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James W. Trimble Family Papers

 Collection
Identifier: MC 557

Scope and Content Note

Papers and photographs of James William Trimble (1894-1972) and his family of Berryville (Carroll County), Arkansas.

This collection of mostly family papers include congressional papers, personal papers, photographs, genealogical information, diplomas, awards, certificates, and clippings which refer to James W. Trimble, his family, and other members of the Arkansas Congressional delegation. The papers also contain broadsides that have been removed to the broadside collection.

Dates

  • 1854-1984

Creator

Language of Materials

Materials are in English.

Access Information

Access restrictions apply: Negatives are not available for research.

Please call (479) 575-8444 or email specoll@uark.edu at least two weeks in advance of your arrival to ensure availability of the materials.

Use Information

No Use Restrictions Apply.

No Interlibrary Loan.

Standard Federal Copyright Laws Apply (U.S. Title 17).

Biographical Note

James W. Trimble was born in Osage (Carroll County), one of ten children of M. Allen and Anna Trimble. After graduation from Green Forest high school in 1913, Trimble enrolled at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville (Washington County) and graduated in 1917 with degrees in education and history. Trimble taught school in Texarkana and then joined the army during World War I and trained as an officer at Camp Pike (Faulkner County). After the war he was principal at Osage and then Pleasant Ridge schools (Carroll County). Trimble began his political career in 1920 by running for and winning the position of Carroll County Clerk. In 1922, Trimble married Ruth Maples of Berryville and a year later they had twins, James Kerry and Martha Carol (1923-1925). Trimble was next elected Carroll County's Tax Collector in 1924, admitted to the bar, and then served four terms as Prosecuting Attorney for the Fourth Judicial district in Arkansas. He was elected circuit judge in 1938, earning him the nickname "Judge" which he carried the rest of his life. Six years later he successfully campaigned for J.W. Fulbright's vacated seat in the House of Representatives. Trimble served as Congressman from the third district for twenty-two years, until his reelection defeat in 1966.

As Congressman, Trimble helped place new post offices in Fayetteville, Springdale, and Rogers. He was also responsible for promoting development of Pea Ridge National Military Park, rural electrification, dams and reservoirs along the White River, Beaver Lake, and other waterways in Northwest Arkansas, and for bringing millions of dollars in federal money to the area. Trimble accomplished much by being a member of the Rules Committee, one of the most powerful groups in the House.

Extent

17.917 Linear Feet (33 boxes)

Arrangement of the Papers

  1. Series 1. Correspondence. (Boxes 1-7)
  2. Series 2. Political and Personal Papers. (Box 8)
  3. Series 3. Family Material (Boxes 9-10)
  4. Series 4. Genealogy. (Box 11)
  5. Series 5. Awards, Certificates, Programs, Announcements and Invitations. (Boxes 12-14)
  6. Series 6. Documents. (Box 15)
  7. Series 7. 79th Congress Club. (Box 15)
  8. Series 8. Clippings. (Box 16)
  9. Series 9. Photographs, Post Cards, Slides, Sketches, and Film. (Boxes 17-28)
  10. Series 10. Artifacts. (Box 29)

Acquisition Information

The James W. Trimble Family Papers were donated by Trimble's son, James Kerry Trimble (1923- ), of Anchorage, Alaska, to Special Collections on June 21, 1985.

Processing Information

Processed by Susan Lynn Parks, Special Collections Department, University of Arkansas Libraries, Fayetteville, Arkansas, in October, 1988.

Title
James W. Trimble Family Papers
Status
Completed
Author
Susan Lynn Parks
Date
October 1988
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Department Repository

Contact:
University of Arkansas Libraries
365 N. McIlroy Avenue
Fayetteville AR 72701 United States
(479) 575-8444