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University of Michigan Bentley Historical Library

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1150 Beal Avenue
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2113, USA
bentley.ref@umich.edu

Rudolph E. Reichert Papers, 1907-2004 (majority within 1907-1962)

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Summary

Creator:
Reichert, Rudolph E., 1887-1965
Abstract:
Ann Arbor, Michigan banker and commissioner of the Michigan Banking Department during the depression. Correspondence and other papers concerning his activities as banking commissioner and officer of the Michigan Bankers Association; includes letters from Mrs. Christine Reichert to her children while touring Europe, mainly Germany, on the eve of World War II, 1939; also letters between Reichert and British manufacturer in which British-American foreign policy is discussed, 1939-1945; and photographs.
Extent:
17.5 linear feet
Language:
English.
Call Number:
8683 Aa 2
Authors:
Finding aid prepared by: Ruth Bordin

Background

Scope and Content:

The Reichert papers span the period 1907-1965 but bulk largest for the years 1927-1936. The collection deals with Reichert's career as Commissioner of the State Banking Department of Michigan, his activities as a local bank president in Ann Arbor, an officer in the Michigan Bankers Association, and a stockholder in the Argus Corporation. There are a few scattered items of a personal nature, in short, such personal correspondence as was handled through his business office.

The papers are rich in materials on the financial crisis in Michigan during the Great Depression when he was Banking Commissioner. Reichert was also active until the early 1950's in the framing of both state and federal legislation dealing with banks, federal deposit insurance, etc., and he carried on a full correspondence with Congressman Earl Michener and Senator Arthur Vandenberg on these legislative matters. Considerable material exists on the Michigan Bankers Association, especially for the years 1941-1944, when he was an officer of the group. There is some material on Republican party matters, but it is not very full.

Ann Arbor's business and financial life is well covered for the whole period, including material on Argus, Inc. for the post-war period. The effect of both the depression and the war on small town economic life is particularly well documented. There is an interesting series of letters, 1939-1945, between Reichert and a British rope manufacturer named Hendy, in which British and American policy in foreign affairs and the conduct of the war is argued at length.

The collection has been divided into the following series: Professional Papers; State Banking Department and related; Biographical/Personal; and Photographs.

Biographical / Historical:

Rudolph E. Reichert was born November 13, 1887 near Ann Arbor, Michigan. After attending public schools in Ann Arbor, he became a messenger for the Farmers & Mechanics Bank in 1904. He was associated briefly with the American Savings Bank of Lansing, then returned to Ann Arbor in 1911 to assume the position of assistant cashier and director of the German-American Savings Bank, which was later consolidated with the State Savings Bank.

In 1923, Reichert became cashier of he State Savings Bank of Ann Arbor, a position he held until 1927 when he was appointed banking commissioner of Michigan by Governor Fred W. Green. He held this position through the terms of Governors Green, Brucker, Comstock, and Fitzgerald. He served as banking commissioner during the "bank holiday" in 1932, and wrote the Reorganization Banking Law which was adopted in 1933 by Michigan and several other states to avoid recurrence of the banking crisis. He also helped to draft the congressional act that established the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

In 1935, Reichert was elected president of the National Association of Supervisors of State Banks. In 1936, following his service as banking commissioner, Reichert returned to Ann Arbor where he became a founder and first president of the Ann Arbor Savings & Commercial Bank. He served as president until 1960 when he was name chairman of the board. He retired from that position in 1962.

In 1943, Reichert was named director of the Detroit Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, and he served in that capacity for six years. He also served as president of the Michigan Bankers Association 1944-1945.

Reichert died December 22, 1965.

Acquisition Information:
The collection was the gift of Mr. Reichert (donor no. 4127 ) in March 1964. Additional later material came from family members and from Lee Talbot (donor no. 11619 ) in 2016.

Subjects

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Subjects:
Banks and banking -- Michigan.
Depressions -- 1929 -- Michigan.
Elections -- Michigan -- 1928.
Elections -- Michigan -- 1932.
Elections -- Michigan -- 1934.
Elections -- Michigan -- 1952.
Presidents -- United States -- Election -- 1932.
Presidents -- United States -- Election -- 1952.
World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal narratives.
Banks -- Michigan -- Ann Arbor.
Banking.
Interiors.
Office workers -- 1951-1960.
Formats:
Photographs.
Names:
Michigan Union.
United States. Congress -- Elections, 1934.
United States. Congress -- Elections, 1952.
American Bankers Association.
Ann Arbor Bank.
Farmers and Mechanics Bank (Ann Arbor, Mich.)
Michigan Bankers Association.
Friends of the Land.
Michigan. Banking Division.
Michigan Surety Company.
Union Guardian Trust Company (Detroit, Mich.)
United States. Congress.
Reichert, Rudolph Edward, 1887-1965.
Beal, Junius E. (Junius Emery), 1860-1942.
Bonisteel, Roscoe O. (Roscoe Osmond), 1888-
Bowles, Chester, 1901-1986.
Brown, Prentiss Marsh, 1888-1973.
Brucker, William Marion, 1894-1968.
Comstock, William Alfred, 1877-1949.
Cooley, Mortimer E. (Mortimer Elwyn), 1855-1944.
Copeland, Royal S. (Royal Samuel), 1868-1938.
Couzens, James, 1872-1936.
Curtis, Charles, 1860-1936.
Dingell, John D. (John David), 1894-1955.
Ferguson, Homer, 1889-1982.
Fitzgerald, Frank Dwight, 1885-1939.
Ford, Gerald R., 1913-2006.
Green, Fred W. (Fred Warren), 1872-1936.
Hatcher, Harlan, 1898-1998.
Kelly, Harry F. (Harry Francis), 1895-1971.
McKay, Frank D., 1883-
McNamara, Robert S., 1916-2009.
Meader, George, 1907-1994.
Michener, Earl C. (Earl Cory), 1876-1957.
Morgenthau, Henry, 1856-1946.
Olds, Ransom Eli, 1864-1950.
Osborn, Chase S. (Chase Salmon), 1860-
Reichert, Christine John.
Ruthven, Alexander Grant, 1882-1971.
Summerfield, Arthur Ellsworth, 1899-1972.
Vandenberg, Arthur H. (Arthur Hendrick), 1884-1951.
Van Wagoner, Murray Delos, 1898-
Walcott, Jesse P., 1893-
Places:
Ann Arbor (Mich.)
Germany -- Description and travel.
Royal Oak (Mich.)
Ann Arbor (Mich.) -- Banks.

Contents

Using These Materials

Info for Visitors

How to Request

Ordering Reproductions

Download PDF Finding Aid
RESTRICTIONS:

The collection is open for research.

USE & PERMISSIONS:

Donor(s) have not transferred any applicable copyright to the Regents of the University of Michigan. Patrons are responsible for determining the appropriate use or reuse of materials.

PREFERRED CITATION:

item, folder title, box no., Rudolph E. Reichert Papers, Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan

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Collection

Rudolph E. Reichert Papers, 1907-2004 (majority within 1907-1962)
Call Number 8683 Aa 2
Total components 61
Last indexed 2023-12-08