William Roba Collection of Historical Documents

This collection contains a series of materials donated over time. The collection organization is based on individual donations.

Contemporary Club "Immortals Beyond" Collection is a compilation by Dr. William Roba of biographical materials pertaining to members of the local Contemporary Club that are deceased. The nickname (of sorts) for Club members is “The Immortals”. Donated as accession 2017-08.

Horoney/Russell Research Collection consists of correspondence between local (Rock Island) author Charlotte Russell, her daughter, and William Roba as well as newspaper clippings regarding Russell and a snapshot of Roba and Russell from 1986. In addition, there are copies of published items regarding Mary Katherine Horoney also known as Big Nose Kate and Kate Elder, Doc Holliday, Wyatt Earp, OK Corral. Donated as accession 2019-02.

German Immigration Materials consist of the materials relating to the emigration of Germans from Germany and Germanic lands and immigration of Germans to the United States particularly from the Schleswig-Holstein region of Germany to Davenport, Iowa. Donated as accession 2020-36.

The Trident Biennial Souvenir is the publication for biennial Iowa Federation of Women's Clubs. It was published by Ella G. Bushnell-Hamlin. The cover image is of Maria Purdy Peck. Paper tied together with ribbon. Donated as accession 2018-03.

The Weekly Outlook [newspaper]; Emil Geisler poetry [photocopies] is a collection of "The Weekly Outlook" and photocopies of poetry by Emil Geisler. Donated as accession 2018-04.

German Studies Materials contain of essays exploring German influence in Iowa signed by author/donor and a copy of "Die frühe schleswig-holsteinische Auswanderung in die USA 1835- 1860 von Dr. Gerd Hagenah" unpublished manuscript. Donated as accession 2018-40.

Civil War Round Table of the Quad Cities Manuscripts contains two manuscripts presented to the Civil War Round Table. The first was in 1961 is titled, "The First Shot; The story of Fort Sumter" and the second in 1962 is titled, "Reporting the Civil War."

The Town Club Collection consists of records, documents, and relia relating to The Town Club. The materials document the club's membership, history of the club, and its members as reported in the local newspapers, records of their meeting minutes and financial documents, and realia crated for the club. Donated as accession 2024-03.

Miscellaneous Historical Materials consists of three booklets entitled, "Putnam Building," "Chiropractic Philosophy," and "Boy Scouts of America Jamboree" as well as several collections of newspaper clippings of local newspaper columnists and authors and a VHS of the Kuhl Family Home Movies from 1947. Donated as accession 2024-03.

Dr. William Roba Collection consist of published materials about William F. Cody, German studies, and a copy of the Davenport Democrat Half Century. Donated as accession 2024-03.