MenuRegister of the Sim A. DeLapp Papers, 1862-1976
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.
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Sim A. DeLapp Papers, 1862-1976
- Creator
- DeLapp, Simeon Alexander
- Extent
- 10 Linear Feet, ca. 13,100 Items
- Repository
- Duke University. David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library Durham, North Carolina 27708-0185
- Location
- For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the library's online catalog.
- Language
- English.
Administrative Information
Collections are on the move for the renovation of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library. Contact Rubenstein Library staff before visiting. Read More »
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 David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript 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.
Contents of the Collection
Browse List of Series
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Expand AllHistorical Note
| Date | Event(s) |
|---|---|
| 1897, Dec. 21 | Born Davidson County, N.C. |
| 1918 | A.B. Trinity College (now Duke University) |
| 1921 | LL.B. Trinity College |
| 1921-1926 | Practiced law in Lexington, N.C. |
| 1922-1934 | Member, Lexington Board of School Commissioners |
| 1926-1946 | Member, McCrary and DeLapp law firm |
| 1927, July | Married Rose Sexton of Denton, N.C. |
| 1928-1930 | Davidson County attorney |
| 1942-1950 | Chair, North Carolina State Republican Party |
| 1946-1950 | Davison County attorney |
| 1946-1952 | Practiced law independently in Lexington, N.C. |
| 1950-1964 | Legal counsel for the North Carolina Republican Party |
| 1951-1952 | North Carolina State Chairman of Dwight D. Eisenhower's campaign for the presidency |
| 1952-1976 | Partner, 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. |
| 1965-1970 | Trustee, Davidson County Community College |
| 1967-1974 | Davidson County attorney |
| 1976, Aug. 9 | Died, Winston-Salem, N.C. |
| 1983 | Named 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.
Subject Headings
- Republican Party--North Carolina.
- Electioneering--North Carolina.
- North Carolina--Politics and government.
- Patronage, Political--North Carolina.
- Politicians--North Carolina.
- Voter registration--North Carolina.
- Presidents--United States--Election 1952.
- DeLapp family.
- Evangelical and Reformed Church.
- Duke University.
- DeLapp, Alexander T.
- Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969.
- DeLapp, Sim A.--People, politics, religion.
- Broyhill, J. E.
- Jonas, Charles Raper.
- Broyhill, James Thomas, 1927-
- Mizell, Wilmer D.
- Cobb, William E.
- Helms, Jesse.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Sim A. DeLapp Papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.
Provenance
The David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript 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.