User Information
Historical Sketch
Scope and content note
Box and folder listing
Cataloging information
Processed By:
Paul Brockman
25 September 1996
Updated 4 January 2002
Manuscript
Collections Department
William Henry Smith Memorial Library
Indiana
Historical Society
450 West Ohio Street
Indianapolis,
IN 46202-3269
VOLUME OF COLLECTION: 15 manuscript boxes, 5 oversize manuscript boxes, 1 box of visual materials, 1 small manuscript box of audio reel tapes.
COLLECTION DATES: 1899-1990
PROVENANCE: Mrs. Mary Ober, Indianapolis, IN, 9 September 1993
RESTRICTIONS: None
REPRODUCTION RIGHTS: Permission to reproduce or publish material in this collection must be obtained in writing from the Indiana Historical Society.
ALTERNATE FORMATS: None
RELATED HOLDINGS: None
ACCESSION NUMBER: 93.0665
The Ober Family Collection is centered around the papers and business records of Ceril Strauss (commonly referred to as C.S. or Cy) Ober (1895-1990). C. S. Ober was born in Butler, Indiana, and attended Manual High School in Indianapolis. After graduating from high school in 1913, he worked for the Vonnegut Machinery Company. During World War I, Ober served as a first sergeant in the Army Aviation Service and was attached to the Nordyke & Marmon Company in Indianapolis assisting with overseeing production of aircraft engines.
After his discharge from the military in 1919, Ober started his own office furniture business and in 1922 he formed Business Furniture Corporation of Indianapolis. In 1932, Ober started Stationers, Inc., specializing in office supplies and located in the former When Building which he purchased and renamed the Ober Building in 1946. Ober graduated from the Benjamin Harrison Law School in 1935, and opened a legal practice in addition to his business interests.
In addition to his professional career, C. S. Ober was active in politics and civic improvement organizations. In 1946 he was appointed to the Indianapolis Board of Safety, and was named city controller the following year. He also served on the Marion County Tax Review Board and served as County Treasurer from 1956-1960. Ober was treasurer of the Indiana Republican Central Committee for 22 years. In 1951 he lost in the Republican mayoral primary. His civic involvement included being president of the Indianapolis Civic Progress Association, vice-president of the Merchants Association, and director of the Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Bureau. He was also active in the Indianapolis Bar Association, Sigma Delta Kappa law fraternity, and the Indianapolis Real Estate Board. In 1966 Ober was named the Manual High School Alumnus of the Year. Ober was a charter member and instrumental in funding Westview Hospital, where he also served as board chairman.
Sources:
Information in collection.
The collection contains the personal, political, civic and business papers of C. S. Ober and the records of the Business Furniture Corporation, Stationers, Inc., and the Ober Building Corporation. Ober's personal materials include items while a student at Indianapolis Manual High School and later alumni activities, 1912-1986, military records and correspondence, 1917-1921 and personal account books, 1917-1920. His work with the community is reflected in his records of the Civic Planning Committee, 1950-1959, the Civic Progress Association, 1962-1966, the Indianapolis Merchants Association, 1946-1962, and the numerous clippings and publications regarding the development and problems in the Indianapolis community, 1940s-1980s. Also included are publications and records regarding Ober's membership in private civic related organizations such as the Optimist and Rotary clubs, and his involvement with Westview Hospital and the Weekday Religious Education Program, 1950s-1980s.
C. S. Ober's political materials include clippings, correspondence and publications regarding the Republican Party and elections, 1940s-1970s. Among the subjects are campaigns and conventions including Ober's bid for the Republican Party mayoral candidacy in the 1951. The collection also contains reports and records regarding offices held by Ober in city government including the offices of controller, treasurer, and the Board of Safety, 1946-1956.
The collection also contains business records of the Business Furniture Company, the Business Furniture Realty Corporation and related companies. Business Furniture records include advertising materials, financial reports, publications, and newsclipings, 1922-1987.
