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Braswell D. Deen, Sr. Papers

Braswell D. Deen, Sr. Papers

Descriptive Summary

Title: Braswell D. Deen, Sr. Papers
Creator: Deen, Braswell D., 1893-1981.
Inclusive Dates: 1917-1984
Language(s): English
Extent: 3 box(es) (1.75 linear feet)
Collection Number: RBRL217BDDSR
Repository: Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies
Abstract: The collection consists of materials dating from 1917-1984 of Braswell D. Deen, Sr. (1893-1981), editor and owner of Alma Times, United States Congressman, and director of the Georgia Department of Public Welfare. The papers include a manuscript written by his son, Braswell Deen, Jr., correspondence, manuscripts, thoughts, and poems written by Deen, newspaper clippings, speeches, photographs, and scrapbooks. The materials document Deen's 1932 campaign for U.S. House of Representatives in Georgia's Eighth District, his career as Director of Public Welfare, his interest in family genealogy, and his writings. There is also biogrpahical information on Deen.

Collection Description

Biographical Note

Braswell D. Deen, Sr., second oldest of twelve children, was born on June 28, 1893, on a farm south of Baxley, Appling County, Georgia, son of Samuel and Victory Altman Dean. His families were early pioneers of southeast Georgia, both his paternal and maternal grandfathers serving with distinction in the Confederate Army.

He worked his way through Young Harris College and Emory University. In 1916, he was elected County School Superintendent of Appling County, Georgia, later voluntarily resigning to enter the armed services in World War I. In 1924, Deen was elected President of the South Georgia Junior College at McRae, Georgia, which position he held through May, 1928. He became editor and owner of the Alma Times, a weekly newspaper in Alma, Georgia in 1928.

Deen was elected to the United States Congress in the 8th District in 1932, receiving more than 75% of the total vote. He was re-elected in 1934 and 1936. He decline to be a candidate in 1938 because of poor health. In 1939 he was appointed by Governor E. D. Rivers as State Director of the Georgia Department of Public Welfare.

Deen also represented State Mutual Insurance Company in general sales in southeast Georgia. He was also engaged in extensive farming and cattle production.

Along with many other achievements, he helped secure the REA (Rural Electrification Administration) Headquarters in Alma for eight counties and authored, introduced and secured successful passage in the U. S. Congress of his House Bill No. 12120 entitled, "A Bill for the Further Development of Vocational Education in the Several States and Territories." The George-Deen Vocational Bill extended funding for vocational programs and expanded the program to provide educational opportunities to adults. At the FAA Camp, there stands a beautiful building constructed in 1960 named after Congressman Deen and Senator Walter F. George.

He married Corrine Smith of Lawrenceville, Georgia. They had four children, Mildred Deen Galusha, Braswell D. Deen, Jr., Walter George Deen and Ralph Lee Deen. He died in November, 1981.

Scope and Content

The Braswell Deen Sr. papers consist of materials from 1917-1984 with the bulk of the items dating from 1960 to 1982. The papers include a manuscript written by his son, Braswell Deen, Jr., correspondence (1917-1979), manuscripts, thoughts and poems written by Deen, clippings, speeches, photographs, scrapbooks and a 1921 Emory yearbook. The materials document Deen's campaign for US House of Representatives in the Georgia's Eighth District, his career as Director of Public Welfare, his interest in family genealogy, and his writing career. There is also biographical information on Deen, Sr.

Organization and Arrangement

The papers are divided into three series: I. Personal II. Scrapbooks, and III. Photographs. Arrangement is by type of record, then in chronological order when possible.


Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Braswell D. Deen, Sr. papers, Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, University of Georgia Libraries, Athens, Georgia, 30602-1641.

Processing Notes

Photographs were removed 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 by , 2000.


Related Materials and Subjects

Subject Terms

Deen, Braswell D., 1925-
Elections -- Georgia -- History -- 20th century.
Georgia -- Economic conditions.
Georgia -- Social policy.
Public welfare -- Georgia.
Scrapbooks.

Related Collections in this Repository

Braswell Deen, Jr. Papers

Hugh Peterson, Sr. Papers


Series Descriptions and Folder Listing

 

I. Personal

2 box(es)
Personal files include correspondence, speeches, a 1921 Emory University yearbook, biographies on Deen, and his writings. Included is a Biographical Note written about Deen by his son, Braswell Deen, Jr. Arrangement is chronological.
boxfolder
11Correspondence, 1917-1979
12"Man's Best Friend: A Kentuckians Tribute", 1870
13Family genealogy
14United States Navy Dishonorable Discharge, 1922
15Bill of Sale County of Bacon, GA, October 18, 1922
16Speech: Baxley Kiwanis Club, September 15, 1937
17"Some Desperately Needed Legislation and Judicial Reforms On A National and State Level," Lyons Club Address
18Application for Membership Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Citizen's Bank of Alma, April 1951
19Georgia Training for Boys
110Biographical Note on Mrs. Dudley M. Hughes, October 1954
111"See you in Church Sunday," by Braswell Deen
112Sixth District Vocational Education Teachers, Instructors, and Supervisors, at Miller Junior High School, Macon, GA (Address by Braswell Deen, Sr.), October 17, 1960
113"Biographical Sketch of Braswell Deen, Sr.," by Price Cross, April 10, 1963
114Braswell Deen to Address Methodist Men
115"7th Street Socrates," Alma Times, July 14, 1966
116History of Springfield Methodist Church, Bacon County, GA by Mrs. Floyd Deen, June 1968
117Eight Generations of Deens, August 16, 1971
118"The Many Facets of Braswell Deen, Sr.", 1978
119Poems, Quotes and Thoughts of Braswell Deen, Sr., (1960-1981)
120"Laugh, Love, Learn and Live," column by Deen, Sr., (1980-1982)
121Toasts by Deen, Sr.
122"Tribute to Arley Finley," by Braswell Deen, Sr.
123"Memoirs of Deen Family," by Evelyn T. Deen, 1979
124"Valene Bennett as a Youth and Young Man," Braswell Deen, Sr.
125"Altman Family History," Braswell Deen, Sr.
126"How to be Well and Live," Braswell Deen, Sr.
127"Freddie Eliot Goldwasser," Braswell Deen, Sr.
128"In Memory of L. T. 'Speed' Thompson," Braswell Deen, Sr.
129"Dr. J. Walter McMahan: As A Man," by Braswell Deen, Sr.
130"Johnson Family Tree," by Braswell Deen, Sr.
131"Alma's Hometown Statesman," Focus, September 1981
132Information Herein Gathered for Nomination of Braswell Deen, Sr. for Liston Elkins Award for Distinguished Service for Southeast Georgia, compiled, 1981
133Condolences, 1981
134Braswell Deen, Sr. Dedication, June 19, 1982
135Resolution by the Board of Commissioners of Bacon County, GA, 1982
136"A Journey Down Old US Route 1," National Geographic, December 1984
137Deen Family Reunion July 28, 1984, Alma, GA
138Photographs
139Name cards
boxfolder
21 The Emory Campus , 1921
22"US Congressman Braswell D. Deen, Sr.: Quips, Quotes, Quirks, Queries and Quests!" compiled by Braswell D. Deen, Jr
 

II. Scrapbooks

1 box(es)
The 1932 scrapbook relates to Deen's 1932 congressional race. This documents Deen's campaign activities and includes newspaper clippings, photographs, correspondence and invitations. The 1939-1940 scrapbook describes Deen's service as Director of Public Welfare in the State of Georgia with newspaper clippings. Arrangement is chronological.
box
3Scrapbooks, 1932, 1939-1940