Dorothy Ringle collection on Rolla Myers and farmers' associations

The core of the Dorothy Ringle collection is the information it contains on the political activities of several farmer's groups from 1941 through 1959. The minutes, correspondence, membership lists, reports and other materials focus on Rolla M. Myers' activities in the United Farmers of America and the Ohio Market Quota Protest Association. The materials show the Association's concern over farm production quotas, tax laws and price regulations. Correspondence, reports and speeches are included from various fellow activists such as Congressman William Lemke, Henry Fackler, Arthur Booth, Tom Linder and C.C. Hanson.

Correspondence, patent specifications and a blueprint for Myers' Stone Spreading Machine and Road Building Machine are included in the collection. Materials from Myers' early years, approximately 1891 to 1918, appear. School reports, assignments and a teaching certificate give some background information on Myers' life.

Of particular note is a group of Civil War correspondence, dated 1862 through 1864, written by Leander Coe, of Co.D 123rd O.V.I., to his sister, as well as his diary. The letters describe moves, skirmishes and daily life in camp.

A large number of photographs are of Rolla and his wife Nina Myers as well as family members, scenery and road construction using the Stone Spreader and Road Building Machine.

Of interest to those researching farmers' associations is the collection's material on the Ohio Market Quota Protest Association and the United Farmers of America. These groups were especially active during World War II.