Abit Nix Papers

Abit Nix Papers

Descriptive Summary

Title: Abit Nix Papers
Creator: Nix, H. Abit (Hosea Abit), 1888-1959
Inclusive Dates: 1907-1984
Language(s): English
Extent: 11 box(es) (6.25 linear feet) including 1 audiovisual item
Collection Number: RBRL105HAN
Repository: Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies
Abstract: The collection consists of papers of Hosea Abit Nix, a Georgia attorney (1888-1959), from 1907 to 1984 with the bulk from 1940 to 1956. Includes correspondence, clippings, written notes, and printed materials, the bulk of which document Nix's 1940 gubernatorial campaign against Eugene Talmadge.

Collection Description

Biographical Note

Hosea Abit Nix was born in Jackson County, Georgia on July 7, 1888 to John and Dora Nix. After graduating from the University of Georgia in 1911 with first honors, he went on to receive his LL.B. in 1912 and was admitted to the Georgia bar that same year. Nix then continued his graduate study at both the University of Chicago and Harvard from 1912 to 1913.

On December 23, 1913, Nix married Eunice Little and over the course of their marriage, the couple had two children. From 1913 to 1918, Nix was an associate professor of law and secretary at the University of Georgia Law School. Later, he was a Regent for the University of Georgia system. After practicing law with Thomas J. Shackleford in Athens, Nix became associated with the firm Erwin and Erwin, later to be renamed Erwin, Erwin and Nix. He also went on to receive his LL.D. from Atlanta Law School in 1938.

Nix was active politically as well. He ran unsuccessfully for governor against Eugene Talmadge in both 1932 and 1940. In 1940, he participated as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. That same year and again in 1948, he also served as a member of the Electoral College.

While Abit Nix's political career was short-lived, his collection provides insight into political campaigns in Georgia during this era. During the 1940 campaign, Nix focused primarily on issues rather than personalities. Although Talmadge was known for his race-baiting tactics, Nix does not seem to have addressed the issue. He was often angered by Talmadge's maneuvers, however. On one such occasion, a fight erupted during a speech by Nix. Talmadge's presence amongst the crowd had apparently incited his supporters to such a level that Nix was drowned out by the noise. The two sides, therefore, clashed and violence ensued.

After his attempts for the governor's office were denied, Nix returned to his law practice where he remained until his death in 1959.

Scope and Content

The Hosea Abit Nix Papers consist of files from Nix's life and political career, focusing on his unsuccessful bid for Governor of Georgia. The collection represents the years 1907 to 1984 and documents Nix's 1940 campaign as well as his days at the University of Georgia, his stay at Duke University Hospital, and his civic activities. The types of materials found in the collection include correspondence, printed materials, certificates and diplomas, clippings, photographs, and one audiotape.

Organization and Arrangement

The papers are divided into six series: I. 1940 Campaign, II. Personal, III. Photographs, and IV. Memorabilia, V. Audiovisual Materials and VI. Additions. The series are arranged chronologically and/or alphabetically by subject.


Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Abit Nix Papers, Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, University of Georgia Libraries, Athens, Georgia, 30602-1641.

Processing Notes

Clippings and thermofax papers have been copied onto bond paper for protection of content. Artifacts have been grouped separately by series for preservation.

User Restrictions

Library acts as "fair use" reproduction agent.

Copyright Information

Before material from collections at the Richard B. Russell Library may be quoted in print, or otherwise reproduced, in whole or in part, in any publication, permission must be obtained from (1) the owner of the physical property, and (2) the holder of the copyright. It is the particular responsibility of the researcher to obtain both sets of permissions. Persons wishing to quote from materials in the Russell Library collection should consult the Director. Reproduction of any item must contain a complete citation to the original.

Finding Aid Publication

Finding Aid prepared by Emily Thomasen, Anna Harris, & Jessica Wylie, 2000.

Addition of Series VI: Additions, 2023-12-11.


Related Materials and Subjects

Subject Terms

Related Collections in this Repository

Herman E. Talmadge Collection

Richard B. Russell, Jr. Collection


Series Descriptions and Folder Listing

 

