unlv.T-63 Guide to the Stocker Family Collection Finding aid written by Marie Imus. Special Collections, UNLV Libraries, University of Nevada, Las Vegas.October 1995. Finding aid encoded by Tom Sommer.December 2006 Descriptive Summary Stocker Family Collection 1860-1982 (inclusive) T-63 Harold Stocker 11 boxes [6 linear feet]: includes 6 full hollinger boxes, 3 half hollinger boxes, and 2 oversize boxes. University of Nevada, Las Vegas. UNLV Libraries. Special Collections. Las Vegas, Nevada 89154-7010.The Stocker Family Collection consists of three series: the family series, the political series, and the business and legal series. The family series contains a variety of materials from 1860 through 1982. These materials include such items as Mayme’s autograph book from 1887, family letters, an 1860 Pennsylvania newspaper, several Daily Territorial Enterprise from 1896-97, and miscellaneous papers ranging from Harold’s 1911 report card to certificates of appreciation and inaugural invitations. The material in this portion is about the family’s history and about the family’s interests and activities. English Preferred Citation:

Stocker Family Collection, T-63, Special Collections, UNLV Libraries, University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

 Acquisition Information:

Donated by Harold Stocker.

 Processed by:

Marie Imus, 1995.

 Access:

This collection is open for research.

Publication Rights:

For permission to reproduce or publish from this collection, please contact the Director of Special Collections.

 Biographical Sketch

Oscar Stocker and Mayme Virginia Clifton were married in Reading, Pennsylvania on December 26, 1891. Oscar Stocker, who was born on April 1, 1872 in Easton, Pennsylvania, was employed by the railroad. Mayme, who had worked at a silk mill in Philipsburg, New Jersey, was born in Reading on September 5, 1875. The Stocker’s three sons were all born in Reading. Lester Stocker was born on November 16, 1892, followed by Clarence on April 10, 1894. The youngest son, Harold, was born March 8, 1900.

The Stocker family left Reading, Pennsylvania in 1904 and after numerous moves, settled in Las Vegas in October, 1911. Mayme opened the Northern Club in 1920 after her sons became unemployed as a result of a railroad strike. She became the first recipient of a gaming license, after Governor Fred Balzar signed the bill legalizing gaming in 1931. Oscar’s name could not appear on the license, because he was a railroad employee. The Stockers had a partner named Joe H. Morgan. The Stockers’ son operated the club until the depression forced its closure. They continued to operate the hotel and leased out the first floor.

Lester and Clarence Stocker were charter members of the Las Vegas Elks Lodge. Lester Stocker died in Las Vegas on December 17, 1934. Clarence Stocker died June 5, 1951 in Las Vegas. Their father, Oscar, a thirty-nine year member of the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainsmen, died September 10, 1941 in Las Vegas.

Mayme Stocker was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainsmen, a social member of the Royal Neighbors, the D.A.R., and other organizations. Mayme Stocker died December 12, 1972.

Harold Stocker operated Nevada Silica Sand Company in Overton, Nevada, from 1932 to 1940. In 1939, he built the Chief Hotel Court, and in 1948, the Desert Plaza Apartments. Stocker was state GOP chairman in the 1950's. Harold died January 9, 1983 in Las Vegas.

 Scope and Content

The Stocker Family Collection consists of three series: the family series, the political series, and the business and legal series. The family series contains a variety of materials from 1860 through 1982. These materials include such items as Mayme’s autograph book from 1887, family letters, an 1860 Pennsylvania newspaper, several Daily Territorial Enterprise from 1896-97, and miscellaneous papers ranging from Harold’s 1911 report card to certificates of appreciation and inaugural invitations. The material in this portion is about the family’s history and about the family’s interests and activities. Several photos were removed from this portion of the collection to the Harold Stocker Photo Collection at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Library.

The political series consists of Harold Stocker’s Republican Party involvement from 1939 to 1976. These materials include party publications, newspaper clippings, state and local correspondence, and bank statements. The bulk of this material is from the early to mid 1950's.

The business and legal series consists mainly of Harold’s papers and covers the years from 1930 through 1977. The majority of these files pertain to the years 1950 through 1977. Most of these papers are deeds, leases, and such business agreements. There are also estate papers, civil suits, personal taxes, and Chief Hotel Court statements and room accounts. In addition, there are two oversize boxes, consisting mostly of artifacts, but which also contain a ledger from the Chief Hotel, and a family scrapbook.

