Raymond John Jeffreys Papers

1917-1969
Manuscript Collection #149
Portions of this collection are digitized (1 item)
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Creator(s)
Jeffreys, Raymond J. (Raymond John), 1896-
Physical description
0.22 Cubic Feet, 19 boxes, diaries, correspondence, scrapbooks, newspaper clippings, photographs, pamphlets, periodicals, and books.
Preferred Citation
Raymond John Jeffreys Papers (#149), East Carolina Manuscript Collection, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA.
Repository
ECU Manuscript Collection
Access
No restrictions

Papers (1917-1969) include first World War diaries, correspondence, advertisements, pamphlets, brochures, periodicals, clippings, magazines, books, etc.

Biographical/historical information

Raymond John Jeffreys (1896-1970), a native of Columbia, Ohio, entered Mount Union College, Alliance, Ohio, in 1915. He withdrew from college in 1918 to enlist in the U.S. Army during World War I and was assigned to the Ninth Photo Section of the American Expeditionary Force. Jeffreys served behind the front lines during 1918 and entered Germany with the Army of Occupation.

After his discharge from military service, Jeffreys returned to Mount Union College and graduated in 1920 with a degree in journalism. He subsequently served as reporter, editor, and finally as owner of what was to become a chain of Ohio newspapers. In June, 1922, Jeffreys and his bride undertook a round-the-world automobile trip. This was the first trip of its kind ever attempted and it was never completed. Jeffreys then became involved in Lyceum and Chautauqua entertainment activities, which he continued through World War II. In the years 1934, 1936, 1938, and 1940 he ran for various Ohio elective posts including congressman-at-large, state senator and lieutenant governor. Jeffreys continued his lecture tours but also became involved in work with veterans groups (later serving as Department of North Carolina commander), as lobbyist in the Ohio legislature, shoe manufacturer, real estate developer, citrus fruit agent, temperance spokesman and author of numerous books and articles. In 1968 Jeffreys, who had moved to North Carolina, was named by Lieutenant Governor Robert W. Scott as Raleigh coordinator for North Carolina's retired citizens in Scott's successful election campaign for governor of North Carolina. He died in Raleigh, N.C., on September 1, 1970.

Scope and arrangement

For the World War I period the collection contains diaries, photographs, and photo albums of Jeffreys' activities while serving with the American Expeditionary Force in France and Germany, May 1918 to July 1919. The three diaries in the collection reflect Jeffreys' entire period of service, including basic training at Madison Barracks, N.Y., and photography training at Rochester, N.Y., preparatory to embarkation for Europe. Entries tell of training activities, lack of equipment, and poor sanitary facilities at Madison Barracks. Diary entries in France and Germany describe daily activities of an enlisted man, problems of ground and aerial photography, entertainment provided for the troops, and conditions in France and Germany. Photographs and photograph albums reflect war scenes in France and Germany and apparently include captured German photographs.

From the attempted but uncompleted world tour, there are four scrapbooks containing newspaper clippings, advertisement brochures, and letters of introduction (including ones from the Secretary of State Charles Evans Hughes and the President of the Republic of Mexico Alvaro Oregón). Jeffreys also published his own travel periodical entitled The Yankee Globetrotter, copies of which are included.

Pertaining to the years in which Jeffreys operated a lecture service, there are six scrapbooks containing newspaper clippings, advertisements, and other miscellaneous material. The vast majority of the clippings are newspaper accounts of his numerous lectures. Also in these scrapbooks are miscellaneous materials from Jeffreys' unsuccessful bids for elected office, clippings concerning his work with veterans organizations, newspaper reviews and advertisements for his books, and materials from his various business interests.

Other material in the collection includes a pamphlet written by Jeffreys on a universal income tax plan, articles in various magazines concerning his activities, announcements of high school commencement exercises at which Jeffreys spoke, cartoons, photographs, newspaper clippings, and correspondence. Five of the books which Jeffreys authored, God is My Landlord, The Fabulous "Dutch" Zellers, The Forgotten Men, The Ghost of Prohibition Marches Again and Life Will Begin at One Hundred, are also included.

Administrative information
Custodial History

December 1, 1970, 323 items, 24 volumes; Correspondence, clippings, scrapbooks, photographs, pamphlets, periodicals, and books.

February 16, 1971, 3 items; Diary (1918-1919) and clippings.

July 30, 1971, (addition) ca. 1,000 items; Diaries (1918-1919) and photographs. Gift of Mrs. Jeffreys, Raleigh, North Carolina.

Source of acquisition

Gift of Mrs. Jeffreys

Processing information

Processed by D. Lennon and Updated by Nanette Hardison, March 2025

Encoded by Apex Data Services

Copyright notice

Literary rights to specific documents are retained by the authors or their descendants in accordance with U.S. copyright law.

