This collection contains legislative papers, correspondence, personal and social papers, and printed materials relating to Clabaugh and the General Assembly. The personal and social papers include a biographical sketch; speeches and articles; business records; European travel brochures; and newspaper clippings and editorials on elections, legislative politics, and Clabaugh's retirement. The legislative papers, arranged chronologically, are primarily from the 78th General Assembly (1973-74) and deal largely with the education committees. There are also copies of bills, summaries of action on bills by the General Assembly and the Governor, and information sheets pertaining to issues under discussion. The correspondence is also mainly from the 78th General Assembly, and reflects constituent sentiment on the Equal Rights Amendment, abortion, no-fault insurance, 19 year-old drinking age, the Environmental Protection Agency, and gun control. There is also a small amount of material on the 79th General Assembly, along with extensive genealogical information compiled by Clabaugh, covering his ancestors and those of his wife, focusing on the surnames Clabaugh, Zimmerman, Carmack, and Richardson.

Clabaugh donated the collection to the Library in 1975 and 1976.

Charles W. Clabaugh was born in Coles County, Ill., in 1900. He graduated from Lerna High School in 1919, and from Eastern Illinois State Teachers College in 1923 with a degree in Education. He remained in Coles County where he taught school and joined a business firm. In 1926, he moved to Champaign where he continued in business, establishing his own firm, the Champaign Weather Strip Company, in 1934. Clabaugh was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 1938, and was re-elected for a total of 18 consecutive terms. He declined to run for re-election in 1974. During his legislative career Clabaugh devoted much attention to education, both elementary and secondary, as well as to the University of Illinois. He served on, or chaired, the Education Committee, the School Problems Commission, the House Financing of Education Study Committee, the Elementary and Secondary Education Committee, and the Steering Committee of the Education Commission of the States. In addition, Clabaugh was instrumental in establishing the General Assembly's scholarship program in 1957.

Clabaugh, Charles Wesley. Papers, 1946-1975

Collection Overview

Scope and Contents of the Materials

Biographical Note

Subject/Index Terms