The Stocker Family Collection was received in two accessions: 78-78 and 88-52. The donor was Harold Stocker. There is some additional biographical information in the Special Collections Biographical Files, which may be requested at the Special Collections Desk.

 Arrangement of the Records

The collection is divided into three series:

Series 1. Family SeriesSeries 2. Political Series Series 3. Business and Legal SeriesOversized & Artifacts

Several books and publications were removed from the collection. For a detailed list, ask for the donor file at the Special Collections reference desk.

Several photos were removed from this portion of the collection to the Harold Stocker Photo Collection at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Library. The Harold Stocker Photo Collection number is 0006.

There is some additional biographical information in the Special Collections Biographical Files, which may be requested at the Special Collections Desk.

Subject Headings Individuals: Stocker, Oscar, 1872-1941 Stocker, Mayme, 1875-1972 Stocker, Lester, 1892-1934Stocker, Clarence, 1894-1951Stocker, Harold, 1900-1983 Organizations:Republican Party (Nev.) Northern Club (Las Vegas, Nev.) -- Records and correspondence Chief Hotel Court (Las Vegas, Nev.) -- Records and correspondence Subjects:Businessmen -- Nevada -- Las Vegas -- Biography Businesswomen -- Nevada -- Las Vegas -- Biography Casinos -- Nevada -- Las Vegas Places:Nevada -- Politics and government Inventory: Series 1: Family Series, 1860 - 1982 (2 boxes)

The family series contains a variety of materials from 1860 through 1982. These materials include such items as Mayme’s autograph book from 1887, family letters, an 1860 Pennsylvania newspaper, several Daily Territorial Enterprise from 1896-97, and miscellaneous papers ranging from Harold’s 1911 report card to certificates of appreciation and inaugural invitations. The material in this portion is about the family’s history and about the family’s interests and activities. Several photos were removed from this portion of the collection to the Harold Stocker Photo Collection at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Library.

 BoxFolderContents 11Autograph book,1887-18952Easton Daily Express,March 9, 1860 3Daily Territorial Enterprise,June 12, 18964Daily Territorial Enterprise,January 9, 18975Daily Territorial Enterprise,April 2, 18976 Daily Territorial Enterprise, April 3, 18977Family letter, Fragile1899, 8Family letter,Working Copy1899, 9Harold Stocker,miscellaneous papers1911-1952,10 Personal correspondence and papers,1923-7611 L.A. Map (1930), Alaska R.R. Travel Guide (n.d.),12 Gaming License - copy,1931 13 Harold Stocker - Certificates - copy,1940 14 Miscellaneous correspondence,1940-196015 Assorted cards and announcements,1940's-1970's16Las Vegas...Fun and Sun, Tourist Booklet,circa. 194517Liberace Program - Riviera Hotel,1950 18Inaugural Invitation (Mayme); Certificates (Harold), 1953; 1960 & 1964,19Personal Correspondence,195920The Viking Ship Finds,196321Programs and Letters, Miscellaneous, 1970-7522Programs and Menus, 1981-8223Easton, PA Civil War Veterans, news clippingsn.d.,24Nevada Rehabilitation Division Press Release,n.d.25World Trade Center Association Addresses,n.d.26Ledger Pages,n.d.27Spanish American War “Facts”,n.d.28Photos removed to photo collection,n.d.29Memorabilia,located in box 11 of this collectionn.d.,BoxFolderContents21Scrapbook,xerox1899-1982,2Scrapbook, disassembled1919-1947,3Histories of Some Famous Diamonds19694Birthday Correspondences (Mayme),1960-695Social Events and Obituaries,1956-786D.A.R. Scrapbook,1970-71Series 2: Political Series, 1939 - 1976(3 boxes)

The political series consists of Harold Stocker’s Republican Party involvement from 1939 to 1976. These materials include party publications, newspaper clippings, state and local correspondence, and bank statements. The bulk of this material is from the early to mid 1950's.