Key terms
Personal Names
Jeffreys, Raymond J. (Raymond John), 1896-
Corporate Names
United States. Army--Military life
United States. Army. Air Corps
United States. Army. American Expeditionary Forces
Topical
American newspapers--Ohio
Lecturers--Ohio
Photojournalists--Ohio
Soldiers--Diaries
World War, 1914-1918--Aerial operations, American
World War, 1914-1918--France
World War, 1914-1918--Germany
World War, 1914-1918--Personal narratives, American
World War, 1914-1918--Photography
Places
Ohio--Politics and government--20th century
Titles
Jeffreys, Raymond J. (Raymond John), 1896-. God is my landlord
Jeffreys, Raymond J. (Raymond John), 1896-. Life will begin at 100
Jeffreys, Raymond J. (Raymond John), 1896-. The fabulous "Dutch" Zellers
Jeffreys, Raymond J. (Raymond John), 1896-. The forgotten men
Jeffreys, Raymond J. (Raymond John), 1896-. The ghost of prohibition marches again
Container list
Box 1 Folder a Photographs from a Photo Album from Raymond Jeffreys' time as a soldier in World War I., 1918-1919
Box 1 Folder b Diaries that describe Jeffreys' experiences as a soldier in World War I., 1918-1919
Box 2 Item 1 Scrapbook labeled, "The GlobeTrotter" contains clippings on Jeffreys and his wife, Pauline Lucile, on their world-wide automobile trip and two copies of the publication, "Globetrotter"., 1924, undated
Box 2 Item 2 Scrapbook containing more clippings on the world-wide automobile trip with clippings on Jeffreys' lectures and his congressional campaign., 1922-1923, undated
Box 2 Item 3 Scrapbook on the Merchants Free Chautauqua Company, an entertainment company from Columbus, Ohio. Scrapbook contains clippings and black and white photographs., 1941, undated
Box 3 Item 1 Scrapbook labeled, "Auto Tour Around the World" with more clippings of the automobile tour., 1922, undated
Box 3 Item 2 Scrapbook labeled, "1919" containing clippings of automobile tour and of the jeffreys' marriage along with correspondence written in foreign languages., 1922-1923
Box 3 Item 3 Scrapbook with the words, "Loose Leaf Book" that contains clippings and correspondence on the Ohio Society of Old Age Pensioners, Raymond Jeffreys' Membership Cards, and clippings on Japan and Rev. Horace S. Williams, a Missionary from China., 1935-1942
Box 4 Item 1 Scrapbook containing material on and about Raymond Jeffreys. The material includes clippings, a black and white photograph of a man which may possibly be Raymond Jeffreys, and inserts of photocopies of clippings. Other subjects covered are Jeffreys' publications such as "God Is My LandLord", "The Fabulous "Dutch" Zellers", "Sight Unseen" and the Temperance Movement., 1951-1952, undated
Box 4 Item 2 Scrapbook containing correspondence and clippings of articles by and about Raymond Jeffreys. Subjects include World War I; Jeffreys' publications "God Is My Landlord" and "The Fabulous "Dutch" Zellers"; and Retirement., 1953, 1957, undated
Box 5 Item 1 Scrapbook with more clippings on Jeffreys' books, Retirement, and on the Temperance Movement and Prohibition. There is also a black and white 8 1/2" x 11" of what looks like Raymond Jeffreys., 1949, undated
Box 5 Item 2 Newspaper clippings along with a black and white photo bound in a scrapbook. Material is solely on World War I and the men who fought in the war., 1965, undated
Box 6 Folder a Correspondence, 1922-1969, undated
Box 6 Folder b Photographs showing Raymond Jeffreys and other persons. Some of the photos have writing on the back., 1917-1961, undated
Box 6 Folder d Magazine Issues entitled, "The Ohio Magazine", "Christian Action", and "The Delta" by the Sigma Nu Fraternity. There is also a brochure on a Universal Income Tax Plan by the Universal Income Tax League., 1945-1946, 1953, undated
Box 6 Folder e Broadsides, Clippings, and Booklets, 1934-1953
Box 6 Folder f Newspaper Clippings by and about Raymond Jeffreys, 1922-1956, undated
Box 6 Folder g Newspaper Clippings by and about Raymond Jeffreys and Lt. Governor Bob Scott of North Carolina who was a candidate for the office of Governor., 1968-1969
Box 7 Item 1 Book written by Raymond Jeffreys - "The Forgotten Men", 1960
Box 7 Item 2 Book written by Raymond Jeffreys -" The Ghost of Prohibition Marches Again", 1953
Box 7 Item 3 Book written by Raymond Jeffreys - "God is my Landlord", 1947
Box 7 Item 4 Books written by Raymond Jeffreys - "Life Will Begin at 100", 1955
Box 7 Item 5 Books written by Raymond Jeffreys -"The Fabulous "Dutch" Zellers", 1948
Box 8 Item 1 Scrapbook labeled, "Corporation Record" containing clippings, advertisements, brochures, a radio program, and a black and white photo of Raymond Jeffreys. The scrapbook also contains Jeffreys' army discharge document., 1927, 1930, 1942, undated
