William Kettner Papers MS 29 1893- 1941 Bulk Dates: 1914-1930 Size: .25lf. (1 box)

Biography/History: William Kettner was born November 20, 1864 in Ann Arbor, . At the age of 20, he moved to . Arriving in southern California, Kettner invested in a mining scheme near Julian, California. When the investment failed, Kettner turned to washing dishes and serving as a reporter on the local newspaper. Tiring of his experiences in Julian, Kettner moved to Santa Ana to work as a hotel manager. He then became the advertising manager of the Santa Ana Free Press. Moving to Visalia, California, in 1893, Kettner married Ida B. Griffs, and entered the real estate business. Kettner also turned to civic activities, serving as a member of the Committee on Good Roads of the Visalia Board of Trade, and as a trustee of the city council. Kettner also began his career as an insurance salesman in Visalia. Kettner’s personal life deteriorated, however, and in 1904 he was divorced from Ida. In 1905, Kettner married Marion Morgan and the two resided in Visalia. Two years passed before the couple moved to . Kettner established an insurance business and became active in civic affairs. In 1912, Kettner was elected to congress as representative of the 11th Congressional District. He was to serve four terms in office, and his efforts were responsible for making San Diego a home port for the U.S. Navy. Kettner was also instrumental in the establishment of Camp Kearny, the Navy Training Center, the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, the Naval Hospital and Air Station in San Diego. Through his efforts, San Diego also received the benefits of the fortification of Point Loma, the dredging of the harbor, and legislation for the “All- American Canal.” Kettner died on November 11, 1930.

Scope and Content: Correspondences, resolutions, certificates, flyers, pamphlets, telegrams, proposal bills, posters, speeches, and miscellanea. The materials in this collection pertain to Kettner’s service as a congressman, along with some correspondence of regret to his widow. Of note is his correspondence with Senator James D. Phalen and William Gibbs McAdoo discussing his congressional activities, including necessary appropriation for the completion of the Naval Training Center. Copies of the Congressional Record include Kettner’s speeches before the Committee on Naval Affairs. Masonic affiliations and Congressional certificate are in oversize box.

Arrangement: Series I: Personal Papers Series II: Congressional Activities Series III: Miscellanea Series IV: Oversize

Subjects: Why it was Done and How Kettner, William - Re-election Kettner, William - Genealogy Kettner, William - marriage

1 William Kettner Papers MS 29 1893- 1941 Masonic affiliations Panama California Exposition Appropriation of Imperial Valley Appropriation of Navy Base Aviation Site

Related Collections and Other Resources: Biographical File: William Kettner 920 KET: Why it was Done and How by William Kettner Doc. File: Panama-California Exposition Institute 1990/2: The emerging U.S Navy in San Diego from the 1800s to WWII by Navarro, Susan Montgomery

Citation: William Kettner Papers, MS 29, San Diego Historical Society Research Archives.

Restrictions: The San Diego Historical Society holds the copyright to the unpublished materials.

Condition and conservation: All papers are in good condition. Some of the papers are little fragile and worn around the edge and will require careful handling.

Comments: The collection provides some excellent sources for a study of Kettner and his political activities.

Provenance: Accession:

Processing: Many Chea Date: 24 October 2007

Container List

Series I: Personal Papers

Box Folder Title/Subjects Date

1 1 Letter of condolence to Mrs. Kettner from R. E. Coontz 13 Nov. 1930

1 Letter of condolence to Mrs. Kettner from O. W. Cotton, 24 Nov. 1930 President of the Cuyamaca Club

1 Cuyamaca Club Resolution n.d.

1 Letter of condolence to Mrs. Kettner from Democratic 14 Nov. 1930 County Central Committee

2 William Kettner Papers MS 29 1893- 1941

1 Democratic County Central Committee Resolution n.d.

1 Letter to Mrs. Kettner from America Grant about Mr. 30 Oct. 1930 Kettner’s health

1 Resolution from Greenwood Memorial Park 18 Nov. 1930

1 Resolution from Odd Fellows 21 Nov. 1930

1 Resolution from Knight of Columbus 20 Nov. 1930

1 Letter of condolence to Mrs. Kettner from Clarence F. 17 Dec. 1930 Lea

1 Letter of acknowledgment from Clarence F. Lea to Mrs. 16 Mar. 1931 Kettner about an article on Mr. Kettner’s life

1 Letter of condolence to Mrs. Kettner from Irive L. 9 Dec. 1930 Lenroot

1 A Resolution certificate from Knight Templar 11 Nov. 1930

1 Resolution from Red Cross of Constantine 28 Nov. 1930

1 Letter of condolence to Mrs. Kettner from Ancient and 3 Dec. 1930 Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry

1 Letter to Mrs. Kettner from C. H. Morrison about a copy 9 Oct. 1931 of Mr. Kettner’s eulogy

1 Letter of condolence to Mrs. Kettner from J. T. Peoples 12 Nov. 1930

1 Letter of condolence to Mrs. Kettner from Daniel C. 12 Nov. 1930 Roper

1 Letter of condolence to Mrs. Kettner from the San Diego 28 Nov. 1930 Chamber of Commerce

1 Resolution from San Diego Chamber of Commerce 13 Nov. 1930

1 Letter to Mrs. Kettner from San Diego Country Club 28 Nov. 1930 about an enclosed resolution

1 Resolution from the San Diego Country Club n. d.

1 Resolution from the San Diego Realty Board 12 Nov. 1930

3 William Kettner Papers MS 29 1893- 1941

1 Resolution from the Board of Directors of San Diego 17 Nov. 1930 Securities Company

1 Letter of condolence to Mrs. Kettner from R. M. Sayer 13 Feb. 1931

1 Get-well letter about Mr. Kettner’s illness from Phil D. 24 Oct. 1930 Swing to Mrs. Kettner

1 Letter of condolence to Mrs. Kettner from Young Men’s 15 Nov. 1930 Christian Association

1 Letter of condolence to Mrs. Kettner from Phil D. Swing, 5 Dec. 1930 House of Representatives U.S. with an enclosed resolution

1 Resolution from Phil D. Swing 20 Nov. 1930

1 Condolence telegram to Mrs. Kettner from William 12 Nov. 1930 Brosmith

1 Condolence telegram to Mrs. Kettner from I. C. Copey 12 Nov. 1930

1 Condolence telegram to Mrs. Kettner from William G. 12 Nov. 1930 and Eleanor McAdoo

1 Condolence telegram to Mrs. Kettner from David F. 14 Nov. 1930 Sellers

1 Condolence telegram to Mrs. Kettner from Phil D. Swing 11 Nov. 1930

1 Condolence telegram to Mrs. Kettner from L. E. Zacher 12 Nov. 1930

1 “Memorial on the Passing of William Kettner, 33˚” 3 Dec. 1930

1 2 Marriage license of William Kettner and Ida G. Griffs 24 Apr. 1893

2 Photocopy of the same marriage license of William and 24 Apr. 1893 Ida G. Griffs

2 Marriage license of William Kettner and Marion C. 24 Aug. 1905 Morgan

2 Genealogical Record of California Family 22 July 1941

4 William Kettner Papers MS 29 1893- 1941 Series II: Congressional Activities

Box Folder Title/Subjects Date

1 3 Letter to Mr. Kettner from 17 Aug. 1914

3 Letter to Mr. Kettner from Woodrow Wilson 17 Aug. 1914

3 Thank you letter to Mr. Kettner for invitation to Panama 23 Feb. 1915 California Exposition from Delegate of Hawaii

3 Letter to Mr. Kettner from Woodrow Wilson, expressing 28 Oct. 1915 regrets for not attending the Panama California Exposition

3 Letter to Mr. Kettner from Fred C. Kelly 22 May

3 Letter to Mr. Kettner from Fred C. Kelly 7 July

3 Congratulation letter to Mr. Kettner on his reelection 22 Nov. 1916 from Claude Kitchin

3 Thank you letter to Mr. Kettner regarding the Aviation 12 Jan. 1918 School March Field Riverside

3 Congratulation letter to Mr. Kettner on his reelection from J. C. 13 Nov. 1918 Koons

3 Letter to Mr. Kettner from Henry W. Keyes 25 Nov. 1921

3 Letter to Mr. Kettner regarding a football game in San 10 Nov. 1921 Diego from D. H. Kincheloe

3 Letter to Mr. Kettner from San Francisco Chamber of 21 Nov. 1927 Commerce regarding Mr. Kettner’s article “Army and Navy’s conquest of San Diego” in San Diego Magazine

3 Letter to Mr. Kettner from Samuel M. Shortridge 25 Nov. 1927 regarding Mr. Kettner’s article

3 Letter to Mr. Kettner from Joy (?) regarding Mr. 28 Nov. 1927 Kettner’s article

3 Letter to Mr. Kettner from C. B. Dodds regarding Mr. 28 Nov. 1927 Kettner’s article

3 Letter to Mr. Kettner from Thomas Washington regarding 29 Nov. 1927

5 William Kettner Papers MS 29 1893- 1941

Mr. Kettner’s article

3 Letter to Mr. Kettner from W. S. Crosley regarding Mr. 30 Nov. 1927 Kettner’s article

3 Letter to Mr. Kettner from W. C. Brooker regarding Mr. 1 Dec. 1927 Kettner’s article

3 Letter of acknowledgement to Mr. Kettner from Florence 24 June 1930 P. Kator regarding J. C. Walsh and War Department

3 Letter to Mr. Kettner from Walter Crosley regarding Mr. 25 July 1930 Kettner’s visitation

1 4 Thank you letter to James D. Phelan from Mr. Kettner 11 Nov 1912

4 Responding letter to James D. Phelan from Mr. Kettner 15 Mar. 1913 regarding an endorsement

4 Letter to James D. Phelan from Mr. Kettner regarding an 28 Mar. 1913 endorsement

4 Letter to James D. Phelan from Mr. Kettner regarding 9 Jan. 1914 Democratic politics

4 Letter to James D. Phelan from Mr. Kettner regarding 10 Aug. 1914 bound record of the First Session of the 63rd Congress

