Burkett, Elmer Jacob, 1867-1935

NEBRASKA STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY COLLECTION RECORD

RG3590.AM: Burkett, Elmer Jacob, 1867-1935

Papers: 1886-1935 Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska: Attorney, Congressman, U.S. Senator Cu. Ft.: 27 No. of Items: 9,000

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

Elmer Jacob Burkett was born in 1867 on a farm in Mills County, Iowa, to Henry W. and Katherine Kearney Burkett. He attended Tabor College form 1885-1890, where he received degrees in both Science and Literature. Following graduation, Burkett accepted a position as principal of the school system at Leigh, Colfax County, Nebraska. On September 1, 1891, Elmer J. Burkett married Fannie Fern Wright of Glenwood, Iowa. This union was to produce three daughters.

In 1892, Burkett left the Leigh school system to resume his studies at the University of Nebraska. He received his Bachelor of Law degree a year later. In 1895, Burkett earned his Master of Law degree. Burkett was admitted to the bar in June 1893. He was a partner in the law firm of Tingley and Burkett in Lincoln, Nebraska, from 1892-1897. In 1989, Burkett formed the partnership of Burkett and Greeley, where he worked until 1906.

Burkett embarked on an active political career in 1896 when he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives on the Republican ticket. He was a member of the House until 1905, serving on the committees on Judiciary, Medical Associations, and Apportionments.

In 1904, Burkett was elected to the U.S. Senate. He vigorously supported the gold standard, postal savings, improved labor conditions, and rural delivery legislation. He was the author of the Locomotive Boiler Law and was chairman of an association of western senators and congressmen that drafted irrigation legislation. He wrote the original draft for the Postal Savings Bank Law and became known as the sponsor of the original resolution in the senate to establish Mother’s Day.

Upon completion of his 6-year senate term, Burkett returned to Lincoln, Nebraska, to resume law practice with the firm of Burkett, Wilson, Brown, and Wilson, the law firm he had helped to found in 1906. Burkett declined the proposal to run for the governorship of Nebraska in 1912. He was nominated for the Vice-Presidency at the Republican National Convention that same year, but was defeated by the incumbent, James S. Sherman. In 1928, Burkett ran for the U.S. House of Representatives in support of Herbert Hoover, but was defeated by the Democratic candidate, John H. Morehead.

RG3590.AM: Burkett, Elmer Jacob, 1867-1935

Burkett was also the director of the First National Bank and Trust Company of Lincoln, Nebraska, and a director of the Nebraska State Oil Company. He was active in many fraternal and civic organizations. Burkett was also the author of Outlines in History . He died in 1935.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

This collection consists of 21 boxes and 3 cubic feet of manuscript material arranged in 6 series: (1) Outgoing Correspondence (Letterbook), 1892-1905; (2) Incoming Correspondence, 1891-1935; (3) Law Case Correspondence, 1912-1920; (4) Speeches, 1886-1931; (5) Newspaper Clippings, 1888-1928; and (6) Miscellany.

This collection related primarily to the political career of Elmer J. Burkett, Congressman and Senator from Nebraska. His career as an attorney in Lincoln, Nebraska is also documented through correspondence and newspaper clippings.

Series One consists of Outgoing Correspondence, 1892-1905, bound into 11 volumes of Letterbooks, Burkett’s business dealings, political views and observations and legal cases are discussed. Many of the letters are written in answer to constituents’ inquiries, pension and land claims, appointments, and views about pending or enacted legislation. Volumes 2 and 3 deal specifically with the affairs of the law firm of Tingley and Burkett.

The bulk of the collection is comprised of the Incoming Correspondence, 1891-1935, of Series 2. This material is arranged chronologically and alphabetically by correspondent, following Burkett’s own filing method. Letters are not in strict chronological or alphabetical sequence, but are arranged in groupings by year and by the first letter of the correspondent’s last name. Letters from friends, relatives and constituents are included. Topics discussed are Burkett’s land and business dealings, political affairs, the land and pension claims of his constituents, legal cases, and political appointments. Pension claims are usually filed by name of the pension seeker rather than by the person who is writing in his or her behalf. Burkett’s correspondents include George W. Norris, Moses Kinkaid, T.C. Munger, John J. Pershing, and Gifford Pinchot. Beginning in 1904, much of the incoming correspondence is attached to the written response given by Burkett in return. This material is still considered incoming correspondence and is filed in the same way.

The Law Case Correspondence, 1912-1920, of Series 3, is arranged in a strict chronological sequence. None of these letters were addressed to Burkett, yet it can be assumed they all relate to legal cases he was involved in.

