Abstract Arthur F. Shaw was born to Solomon Benjamin Shaw and Etta Salder Shaw in 1884. His papers cover almost a sixty year span of his life, from letters he wrote as a boy and young adult to notes he made as a city commissioner and a superior court judge. Shaw served in both world wars and was a member of the American Legion and the Grand Encampment I.O.O.F. of Michigan. Proceedings from both of these organizations can be found in this collection. Shaw’s mother, Etta Sadler Shaw, was a national...

Abstract Ford Wilcox Gilleo (1891-1975) and Avery Clare Gilleo (1894-1957) were born to Clarence and Gertrude (Wilcox) Gilleo in Lakeview, Michigan. Both men served in World War I in the 126th Infantry, 63rd Brigade of the 32nd Red Arrow Division and returned home after the war. The Avery and Ford Gilleo photographs and letters collection consists primarily of two photo albums documenting training and service in World War I and letters Avery and Ford Gilleo wrote home during the war. Those...

Abstract Godfrey J. Anderson (1895-1981) was the son of Swedish immigrants and served during World War I as a member of the 337th Field Hospital (the "Polar Bear" expedition). This collection contains his personal reminiscences, where he describes Christmas time among the Swedish immigrants in West Michigan and the beginning of the Swedish mission movement. Also included are Anderson’s World War I reminiscences, describing his experiences as a member of the Polar Bear Expedition to...

Abstract This is a devised collection containing various accessions of information related to the participation of Grand Rapids, Michigan and its residents in the Great War, 1914-1918. The collection includes a large set of War Aid Bureau cards documenting soldiers enlisted from the Grand Rapids, Michigan area. Also included are scrapbooks containing newspaper clippings on these soldiers, prepared by Henry Idema. Also included are some original military documents, student papers and published and...

Abstract

The William Mouw family lived in Grand Rapids, Michigan in the early 1900s. The family included three sons: Andrew, John and Cornelius. The family papers relate primarily to the son's involvement in World War I and to Andrew's work with youth and newsboys bands, such as the Grand Rapids News Jackies and the Drum & Bugle Corp. Also included is documentation of College M. Mouw (daughter of Andrew) as editor on the staff of the Wayne University College of Medicine.

Abstract Thomas E. Walsh (1900-1988) is best known for his role in promoting and developing the airport in Kent County, Michigan. The papers relate mainly to Walsh's position as Kent County Airport manager from 1930 to 1957. During these years he played a leading role in transforming Kent County's airport from its amateur, underdeveloped condition into a professionally managed and commercially successful operation. Other topics detailed in the papers include World War I and the 32nd...

Abstract The Manuscripts and Photographs of Robert G. Woodcock and Harold Woodcock is a small collection of only two folders. Robert G. and Harold B. Woodcock were the sons of Robert B. Woodcock, a pioneer West Michigan lumberman. The material primarily documents Harold’s participation in World War I, as part of the 32nd Division of the 3rd Army. Included is a brief history of The Thirty Second Division : American Expeditionary Forces, 1917-1919, distributed by the YMCA, as well as programs and color...