Roleson Family Papers
Scope and Content Note
The Roleson Family Papers consists of materials documenting the family history of the Roleson family. This collection includes personal correspondence between family members and friends, news clippings, material from both World Wars, and a large collection of handwritten family records notating births, deaths, and marriages.
Dates
- Creation: 1797-1992
- Creation: Majority of material found within 1918-1943
Creator
- Roleson, James B. (James Brookfield) (Creator, Person)
- Roleson, Mary L. (Mary Laura Brookfield) (Creator, Person)
Conditions Governing Access
This manuscript collection consists of physical materials. This collection has not been digitized. This collection is open for research use only in the Reading Room. It is not available for request through Interlibrary Loan. Please contact the archive via email (archives@astate.edu) at least a week in advance of your arrival to ensure the availability of the material.
Biographical Note
Erwin B. Roleson and his wife, Mary Laura (Brookfield) Roleson, moved to northeast Arkansas in 1886, becoming one of the first families to settle in the Craighead County area. The Rolesons had three sons – James Brookfield (J.B) Roleson, Charles Fletcher Roleson, and Edward Britton (E.B.) Roleson. J.B. Roleson enlisted as part of the Young Men's Christian Army in 1917 and served overseas in World War I. While working at Camp Pike he formed friendships with the Crowley and Caraway families. Following the war, he became a lawyer and had four children with his wife Totsie Anna Somervell. Their children were Dorothy Roleson, Franklin Nathan Roleson, James S. Roleson, and Anna Roleson. J.B. Roleson remained an active member of the YMCA and his local church. E.B. Roleson worked as a druggist in Jonesboro and married Allie Yates in 1909. They had five children - Edmund B. Roleson, Margarate Roleson, Evelyn Roleson Mabrey, Richard Roleson, and Ruth Caroline Roleson. His mother, Mary, lived with him until her death in 1940.
Extent
0.4 Linear Feet (The collection consists of 16 folders in 1 document box.)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The Roleson Family was among the early settlers of the Jonesboro area and rose to prominence in the first half of the 20th century. Several members of the family fought in World War I and went on to practice law in Arkansas. The collection consists of personal correspondence between family members and friends, news clippings, material from both World Wars, and a large collection of handwritten family records notating births, deaths, and marriages.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged in five series.
Series 1: Ephemera. The “Ephemera” series contain small items such as brochures, war booklets, a poetry book, and various souvenirs relating to the life of the Roleson family.
Series 2: Family Records. The “Family Records” series holds files both official and personal. There are pages from family bibles detailing births, deaths, and marriages in addition to official marriage licenses, a license to practice law, land records, and deeds.
Series 3: News Clippings. The “News Clipping” series contains various newspaper, journal, and magazine articles covering such topics as the family, World War I, local politics, public speaking, poetry, and local interest pieces. It is organized by subject.
Series 4: Personal Correspondence. The “Personal Correspondence” series contains letters between family members and friends as well as a few diary entries.
Series 5: YMCA. The “YMCA” series contains a variety of material. The files include personal letters, memos, and news clippings related to the YMCA as well as YMCA publications.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The collection was transferred to the archive by the Arkansas State University Museum.
Accruals
Further additions to this collection are not expected.
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Julia Corrin, Meredith Curtis, Jennifer Hardin, and Flora Smith.
Subject
- YMCA (Jonesboro, Ark.) (Organization)
- Title
- Roleson Family Papers
- Subtitle
- 1797-1992
- Author
- Meredith Curtis
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Archives & Special Collections at A-State Repository