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Deane Emmet Ackers papers, 1912-1966
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| Repository: |
University of Kansas
Kenneth Spencer Research Library
Kansas Collection
1450 Poplar Lane, Lawrence, KS 66045-7616
Phone: (785)864-4334
Fax: (785)864-5803
URL: http://spencer.lib.ku.edu
Finding aid prepared by chh, 1977
Finding aid encoded by skt,
2006
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| Creator: |
Ackers, Deane Emmett, 1893-1966 |
| Title: |
Deane Emmet Ackers papers |
| Dates: |
1912-1966 |
| Quantity: |
1.6 linear ft (5 boxes), 1 oversize box, 1 oversize folder, 1 oversize item |
| Abstract: |
Official papers, certificates, and medals from Deane Emmett Ackers' military service in World War I; two scrapbooks which document Ackers' long civilian career as a leader in the utility industry; and records of Ackers' death and funeral service. |
| Identification: |
RH MS 237 |
| Language(s): |
English |
Deane Emmett Ackers Collection, Kansas Collection, RH MS 237, Kenneth Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas Libraries
Gift, KU Endowment Association 3 November 1969; Gift, KU Executive Secretary Rick Von Ende, 1977; Gift, Dean David C. Kraft, KU School of Engineering, 9 October 1979.
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Restrictions on Access
None
Restrictions on Use
Spencer Library staff may determine use restrictions dependent on the physical condition of manuscript materials.
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Photographs in the Ackers Papers are at RH MS-P237. The Ackers Papers also contain three World War I souvenir publications regarding activities of the 16th Infantry of the First Division of the American Expeditionary Forces. These have been catalogued separately at RH C9065, RH CK326, and RH E619.
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Names:
Ackers, Deane Emmett, 1893-1966
Eisenhower, Dwight David, 1890-1969
Organizations:
Kansas Power and Light Company
Subjects:
World War, 1914-1918
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Deane Ackers was born September 22, 1893, in Abilene, Kansas. He attended schools in Abilene, where he was a classmate of Dwight D. Eisenhower. Ackers enrolled at the University of Kansas in 1912, interrupting his studies in 1916 to work as assistant engineer for construction of a new concrete arch bridge across the Kansas River at Lawrence. He graduated from KU in 1917 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in civil engineering and enlisted in the Army. From 1917-1919, he served in World War I and was a member of the 16th Infantry of the American Expeditionary Forces' First Division. For bravery in combat, Ackers was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and the French Croix de Guerre.
In 1920, Ackers joined the United Power & Light Corporation, which later became the Kansas Power and Light Company. In 1934, he was named president and director of the Kansas Power and Light Company, and from 1956-1966 served as its chairman of the board. From 1941 to 1949, Ackers also served as president and director of the North American Light & Power Company and was a director of the Northern Natural Gas Company, the Missouri Power & Light Company, the Blue River Power Company, the McPherson Oil & Gas Development Company, and the Kewanee Public Service Company.
Among his many service activities within the state, Ackers served as chairman of the Kansas Emergency Relief Administration, president and director of the Kansas Free Fair Association, chairman and commissioner of the Kansas Industrial Development Commission, chairman of the State of Kansas Crusade for Freedom, and as vice president and trustee of the Menninger Foundation of Topeka. He also served as director of the National Association of Electric Companies and of the Edison Electric Institute. Ackers received the KU Alumni Association's distinguished service citation in 1948 and received the KU Chapter of Sigma Tau's meritorious service award in 1954. He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science degree from Washburn University of Topeka in 1962.
Deane Ackers died on April 18, 1966. A bequest from Deane Ackers and his wife, Vinnie Drake Ackers, endowed three professorships in KU's School of Engineering, which has since 1971 named scholars and teachers to Deane E. Ackers Distinguished Professorships.
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| RH MS 237 Papers, 1912-1966. 1.6 linear feet |
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Official papers, certificates, and medals from Ackers' military service in World War I; two scrapbooks which document Ackers' long civilian career as a leader in the utility industry; and records of Ackers' death and funeral service. Aside from an occasional form bearing Ackers' signature, documents in the Ackers Papers are incoming documents only. The Ackers Papers consist almost exclusively of documents relating to Ackers' career activities and military service, and in general exclude personal and family correspondence. Arrangement of folder contents is chronological. |
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Family and Employment Correspondence, 1912-1926. 16 items. |
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Aside from one gift note from Ackers' parents, the correspondence consists of letters of reference authored by Ackers' employers and teachers. |
| Box 1. |
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| 1. |
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Gift note from Ackers' parents. Letters of reference from employers |
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Military Papers, 1917-1925. 68 items. |
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Included here are official papers, certificates, battle accounts, and medals from Ackers' 1917-1919 service in World War 1, including military documents which post-date his tour of duty. Ackers' World War I service medals include the-Distinguished Service Cross and the French Croix de Guerre.
