Guide to the Ernest Hillman Papers, 1928-1969 AIS.1993.03

Arrangement

Repository
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Title
Ernest Hillman Papers
Creator
Hillman, Ernest
Collection Number
AIS.1993.03
Extent
6 Linear Feet (6 boxes)
Date
1928-1969
Date
1946-1969
Abstract
The Ernest Hillman Papers reflect Hillman's participation in local, state, and national Republican politics, especially in the years following his retirement from the Hillman Coal and Coke Company in 1945. Digital reproductions of selected folder contents are available.
Language
English .
Author
Allyson Glazier.
Publisher
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Address
University of Pittsburgh Library System
Archives & Special Collections
Website: library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections
Contact Us: www.library.pitt.edu/ask-archivist
URL: http://library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections

Existence and Location of Copies

Digital reproductions of selected folders are available online.

Arrangement

Since the material was organized and appropriately labeled, original file folder designations have been largely maintained in the finding aid. This collection was originally arranged into three series, with a fourth series index. Upon final processing, file folders designated as 24, 44, and 103 in the original order were found to contain no material.

In September 2012, six personal scrapbooks were added to the collection and designated as the fifth series.

Scope and Content Notes

The papers reflect Ernest Hillman's participation in politics in the years following his retirement from Hillman Coal and Coke Company in 1945 and were preserved by his grandson, R. Gregg Hillman. There are two separate groups of alphabetical files: those pertaining to Hillman's support of Senator Robert A. Taft, particularly in spring and summer of 1952, and alphabetical files relating to his other numerous and varied political activities over many years.

The Taft files are focused and detail Hillman's leadership and participation in the local Citizens' Committee for Bob Taft and the committee's role in the national political scene. Material related to the Republican National Convention in July 1952 is included and is particularly interesting. The ephemera collected at the convention and from other local events add a colorful dimension to the files.

Ernest Hillman served as Chairman of the Pennsylvania Citizens' Committee for Bob Taft for Allegheny County in 1952. The Taft committee files include much correspondence, especially copies of letters to various persons involved locally, statewide, and nationally with Senator Taft's efforts to become the Republican nominee for President. Files document events and also include notes, speeches, clippings, detailed event preparation, issue information, fund raising efforts, as well as some original letters from and signed by many notable historical figures such as Dwight D. Eisenhower and Robert A. Taft, for example.

The general political files contrast with the Taft files since they cover a broader array of activities and years, beginning in the 1940s. These files include not only Hillman's term as Allegheny County Commissioner (1947-1951), but also subsequent years during which he continued to be politically active in the community and nationally, until his death in the late 1960s. The files include letters to and from governors and political leaders of Pennsylvania, as well as other state and national political figures, varying political topics and organizations, correspondence to and from constituents and other community leaders, and invitations and material regarding events attended. Included are speeches given by Hillman, especially while he was County Commissioner, news releases, and clippings and brochures on current issues.

The Correspondent Name Index includes entries for persons not explicitly mentioned in the Contents List.

Previous Citation

Ernest Hillman Papers, 1928-1969, AIS.1993.03, Archives Service Center, University of Pittsburgh

Preferred Citation

Ernest Hillman Papers, 1928-1969, AIS.1993.03, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System

Access Restrictions

No restrictions.

Biography

Ernest Hillman was born to John Hartwell Hillman and Sallie Murfree Frazer in Nashville, Tennessee, on February 11, 1883. The family moved to Pittsburgh, Pa., in the mid-1880s, and later became one of the financial and industrial leaders in Allegheny County. Ernest Hillman married Clara Isabel Gregg on April 6, 1911, and had two children, Ernest Hillman, Jr., and Richard McLeod Hillman. After his wife's death in 1919, he remarried on November 23, 1936 to Marguerite Dulson Jenkins, the former Mrs. Carl H. Borntraeger.

Ernest Hillman graduated from Shady Side Academy, and was awarded a Doctor of Laws degree in 1951 from Allegheny College. In 1906, Hillman entered the family's business, Hillman Coal and Coke Company, and was its vice president until retiring in 1945.

Hillman participated prominently in local politics in Allegheny County and served as Allegheny County Commissioner from 1947-1951. He was a delegate to the Republican National Conventions in 1948 and 1952. He supported Senator Robert A. Taft of Ohio in his 1952 unsuccessful bid against Dwight D. Eisenhower for the Republican presidential nomination. Hillman was vice president and director for the Fox Chapel Water Authority and also was director of the Fox Chapel District Association. He was also a member of the Cavalry Episcopal Church and the Fox Chapel Episcopal Church, the Civic Club of Allegheny County, the Duquesne Club, Fox Chapel Golf Club, Rolling Rock Country Club, and the Pittsburgh Symphony Society. He was also a director of the Boys' Club of Pittsburgh and was a 32nd Degree Mason, and a member of the Shrine and Fellowship Lodge 679, F&AM.

Ernest Hillman died in 1969 at the age of 86. The case file contains a more detailed obituary.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Linda Moulton on May 11, 1994. Revision and rearrangement for the encoded version of the finding aid provided by Doris Hayashikawain in February 1999.

Copyright

The University of Pittsburgh holds the property rights to the material in this collection, but the copyright may still be held by the original creator/author. Researchers are therefore advised to follow the regulations set forth in the U.S. Copyright Code when publishing, quoting, or reproducing material from this collection without the consent of the creator/author or that go beyond what is allowed by fair use.

Acquisition Information

Gift of R. Gregg Hillman on February 6, 1993.

Subjects

    Corporate Names

    • Allegheny County (Pa.). Board of Commissioners
    • Republican National Convention

    Personal Names

    • Hillman, Ernest

    Geographic Names

    • Pennsylvania -- Politics and government -- 1951-
    • Allegheny County (Pa.) -- Officials and employees
    • Allegheny County (Pa.) -- Politics and government
    • Pittsburgh (Pa.) -- Politics and government
    • United States -- Politics and government -- 20th century

    Genres

    • Correspondence
    • Ephemera

    Other Subjects

    • Labor
    • Politics
    • Political conventions -- United States
    • Presidents -- United States -- Nomination
    • Nominations for office -- United States
    • Campaign literature
    • Political campaigns -- United States
    • Politicians -- Pennsylvania
    • Politicians -- United States

Container List