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Elmer Ruark papers

1 carton, 1 oversize folder (1 linear feet)

(1830 – 1970)

bulk 1930-1958

Edward H. Nabb Center for Delmarva History and Culture, Salisbury, University, Salisbury, Maryland

Identifier 2015.072
Creator(s) Ruark, Elmer
Acquisition

The Elmer Ruark papers were donated to the Nabb Research Center by Robert L. Shores, April 2015.
Language(s) English
Use Records are open for research. Copyright, including literary rights, belongs to the author(s) or their legal heirs. Permission to publish or reproduce must be obtained from the Nabb Research Center which extends beyond "fair use."
Preferred Citation "Item, collection title and identifier, box # and folder # (if applicable), Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History and Culture, Salisbury University, Salisbury, Maryland."
Attribution Finding aid written by Artura Jackson, November 2015.
Related Materials None
Separated Materials

Oversize materials have been housed in the Nabb Research Center’s flat file system.
Abstract

The Elmer Ruark papers document the religious work of the former mayor of Salisbury, Maryland. The collection spans Ruark’s research into the history of Allen Memorial Baptist Church of Salisbury. In addition, the records include research and publications related to Rev. Noah Davis, founder of the Baptist Publication Society; Elmer Ruark and Noah Davis are distant relatives. The collection dates from 1830-1970 with the bulk of the material dating from 1930-1958.

Biographical History

Elmer Francis Ruark (1905-1982) was born in Wicomico County, Maryland to Lee and Janie Ruark. Elmer and his family were lifelong members of Allen Memorial Baptist. Elmer was a devout Baptist and spent much of his time writing for Christian publications or researching his relative Noah Davis. Elmer was the father of two sons, Richard and Davis. He was married Aline Adkins Ruark; after Aline’s death, he married Eunice Hayes Ruark. Elmer was not only dedicated to his faith and family; he was dedicated to his community. Elmer was involved in many civic organizations the Kiwanis, The American Legion, and the Wicomico County Historical Commission. Elmer would have many professions throughout his life he served in the United States Armed Service, and worked for the United States Postal Service. After his retirement from the postal service, he and his wife Eunice operated John Wilcox Insurance Company in Salisbury. In 1974 Elmer Ruark was elected Mayor of Salisbury, Maryland.

Scope and Content Note

Series I: Allen Memorial Baptist Church

Series II: Noah Davis

Arrangement Statement

The Elmer Ruark papers are divided into two series, ALLEN MEMORIAL BAPTIST CHURCH and NOAH DAVIS. The first series focuses on the Allen Memorial Baptist Church in Salisbury, Maryland. The series is composed of church directories, photographs, programs, and administrative records.  The second series, Noah Davis who founded the Baptist Publication Society, includes material related to the Davis, Wilcox, and Ruark families.  In addition, the series contains writings by Elmer Ruark.

Folders are listed by their location in each box; any given subject may be dispersed throughout the entirety of the collection.

 

 

Subject Terms

  • Topical Terms
    • Newspapers
    • Baptists
    • Religious History
  • Corporate Names
    • Allen Memorial Baptist Church
  • Personal Names
    • Ruark, Elmer F. (1905-1982)

Inventory List

The inventory list for this item is hidden due to its length. Click the button below to view it.

Series I: Allen Memorial Baptist Church

Box 1

1.      Sermons, Rev. J. Nual Stewart, 1926-1950

2.      Church Programs,1933-1985

3.      Anniversary Programs, 1919-1984

4.      Program, Sixty-Sixth Annual Meeting, Woman’s Missionary Union of Maryland, 1954 October 21-23

5.      Church Directory, 1921-1956

6.      Constitution and By-Laws,  1970 March 11

7.      Correspondence, Allen Memorial Baptist Church One-Hundredth Anniversary, 1959 March - September

8.      Correspondence, Resignation of Reverend Joseph T. Watts, 1951 May 26

9.      Correspondence, Dedication of Building “B” , 1937 June 15-16

10.  Correspondence, Building Expansion, 1937-1952

11.  Newspaper Clippings, 1932-1967

12.  Newspaper Clippings, Reverend Ballach Announces He’s Leaving Allen Memorial, 1959 February 9

13.  Our Baptist Heritage, Elmer Ruark, undated

14.  History of Baptist in Maryland, Joseph A. Carr , 1969 August 20

15.   History of Salisbury Baptist, 1959-1978

16.   Publication, Baptist Leader, 1944-1959

17.   Publication, The Watchman Examiner: A National Baptist Paper, 1948-1952

18.  Publication, The Maryland Baptist, 1931-1975

19.  Publication, The Messenger, Division Street Baptist Church, 1921 January

20.  Photographs, undated

21.  Photographs, Members, undated

22.  Photographs, Pastors, undated

23.  Ephemera, Invitation , undated

24.  Ephemera, Seventy-Third Church Anniversary, 1932

Series II: Noah Davis

25.  Cards, Emma and Mary Wilcox, 1915 December

26.   Photographs, Kerr and Slemons Family, undated

27.   Photographs and Correspondence, Family Members, undated

28.  Photographs, Elmer and Davis Ruark, 1929-1967

29.  Drawing, Noah Davis, undated

30.  Photographs,  Noah Davis, undated

31.  Correspondence, Elmer Ruark and The American Baptist Publication Society, 1933-1957

32.  Correspondence, Elmer Ruark’s Publications, 1933-1973

33.  Newspaper Clippings,  Noah Davis, 1949-1970

34.  Biography of Noah Davis, Elmer Ruark, 1945-1969

35.  Pamphlet, A Concise Account of the Late Rev. Noah Davis, American Baptist Tract Publication Society, undated

36.   Pamphlet, The Mason Dixon Line-An Historical Sketch, Frederick W.C Webb, 1949

37.  Publication, Baptist Hymn Writers, Elmer Ruark, undated

38.  Publication, Tidewater Maryland, Elmer Ruark, undated

39.   Publication. The Maryland Baptist, 1958 January

40.  Publication, Our Army, August 1945

41.  Program, Maryland Baptist Annual, 1958-1959

42.  Ephemera, Eastern Shore Real Estate , 1879-1927

43.  Ephemera, Parties at Division Street Baptist Church, 1913

44.  Ephemera, Civic Programs, 1926-1963

Oversize

1.      Publication, Young People, 1949 February 20

2.      Publication, Young People, 1949 March 6

3.      Publication, Young People, 1949 February 6

4.      Publication, Young People, 1949 February 20

5.      Publication,Young People, 1949 February 27

6.      Publication, Young People, 1949 March 13

7.      Newspaper, The Sunday Star Magazine, 1952 August 10

8.      Newspaper, The Sunday Star Magazine, 1952 May 4

9.      Newspaper, The Sunday Star Magazine,1952 June 29

10.  Newspaper, The Sunday Star Magazine, 1952 August 17

11.  Newspaper, The Sunday Star Magazine, 1952 June 1

12.  Newspaper, The Sunday Star Magazine, 1952 September 14

13.  Newspaper, The Sunday Star Magazine, 1953 February 15

14.  Newspaper, The Sunday Star Magazine, 1952 December 28

15.  Newspaper, A Supplement of The Sunday Star, 1952 December

16.  Newspaper, The Sunday Star Magazine, 1952 November 23

17.  Newspaper, The Sunday Star Magazine, 1952 September 7

18.  Publication, The Baptist Visitor, 1870

 

Artifacts

See Nabb Center Staff

Attachments

None