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| 2. |
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Military papers. [includes battle accounts], 1917-1918. |
| 3. |
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Military papers
[includes battle accounts, certificates, and letters of commendation],
1919-1925. |
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Military Service Medals [5] |
| Box 2 |
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Croix de Guerre, separately mounted and framed. Engraved lettering on front: "Republique Francaise", on reverse: 1914 1918 |
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World War I Victory Medal, separately mounted and framed; 5 engraved clasps on ribbon include a Defensive sector clasp and 4 named battle clasps. |
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3 medals mounted horizontally in single frame |
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Center: "Distinguished Service Cross"; Left: medal with front engraving: "1917 First Division AEF 1919", names of battles engraved on reverse; Right: medal with front engraving, "United States Forces", reverse : "Presented to Capt. Dean [sic] Ackers by the Citizens of Douglas County, Kansas in grateful recognition of services rendered in the World War
1917-1918." |
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Civilian Career and Activities, 1931-1966. 2 loose-leaf volumes. |
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Scrapbook, 1931-1949 . Cover label: "Newspaper Clippings, Etc. Personal Property of D. E. Ackers" |
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Two looseleaf scrapbooks document Ackers' career and achievement in the utility industry through photographs, clippings, letters of commendation, programs, and certificates of merit for the period 1931-1966. Contents include retrospectives of Abilene High School, including photographs of classmate Dwight D. Eisenhower. In general, scrapbook contents are arranged in reverse chronological order. |
| Box 4 |
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Scrapbook, 1950-1966 . Cover label: "Newspaper Clippings, Etc. Personal Property of D.E. Ackers" |
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Contains clippings, photographs, letters of commendation, programs, reports, and certificates of merit primarly related to Ackers' civilian career activities. |
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Obituaries and Funeral Service, April 1966. 2 loose-leaf volumes, 1 folder. |
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Records of Deane Ackers' death on April 18, 1966 include a scrapbook regarding his funeral service, obituaries from Kansas newspapers, a memorial booklet containing names of funeral pallbearers and signatures of those attending his funeral service, and lists of names and addresses of those sending condolences. |
| Box 5. |
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Memorial booklet and
Scrapbook |
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Memorial booklet [contains names of pallbearers and guest signatures from funeral services for Deane Ackers, held April 21, 1966]. Scrapbook [contains order of service from Deane Ackers funeral; Ackers obituaries from Kansas newspapers; one letter of condolence and one telegram]. |
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Photocopy of obituary from the Topeka State Journal; also lists of names and addresses of those sending condolences. April 19, 1966 |
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| RH MS Q47 Documents, 1917-1966. 1.7 linear feet |
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Framed Documents |
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Award for Distinguished Service, Alumni Association of the University of Kansas, June 7, 1948 |
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Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science, Washburn University of Topeka, October 7, 1962 |
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Certificate honoring the memory of Deane E. Ackers, signed by U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson. |
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Statement in memoriam, signed by Kansas Power and Light Company associates, Topeka, Kansas, May 3, 1966 |
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The Test [poem], by Carlyle Strauss. Author's autographed limited edition, no. 330 of 1000; inscribed To Deane E. Ackers, Carlyle Strauss. |
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Distinguished Service Cross Citation, awarded February 12, 1919 . Signed by Commander-in-Chief John J. Pershing. |
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Unframed Documents |
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Sigma Tau membership certificate, Lambda Chapter, University of Kansas, 1954 |
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Letter from Balfaour Jeffrey, President, Kansas Power and Light Company, to Vinnie D. Ackers, June 1, 1966 |
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conveying Company resolution regarding Deane Ackers memorial |
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Certificate of honorary appointment to the Governor's Committee for Employment, January 21, 1932 |
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Certificate of honorary Governor's appointment as a delegate to the Third Plenary World Power Conference, Washington, D.C., September 7-12, 1936 |
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Distinguished Action certificate, Topeka Rotary Club, July 1944 |
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Distinguished Action certificate, Topeka Rotary Club, September 29, 1949 |
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Membership certificate, The Newcomen Society, June 23, 1965 |
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War Service Award, to Mrs. Deane E. Ackers, February 1, 1945 |
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Certificate of Distinction, The Rotary Club of Topeka, Kansas, March 10, 1966 |
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Certificate of Governor's appointment to membership in the Kansas Industrial Development Commission, May 2, 1939 |
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Certificate of appointment to Second Lieutenant, Infantry Section, Officers' Reserve Corps of the Army of the United States, August 15, 1917 |
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| RH MS GK1 Framed certificate awarding Ackers the French Croix de Guerre, April 8, 1915. |
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Certificate inscribed as follows: Republique Francaise, Ministere de la Guerre. Croix de Guerre, Loi du 8 Avril 1915. Le Ministre de la Guerre certifie que Deane E. Ackers formerly 2d lieutenant, 16th infantry, l'Division, United States Army, a obtenu la Croix de Guerre pour citation a L'Ordere du Corps d'Armee au cours de la Campagne 1914-1918 contre I'Allemagne et ses allies. Fait a Paris le 11 Decembre 1924. |
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