Business Furniture Realty Corporation materials includes ledgers, 1922-1932, board minutes, 1932-1950, and federal income tax returns, 1932-1951. Related business, records include those of Stationers, Stewarts and E. J. Gausepohl companies. All three businesses were located in the Ober (formerly When) Building at one time, with Stewarts and Gausepohl being tenants in the building when Ober acquired it in 1946. Stationers records include board minutes, 1933-1958, as well as newsclippings and historical information, 1941-1982. Stewarts, Inc. (booksellers) and E. J. Gausephohl (leather goods) materials include minutes, records and newsclippings, 1914-1957. Other business related materials in the collection include the records of the Ober Building Corporation which oversaw maintenance and operation of the businesses housed in the structure. Among the records are title abstracts, correspondence, clippings, advertising and publications, 1932-1982, and records, notebooks, and printed materials regarding the sale of the building, 1984-1988.
BOX 1: C. S. Ober, Educational, Military & Personal Finances, 1903-1986
FOLDER
1 Elementary School Records & Publications, 1903, 1909
2 Manual High School, 1912-1915, Folder 1 (also VC)
3 Manual High School, 1912-1915, Folder 2
4 Personal Account Book, 1917-1919
5 Personal Account Book, 1920
6 Manual High School Alumni Activities, 1938-1964
7 Manual H.S. Alumnus of the Year, 1964 (also ART & VC)
8 Manual High School Alumni Activities, 1967-1986
9 Military Records & Correspondence, 1917-1921, Folder 1
10 Military Records & Correspondence, 1917-1921, Folder 2
11 Military Records & Correspondence, 1917-1921, Folder 3
12 Indiana Univ. Commencement, 1952 (John Ober)
13 (OMB 62) Personal Recods, 1896-1905, n.d.
