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Minnis family papers

 Collection
Call Number: RH MS 935

Overview

The Minnis family papers are those of a longtime Kansas family. They focus on Marian N. (Freeman) Minnis and her son Frank B. Minnis Jr., who served for a number of years as a Leavenworth City Commissioner and, for a short time, as that city's mayor.

Dates

  • Creation: 1885 - 1995

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

No access restrictions.

Conditions Governing Use

Spencer Library staff may determine use restrictions dependent on the physical condition of manuscript materials.

History of the Minnis Family in Kansas

Marian Nettie Freeman was born May 8, 1902 in Jetmore, Kansas. She married Frank Beverly Minnis with whom she had eight children: Frank B. Jr., Merienne Eloise, Loren Eugene, Juanda Marceille, Peggy JeneVieve, Paul Vernon, Ivan Keith, and Theresa Jacqueline. Marian N. Freeman Minnis died April 11, 1969.

Frank B. Minnis, Jr. was born February 20, 1923 in Pratt, Kansas. After attending Pratt's public schools, he received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Kansas City, Missouri's Rockhurst College. He did graduate work in information systems at George Washington University and graduated from the Command and General Staff College; he retired as a lieutenant colonel. Minnis held a variety of positions including chief of management in the Fort Leavenworth comptroller's office and as a accountant and computer specialist for the computer systems command in Virginia, where he lived from 1968-1981. After returning to Leavenworth, Minnis became active in that city's politics. He served as chair of the Human Relations Commission and the Leavenworth City and County Planning Commissions. In 1987 he was appointed to complete an unexpired term on the Leavenworth City Commission; he was reelected in 1991, served as Mayor Pro Tem from 1992-1993, and was elected Mayor in 1994. Frank B. Minnis, Jr. married Josephine Peoples on February 6, 1943. The couple had three children: Marian Francine, Michael Eugene, and Beverly JoAnne.

Extent

1 Linear Feet (2 document cases + 7 folders, 1 oversize box)

Language of Materials

English

Scope and Contents

The papers of the Minnis family date from 1885 to 1995 and are arranged in two series, for textual materials and for photographs. The papers include clippings, correspondence, diaries, and education records. With only a few exceptions, typed transcripts accompany each of the diaries; they are housed behind the respective original. Folder arrangement is alphabetical by topic. Please note that some items are fragile and should be handled with care.

Photographs from the collection are located at RH MS-P 935, and oversize newspaper clippings are located at RH MS R404.

Physical Location

RH MS 935

Physical Location

RH MS-P 935

Physical Location

RH MS R404

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift, Frank B. Minnis, Jr, 1988, 1995, 1998.

Related Materials

Holt, Marilyn Irvin. Model Ts, Pep Chapels, and a Wolf at the Door: Kansas Teenagers, 1900-1941. Lawrence, Ks: University of Kansas. Division of Continuing Education, 1994. Located at Spencer Research Library at RH C8833 and at Watson Library at F686 .M63 1994.

Title
Guide to the Minnis Family Collection
Subtitle
Minnis family papers
Author
Finding aid prepared by mbw, 2007; revised by skt, 2010; revised by ce, 2017.
Date
2007
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Finding aid written in<language encodinganalog="language">English.</language>
Sponsor
Support for the processing of this Collection was provided by the Dana and Sue Anderson African American Collecting Program Endowment Fund.
Finding aid permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/10407/3071672380
Preferred citation
Minnis family papers, Kansas Collection, RH MS 935, Kenneth Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas

Repository Details

Part of the University of Kansas. Kenneth Spencer Research Library Repository

Contact:
1450 Poplar Lane
Lawrence KS 66045-7616 United States
785-864-4334