Series 4 consists of Speeches, 1886-1931, delivered by Elmer J. Burkett. Included are college orations, political and campaign speeches, and talks given at Chautauquas, reunions, conventions, dedications. Also included are Burkett’s acceptance speeches. A catalogue showing the addresses delivered by Burkett appears as an index at the end of this series.

2 RG3590.AM: Burkett, Elmer Jacob, 1867-1935

The Newspaper Clippings, 1888-1928, of Series 5, trace the political and legal careers of Elmer J. Burkett. Articles about his political record and views are included in bound volumes and in folders. Also in this series, are two “letters to the Editor”, in original form, written by Burkett.

The Miscellany of Series 6 consists of Programs, certificates, testimonials, campaign and Republican Party materials, pamphlets and a scrapbook.

DESCRIPTION

Series 1 – Outgoing Correspondence (letterbooks), 1892-1905 Box 20 Volume 1 1892-1896 Volume 2 1893-1895 Tingley and Burkett Volume 3 1895-1897 Tingley and Burkett Volume 4 1896-1898 Volume 5 1899-January 9, 1900 Volume 6 Jan. 9, 1900–March 30, 1900 Box 21 Volume 7 Jan. 15, 1900–Feb. 13, 1900 Volume 8 March 30, 1900–June 4, 1900 Volume 9 June 5, 1900–Dec. 7, 1900 Volume 10 Dec. 7, 1900–Feb. 8, 1904 Volume 11 Feb. 12, 1904–Jan. 21, 1905

Series 2 – Incoming Correspondence, 1891-1935 Box 1

Folder 1 1891-1894 Tingley and Burkett A-F Folder 2 1891-1894 Tingley and Burkett G-J Folder 3 1891-1894 Tingley and Burkett K-R Folder 4 1891-1894 Tingley and Burkett S-Z Folder 5 1891-1893 A-F Folder 6 1891-1893 G-L Folder 7 1891-1893 M-Z Folder 8 1894-1895 A-C Folder 9 1894-1895 D-J Folder 10 1894-1895 K-S Folder 11 1894-1895 T-Z Folder 12 1895-1897 Tingley and Burkett A-D Folder 13 1895-1897 Tingley and Burkett E-J Folder 14 1895-1897 Tingley and Burkett K-Q Folder 15 1895-1897 Tingley and Burkett R-Z Folder 16 1896-1897 A-C Folder 17 1896-1897 D-H

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Box 2 Folder 18 1896-1897 I-O Folder 19 1896-1897 P-Z Folder 20 1898 A-D Folder 21 1898 E-H Folder 22 1898 I-M Folder 23 1898 N-S Folder 24 1898 T-Z Folder 25 1899 A-B Folder 26 1899 C-F Folder 27 1899 G-H Folder 28 1899 I-M Folder 29 1899 N-S Folder 30 1899 T-Z Folder 31 1900 Munger and Burkett A-B Folder 32 1900 Munger and Burkett C-F

Box 3 Folder 33 1900 Munger and Burkett G-K Folder 34 1900 Munger and Burkett L-M Folder 35 1900 Munger and Burkett N-R Folder 36 1900 Munger and Burkett S-Z Folder 37 Jan. 1-24, 1900 Munger and Burkett A-C Folder 38 Jan. 1-24, 1900 Munger and Burkett D-G Folder 39 Jan. 1-24, 1900 Munger and Burkett H-M Folder 40 Jan. 1-24, 1900 Munger and Burkett N-Z Folder 41 Jan. 25-Feb. 17, 1900 Munger and Burkett A-D Folder 42 Jan. 25-Feb. 17, 1900 Munger and Burkett E-L Folder 43 Jan. 25-Feb. 17, 1900 Munger and Burkett M-R Folder 44 Jan. 25-Feb. 17, 1900 Munger and Burkett S-Z Folder 45 Feb. 18-Mar. 9, 1900 Munger and Burkett A-F Folder 46 Feb. 18-Mar. 9, 1900 Munger and Burkett G-L Folder 47 Feb. 18-Mar. 9, 1900 Munger and Burkett M-Q Folder 48 Feb. 18-Mar. 9, 1900 Munger and Burkett R-Z Folder 49 March 10-28, 1900 A-C Folder 50 March 10-28, 1900 D-J

Box 4 Folder 51 March 10-28, 1900 K-R Folder 52 March 10-28, 1900 S-Z Folder 53 Mar. 29-Apr. 22, 1900 A-C Folder 54 Mar. 29-Apr. 22, 1900 D-J Folder 55 Mar. 29-Apr. 22, 1900 K-Q Folder 56 Mar. 29-Apr. 22, 1900 R-Z Folder 57 Apr. 23-May 9, 1900 A-D Folder 58 Apr. 23-May 9, 1900 E-L