BOX 2: C. S. Ober Civic Planning, 1950-1986
FOLDER
1 Civic Progress Committee, 1950-1959, Folder 1
2 Civic Progress Committee, 1950-1959, Folder 2
3 Civic Progress Committee, 1950-1959, Folder 3
4 Civic Progress Committee, 1950-1959, Folder 4
5 Civic Progress Committee, 1950-1959, Folder 5
6 Auditorium, 1960-1966, Folder 1
7 Auditorium, 1960-1966, Folder 2
8 Auditorium, 1960-1966, Folder 3
9 Auditorium, 1960-1966, Folder 4
10 Auditorium, 1960-1966, Folder 5
11 Civic Progress Association, 1962
BOX 3: Civic Planning, 1960-1988
FOLDER
1 Lockerbie Fair, 1960
2 Civic Progress Association, 1964-1966, Folder 1 (also OMB)
3 Civic Progress Association, 1964-1966, Folder 2
4 Civic Progress Association, 1964-1966, Folder 3
5 Resolution RE: Cornerstone of Indiana Convention Exposition Center, 1968
6 Civic Planning Publications, 1950s-1980s, Folder 1
7 Civic Planning Publications, 1950s-1980s, Folder 2
8 Civic Planning Publications, 1950s-1980s, Folder 3
9 Meridian Foundation, 1973-1985
10 Convention & Visitors Association, 1987-1988
11 (OMB 62) Civic Awards, 1967, 1970
BOX 4: C. S. Ober, Merchants Association & Indianapolis Publications, 1946-1982
FOLDER
1 Merchants Association, 1946-1962, Folder 1
2 Merchants Association, 1946-1962, Folder 2
3 Indianapolis Publications, 1948-1982, Folder 1
4 Indianapolis Publications, 1948-1982, Folder 2
5 Indianapolis Publications, 1948-1982, Folder 3
6 Indianapolis Publications, 1948-1982, Folder 4
BOX 5: C. S. Ober, Civic and Social Papers, 1907-1990
FOLDER
1 Civic, Business & Private Activities, 1907-1989 (also OMB)
2 Political Office Appointments, 1935, 1947, 1954
3 Bar Association & Legal Career, 1935-1990 (also OMB & VC)
4 Realtor Records, 1962-1982
5 Newsclippings, Civic & Social Activities, 1954-1975
6 Fraternal Organizations, Memberships, 1942, n.d.
7 Biographical Information, 1955
8 C. S. Ober Day, 20 October 1970
9 (VC) 75th Birthday Party, 1970
10 Indianapolis Optimist Club Membership, 1923, 1945, 1954
11 Indianapolis Optimist Club, 1956-1957
12 Rotary Club, 1971-1988
13 Paul Harris Fellow Award (Rotary), n.d. (also ART)
14 Westview Hospital Records & Publications, 1975-1991 (also OMB,VC & ART)
15 Columbia Club, 1989-1990
16 Membership Cards & Related Items, n.d. (also OMB)
17 Sigma Delta Kappa Ledger Book, 1957-1960
18 (ART) Plaques, Awards & Related Items, n.d.
BOX 6: C. S. Ober, Political 1907-1914; 1942-1960
FOLDER
1 Bulletins, Pamphlets, Advertising, 1942-1947, Folder 1
2 Bulletins, Pamphlets, Advertising, 1942-1947, Folder 2
3 Political Clippings, 1951-1960, Folder 1
4 Political Clippings, 1951-1960, Folder 2
5 Political Clippings, "Mayor," 1947-1951
6 Political Clippings, "Budget," 1947-1948
7 Political Clippings, "Board of Safety," 1946-1947
8 1946 Republican State Convention
9 Republican Clippings, 1946, Folder 1
10 Republican Clippings, 1946, Folder 2
11 Republican Handbook, 1947
12 Republican Clippings, 1949, Folder 1
13 Republican Clippings, 1949, Folder 2
14 Controller, 1946-1947
15 Controller Reports, 1907, 1912, 1914
16 Controller Reports, 1947
BOX 7: C. S. Ober, Politics, 1899-1990
FOLDER
1 Calendars & Advertising, 1944-1953
2 Board of Sanitation, 1949
3 Political, 1947-1954, Folder 1
4 Political, 1947-1954, Folder 2
5 Political, 1956, Folder 1
6 Political, 1956, Folder 2
7 Board of Safety Regulations, 1899-1935
8 Board of Safety Regulations, 1945
9 Republican Clippings, 1947
10 Tax Adjustment Board, 1948-1949
11 Marion County Tax Adjustment Board, 1948-1950
12 Republican Party, 1949-1951
13 Political Publications, 1948, 1966, 1972
14 Political, Richard Lugar, 1967-1970
15 Republican Senatorial Inner Circle, 1979-1990 (also ART)
BOX 8: C. S. Ober Scrapbooks, 1945-1952
FOLDER
1 Ober Company Scrapbook, 1945-1947, Folder 1
2 Ober Company Scrapbook, 1945-1947, Folder 2
3 Ober Company Scrapbook, 1945-1947, Folder 3
4 Public Safety Board Scrapbook, 1945-1946, Folder 1
5 Public Safety Board Scrapbook, 1945-1946, Folder 2
6 Public Safety Board Scrapbook, 1945-1946, Folder 3
7 Mayoral Campaign, 1950-1952, Folder 1
8 Mayoral Campaign, 1950-1952, Folder 2
9 Mayoral Campaign, 1950-1952, Folder 3
10 Mayoral Campaign, 1950-1952, Folder 4