4 Letter to James D. Phelan from Mr. Kettner regarding 1 Sept. 1914 Congressional Directory

4 Congratulating telegram to James D. Phelan on his 5 Nov. 1914 election from Mr. Kettner

4 Letter to William C. McAdoo from Mr. Kettner regarding 29 Dec. 1914 Neyle Colquitt as Register of the Treasury

4 Letter to James D. Phelan from Mr. Kettner regarding 29 Dec. 1914 $200,000 road through Imperial Valley

4 Letter to James D. Phelan from Mr. Kettner regarding 8 Jan. 1915 advisability of a military road in Imperial Valley and Colorado River Report

4 Telegram to James D. Phelan from Mr. Kettner regarding 23 Jan. 1915 Imperial Valley Appropriation

6 William Kettner Papers MS 29 1893- 1941

4 Letter to John F. Carraway from Mr. Kettner regarding a 19 Feb. 1915 visitation of the President going to Riverside

4 Thank you letter to George F. Welch from Mr. Kettner 11 Sept. 1916 regarding $14.31 check

4 Letter to Roy N. Bishop from Mr. Kettner regarding his 16 Sept. 1916 regrets for a testimonial dinner for James D. Phelan

4 Letter to Oscar Ford from Mr. Kettner regarding an 2 Jan. 1918 Aviation site in Riverside

4 Letter to James D. Phelan from Mr. Kettner regarding Mr. 27 Sept. 1920 Kettner continuing support

4 Letter to James D. Phelan from Mr. Kettner regarding 14 Feb. 1921 Appropriation for the Navy in San Diego

4 Letter to James D. Phelan from Mr. Kettner regarding 1 Mar. 1923 autographed book “Travel and Comment”

4 Congratulation letter to James D. Phelan from Mr. 6 Aug. 1928 Kettner in regards to obtaining leadership of Democrats

1 5 Volume 2 hearing before the Committee on Naval Affairs 1916

5 “The Beginning of March Field 1917-1918” by R. Bruce June 1971 Harley

5 68th Congress, 1st Session HR 6044: A bill to assist in 17 June 1919 increasing the productive agricultural area of Imperial and Coachella Valleys

5 Report of Committee of Representatives of State 21 Aug. 1919 Treasury, War & Interior Departments on HR 6044

5 66th Congress, 2nd Session HR 11553: A bill for the relief 7 Jan. 1920 of the Imperial Valley, Ca and other purposes

5 HR 11553 bill 7 Jan. 1920

7 William Kettner Papers MS 29 1893- 1941 Series III: Miscellanea

Box Folder Title/Subjects Date

1 6 Rotarian name tag n.d.

6 “Brudder Bill” Banquet Program 28 Oct. 1913

6 Postcard Greet “Brudder Bill” in Ramona 20 Oct. 1917

6 House of Representatives Committee on Rivers and n.d. Harbors proposed budget

6 Congressional Record, Kettner’s speech on “North Island, 9 June 1917 in the Harbor of San Diego, Cal, as a Site for a permanent Aviation Station for then Army and Navy”

6 Same copy of Kettner’s Congressional Record speech on 9 June 1917 a permanent aviation site for the Army and Navy

6 Letter to the editor about William Kettner from William 30 July 1914 Kent

6 Letter to Modesto News from Kettner Non-Partisan Club 29 Oct. 1914 regarding a telegram to Louis J. Wilde about Needham’s defeat for Congress

6 Pamphlet “William Kettner candidate for Re-election as 1913- 1914 your Representative in Congress”

6 Kettner for Congress issued by The Citrus Club n.d.

6 San Diego Chamber of Commerce “An Appreciation” 1919

6 San Diego Chamber of Commerce Banquet - 28 May 1928 menu/program

6 Photocopy campaign poster of Kettner re-election n.d.

6 Resolution Daughters of the American Revolution n.d. regarding pioneer roads

6 Kettner’s membership certificate to U.S. Naval Institute 14 Mar. 1927

6 San Diego Commandery No. 25 Knights Templar bulletin 1900

6 Visalia City Directory pages Dec. 1930

8 William Kettner Papers MS 29 1893- 1941

6 Photo static copy of a letter from Ann Arbor, Michigan 8 June 1852

6 Award of Merit to the Kettner Family from San Diego 2 April 1981 Historical Society

6 Certificate of Election: State Primary Election held on 7 Sept.1928 Aug 28, 1928, Democrat , 4th Supervisorial District

Series III: Oversize (see Oversize D9-F7)

Box Folder Title/Subjects Date

1 7 Masons certificate (in Latin) 2 Oct. 1901

7 Knights Templar certificate 12 June 1907

7 Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons certificate 12 June 1907

7 Certificate of Nomination, Democratic Party, Congress 25 Sept. 1912 11th District

7 Election certificate: Nov. 5, 1912, 11th Congressional 18 Dec. 1912 District

7 Election certificate: Nov. 7, 1916 11th Congressional 19 Dec. 1916 District

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