John Leonard Pilcher Papers, Series XI: Artifacts and Memorabilia

John Leonard Pilcher Papers, Series XI: Artifacts and Memorabilia

Descriptive Summary

Title: John Leonard Pilcher Papers, Series XI: Artifacts and Memorabilia
Creator: Pilcher, John Leonard, 1898-1981.
Inclusive Dates: 1941-1976
Language(s): English
Extent: 2 box(es)
Collection Number: RBRL131JLP_XI
Repository: Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies
Abstract: The artifacts and memorabilia document the career of John L. Picher and include plaques, certificates, commissions, newspaper articles, drawings, and a Somerville political cartoon.

Collection Description

Biographical Note

John Leonard Pilcher was born in a two-room log cabin near Meigs, Georgia on August 27, 1898. Although Pilcher's father died when he was five, and Pilcher had to support his mother and two young sisters, he completed seven grades of public school and graduated from Massey Business College. In 1922, he married Dorothy Covington of Moultrie, Georgia. They had two sons: John Leonard, Jr., who in 1946, at the age of seventeen, was killed in a plane crash while serving as an ROTC air cadet at the University of Georgia; and Charles, who handled the family business while his father was in Washington.

Pilcher started working at the age of fifteen, and by the time he was twenty he was operating a small business. Involved in agricultural pursuits most of his life, Pilcher not only owned a farm, but expanded his holdings to include a general mercantile business, a fertilizer manufacturing plant, feed mill, corn elevator, cotton gins and warehouses, and a syrup canning plant. He was involved in many business organizations, such as the National Cotton Council and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, and served as the director of the Thomas County PEA (production and marketing). He also became president of the Bank of Meigs, Georgia.

At the age of twenty--one, Pilcher was elected mayor of Meigs. During the years 1921 through 1940, he also served as a councilman and a public school trustee. In 1940, he was elected to represent the Seventh District in the Georgia State Senate. After his term expired in 1943, he returned to Meigs and was elected to the post of county commissioner of roads and revenue for Thomas County, a position he held from 1943 to 1947. During this same period he also served as a member of the Agricultural and Industrial Board for the county (1944-1948). From 1948 to 1949, Pilcher was the Supervisor of Purchases for the state of Georgia, serving under Governors Thompson and Arnall. In 1953, Edward Eugene Cox, the congressman representing the Second District, died and a special election was held to fill his seat. In spite of a large field of candidates and his late entrance into the race for the position, Pilcher won the seat in a hardworking campaign by a 2,000 vote margin over his nearest competitor.

Pilcher was a member of Congress from February 4, 1953 to January 3, 1965. He started on the House Committee on Government Operations, serving on the committee from 1953 to 1954. After an attempt to gain a seat on the House Agriculture Committee failed, he accepted a seat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee where he served from 1955 to 1964. He was a member of the Subcommittee on the Far East and the Pacific and became chairman of the Subcommittee on Foreign Economic Policy. Twice, in 1959 and 1961, Pilcher went abroad with other members of the subcommittee on Special Study Missions to oversee U.S. economic and technical assistance programs.

Pilcher did not run for reelection in 1964. Instead, he retired from his congressional career and took the post of Southeastern Regional Director of the Office of Emergency Planning. Pilcher died on August 20, 1981, at the age of 82.

Scope and Content

The artifacts and memorabilia document the career of John L. Picher and include plaques, certificates, commissions, newspaper articles, drawings, and a Somerville political cartoon.

Organization and Arrangement

This series is arranged by format.


Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

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

Processing Notes

Scrapbooks, photographs, and artifacts were physically separated from the papers 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 on: September 2008.


Related Materials and Subjects

Subject Terms

Related Collections in this Repository

Iris F. Blitch Papers

S. Ernest Vandiver, Jr. Papers

Carl E. Sanders Papers

Herman E. Talmadge Collection

August H. Turnbull Collection of Carl Sanders Speech/Press Files

E. L. (Tic) Forrester Papers

Stephen Pace Post Office Files

Richard B. Russell, Jr. Collection

Democratic Party of Georgia Records

Related Collections in Other Repositories

Georgia Government Documentation Project, Series F: Marvin Griffin oral history collection. Special Collection Department, William Russell Pullen Library, Georgia State University

Stellanova Osborn papers, 1916-1992. Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, Harvard University

Griffin Bell Papers, School of Law, Mercer University


Series Descriptions and Folder Listing

 

