Title: Charles A. Mosher Congressional Papers, 1954-1977

ID: RG 30/226

Extent: 80.2 Linear Feet

Predominant Dates: 1961-1976

Abstract

Creators

Administrative/Biographical History

Charles Adams Mosher, son of Oberlin preparatory students Edward Castle (b. 1872) and Jessie Maria (Adams) Mosher (b. 1872), was born in Sandwich, Illinois on May 7, 1906. After graduating from Oberlin College in 1928 with the A.B. degree in Philosophy, he undertook brief periods of graduate work at Columbia University (1928) and the University of Chicago (1928-29). Subsequently, he worked in the advertising department of the Aurora, Illinois Beacon-News (1929-38) and served as advertising manager of the Janesville, Wisconsin Gazette (1938-40).

In 1940, Mosher moved back to Oberlin, Ohio. He purchased Oberlin’s weekly newspaper, the Oberlin News-Tribune, and began a twenty-year career as its editor and publisher and President of the Oberlin Printing Company. From 1942 to 1947, he was editor of the Oberlin College Alumni Magazine. A member of the Republican party, he served as Vice-Chairman of the Oberlin Village Council (1945-51) and was President of the Oberlin Chamber of Commerce, Community Chest, and Rotary Club. He served as Director (1964-73) of the Oberlin Improvement and Development Corporation and as a trustee of First Church in Oberlin. He was twice elected as a trustee of Oberlin College, serving from 1964 to 1970 and from 1973 to 1977.

In 1951, Mosher was elected to the Ohio State Senate, where he served for five terms until 1961. As a state senator, he was instrumental in ending state censorship of movies and in setting up the state Board of Education and school-foundation system. Upon his election in 1961 to the U. S. House of Representatives, Mosher sold the News-Tribune to his associate, Bradford H. Williams (A.B. Oberlin 1951). During his eight terms representing the 13th Congressional District of northern Ohio, Mosher was a member of the Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee, advocating federal aid for Lake Erie ports and shipbuilding projects in his region. In 1967, Mosher became the first Republican member of Congress to vote against appropriating funds for the Vietnam War.

Following his official retirement from the House in 1977, Mosher served as committee staff chief of the Science and Technology Committee (of which he had been the ranking Republican member). In 1979, he was named public programs director of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. A year later, he began his one-year appointment as a fellow at the Smithsonian's Woodrow Wilson Center for Scholars.

The Moshers retired to Oberlin in 1982. The same year, Mosher reenrolled in Oberlin College in order to complete coursework for the M.A. degree in Government. He was awarded the M.A. and an honorary LL.D. at Commencement in 1983. Charles Mosher died in Oberlin on November 16, 1984.

Mosher married Harriet Mary Johnson (A.B. Oberlin 1927) on October 5, 1929. They had two children: Frederic Adams Mosher, born December 20, 1932 (A.B. Oberlin 1954), and Mary Jane Mosher, born February 23, 1943.

SOURCES CONSULTED

Student File of Charles A. Mosher (RG 28).

Author: Kenneth M. Grossi and Tristan P. Gaiser

Forms of Material (links to similar genres)

Languages of Materials

Administrative Information

Scope and Contents:

SERIES DESCRIPTION

Series 1. General Files, 1954-1977 (80.2 linear feet)

This series consists of files regarding a variety of issues. Included among these files are materials related to the following topics.

NASA, 1960-76: Mosher served in Congress and was also a member of the Committee of Science and Aeronautics during the era of the Apollo Program and the missions to the moon. The files contain correspondence regarding the space program and both the political ramifications as well as the public’s reaction to Americans in space.

Supreme Court, 1961-76: During Mosher’s term, there was a debate over the constitutionality of prayer in public schools. Constituent letters from both sides of the argument are included. Three files are dedicated exclusively to correspondence, press releases, and Congressional records. Other historical battles taking place during Mosher’s term include busing, Roe v. Wade, and the abortion issue. Most of the information concerning these issues can be found in the general files of the Supreme Court.

Watergate, 1972-74: These files include public opinion files (polls and letters), press releases, and Congressional records. There is correspondence between Congressmen, for and against impeachment, and among members of the Republican Party documenting how the Party responded to the allegations. The files cover the period before, during, and after the ordeal, and they illustrate how the public responded. The files are listed in the inventory as “Impeachment (Nixon).”

Post Office, Pornography, 1968-75: Although the materials for this topic consist of only two folders, these files document the attempt to censor versus regulate the mail service. Correspondence from constituents included letters voicing opposition against “pornography by mail.” Also included are records maintained by Mosher that document how Congress dealt with regulation while negating the desire to censor.

American Shipbuilding Company Case, Cleveland, 1963, 1966-1976 (4f): In some cases, Mosher worked as a liaison between the ASC and the government, thus giving an inside perspective on the dealings. These files contain correspondence representing both sides of the issue and newspaper clippings.

Vietnam, 1957-76: Files related to this topic are found in multiple places, including Foreign Affairs, Armed Forces, and Veterans Administration. Approximately one fourth of the collection deals with the Vietnam issue in some aspect. There are letters attempting to get soldiers either in or out of military service, letters regarding POWs, Congressional correspondence on attempts to end the war, constituent polls, and continual press releases from Mosher concerning his stance on the war.

The following subset of files contain correspondence relating only to Lorain County, Ohio:

Armed Forces (A-Z)

Congratulations

Employment (A-Z)

Social Security Administration (A-Z)

Medicare (A-Z)

Immigration and Naturalization Services (A-Z)

These files were weeded to retain only Lorain County correspondence as part of a reappraisal project (December 2007-February 2008).

Series 2. Non-Textual, ca. 1968-69

The collection includes one 16mm film, which has not been viewed. The film box is marked “Apollo 11”, and thus the film relates to the NASA files and a model of the rocket, housed in the Object Collection, RG 35.

Download Box / Folder List (pdf)