I. Campaign, 1940

4 box(es)
(2 linear feet)
The Campaign of 1940 consists overwhelmingly of correspondence. This material contains information on the general public's views and questions about issues such as the sales tax. Of particular interest are Georgians' reactions to Eugene Talmadge and issues such as state debt and old-age pensions. Arrangement is alphabetical by county.
boxfolder
I.11Appling County
I.12Atkinson County
I.13Barrien County
I.14Bacon County
I.15Barrow County
I.16Bartow County
I.17Ben Hill County
I.18Bibb County
I.19Brantley County
I.110Bleckley County
I.111Brooks County
I.112Bryan County
I.113Bulloch County
I.114Butts County
I.115Burke County
I.116Calhoun County
I.117Camden County
I.118Carroll County
I.119Clarke County
I.120Dade County
I.121Dawson County
I.122Decatur County
I.123Dekalb County
I.124Dodge County
I.125Dooly County
I.126Dougherty County
I.127Douglas County
I.128Fulton County, (July 9-14, 1940)
I.129Fulton County, (June 11-30, 1940)
boxfolder
I.21Fulton County, (July 1940)
I.22Fulton County, (August-September 1940)
I.23Gilmer County
I.24Glascock County
I.25Glynn County
I.26Gordon County
I.27Grady County
I.28Greene County
I.29Gwinnett County
I.210Habersham County
I.211Hall County
I.212Hancock County
I.213Haralson County
I.214Harris County
I.215Hart County
I.216Henry County
I.217Houston County
I.218Irwin County
I.219Jackson County
I.220Jasper County
I.221Jefferson County
I.222Johnson County
I.223Lamar County
I.224Lanier County
I.225Laurens County
I.226Lee County
I.227Liberty County
I.228Lowndes County
I.229Lumpkin County
I.230McDuffie County
I.231McIntosh County
I.232Macon County
I.233Madison County
I.234Marion County
I.235Meriwether County
I.236Mitchell County
boxfolder
I.31Montgomery County
I.32Morgan County
I.33Murray County
I.34Muscogee County
I.35Newton County
I.36Oconee County
I.37Oglethorpe County
I.38Peach County
I.39Pickens County
I.310Pierce County
I.311Polk County
I.312Pulaski County
I.313Putnam County
I.314Quitman County
I.315Rabun County
I.316Randolph County
I.317Richmond County
I.318Screven County
I.319Spalding County
I.320Stephens County
I.321Stewart County
I.322Sumter County
I.323Talbot County
I.324Taliaferro County
I.325Tattnall County
I.326Taylor County
I.327Terrell County
I.328Thomas County
boxfolder
I.41Tift County
I.42Toombs County
I.43Towns County
I.44Treutlen County
I.45Troup County
I.46Turner and Twiggs County
I.47Union County
I.48Upson County
I.49Walker County
I.410Walton County
I.411Ware County
I.412Warren County
I.413Washington County
I.414Wayne County
I.415Wheeler County
I.416White County
I.417Whitefield County
I.418Wilcox County
I.419Wilkes County
I.420Wilkinson County
I.421Worth County
I.422Miscellaneous, (June-July, 1940)
I.423Miscellaneous, (August, 1940)
 

II. Personal, 1907-1984

4 box(es)
(2 linear feet)
The Personal series consists of correspondence, clippings, photographs and printed materials. This series is further divided into three subseries: University, Medical and General. The pattern of arrangement is specific to each subseries. The University and General subseries are arranged alphabetically by subject. The Medical subseries is arranged chronologically.



A. University

boxfolder
II.11Church Activities
II.12Classwork, Reports, Speeches etc.
II.13Commencement Activities
II.14Events and Activities
II.15Georgia Student Handbooks
II.16 Red and Black Correspondence
boxfolder
II.21Association For International Conciliation (AFIC) - The Work of the Second Hague Conference
II.22Association For International Conciliation (AFIC) - The Possibilities of Intellectual Cooperation Between North and South America
II.23Association For International Conciliation (AFIC) - America and Japan
II.24Association For International Conciliation (AFIC) - The Sanction of International Law
II.25Association For International Conciliation (AFIC) - The United States and France
II.26Association For International Conciliation (AFIC) - The Approach of the Two Americas
II.27Association For International Conciliation (AFIC) - The United States and Canada
II.28Association For International Conciliation (AFIC) - The Policy of the US and Japan in the Far East
II.29Association For International Conciliation (AFIC) - European Sobriety in the Presence of the Balkan Crisis
II.210Association For International Conciliation (AFIC) - The Logic of International Cooperation
II.211Association For International Conciliation (AFIC) - American Ignorance of Oriental Languages
II.212Association For International Conciliation (AFIC) - America and the New Diplomacy
II.213Association For International Conciliation (AFIC) - The Delusion of Militarism
II.214Association For International Conciliation (AFIC) - Address by the Honorable Elihu Root
II.215Association For International Conciliation (AFIC) - The United States and China
II.216Association For International Conciliation (AFIC) - Opening Address at the Lake Mohonk Convention on International Arbitration
II.217Association For International Conciliation (AFIC) - Journalism and International Affairs
II.218Association For International Conciliation (AFIC) - Influence of Commerce in the Promotion ofInternational Peace
II.219Association For International Conciliation (AFIC) - The United States and Spain
II.220Association For International Conciliation (AFIC) - American Public Schools as a Factor inInternational Conciliation
II.221Association For International Conciliation (AFIC) - The East and West
II.222Association For International Conciliation (AFIC) - A League of Peace
II.223Association For International Conciliation (AFIC) - The Results of the Second Conference
II.224Association For International Conciliation (AFIC) - Program of the Association for International Conciliation
II.225Association For International Conciliation (AFIC) - The Results of the National Arbitration and Peace Conference
II.226Subjugation of the Filipino
II.227The Negro Issue: An Address by Jacob Piatt Dunn
II.228Negro Suffrage: Speech of Thomas W. Hardwick
II.229Sermon by Reverend Charles H. Parkhurst
II.230Miscellaneous Scripts
II.231The AutoBiographical Note of Benjamin Franklin
II.232Map of Harvard College



