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Arthur Francis Allen Papers

 Collection
Identifier: MsC0357

  • Staff Only
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Scope and Contents

The papers of Arthur Francis Allen date from 1913 to 1949 and measure one linear foot. Most of the collection is made up of correspondence, including letters from John Carey, Cyrenus Cole, Jay N. Darling, Ross Hammond, G.M Hitchcock, and R.B. Wylie. There are manuscripts of his speeches, a travel diary, and an article by Allen titled, "Birds of Sioux City and Vicinity."

Dates

  • Creation: 1913-1949
  • Creation: Majority of material found in 1919-1930

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright restrictions may apply; please consult Special Collections staff for further information.

Biographical / Historical

Arthur Francis Allen (1867 -- 1949) was born in Warren, Illinois. The family moved to Nebraska when Allen was fourteen years old. He attended the University of Nebraska for a year before quitting to learn the printers trade. He apprenticed with the Daily Herald in Fremont, Nebraska, and later with the Tribune. In 1885, Allen found work with the Cedar Rapids Daily Gazette as a typesetter. He was admitted to membership in the Typographical Union in Omaha at the age of nineteen, and from 1887 to 1890 he worked as a journeyman printer in Omaha and the surrounding area.

Allen first began working for the Sioux City Journal in 1889. He moved up the ladder through a number of positions including telegraph news editor, city editor, and managing editor. In 1914, Frank Allen became the paper's editor-in-chief. He remained in that position until his death at age eighty-one.

Although Allen's principal interest was always the newspaper business, he did serve in the army and was a member of the National Guard. Outside of his profession he was involved in amateur photography, music, travel, the outdoors, and birds. He studied and wrote about birds and was a member of the Sioux City Bird Club.

Extent

1.00 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Editor of the Sioux City Journal. Primarily correspondence, with speeches, clippings, and a scrapbook on Abraham Lincoln.

Method of Acquisition

These papers were donated to the University of Iowa Libraries by the School of Journalism in 1977.

Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
eng

Repository Details

Part of the University of Iowa Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Special Collections Department
University of Iowa Libraries
Iowa City IA 52242 IaU
319-335-5921
319-335-5900 (Fax)