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Register of the Sim A. DeLapp Papers, 1862-1976

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Descriptive Summary

Title
Sim A. DeLapp Papers, 1862-1976
Creator
DeLapp, Simeon Alexander
Extent
10 Linear Feet
ca. 13,100 Items
Repository
Duke University Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library Durham, North Carolina 27708-0185
Language
English.
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Administrative Information

Access Restrictions
Collection is open for research.
However, patrons must sign the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibility and Privacy Rights form before using this collection.
Also, all or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. Consequently, there may be a 24-hour delay in obtaining these materials.
Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library to use this collection.
Use Restrictions
The copyright interests in the DeLapp Papers have not been transferred to Duke University. For further information, see the section on copyright in the Regulations and Procedures of the Special Collections Library.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Sim A. DeLapp Papers, Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library, Duke University.
Provenance
The Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Library acquired the Sim A. DeLapp Papers (1862-1976) in three installments 1978, 1980, and 1983 by purchase and gift. The donation was made by Mrs. DeLapp in 1983.
Processing Information
Processed by Janie Morris
Completed May 15, 1992
Encoded by Alvin Pollock, Electronic Text Unit, UC Berkeley Library
This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.
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Biographical Note

1897, Dec. 21Born Davidson County, N.C.
1918A.B. Trinity College (now Duke University)
1921LL.B. Trinity College
1921-1926Practiced law in Lexington, N.C.
1922-1934Member, Lexington Board of School Commissioners
1926-1946Member, McCrary and DeLapp law firm
1927, JulyMarried Rose Sexton of Denton, N.C.
1928-1930Davidson County attorney
1942-1950Chair, North Carolina State Republican Party
1946-1950Davison County attorney
1946-1952Practiced law independently in Lexington, N.C.
1950-1964Legal counsel for the North Carolina Republican Party
1951-1952North Carolina State Chairman of Dwight D. Eisenhower's campaign for the presidency
1952-1976Partner, Lexington law firm that maintained a general and trial practice under various names: DeLapp and Ward, 1952-1966; DeLapp, Ward, and Hedrick, 1966-1972; DeLapp and Hedrick, 1972-1974; DeLapp, Hedrick and Harp, 1974-1975; DeLapp, Hedrick, Harp, and Smith, 1975-1976.
1965-1970Trustee, Davidson County Community College
1967-1974Davidson County attorney
1976, Aug. 9Died, Winston-Salem, N.C.
1983Named posthumously to the North Carolina GOP Hall of fame

Member of the American, North Carolina, and Davidson County Bar Associations and the Lexington Rotary Club. Member and Elder in the First Evangelical and Reformed Church (later United Church of Christ) in Lexington. Member of the Kiwanis Club.

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Collection Overview

The collection chiefly documents DeLapp's long-term involvement with the North Carolina Republican Party at the state and local level. While correspondence comprises the bulk of the collection, there are also some legal and financial papers, writings and speeches, printed material, and clippings. Being Chair of the North Carolina Republican Party (1942-1950) and legal counsel to the party (1950-1964), provided DeLapp access to state party leaders, which is reflected by the correspondents that include J. E. Broyhill, Wilmer D. Mizell, William E. Cobb, and Jesse Helms.
Included is information concerning political appointments, canvassing and registering voters, political campaigns, and political speeches (some made by DeLapp). DeLapp's efforts to promote Republican presidential candidates is highlighted in 1952 when he served as North Carolina State Chairman of Dwight D. Eisenhower's campaign. The earliest corespondence primarily relates to Delapp's father, Alexander T. Lapp, who was sheriff of Davidson County, N.C., from 1906-1912 and 1916-1918. Also represented are DeLapp's responsibilities with the Evangelical and Reformed Church (later the United Church of Christ); information about the DeLapp family and DeLapp's published work, People, Politics, Religion; and concern about the Duke University administration during the 1960s and early 1970s.
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Subject Headings

These are searchable subject entries for this collection. Performing a search on these subjects in the Duke University Libraries online catalog will bring up other related research materials.
List of Series in Collection
Correspondence Series
Legal Papers Series
Financial Papers Series
Addresses and Writings Series
Genealogy Series
Printed Material Series
Clippings Series
Miscellaneous Series
Oversize Material
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Detailed Description of Collection

Correspondence Series

Box 1
1862-1948   (6 folders)
Box 2
1949-1951, Aug.   (6 folders)
Box 3
1951, Sept.-1952, June   (7 folders)
Box 4
1952, July-1953   (7 folders)
Box 5
1954, Jan.-1957, June   (7 folders)
Box 6
1957, July-1959   (6 folders)
Box 7
1960-1964, Apr.   (6 folders)
Box 8
1964, May-1965, June   (7 folders)
Box 9
1965, July-1966, Sept.   (7 folders)
Box 10
1966, Oct.-1968, May   (6 folders)
Box 11
1968, June-1970, May   (6 folders)
Box 12
1970, June-1972, Mar.   (6 folders)
Box 13
1972, Apr.-1973, Oct.   (6 folders)
Box 14
1973, Nov.-1975, Aug.   (7 folders)
Box 15
1975, Sept.-1976, Aug., undated   (4 folders)

Legal Papers Series

Box 15
1945-1976

Financial Papers Series

Box 15
1948-1976

Addresses and Writings Series

Box 15
1920-1955
Box 16
1956-1970s   (3 folders)
People, Politics, Religion, 1975 and undated (2 folders and 1 volume)
Box 17
undated   (3 folders)

Genealogy Series

Box 17
1921-1974

Printed Material Series

Box 17
1912-1964   (3 folders)
Box 18
1965-1976, undated   (3 folders)

Clippings Series

Box 18
1940-1968   (2 folders)
Box 19
1969-1975, undated

Miscellaneous Series

Box 19
Pictures, 1914?-1953, undated
1936-1966   (4 folders)
Box 20
1967-1976, undated   (6 folders)
Photocopies, 1928-1968

Oversize Material

Ovsz. Box 84
Printed Material Series, 1948-1974
Ovsz. Box 83
Clippings Series--Scrapbooks, 1942-1948 (3)
Ovsz. Box 84
Miscellaneous Series, 1936-1960s
Scrapbook, 1948 and undated