XI. Artifacts

The artifacts and memorabilia document the career of John L. Picher and include plaques, certificates, commissions, newspaper articles, drawings, and a Somerville political cartoon.
boxfolder
OS2 JLP-ART-01 Plaques: American Legion Plaque, wooden plaque with 7 ½ inch wide brass scroll on the front. Engraved on the scroll: "American Legion, Department of Ga., Award of Merit- Presented to J.L. Pilcher- U.S. Congressman- In recognition of exceptional leadership and service to veterans and their families", Feb. 27, 1962.
boxfolder
OS1 JLP-ART-02 Plaques: Cobb County Plaque, wooden plaque with beveled edges. A metal plate is on the front in the shape of the state of Ga. Engraved in brown letters on the plate: "The people of Cobb Co. Ga. Express sincere appreciation to Congressman J.L. Pilcher for his service to our nation, state, and Cobb Co. Presented by the Cobb Co. Chamber of Commerce" [missing], Nov. 17, 1964.
OS1 JLP-ART-03The Badge of a Shriner Plaque, wooden plaque with beveled edges. A poem is mounted on the front by Edgar A. Guest concerning the importance of the Shriner Badge [missing], undated
OS1 JLP-ART-044-H Club Plaque, wooden plaque with dark beveled edges. A metal plate is inset on the front (rectangular), with raised letters: "Honorary 4-H Club Member" and a raised four-leaf clover [missing], undated.
OS1 JLP-ART-05Evanston Junior Chamber of Commerce Plaque, wooden plaque with beveled edges. A paper "Certificate of Appreciation" is attached to the front under a plastic cover, attached to the wood with four star shaped plastic screws. "Presented to Congressman J.L. Pilcher- Guest Speaker, by the Evanston Junior Chamber of Commerce" , Jan. 21, 1964.
OS1 JLP-ART-06Certificate of Membership. Presented to Rep J.L. Pilcher by the Georgia Association of Broadcasters, undated.
OS1 JLP-ART-07Certificate of Merit. Given by the Disabled American Veterans to Hon. J. L. Pilcher, 20-Jun-59.
OS1 JLP-ART-08Certificate of Merit. Given by the Disabled American Veterans to Hon. J. L. Pilcher, 1-Mar-54.
OS1 JLP-ART-09Certificate of Honor. From the National Association of Retired Civil Employees to Hon. J.L. Pilcher. A list of the members is on the back. The front lettering is done in green calligraphy, Sept. 30, 1954.
OS1 JLP-ART-10Capital Labor News Certificate. Awarded to J. L. Pilcher and Sons.: "This certificate of Award has been given for the splendid cooperation shown the Capital Labor News, an Official Organ of the A.F.L. Unions.", 1955.
OS1 JLP-ART-11Hasan Temple Certificate: "Presented to Noble J.L. Pilcher , Ambassador at Large, in recognition of your appointment to a position of trust in the service of the temple…Hasan Temple, Oasis of Albany" written in calligraphy, undated.
OS1 JLP-ART-12Thomas County Education Association Certificate. Presented to J.L. Pilcher "For outstanding service to public education". The letters are typed, 4-Apr-57.
OS1 JLP-ART-13Proclamation from the city of Moultrie, document mounted in a thin black frame. The city seal is at the bottom. In typeset and calligraphy, "Now therefore I, William B. Withers, Mayor of the city of Moultrie do hereby declare Fri, April 19, 1963 as J.L. Pilcher Day in the city of Moultrie and Colquitt Co. and urge all citizens to pay proper homage and respect to one who is a great benefactor, statesman, and leader of the highest moral caliber", Fri, April 19, 1963.
OS1 JLP-ART-14Commissions: Commission for State Supervisor of Purchases. Signed by M.E. Thompson, Governor, and Phil Landrum, Secretary Executive Department. Presented to J.L. Pilcher, for the state of Georgia, 21-Mar-47.
OS1 JLP-ART-15Commissions: Commission for Member of the Agricultural and Industrial Development Board of GA. Presented to J.L. Pilcher. Signed by Ellis Arnall, governor, and M. E. Thompson, Secretary Executive Department, Feb. 1, 1944.
