Barnet Hodes papers, part 2, 1931-1975 (partial inventory)

Processed with funding provided by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.

This collection is open for research use.

All rights owned by the donor, including copyright, were deeded to Chicago Historical Society. Copyright may be retained by the creators of items, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law, unless otherwise noted.

Gift of Scott Hodes (1993.0045).

Barnet Hodes papers, (Chicago History Museum) plus a detailed description, date, and box/folder number of a specific item.

Correspondence, election materials, financial records, press releases, newspaper clippings, and other papers of Barnet Hodes, a prominent Chicago attorney and Democratic politician. Most of the collection relates to Hodes' involvement in city, state, and national politics, including his participation in the presidential campaigns of Adlai Stevenson (1952 and1956), mayoral campaign of Richard J. Daley (1955), and other political campaigns. Also present are materials pertaining to Hodes' successful plans to memorialize Revolutionary War hero Haym Salomon, as well as his work as a trustee of the Shinner Foundation.

Barnet Hodes (1900-1980) was a prominent Chicago attorney and Democratic politician. His political posts included 7th Ward alderman (elected 1931) and 5th Ward Democratic committeeman (elected 1942), and Assistant Corporation Council and Corporation Council for the City of Chicago.

Hodes was a leader in many election campaigns. In 1952 and 1956 he helped organize movements for Adlai Stevenson II, Democratic candidate for President. He was active in Richard J. Daley's first successful campaign for Mayor in 1955. He also supported campaigns for Norman N. Eiger, Irvine Levy, Edward J. Kelley, John Gutknecht, and Louis Berman. He was instrumental in organizing dinners and other events for many notables such as William H. Boyle, Jr., General De Gaulle, and Paul Douglas. Additionally, Hodes helped establish and served as a trustee of the Shinner Foundation.

Related materials at Chicago History Museum, Research Center, include the Barnet Hodes papers, part 1, 1900-1980, and the Barnet Hodes photograph collection (1980.0055).

Descriptive inventory available for boxes 14-25 of the collection; additional description available in the repository for the other portion.

• Names
  • Hodes, Barnet, 1900-1980--Archives
  • Daley, Richard J., 1902-1976
  • Salomon, Haym, 1740-1785--Statues--Illinois--Chicago
  • Shinner, E. G. (Ernest Gardner), 1883-
  • Stevenson, Adlai E. (Adlai Ewing), 1900-1965
  • Kelly, Edward J. (Edward Joseph), 1876-1950
  • Democratic Party (U.S.)
  • Northwestern University (Evanston, Ill.). School of Law
  • Shinner Foundation
  • United States. Coast Guard
• Subject
  • Actions and defenses--Illinois--Chicago--20th century
  • Century of Progress International Exposition (1933-1934 : Chicago, Ill.)
  • City council members--Illinois--Chicago--20th century
  • Freemasonry--Illinois--Chicago--20th century
  • Heroes--United States
  • Jews--Illinois--Chicago--20th century
  • Lawyers--Illinois--Chicago--20th century
  • Monuments--Illinois--Chicago
  • Politicians--Illinois--20th century
  • Politicians--Illinois--Chicago--20th century
  • Politicians--United States--20th century
• Geographic Coverage
  • Chicago (Ill.)--Politics and government--20th century
  • George Washington-Robert Morris-Haym Salomon Memorial (Chicago, Ill)
  • Hyde Park (Chicago, Ill.)
  • United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783--Participation, Jewish
  • United States--Politics and government--20th century

The collection is arranged in six series.

Series 1. Haym Salomon, 1932-1975 (box 14-18)

Series 1 contains biographical material and correspondence regarding Haym Salomon, a Jewish financial broker who emigrated from Poland to New York in 1775. Much of the series relates to Hodes' campaign to memorialize Salomon as a hero for his efforts with Robert Morris to finance the Revolutionary War. Included are details about the funding, design, installation, and later relocation of a statue that honors Salomon, Morris, and George Washington in Chicago.

Series 2. Stevenson 1952 campaign, 1944-1953 (box 19-20)

Series 2 contains correspondence, invoices, newspaper clippings, magazines, and press releases related to Adlai E. Stevenson's 1952 presidential campaign. Subjects include attempts to bring the Democratic and Republican national conventions to Chicago, the conventions themselves, and the election campaign. Also present is some election memorabilia, such as automobile stickers, commemorative plates, buttons, etc.

Series 3. Stevenson 1956 campaign, 1956 (box 21 & oversize folder)

Series 3 consists of correspondence, invoices, newspaper clippings, magazines, and press releases related to Adlai E. Stevenson's 1956 presidential campaign. Materials span the period from the Democratic and Republican national conventions to a rally for Stevenson and Kefauver that Hodes helped organize. Also present is some election memorabilia, such as automobile stickers, commemorative plates, buttons, etc.

Series 4. Daley campaigns, 1954-1955 (box 22)

Series 4 contains correspondence, election materials, newspaper clippings, and financial records related to Richard J. Daley's campaigns for Cook County clerk (1954) and City of Chicago mayor (1955).

Series 5. Shinner Foundation, 1952-1956 (box 23)

Series 5 contains correspondence, articles, and pamphlets about E. G. Shinner, the Shinner Foundation, and Hodes' role as a trustee of the Foundation.

Series 6. Other political material, 1931-1956 (box 24-25)

Series 6 consists of correspondence, election materials, and financial records related to political campaigns and events with which Hodes was involved. Topics include Hodes' campaign for alderman (1931); the re-election campaign of Mayor Edward J. Kelley (1939); campaigns of Norman N. Eiger, Irvine Levy, Edward J. Kelley, John Gutknecht, and Louis Berman; and dinners for Jacob M. Avery, William H. Boyle, Jr., General De Gaulle, and Paul Douglas. Also present is correspondence about 5th Ward business.