Herschel C. Loveless Papers

Collection

Identifier: MsC0184

Staff Only
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Scope and Contents

The papers of Herschel C. Loveless consist of approximately eleven linear feet of manuscripts dating from 1957 to 1961. The papers primarily relate to his last two years as Iowa's governor. His 1960 gubernatorial campaign is documented with budgets, primary results, Democratic platform reports, advertising costs, polls, and more. Correspondence files include letters from political figures including: Merwin Coad, Orville Freeman, Stuart Symington, and G. Mennen Williams. There are numerous folders concerning legislative issues ranging from federal aviation to right to work laws. Six boxes contain speeches given by Loveless. The topics include farm policy, Iowa rural electric co-ops, Red Rock Dam, taxes, and vocational education.

Dates

Creation: 1958-1961

Creator

Loveless, Herschel C. (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open to research.

Conditions Governing Use

Biographical / Historical

Herschel Cellel Loveless was born on May 5, 1911, on a farm near Fremont, Iowa. He graduated from Ottumwa High School at age sixteen. In 1927, he began working for the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad. He held various jobs with this railroad throughout the Great Depression. In 1939, Loveless went to work for John Morrell and Company as a turbine operator in their power plant in Ottumwa. In 1944, he returned to the C.M.St.P.&PRR as an employee in the Engineering Department. Three years later, on a leave of absence from the railroad, Loveless became the superintendent of streets for Ottumwa, Iowa, and later became their flood director. He was then elected to two terms as mayor of Ottumwa.

Loveless, a Democrat, was an unsuccessful candidate for governor in 1952. The following year, he became owner-manager of the Municipal Equipment Company headquartered in Ottumwa. In 1954 he was defeated in the race for a congressional seat. Loveless came back from these losses to become Governor of Iowa in 1959, serving two terms in office. In 1960, he again ran for a congressional seat and again was defeated. This marked the end of his political career. Herschel C. Loveless died in 1989, at the age of seventy-seven.

Extent

11.00 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Governor of Iowa. Most of the papers relate to the 1960 gubernatorial race with correspondence, campaign materials, and speeches. There are also scrapbooks and office files.