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Folder 59 Apr. 23-May 9, 1900 M-R Folder 60 Apr. 23-May 9, 1900 S-Z Folder 61 May 10-June 13, 1900 A-D Folder 62 May 10-June 13, 1900 E-J Folder 63 May 10-June 13, 1900 K-O Folder 64 May 10-June 13, 1900 P-Z Folder 65 June 14-Aug. 19, 1900 A-D Folder 66 June 14-Aug. 19, 1900 E-L Folder 67 June 14-Aug. 19, 1900 M-Q Folder 68 June 14-Aug. 19, 1900 R-Z Folder 69 Aug. 20-Nov. 21, 1900 A-C

Box 5 Folder 70 Aug. 20-Nov. 21, 1900 D-H Folder 71 Aug. 20-Nov. 21, 1900 I-M Folder 72 Aug. 20-Nov. 21, 1900 N-R Folder 73 Aug. 20-Nov. 21, 1900 S-Z Folder 74 Nov. 22-Dec. 19, 1900 A-D Folder 75 Nov. 22-Dec. 19, 1900 E-L Folder 76 Nov. 22-Dec. 19, 1900 M-R Folder 77 Nov. 23-Dec. 19, 1900 S-Z Folder 78 Dec. 20, 1900-Feb. 15, 1901 A-C Folder 79 Dec. 20, 1900-Feb. 15, 1901 D-J Folder 80 Dec. 20, 1900-Feb. 15, 1901 K-Q Folder 81 Dec. 20, 1900-Feb. 15, 1901 R-Z Folder 82 Feb. 16-Apr. 6, 1901 A-C Folder 83 Feb. 16-Apr. 1, 1901 D-J Folder 84 Feb. 16-Apr. 1, 1901 K-Q Folder 85 Feb. 16-Apr. 1, 1901 R-Z Folder 86 Apr. 7-Sept. 2, 1901 A-C Folder 87 Apr. 7-Sept. 2, 1901 D-H Folder 88 Apr. 7-Sept. 2, 1901 I-Q Folder 89 Apr. 7-Sept. 2, 1901 R-Z

Box 6 Folder 90 Sept. 3-Dec. 31, 1901 A-C Folder 91 Sept. 3-Dec. 31, 1901 D-K Folder 92 Sept. 3-Dec. 31, 1901 L-Q Folder 93 Sept. 3-Dec. 31, 1901 R-Z Folder 94 Jan. 1-March 9, 1902 A-D Folder 95 Jan. 1-March 9, 1902 E-K Folder 96 Jan. 1-March 9, 1902 L-R Folder 97 Jan. 1-March 9, 1902 S-Z Folder 98 Mar. 10-June 11, 1902 A-D Folder 99 Mar. 10-June 11, 1902 E-K Folder 100 Mar. 10-June 11, 1902 L-R

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Folder 101 Mar. 10-June 11, 1902 S-Z Folder 102 June 12-Sept. 21, 1902 A-F Folder 103 June 12-Sept. 21, 1902 G-Q Folder 104 June 12-Sept. 21, 1902 R-Z Folder 105 Sept. 22-Dec. 31, 1902 A-D Folder 106 Sept. 22-Dec. 31, 1902 E-K Folder 107 Sept. 22-Dec. 31, 1902 L-P Folder 108 Sept. 22-Dec. 31, 1902 R-Z Folder 109 Jan. 1-March 3, 1903 A-F

Box 7 Folder 110 Jan. 1-March 3, 1903 G-L Folder 111 Jan. 1-March 3, 1903 M-R Folder 112 Jan. 1-March 3, 1903 S-Z Folder 113 March 4-Aug. 6, 1903 A-G Folder 114 March 4-Aug. 6, 1903 H-Q Folder 115 March 4-Aug. 6, 1903 R-Z Folder 116 Aug. 7-Dec. 31, 1903 A-D Folder 117 Aug. 7-Dec. 31, 1903 E-J Folder 118 Aug. 7-Dec. 31, 1903 K-M Folder 119 Aug. 7-Dec. 31, 1903 N-R Folder 120 Aug. 7-Dec. 31, 1903 S-Z Folder 121 Jan. 1-Feb. 2, 1904 A-D Folder 122 Jan. 1-Feb. 2, 1904 E-J Folder 123 Jan. 1-Feb. 2, 1904 M-R Folder 124 Jan. 1-Feb. 2, 1904 S-Z Folder 125 Feb. 3-March 14, 1904 A-C Folder 126 Feb. 3-March 14, 1904 D-H Folder 127 Feb. 3-March 14, 1904 I-M Folder 128 Feb. 3-March 14, 1904 N-R Folder 129 Feb. 3-March 14, 1904 S-Z

