Terrell Family Papers
Scope and Content
The scope of this collection ranges through two generations of the Terrell Family. Beginning with the papers of John Terrell and continuing with the papers of his son, Ralph Terrell and John Terrell’s daughter, Evelyn. The early papers include materials collected by John Terrell in his career as a fireman. These papers include correspondence, fraternal order membership cards, and newspaper clippings. Significant additions to the collection are two diaries for the years 1930 and 1931. The entries, for the most part, concern John Terrell’s activities while he served as Fire Chief. The papers of Ralph Terrell document his efforts to establish a career in the military. Early correspondence records his educational efforts at the North Georgia Agricultural College and his enlistments in the Army and the Coast Guard. Although the records of Evelyn Terrell are few, these papers document her education from Girls’ High School through the Atlanta division of the University of Georgia Business School. There are also some miscellaneous papers including a business card from Jacob’s Pharmacy, a 1949 street guide of Atlanta, and a memorial card for the death of Rotha Terrell.
Dates
- 1869-1950
Creator
- Terrell family (Family)
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use
Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. All requests to publish, quote, or reproduce must be submitted through the Kenan Research Center.
Administrative/Biographical History
John Terrell (1869-1933) was born in Orange, Georgia to James (1837-1921) and Nancy Terrell (1847-1911). Terrell married Leona Little (1870-1952) in 1891 and the couple had eight children: Ralph (1892-1973), Ruth (1896-1901), Rubie (1896-1992), Renee (1898-1961), Rotha (1901-1902), Royal (1902-1983), Roget (1905-1920), and Evelyn (1912-1980). Shortly after their marriage, the Terrells moved to Atlanta where John joined the Atlanta City Fire Department and was named Chief of the Atlanta Fire Department in 1929. Chief Terrell was killed in an auto accident while responding to a false fire alarm.
Ralph Terrell attended North Georgia Agricultural College before entering the military; he served in both World War I and World War II. Royal Terrell was a graduate of Georgia Institute of Technology and also the Harvard Business School. He worked in the National Manufacturing Stores in Atlanta. Evelyn Terrell also lived in Atlanta her entire life and was a graduate of Girls High and the Atlanta division of the University of Georgia. She worked for CPA International Inc. for 37 years. No information additional biographical information about the Terrell family has been determined.
Extent
0.63 linear ft.
Language
English
System of Arrangement
These papers are arranged generationally, beginning with the papers of John Terrell, continuing with the papers of his son Ralph Terrell, and the papers of John Terrell’s young daughter, Evelyn Terrell. Finally, some miscellaneous materials conclude the collection.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Mr. Royal Terrell and Miss Evelyn Terrell, 1978 (1978.425)
General Physical Description note
Extent: .63 linear ft. (1 document case, ½ document case)
Description Control
Collection processed in 2007.
- Title
- Terrell Family Papers ahc.MSS 238
- Subtitle
- An Inventory of Their Papers at the Kenan Research Center at the Atlanta History Center
- Author
- Inventory prepared by Michael Brubaker
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
Repository Details
Part of the Kenan Research Center at Atlanta History Center Repository