulen Fred C. Wetmore and others. Active from 1942 to 1948, the group worked against the McKay Republican machine in Kent County. This collection includes papers, maps and ephemera relating to the movement.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Ekdal J. Buys and Dick Harms (Calvin College). Accession numbers 1996.009 and 2001.064.

Related Materials

Collection 104, Dorothy Judd Collection

Collection 164, GRPL Oral History Collection, Ver Meulen oral history

Stanton W. Todd papers at the Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan

Title
Finding aid for the Republican Party Home Front papers
Subtitle
formerly called the Ekdal J. Buys Papers
Status
Completed
Author
Brian Anderson
Date
February 1998
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Repository Details

Part of the Grand Rapids History Center Repository

Contact:
Grand Rapids Public Library
111 Library Street NE
Grand Rapids Michigan 49503 USA
616-988-5497