Lawrence Brock, 1906-1968 [RG1781.AM]

HISTORY NEBRASKA MANUSCRIPT FINDING AID

RG1781.AM: Lawrence Brock, 1906-1968

Papers: 1946-1968
Wakefield, Dixon County, Neb.: Congressman, Farm leader
Size: 3.5 cu. ft.; 7 boxes & oversized materials

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

Lawrence Brock was born on a farm in Platte County, Nebraska, on August 16, 1906; the son of John and Mary Moeller Brock. He received his early education in the public schools of Leigh, Nebraska, and graduated from the Leigh High School. In 1929 Brock graduated from the University of Nebraska College of Pharmacy, and in the same year was married to Roenna Utemark of Wakefield, Nebraska. The Brocks were to have four daughters, Mrs. Harold Tell of Rosell, Illinois; Mrs. William Gibson of Santa Ana, California; Mrs. Richard Rosenbahn of Omaha; and Mrs. Charles Soderburg of Wakefield.

Following graduation from the University, Brock opened a drug store in Madison, Nebraska, which he operated for two years. The family then moved to Wakefield, Nebraska, where Brock began farming.

Brock served as Nebraska’s Democratic Party Chairman from 1954 to 1956, when he resigned to seek the Congressional seat from Nebraska’s Third Congressional District. In the 1956 Congressional election, Brock was defeated by the Republican incumbent, R. D. Harrison of Norfolk, Nebraska. In 1958 Brock again opposed Harrison in the Congressional race, this time successfully, and was elected as Nebraska’s representative to the 86th Congress from the Third Congressional District. While in Congress, he served as a member of the Interstate and Foreign Commerce Committee of the House of Representatives. Brock sought re-election to his seat in 1960, but was defeated by the Republican candidate, Ralph Beermann of Dakota City. After leaving Congress, Brock was appointed Assistant Administrator of the Farmers’ Home Administration of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a post he held until his death.

Brock was also active in other public affairs, and was past president of the Nebraska Livestock Feeders Association, the North East Nebraska Rural Public Power District, and a past Vice President of the Nebraska Rural Electrification Association. He also served as a member of the Nebraska Highway Advisory Commission, the Better Nebraska Association, and the Wakefield School Board.

Lawrence Brock died after an extended illness on August 28, 1968 in Zion, Illinois. He had been residing at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Harold Tell, of Roselle, Illinois. He was buried in the Wakefield, Nebraska cemetery.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

This collection consists of manuscript material, two oversize scrapbooks, and numerous oversize photographs and certificates, arranged in seven series: 1) Correspondence, 1959-1960; 2) Congressional Files, 1959-1960; 3) Constituency Records, 1956-1960; 4) Speeches, 1946-1965; 5) Printed Matter; and 6) Miscellany.

The bulk of the collection consists of correspondence, Congressional files, and constituency records relating to Brock’s service in the United States Congress, 1959-1960, and to his Congressional campaigns in 1956, 1958, and 1960. The correspondence is primarily outgoing letters regarding legislation, service academy appointments, campaigns, and other political affairs. One additional correspondence file is related to Brock’s service with the Farmer’s Home Administration 1961-1967.

The Constituency records consist primarily of mailing lists, lists of Democratic officers, workers, and contributors of the Third Congressional District, and election statistics 1956-1960. Additional material in the collection includes speeches given by Brock while serving with the Farmer’s Home Administration, and printed matter, mostly monthly newsletters which were mailed to constituents in his district.

Note: See the photo component [RG1781.PH] for related images.

(Acc. April, 1969)

INVENTORY

Series 1 – Correspondence, 1959-1967

Box 1 – Congressional Correspondence, A-G

Box 2 – Congressional Correspondence, G-K
Folder

1. Government 1959
2. Government 1959-
3. Congressional Correspondence, H-K

Box 3 – Congressional Correspondence, L-Q

Box 4 – Congressional Correspondence, R-Z
Folder

1. Congressional Correspondence, R-Z
2. Farmer’s Home Administration Correspondence 1960-1967

Series 2 – Congressional files, 1959-1960

Box 5
Folder

1. Congressional Record Index, Remarks by Congressman Brock, 1959.
2. Congressional Record Index, Remarks by Congressman Brock, 1960.
3. Miscellaneous Congressional Record; includes remarks by Congressman Brock.
4. Lists of Service Academy Appointments, 1959-1960

Series 3 – Constituency records, 1959-1960

Box 6
Folder

1. Records of County Democratic Officers, Lists of contributors and correspondents by towns and precincts, third congressional district.
2. Card file, mailing list.

Box 7
Folder

1. Election Statistics, third congressional district, 1956-1960
2. Campaign Contributions, 1960
3. Miscellaneous material relating to state and national elections.

Series 4 – Speeches, 1946-1965

4. Speeches (mostly relating to Farmer’s Home Administration)

Series 5 – Printed matter

5. Brock “Report”, newsletter, 1959-1960
6. Newspaper clippings
7. Procedural Manuals
8. House Rules and Manual, 86th Congress
9. Cannon’s Procedure of the House of Representative, 1959
10. Miscellaneous printed matter

Series 6 – Miscellany

11. Biographical Data
12. Campaign cards, congressional passes, franks, business cards, etc.

Vols. 1-4 Scrapbooks (oversize)

Vol. 5 Certificates and diplomas (oversize)

Subject headings:

Brock, Lawrence, 1906-1968
Congressional elections — Nebraska
Democratic Party — Nebraska
Elections — Nebraska — 1958
Elections — Nebraska — 1960
U.S. Congress. House Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce
U.S. Congress. House of Representatives
U.S. Farmers Home Administration

JEP/cr 06-25-1969
Revised DJJ/pmc 12-17-1970
Revised TMM 04-10-2017