Box 8 Item 2 Scrapbook entitled, "1942 Fine Christmas Cards" has clippings, brochures, black and white photo and a written journal titled, "Gradatim World" copyrighted in 1913 by Gradatim Literary Society., 1913, 1942, undated
Box 8 Item 3 Item is labeled "Scrapbook" and contains advertisements, clippings, correspondence, a program, and brochures, 1934, 1941, undated
Box 9 Item 1 One oversized scrapbook with correspondence and clippings on Raymond Jeffreys' speaking engagements and publications., 1948-1949, undated
Box 10 Folder a Artillery, Ships, and Bodies of Water - Photographs from the World War I Era, undated
Box 10 Folder b Black and White Photos from the World War I Era, undated
Box 10 Folder c Trenches of World War I - Photographs, undated
Box 10 Folder d Trenches of World War II - Photographs, undated
Box 10 Folder e Scrapbook Pages of Black and White Photos from the World War I Era, undated
Box 11 Folder a Aerial Photographs - World War I Era, undated
Box 11 Folder b Aerial Photographs - World War I Era, undated
Box 11 Folder c Aerial Photographs - World War I Era, undated
Box 11 Folder d Aerial Photographs - World War I Era, undated
Box 11 Folder e Aerial Photographs - World War I Era, undated
Box 11 Folder f Aerial Photographs - World War I Era, undated
Box 11 Folder g Aerial Photographs - World War I Era, undated
Box 11 Folder h Aerial Photographs - World War I Era, undated
Box 12 Folder a World War I Era Photographs, undated
Box 12 Folder b World War I Era Photographs, undated
Box 12 Folder c World War I Era Photographs, undated
Box 12 Folder d World War I Era Photographs, undated
Box 12 Folder e World War I Era Negatives, undated
Box 13 Folder a World War I Era Photographs, undated
Box 13 Folder b World War I Era Photographs - Transportation: Autos and Trains, undated
Box 13 Folder c World War I Era Photographs - Landscapes, undated
Box 13 Folder d World War I Era Photographs - People, undated
Box 13 Folder e World War I Era Photographs - People, undated
Box 14 Folder a Photographs of People and Scenes from World War I, undated
Box 14 Folder b Postcards, undated
Box 14 Folder c Postcards, undated
Box 14 Folder d Scrapbook pages - Two 8 1/2" x 11" Photographs of Raymond J. Jeffreys, a brochure, and an advertisement, undated
Box 14 Folder e World War I Era Photographs - Graves and a Dead German in Trench (WARNING: Some photos are graphic.), undated
Box 15 Folder a Scenes from the World War I Era, undated
Box 15 Folder b Scenes from the World War I Era, undated
Box 15 Folder c Scenes from the Trenches (WWI Era), undated
Box 15 Folder d Scenes from the Trenches (WWI Era), undated
Box 15 Folder e Two Maps, a Certificate, and a Flyer (Note: All items are fragile. Please handle with care.), 1913, 1914, 1931
Box 16 Folder a Mini Scrapbook of Photographs from the World War I Era, undated
Box 16 Folder b Photographs from the World War I Era and other Miscellaneous Scenes, undated
Box 16 Folder c Photographs from the World War I Era and other Miscellaneous Scenes, undated
Box 16 Folder d Scrapbook Photos from World War I Era along with other Miscellaneous Photos, undated
Box 17 Folder a Glass Plate Negatives (N-149/1859; N-149/1860; and N-149/1861), undated
Box 17 Folder b Glass Plate Negatives (N-149/1862; N-149/1863; N-149/1864; and N-149/1865), undated
Box 17 Folder c Glass Plate Negatives (N-149/1870; N-149/1871), undated
Box 17 Folder d Glass Plate Negative (N-149/1873), undated
Box 17 Folder e Glass Plate Negatives (N-149/1872; N-149/1873), undated
Box 17 Folder f Glass Plate Negatives (N-149/1874; N-149/237) (Note: N-149/237 is the negative for photograph N-149/237.), undated
Box 17 Folder g Glass Plate Negatives (N-149/290; N-149/1632) (Note: N-149/290 is the negative for photograph N-149/290 and N-149/1632 is the negative for photograph N-149/1632.), undated
Box 17 Folder h Glass Plate Negatives (N-149/1868; N-149/1869), undated
Box 17 Folder i Glass Plate Negatives (N-149/254; N-149/258) (Note: N-149/254 is the negative to photograph N-149/254 and N-149/258 is the negative to photograph N-149/258., undated
Box 18 Folder a Glass Plate Negative (N-149/236 - Negative of Photograph P-149/236) (WARNING: This Glass Negative is Broken. Do Not Take Negative Out of its' Case. Do Not Handle Broken Glass.), undated
Box 18 Folder b Glass Plate Negatives (N-149/1866; N-149/1875) (WARNING: Glass Negative N-149/1866 is Broken. Do Not Take Negative Out of its' Case. Do Not Handle Broken Glass.), undated
Box 18 Folder c Glass Plate Negatives (N-149/382; N-149/1225; N-149/1287; N-149/1292; N-149/1867), undated