Box 8 Folder 130 March 15-Apr. 30, 1904 A-C Folder 131 March 15-Apr. 30, 1904 D-G Folder 132 March 15-Apr. 30, 1904 H-L Folder 133 March 15-Apr. 30, 1904 M-O Folder 134 March 15-Apr. 30, 1904 P-S Folder 135 March 15-Apr. 30, 1904 T-Z Folder 136 May 1-June 30, 1904 A-G Folder 137 May 1-June 30, 1904 H-O Folder 138 May 1-June 30, 1904 P-Z Folder 139 July 1-Aug. 31, 1904 A-C Folder 140 July 1-Aug. 31, 1904 D-L Folder 141 July 1-Aug. 31, 1904 M-R Folder 142 July 1-Aug. 31, 1904 S-Z

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Folder 143 Sept. 1-Oct. 31, 1904 A-E Folder 144 Sept. 1-Oct. 31, 1904 F-M Folder 145 Sept. 1-Oct. 31, 1904 N-S Folder 146 Sept. 1-Oct. 31, 1904 T-Z Folder 147 Nov. 1-Dec. 31, 1904 A-D Folder 148 Nov. 1-Dec. 31, 1904 E-L Folder 149 Nov. 1-Dec. 31, 1904 M-R Folder 150 Nov. 1-Dec. 31, 1904 S-Z

Box 9 Folder 151 Jan. 1-March 20, 1905 A-C Folder 152 Jan. 1-March 20, 1905 D-H Folder 153 Jan. 1-March 20, 1905 I-R Folder 154 Jan. 1-March 20, 1905 S-Z Folder 155 March 21-June 26, 1905 A-E Folder 156 March 21-June 26, 1905 F-J Folder 157 March 21-June 26, 1905 K-Q Folder 158 March 21-June 26, 1905 R-S Folder 159 March 21-June 26-1905 T-Z Folder 160 June 27-Nov. 21, 1905 A-C Folder 161 June 27-Nov. 21, 1905 D-I Folder 162 June 27-Nov. 21, 1905 J-M Folder 163 June 27-Nov. 21, 1905 N-R Folder 164 June 27-Nov. 21, 1905 S-Z Folder 165 Nov. 22, 1905-Jan. 25, 1906 A-B Folder 166 Nov. 22, 1905-Jan. 25, 1906 C-G Folder 167 Nov. 22, 1905-Jan. 25, 1906 H-L Folder 168 Nov. 22, 1905-Jan. 25, 1906 M-Q Folder 169 Nov. 22, 1905-Jan. 25, 1906 R-S Folder 170 Nov. 22, 1905-Jan. 25, 1906 T-Z Folder 171 Jan. 26-April 30, 1906 A-C Folder 172 Jan. 26-April 30, 1906 D-H Folder 173 Jan. 26-April 30, 1906 I-O Folder 174 Jan. 26-April 30, 1906 P-S Folder 175 Jan. 26-April 30, 1906 T-Z

Box 10 Folder 176 May 1-Oct. 31, 1906 A-C Folder 177 May 1-Oct. 31, 1906 D-G Folder 178 May 1-Oct. 31, 1906 H-L Folder 179 May 1-Oct. 31, 1906 M-R Folder 180 May 1-Oct. 31, 1906 S-Z Folder 181 Nov. 1, 1906-Feb. 1907 A-C Folder 182 Nov. 1, 1906-Feb. 1907 D-J Folder 183 Nov. 1, 1906-Feb. 1907 K-R Folder 184 Nov. 1, 1906-Feb. 1907 1918 S-Z

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Folder 185 March 1907-1908 Folder 186 1909-1910 Folder 187 1911-1914 Folder 188 1915-1935

Series 3 – Law Case Correspondence, 1912-1920

Box 11 Folder 1 1912-February 1917 Folder 2 March-April 1917 Folder 3 May-July 1917 Folder 4 August-October 1917 Folder 5 November 1917-January 1918 Folder 6 February-May 1918 Folder 7 June-September 1918 Folder 8 July 1918-January1919 Folder 9 February-April 1919 Folder 10 May-October 1919 Folder 11 November 1919-January 1920 Folder 12 February-April 1920 Folder 13 April (con’t)-June 1920 Folder 14 July-September 1920 Folder 15 October-December 1920

Series 4 – Speeches, 1886-1931, n.d.

