George B. Schwabe Collection

Collection

Identifier: CAC-CC-047

Staff Only

A moderate-sized collection of 33 cubic ft., the Schwabe Papers include materials from the period 1921-1952, although the bulk of the records date from the years 1946-1952. The collection also includes a small number of photographs and outsized materials, mostly newspapers and clippings.

The collection covers a wide range of topics. The departmental and legislative files contain correspondence and information pertaining to flood control and agriculture, particularly in Oklahoma. Materials relating to Indian affairs legislation, civil service, veterans, and the Office of Price Controls are also present. Correspondence concerning appropriations for the 80th Congress and appropriations for agriculture, soil conservation, rural electrification, Department of the Interior, Indian affairs and services, vocational education, and health services can be found in the committee files.

Dates

1921-1952
Majority of material found in 1921-1952

Creator

Schwabe, George Blaine, U.S. House of Representatives from Oklahoma's 1st district (1951-1952); 8th Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives (1921-1923); Member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from Nowata County (1919-1923), 1886-1952 (Person)

Language of Materials

English

Conditions Governing Access:

This collection is stored off-site and requires prior notice to access. If you wish to view these materials, please contact the Congressional Archives staff to arrange an appointment.

Conditions Governing Use:

The University of Oklahoma asserts no claim of copyright over photographs in this collection taken by private citizens. Any publication of such photographs requires the consent of the copyright holder.

Extent

43.25 Linear Feet (33 containers)

Additional Description

Biographical Information:

Born in Arthur, Missouri, on July 26, 1886, George B. Schwabe was a graduate of the public schools of Pettis County, Missouri. In 1910 he received a law degree from the University of Missouri, was admitted to the bar, and began his practice of law in Columbia, Missouri. A year later, he moved to Nowata, Oklahoma, and served in a variety of elected positions in that city. From 1919 to 1922, Schwabe represented Nowata County in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. He served as Speaker of the Oklahoma House from 1921-1922. Schwabe was the only Republican to hold this office until Todd Hiett became Speaker in January 2005.

After leaving the Legislature in 1922, Schwabe moved to Tulsa where he established his law practice and became active in the state and national Republican parties. In 1944, he was elected from Oklahoma's First District to the U.S. House of Representatives. He served from 1945-1949. Reelected in 1950, he served from 1951 until his death on April 2, 1952.

While a member of Congress, Schwabe served on the Appropriations Committee and was the ranking Republican on the Subcommittee for Labor and Federal Security. He was a very cautious, conservative, and economy-minded anti-New-Dealer, who strove to reduce government spending.

Arrangement of Materials:

Materials are divided into three main series, one for each of the three Congresses in which Schwabe served, and one photography series. Each Congress is arranged into sub-series including personal correspondence, general correspondence, subject files, departmental files, legislative files, committee files, and constituent cases. The materials within each sub-series are arranged alphabetically. Most of the photographs in the Photograph Series are arranged into groups based on content and event.