11 Mayoral Campaign, 1950-1952, Folder 5
12 Mayoral Campaign, 1951, Folder 1 (also OMB 62)
13 Mayoral Campaign, 1951, Folder 2
14 Mayoral Campaign, 1951, Folder 3
15 Mayoral Campaign, 1951, Folder 4
16 (ART) Campaign Buttons, Delegate Badges, Political Artifacts,1950s-1970s
17 (OMB 62) Cigar Band Collection
BOX 9: Business Furniture Company/Business Furniture Realty Corporation, 1918-1987
FOLDER
1 Correspondence & Printed Materials, 1918-1921
2 (OMB 62) Financial Records, 1927-1945
3 (OMB 62) Stock Certificates, 1925-1944
4 Advertising, 1922
5 "Our Advertising," 1930s-1940s
6 Old Advertising, 1923-1941
7 Letter & Advertising, "Made, Sent Out to Date," 1922, 1928
8 Advertising, Art Work, n.d., Folder 1
9 Advertising, Art Work, n.d., Folder 2
10 Correspondence & Financial Reports, 1932
11 Publications & Correspondence, 1926-1955
12 Correspondence & Activities, 1931-1952
13 Correspondence, Records, Printed Materials, 1938-1982, Folder 1
14 Correspondence, Records, Printed Materials, 1938-1982, Folder 2
15 Correspondence & Related Printed Materials, 1931-1962
16 Correspondence & Documents, 1922, 1947, 1972
17 Publications & Clippings, 1950s-1970s, Folder 1
18 Publications & Clippings, 1950s-1970s, Folder 2
19 Newsclippings, 1945-1987
BOX 10: Business Furniture Company, Business Furniture Realty Corporation, Ledgers, 1922-1932
FOLDER
1 Ledger, 1922-1932, Folder 1
2 Ledger, 1922-1932, Folder 2
3 Ledger, 1922-1932, Folder 3
4 Ledger, 1922-1932, Folder 4
5 Ledger, 1922-1932, Folder 5
6 Ledger, 1922-1932, Folder 6
7 Ledger, 1922-1932, Folder 7
8 Ledger, 1922-1932, Folder 8
9 (OMB 62) Ledger, 1922
BOX 11: Business Furniture Company/Business Furniture Realty Corporation, Minutes, Publications, Scrapbook & Records, 1925-1960
FOLDER
1 Scrapbook, 1925-1926
2 Minutes, 1932-1950, Folder 1
3 Minutes, 1932-1950, Folder 2
4 Federal Income Tax, 1932-1951 (also OMB 62)
5 Executive Furniture Guild Directory, 1953-1954
6 Prestige Magazine, 1948-1958, 1962
BOX 12: Ober Building Corporation, Records & Publications, 1932-1982
FOLDER
1 Title Abstract, Lot # 8, 1932
2 Title Abstract, Lot # 9, 1946
3 Brown v. Barcelona Operating Corp., 1933
4 Appraisal Report, 1957
5 Advertising, "Shopping 'Round With Cy Ober," 1949-1972
6 Ober Building & Businesses, Correspondence & Clippings, 1940s-1973
7 Clippings & Correspondence, 1950-1975
8 Clippings & Publications, 1932-1982
9 Clippings & Publications, 1945-1965
10 Advertising, Ober Building & Related Businesses, 1950s
11 (OMB 62) Ober Building Blueprints & Sketch, 1947-1948
BOX 13: Stationers, Stewarts & Gausepohl Companies, Business Records, 1914-1982
FOLDER
1 Stationers, Board Minutes, 1933-1958, Folder 1
2 Stationers, Board Minutes, 1933-1958, Folder 2
3 Stationers, Board Minutes, 1933-1958, Folder 3
4 Stationers, Board Minutes, 1933-1958, Folder 4
5 State Stationers, State-County Tax, 1937-1947
6 Stationers History, 1941-1973
7 Stationers' 50th Anniversary Dinner, 1982
8 Stewarts, Inc., Records, 1914-1945
9 Stewarts, Inc., Minutes & Records, 1914-1957, Folder 1
10 Stewarts, Inc., Minutes & Records, 1914-1957, Folder 2
11 E. J. Gausepohl Co., 1933-1952
12 T. F. Vonnegut, Indianapolis Booksellers, 1926
BOX 14: Ober Building Corporation, 1984-1988
FOLDER
1 Symphony Tower, No. 1, Notebook, 1984, Folder 1
2 Symphony Tower, No. 1, Notebook, 1984, Folder 2
3 Symphony Tower, No. 2, Notebook, 1985-1987, Folder 1
4 Symphony Tower, No. 2, Notebook, 1985-1987, Folder 2
5 Symphony Tower, No. 3, Notebook, 1985, Folder 1
6 Symphony Tower, No. 3, Notebook, 1985, Folder 2
7 Symphony Tower, No. 3, Notebook, 1985, Folder 3
8 Ober Building, Legal, 1988
9 Ober Building, Notebook, 1986, Folder 1
10 Ober Building, Notebook, 1986, Folder 2
11 Ober Building Sale, 1988, Folder 1
12 Ober Building Sale, 1988, Folder 2
13 Ober Building Sale, 1988, Folder 3
BOX 15: Weekday Religious Education, 1946-1975
FOLDER
1 Corporate Records, 1946-1971
2 Board Minutes, 1972-1974
3 Board Minutes, 1972-1975, Folder 1
4 Board Minutes, 1972-1975, Folder 2
5 Board Minutes, 1972-1975, Folder 3
6 Board Minutes, 1972-1975, Folder 4
7 Board Minutes, 1972-1975, Folder 5
8 (OMB 62) Scrapbooks, 1945-1955 & n.d.
