MsC 334

 

Manuscript Register

 

PAPERS OF EDWARD J. BREEN

 

Collection Dates: 1936 -- 1973

(Bulk Dates: 1936 to 1942)

2.5 linear ft.

 

This document describes a collection of materials held by the
Special Collections Department
University of Iowa Libraries
Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1420
Phone: 319-335-5921
Fax: 319-335-5900
e-mail: lib-spec@uiowa.edu

 

Posted to Internet: May 2002

Addenda: 2008

 

Acquisition Note: This collection was donated to the University of Iowa Libraries by Edward J. Breen in 1976.

 

Access and Restrictions: This collection is open for research.

 

Digital Surrogates: Except where indicated, this document describes but does not reproduce the actual text, images and objects which make up this collection. Materials are available only in the Special Collections Department.

 

Copyright:  Please read The University of Iowa Libraries' statement on "Property Rights, Copyright Law, and Permissions to Use Unpublished Materials"

 

Use of Collections: The University of Iowa Libraries supports access to the materials, published and unpublished, in its collections. Nonetheless, access to some items may be restricted by their fragile condition or by contractual agreement with donors, and it may not be possible at all times to provide appropriate machinery for reading, viewing or accessing non-paper-based materials. Please read our Use of Manuscripts Statement.

 

Biographical Note

Edward J. Breen (1899 -- 1978) of Fort Dodge, Iowa, attended the University of Wisconsin and Drake University. After completing his law degree at Drake, Breen entered into practice with his brother in their hometown. He was also a broadcasting station executive in Fort Dodge. He owned the radio station (KVFD) in Fort Dodge and in 1953 bought a television station (KQTV later renamed KVFD TV).

Breen was a member of the Democratic Party and was president of the Young Democratic Club of Iowa in 1933. He became the Webster County Attorney that same year, and remained so until 1937. Breen was elected to the Iowa state senate in 1936, serving until 1942. He was the Democratic floor leader for some time. He ran two unsuccessful campaigns, one for governor in 1940 and one for U.S. Representative in 1942.

 

Scope and Contents

The papers of Edward J. Breen consist of five boxes (2.5 linear feet) of manuscripts dating from 1936 to 1973. Arranged chronologically within an alphabetical sequence, these papers relate primarily to Breen's political career. Subject files, Senate bills, correspondence, clippings, and speech material make up the bulk of the collection. There are thirty-seven folders of Senate bills, some with drafts and correspondence. The correspondence files include letters from Guy M. Gillette, Clyde L. Herring, and Nelson G. Kraschel. There are also two folders concerning Fred Gilchrist. Subject files range in topics from the Townsend National Recovery Plan to the Mutual Affiliates Advisory Committee to the Democratic Party.

 

Box List

 

Box 1

 

Appropriations, 1937

Bills, 1937 (37 folders, including some drafts of bills and correspondence)

Box 2

Business Men's Organization for Breen, 1942

Commission on Compensation and Expenses for State Officials, 1972 -- 1973

Commission on Interstate Cooperation, 1937

Conservation, 1936 -- 1937

Correspondence: October, 1936 -- February, 1937. (3 folders, including TLS: Guy M. Gillette, January 14, 1937; February 3, 1937. Clyde L. Herring, January 25, 1937. Nelson G. Kraschel, January 19 and 26, 1937. Franklin D. Roosevelt, February 23, 1937 -- xerox copy replaces the original transferred to Presidential Letters Collection.)

Box 3

Correspondence: March, 1937 -- December, 1942 (3 folders)

Democratic County Convention, 1942

Democratic File. 1939 -- September 1940 (Including TLS: Guy M. Gillette, August 16, 1940; September 25, 1940. Nelson G. Kraschel, August 8, 1940)

Box 4

Democratic File, October 1940 -- 1942 (Including TLS: Clyde L. Herring, October 11, 1940. Nelson G. Kraschel, October 8 and 9, 1940)

Departmental Affairs, 1937

Education, 1937

Election Returns, 1937

Expenses, 1939 -- 1942

Federal Housing Administration, 1937

Gilchrist, Fred, 1939 -- 1942

Gilchrist's Record, 1942

Iowa Press Association, 1937

Iowa Radio Network, 1963 -- 1964

Labor, 1937

Material for Speeches, 1942

Minimum Wage Laws, 1937

Mr. Breen, Political. Dec., 1941 -- July, 1942 (Including TLS: Guy M. Gillette, June 4 and 5, 1942)

Box 5

Mr. Breen, Political, August -- October 1942

Mutual Affiliates Advisory Committee, 1964

Mutual Affiliates Advisory Committee -- Meeting in Nassau, 1963

Naval Reserve, 1937

Nomination Paper Data, 1942

Obituaries, Mr. Breen, 1978

Offers of Help on the Campaign, 1942. (Including TLS: Guy M. Gillette, October 21, 1942)

Petitions, 1937

Political Personal, 1941

Political Speeches, 1942

Resolutions, 1937

Speaking Engagements, 1942

State Office Building, 1936

Synthetic Rubber, 1942 (Including TLS: Guy M. Gillette, July 23, 1942)

Telegrams, 1942

Townsend Club: 1935, 1942 (2 folders)

2008 Addendum

Gift of Russell Johnson

Clippings pertaining to KQTV, KVFD; a biography of Ed Breen

 

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