OS1 JLP-ART-16Commissions: Commission for Lieutenant Colonel, Aide de Camp, Governor's Staff. Presented to J. L. Pilcher by the state of Georgia. Signed by M. E. Thompson, governor, 1-Aug-47.
OS1 JLP-ART-17Commissions: Commission for Representative in Congress. Signed by the governor Herman E. Talmadge, and Secretary, Executive department, James L. Bentley, Jr., Feb. 4, 1953-Jan. 3, 1955.
OS1 JLP-ART-18Commissions: Commission for Representative in Congress. Signed by Herman E. Talmadge, governor, Feb. 5, 1953- Jan. 1, 1955.
OS1 JLP-ART-19Commissions: Commission for Representative in Congress. Signed by Herman E. Talmadge, Governor, Jan 1, 1955-Jan 1, 1957.
OS1 JLP-ART-20Commissions: Commission for Representative in Congress, document and seal mounted in a thin black frame. Signed by Marvin Griffin, governor, Jan. 3, 1957-Jan.3, 1959.
OS1 JLP-ART-21Commissions: Commission for Representative in Congress. Signed by Marvin Griffin, governor, Jan.3, 1959-Jan.3, 1961.
OS1 JLP-ART-22Commissions: Commission for Representative in Congress. Signed by Ernest Vandiver, Governor, Jan. 3, 1961-Jan. 3, 1963.
OS1 JLP-ART-23Commissions: Commission for Representative in Congress. Signed by Ernest Vandiver, Governor. Seal is included. Presented to J. L. Pilcher, Jan. 3, 1963- Jan. 3, 1965.
OS1 JLP-ART-24Commissions: Commission for Lieutenant Colonel, Aide de Camp, Governor's Staff. Signed by Ellis Arnell, Governor of Georgia. It is written in beautiful calligraphy. Presented to J. L. Pilcher, 1-Sep-43.
OS1 JLP-ART-25 Quote from Shakespeare's Hamlet, printed quote in large black letters. Act I, Scene III: "This above all: to thine own self be true, / And it must follow, as the night the day, / Thou canst not then be false to any man"
OS1 JLP-ART-26Reproduction of a Painting of President Johnson, reproduction. The presidential seal is behind Johnson's head
OS1 JLP-ART-27Composite: Members of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. The pictures are in black and white and are signed with the original signatures. It is the 84th Congress
OS1 JLP-ART-28 Reproduction Photograph of President and Mrs. John F. Kennedy, color reproduction. "Karsh of Ottowa" on the right bottom, and "Courtesy of American Weekly" on the bottom left
OS1 JLP-ART-29 Print of a Drawing of the Supreme Court Building, print on paper. Drawing by Ernest L. Daly
OS1 JLP-ART-30Print of a Drawing of the White House, black and white print. Drawing by Ernest L. Daly
OS1 JLP-ART-31Newspaper Article Concerning Joe Lunn. Entitled, "Thomasville will Welcome Derby Chap"- concerning the national Soap Box Derby Winner, Joe Lunn, from Thomasville, Ga.
OS1 JLP-ART-32Architectural Painting of the John L. Pilcher Elementary School (Reproduction) Labelled "John L. Pilcher Elementary School- Thomas Co. Broad of Education- Jinright and Jinright Architects- Thomasville, Ga."- a color copy
OS1 JLP-ART-33Newspaper Clipping: "Pilcher Winner in Congress" Front page of the The Times-Enterprise, Thomasville, Ga. Contains three photos of Pilcher, and several articles concerning Pilcher's Congressional victory, Feb. 6, 1953.
OS1 JLP-ART-34Reproduction of a Painting of Carl Vinson. It is a color reproduction. He has a ship behind his head, labeled the U.S.S. Georgia, undated.
OS1 JLP-ART-35Composite: Georgia Senate, Session. Black and white composite pictures- labeled Jennings Studio, Atlanta, Ga., 1941.
OS1 JLP-ART-36Newspaper Article: "John Pilcher a Real Horatio Alger Story" Mounted in a wide black frame. From The Thomasville Courier, p.3- article by Albert Riley , Sept. 1, 1976
OS1 JLP-ART-37Political Cartoon: "The Cowbird" original ink drawing. Signed "With best regards to Congressman Pilcher from John Somerville, Atlanta Journal", 1960.
OS1 JLP-ART-38Reproduction of a Photograph of President Woodrow Wilson, lithographic reproduction, on thin paper, with ½ inch black border all the way around the image; fingerprint on original print visible to right of Wilson's head

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