9 (OMB 62) Scrapbook by Elizabeth Palmea, n.d.
10 (OMB 62) Scrapbook by Tracy Kluska, n.d.
11 (OMB 62) Scrapbook, "Lesson of the Week," 1959-1965
12 (OMB 62) Scrapbook, "Child's Prayer," "Lenten Prayer," 1960-1965
13 (OMB 62) Scrapbook, "God Created Animals," n.d.
14 Scrapbook, "Heroes For God," n.d.
15 Kelly Term Paper, 1967
16 Printed Materials & Records, 1957-1975
17 (VC) "As the Twig is Bent," 1965 (video tape)
BOX 16: Visual Materials, 1913-1986 & n.d. (stored with Visual Collections)
FOLDER
1 Business Furniture Corporation, 1944-1947, n.d. (also negs.)
2 Business Furniture Corporation, Portfolio of Businesses Furnished, n.d., Folder 1
3 Business Furniture Corporation, Portfolio of Businesses Furnished, n.d., Folder 2
4 Business Furniture Corporation, Portfolio of Businesses Furnished, n.d., Folder 3
5 Business Furniture Corporation, Photo Album, n.d.
6 Business Furniture Corporation, Prominent People (also OVA)
7 Ober Realty Company, Ober Building & Indianapolis Buildings Owned by C. S. Ober, n.d.
(also OVB, slides & negs.)
8 Stewarts & Stationers, n.d. (also video tape)
9 Indianapolis Structures
10 Individual Photographic Portraits (also OVA, OVB & negs.)
11 C. S. Ober, Manual High School, 1913, 1966 (also OVC & color prints)
12 C. S. Ober, Political Photographs, 1947-1971
13 C. S. Ober, Convention Bureau Group Photographs, 1947-1971
14 C. S. Ober, Sigma Delta Kappa, National Conventions, 1941-1951
15 C. S. Ober, Westview Hospital, 1986, n.d. (also color prints)
16 (Color) C. S. Ober's 75th Birthday, 1970
17 Banquets/Dinners, Various Functions, 1945-1966
18 (OVB) Spinx Club, 1910s
BOX 17: Reel to Reel Audio Tapes (4)
Weekday Religious Education, Overview of Program, n.d.
Weekday Religious Education, Program Operation, n.d.
Weekday Religious Education, Directors Meeting, 1952
C. S. Ober, Party in Ober's Honor, 13 February 1966
MAIN ENTRY: Ober, C.S. (Ceril Strauss), 1895-1990
SUBJECT ENTRIES: Ober, C.S. (Ceril Strauss), 1895-1990--Photographs
Ober family
Emmerich Manual High School (Indianapolis, Ind.)
Business records--Indiana--Indianapolis
Businessmen--Indiana--Indianapolis
Office furniture--Indiana--Indianapolis
Office equipment and supplies--Indiana--Indianapolis
Building management
Civic improvement--Indiana--Indianapolis
Religious education--Indiana--Indianapolis
Mayors--Indiana--Indianapolis--Election
Indianapolis (Ind.)--Politics and government
ADDED ENTRIES: Business Furniture Corporation (Indianapolis, Ind.)
Stationers, Inc. (Indianapolis, Ind.)
Ober Building Corporation
END