Ralph Roessler papers 1913-1975.
(Unknown)

This collection is arranged in the following series and subseries:Series 1: Wabash River Valley Basin flood control, 1913-1975Subseries 1.1: Reports, 1965-1969Subseries 1.2: Indiana publications, 1950-1975Subseries 1.3: Publications, 1960-1972Subseries 1.4: U.S. government publications, 1961-1972Subseries 1.5: Wabash River Association correspondence, 1958-1971Subseries 1.6: Pictures, 1913-1969Subseries 1.7: Oversized materials, 1915-1967Series 2: Personal papers, 1939-1971

Processing Information: Collection processing completed 2015/08/12 by Laura Eliason. EAD finding aid created 2015/08/26 by Laura Eliason.

This collection is open for research.

This collection includes reports, maps, photographs and correspondence from Ralph Roessler in Indiana ranging from 1913 to 1975, regarding the planning and development of flood control projects for the upper Wabash River Basin. Ralph Roessler's correspondence on behalf of the Wabash River Valley Association, his personal correspondence, papers, and awards are also included.

Ralph Roessler papers, Rare Books and Manuscripts, Indiana State Library

Legal title, copyright, and literary rights reside with Rare Books and Manuscripts, Indiana State Library, Indianapolis, IN. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to Rare Books and Manuscripts.

The Mississinewa, Salamonie, and Huntington Reservoirs were authorized under the Flood Control Act of 1958. The Louisville District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers designed and built the dams and created the reservoirs to reduce flood stages in the upper Wabash River Basin. Construction on the Mississinewa reservoir began in April 1962, and it became operational in October 1967. The dedication for the reservoir was conducted on June 14, 1969. The Salamonie Reservoir was completed and dedicated on April 30, 1966. The Huntington Reservoir was completed in 1968 and was renamed the J. Edward Roush Lake to honor the local resident and U.S. Congressman.Sources:"J. Edward Roush Lake." U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville district. Accessed August 24, 2015. http://www.lrl.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/Recreation/Lakes/JEdwardRoushLake.aspx."Mississinewa Lake." U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville district. Accessed August 24, 2015. http://www.lrl.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/Recreation/Lakes/MississinewaLake.aspx."Salamonie Lake." U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville district. Accessed August 24, 2015. http://www.lrl.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/Recreation/Lakes/SalamonieLake.aspx.

Ralph Roessler was born May 23, 1887 in Canton, Ohio to Henry and Caroline Roessler. He married Zenna Abbott on September 10, 1913 and they had 2 sons, Ralph Jr. and William. Mr. Roessler was past owner of the Roessler-Kirk Jewelry Store in Marion, Indiana and a charter member of the Marion Kiwanis Club. He was a major force behind the planning and development of the Mississinewa Reservoir. He was 86 years old when he died on February 2, 1974.Source:"Business, Civic Leader Roessler Dies." The Marion Chronicle, February 3, 1974, 1. Ancestry.com. "Ralph E. Roessler" 1900 United States Federal Census. Accessed August 15, 2015. http://search.ancestrylibrary.com.Ancestry.com. "Ralph E. Roessler" Washington, Marriage Records, 1865-2004. Accessed August 24, 2015. http://search.ancestrylibrary.com.

This collection was received by Rare Books and Manuscripts as a donation from Taylor University Archives on 2014/01/15 and 2014/06/17.

No further additions are expected.