Volume 1 1886-1898

Box 12 Folder 1 1890-1903 Folder 2 1904-1906 Folder 3 1907-1908 Folder 4 1909-1910 Folder 5 1912-1919 Folder 6 1926-1931 Folder 7 Undated Folder 8 Undated Folder 9 Undated Folder 10 Undated and fragments

Series 5 – Newspaper Clippings, 1888-1928 Box 13 Volume 1 1888 Volume 2 ca.1896 Volume 3 1898 Volume 4 1898-1899

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Volume 5 September 1899-October 19, 1900 Volume 6 October 19, 1900-February 28, 1902 Volume 7 March 14-June 14, 1902 Volume 8 June 14-November 28, 1902 Volume 9 November 4, 1902-January 29, 1904 Volume 10 January 28-October 27, 1904 Volume 11 February 2-March 20, 1904

Box 14 Volume 12 October 1904-March 1905 Volume 13 April 1905-October 1906 Volume 14 1905-1906 Volume 15 July 5, 1906-December 6, 1907 Volume 16 December 7, 1907-May 10, 1908 Volume 17 May 18, 1908-July 23, 1909

Box 15 Volume 18 July 23, 1909-January 21, 1910 Volume 19 January 21-August 11, 1910 Volume 20 August 11-October 30, 1910 Volume 21 May 2908-August 1910 (Oversize) Volume 22 ca.1916 (shelved next to box) (Oversize) Volume 23 ca.1928 (shelved next to box)

Box 16 Folder 1 Newspaper Clippings Folder 2 Newspaper Clippings Folder 3 Newspaper Clippings Folder 4 Two “Letters to the Editor” as originally written

(Oversize) Volume 24 July 1909-March 1910, A-K (by county) (Oversize) Volume 25 July 1909-March 1910, K-Z (by county) (Oversize) Volume 26 March-August 1910, A-Z (by county)

Series 6 – Miscellany

Folder 1 Programs, 1893-1933 Folder 2 Certificates, Testimonials, Campaign material (some campaign posters are in Oversize Drawer #37) Folder 3 Loose Papers Vols. 1-39 Pamphlets Volume 40 The National Convention and Platforms of All Political Parties, 1789-1900, by Thomas H. McKee Volume 41 Republican Club Book, 1904 Volume 42 Republican National Convention, 1904 Volume 43 Scrapbook – Includes photographs, certificates, newspaper

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Clippings, campaign pamphlets (Oversize) Volume 44 Berryman’s Political Cartoons of the 58 th House – Certificates, Newspaper Clippings, Campaign Materials (shelved next to box)

Box 17 General Correspondence, July 31, 1902-November 7, 1904 Correspondence from Cass County: July 6, 1898-Nov. 3, 1899 Correspondence from Johnson County: June 30, 1898-Nov. 6, 1899 Jan. 28, 1900-Nov. 5, 1904

Box 18 Correspondence from Lancaster County: June 21, 1898-Nov. 13, 1899 Nov. 19, 1900-Oct. 27, 1904 Correspondence from Nemaha County: Nov. 26, 1900-Nov. 2, 1904

Box 19 Correspondence from Otoe County: December 4, 1900-Nov. 21, 1904 Correspondence from Pawnee County: Nov. 27, 1900-Nov. 21, 1904 Correspondence from Richardson County: Feb. 1, 1901-Nov. 7, 1907

AIF 12/12/79

Added Entries :

Kinkaid, Moses Pierce, 1850-1922

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Norris, George William, 1861-1944 Pershing, John Joseph, 1860-1948 Pinchot, Gifford, 1865-1946

LAWYERS. NEBRASKA. PENSIONS. MILITARY. POSTAL SAVINGS DEPOSITORY. RURAL FREE DELIVERY U.S. CONGRESS. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 1897-1905 U.S. CONGRESS. SENATE. 1905-1911 U.S. CONGRESS. 54 TH CONGRESS. 1897. U.S. CONGRESS. 55 TH CONGRESS. 1898. U.S. CONGRESS. 56 TH CONGRESS. 1899-1901. U.S. CONGRESS. 57 TH CONGRESS. 1902. U.S. CONGRESS. 58 TH CONGRESS. 1903-1905. U.S. CONGRESS. 59 TH CONGRESS. 1906. U.S. CONGRESS. 60 TH CONGRESS. 1907-1909. U.S. CONGRESS. 61 ST CONGRESS. 1909-1911.