BoxFolderContents31Precinct - Inspectors, Clerks,1946-502Republican Nominations,19503Amy Stanbaugh Correspondence,19504State Regional Headquarters,19505State Republican Committee,19506Republican Central Committee,19507Correspondence with Republican Candidates,19508Post Election Correspondence,19509Republican National Committee Summary,195010Republican National Committee,1950-5111Sample Ballots,1950, 195212Correspondence Accompanying News Clippings,n.d.13Republican News Clippings,1938-1965BoxFolderContents41Miscellaneous Republican Party Correspondence1939-19752Republican Party Expenditures,1950-19563Republican National Election Material, 19524Republican Party Publications,1952-19575Texas Swindle,19526Senate Hoover Commission Report,1952BoxFolderContents51Miscellaneous Republican Party Material,1940-19522Republican Party Issue Booklet,19493Idaho Republican Committee Victory Plan,19504Nevada State Republican Platform,19505The 1950 Election, Republican National Committee,n.d.6Red Herring and Whitewash,19507Republican Party 1st National Bank Statements,1950-19528Correspondence with Senator Malone,19509Republican Party, Churchill County, 195010Republican Party, Douglas County, 195011Republican Party, Elko County, 195012Republican Party, Esmerelda County,195013Republican Party, Eureka County,195014Republican Party, Humboldt County, 195015Republican Party, Lander County,195016Republican Party, Lincoln County,195017Republican Party, Lyon County,195018Republican Party, Mineral County, 195019Republican Party, Nye County, 195020Republican Party, Ormsby County,195021Republican Party, Pershing County, 195022Republican Party, Storey County,195023Republican Party, Washoe County,195024Miscellaneous Publicity Material,195025Republican Party, Radio Rates,195026Lincoln Day Celebration, 1950Manuscript27Firing Line, Nov. 20, 1952, Republican National Committee Nov. 20, 195228The Reporter, 196728The Reporter,June 9, 195329Inaugural Ball Program, 196730County Totals of Democrats and Republicans, n.d.Series 3: Business and Legal Series, 1930 - 1977(6 boxes)

The business and legal series consists mainly of Harold’s papers and covers the years from 1930 through 1977. The majority of these files pertain to the years 1950 through 1977. Most of these papers are deeds, leases, and such business agreements. There are also estate papers, civil suits, personal taxes, and Chief Hotel Court statements and room accounts. In addition, there are two oversize boxes, consisting mostly of artifacts, but which also contain a ledger from the Chief Hotel, and a family scrapbook.

BoxFolderContents61Chief Hotel Canceled Checks, 19772Chief Hotel Court Receipts / Statements,1976-19773Chief Hotel Court Room Accounts,1976-1977BoxFolderContents711931 Gambling License Information, 19672Bracken Street Home - Deeds, 1950-19523International Village Deed, 1950-19524Zoning Extension - Bracken Street Home, 19755Personal Travel, 1951-19576Personal Taxes, 1956-19777Civil Suit - M. Stocker v Lucky Strike Club,19628Trust Agreements, M.V. Stocker,1961-19759Estate Papers, M.V. Stocker,197310Ann Bates; Legal Action Against,1960-196211Standard Oil Correspondence, 1964-196512Upland Industries Downtown Industrial Park,1970-197413Energy; Alternate Forms,1976-1978BoxFolderContents81A.T.F. Film Studio, “General File”, 19632A.T.F. Film Studio, 1963-19763A.T.F. Film Studio - Enigma Plot, Acct. Budget, 1971-19724Beverage Industry Nevada (BIN) Correspondence, 1971-19725Recycling Publications, 1970-19726Recycling Publications, 1970-19727BIN Recycling Project News Clippings, 1970-1972BoxFolderContents91Property File - Stocker and Long, n.d.2Lease - Fox Morris, n.d.3Legal Agreement - Monte Carlo Club, 1930-19544Special Powers of Attorney, 19625Lease - Goldring and Winstrom, 19626Legal Agreement - Stockers, Byrne and Bowers, 19637Legal Documents - Desert Plaza Apartments, 19668Denny’s Restaurant #107, 19669Rental Agreement - Stocker and Eprecht, 196710Harold Butler Enterprises #107, 197011Loan Agreement - Harry Shouse, 197012Delafield Bankruptcy, 1974BoxFolderContents101Ledger, Chief Motel,1949-19522Scrapbook, 1925-195131st Gaming License Plaque4Northern Club Pioneer Licensee PlaqueOVERSIZED & ARTIFACTS,1974-1976BoxFolderContents 111Bicentennial Medal Collection Pamphlet, 19762Bicentennial Medal Collection Description, 19763Bicentennial Medal Collection Information, 19764Bicentennial Medal Collection Notebook, 19765Bicentennial Medal Collection Small Notebook, 19766Presidential Medals, 19767Bicentennial Medals in Original Shipping Packages, 19768Bicentennial Medals in Original Shipping Packages, 19769Bicentennial Medals in Original Shipping Packages, 197610Small 48 Star U.S. Flag, n.d.114 Golden Nugget Dice, n.d.12Button - See Nevada More in ‘74, 1974

End of Inventory