B. Medical

boxfolder
II.311949 June
II.321949 July 1-19
II.331949 July 20-31
II.341949 August
II.351949 September 1-15
II.361949 September 16-31
II.371949 October
II.38Miscellaneous, undated



C. General

boxfolder
II.41Civic Activities and Awards
II.42Mr. Rotary Scrapbook
II.43Clippings
II.44-6Printed Materials
II.47Tap Bennett and Tap Bennett, Jr. Material
 

III. Photographs

4 item(s)
This series consists of one picture of former President Jimmy Carter with W. Tapley Bennett, Jr., a picture of Abit Nix during his tenure on the Georgia YMCA Board standing with two employees of the Athens, Georgia YMCA, and two pictures of Ellen Bennett and Ralph Godsall's wedding in 1980.
boxfolder
II.41Abit Nix as Georgia YMCA Board chairman ([8.25"x10", b/w])
II.42William Tapley Bennett, Jr. and Jimmy Carter ([5"x7", b/w])
II.43Bennett-Godsall wedding, 1980 ([2, 3.5"x3.25" and 5"x5", color])
 

IV. Memorabilia

2 box(es)
(2 linear feet)
This series consists of awards, certificates and diplomas that span from Nix's graduation in 1911 to his civic involvement in later life. It includes his daughter's UGA Pandora yearbooks from 1933 to 1934 and 1937.
boxfolder
II.41Two, small plastic donkeys
II.42Abit Nix campaign pins
II.43Phi Beta Kappa Society membership certificate, Mary Elizabeth Nix, 1936
II.43Phi Kappa Phi certificate, Mary Elizabeth Nix, 1936
box
OS1UGA diploma, Mary Nix, 1936
boxfolder
II.44Y.M.C.A. State Board Chairman certificate
II.45Delta chapter of the Sigma Chi, Life Loyal Sig certificate, 1946
II.45Omicron Delta Kappa certificate, 1950
II.45University of Georgia Law School Association certificate, 1957
box
IV.2Jaffa Temple A.A.O.N.M.S. honorary member, 1946
IV.2Zamora Temple A.A.O.N.M.S., 1946
IV.2Alumni Society and the President of the University of Georgia present to Abit Nix this testimonial of their high esteem, 1955
IV.2Phi Beta Kappa Associates certificate, 1949
IV.2Yaarab Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine certificate, 1951
IV.2Certificate, Member of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia from the tenth Congressional District, 1943
IV.2Sigma Chi certificate, 1951
IV.2Certificate, Captain Georgia State Guards, 1942
IV.2Court of Appeals State bar certification, 1917
IV.2Supreme Court of Georgia State bar certification, 1917
IV.2University of Georgia diploma
IV.2University System of Georgia Board of Regents appreciation resolution, 1940
IV.2Certificate, Landrum Lodge no. 48 member, 1930
IV.2Hasan Temple, member, 1955
IV.2Certificate, Commonwealth of Kentucky, Aide-de-Camp on Governor's staff, 1935
box
MapcaseCertificate, International Fraternity of Delta Sigma Pi, 1958
box
IV.3UGA Pandora yearbooks
 

V. Audiovisual Materials

1 item(s)
Reference copies of the audiovisual recordings are available upon request. Research requests will be filled as soon as possible and will be dependent upon the condition of the recordings.
item
UC_RBRL/105/HAN_RR 0001Abit Nix at Gainesville, GA, 1958 February 11 ( 1 sound_recording(s) )
 

VI. Additions: Margaret Ledbetter Nix

boxfolder
VI.101[Photographs and Letters], 1957-1979

Special Collections Libraries
University of Georgia
Athens, GA 30602-1641