A. Steve Nance papers

Collection

Identifier: L1999-04

Staff Only
Not requestable

Scope and Content of the Papers

The A. Steve Nance papers (1930-1956) contain correspondence, speech transcripts, Georgia Federation of Labor memos, NLRB mediation files for two Atlanta hat manufacturers, and announcements upon the death of Nance's daughter in 1930 as well as Nance's own death in 1938. Files are arranged chronologically. Newspaper articles have been photocopied for preservation purposes.

Dates

Creation: 1930-1956
Creation: Majority of material found within 1930 - 1938

Creator

Nance, A. Steve, 1895-1938 (Person)

Restrictions on Access

Collection is open for research use.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

Georgia State University is the owner of the physical collection and makes reproductions available for research, subject to the copyright law of the United States and item condition. Georgia State University may or may not own the rights to materials in the collection. It is the researcher's responsibility to verify copyright ownership and obtain permission from the copyright holder before publication, reproduction, or display of the materials beyond what is reasonable under copyright law. Researchers may quote selections from the collection under the fair use provision of copyright law.

Biography of A. Steve Nance

A. Steve Nance was a key figure in Southern labor history during the 1930s. He was President of the Atlanta Federation of Trades, and worked with the Textile Workers Organizing Committee in Georgia, as well as throughout the South. Nance also worked with the fledgling alternative state labor federation in Georgia during 1937.

Alexander Stephens Nance was born May 19, 1895 in Elbert County, Georgia. He married Francis Katherine McMurtney in 1916, and they had four children.

At fifteen, Nance began working in the mailroom of the Atlanta Georgian and soon became a charter member of the Atlanta Mailers Union, Local 34. Within a few years, he became the president of his local chapter - an office he held for twenty years.

Nance went on to work in the mailroom of the Southern Ruralist, where he rose to the position of foreman. In 1924, he was made circulation manager. When the Ruralist merged with the Progressive Farmer in 1926, he became a vice-president and director of the Ruralist Press, Inc. He resigned from these offices in 1936 to devote his time to organizing work in the weaving apparel industries.

From 1927 to 1929 Nance was vice-president of the Georgia Federation of Labor, and in 1930, he was appointed legislative representative for the Federation. He held this position until 1935, when he was elected president. In April, 1937 the Federation was divided and Nance was subsequently elected president of the State Federation Group. He also served as the president of the Atlanta Federation of Trade from 1930-1935. During his term, the Federation became very strong and reached a level of influence greater then any other time in its history.

Nance served on various Georgia Boards including the NRA Compliance Board, and on the National Labor Relations Board, which was established in 1933.

Nance was appointed Director of the Southeastern Organization of Wearing Apparel Industries in August 1936. He then became responsible for organizing the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union, the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America, and the United Hatters, Cap and Milling Workers. In April, 1937, he served as the director of the Textile Workers Organizing Committee, during their campaign in the southeast.

Steve Nance died in Atlanta, Georgia April 3, 1938.

Extent

0.21 Linear Feet (in 9 folders)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract:

Acquisition Information

Papers donated by Cynthia Webnar, April 1999. Mrs. A. Steve Nance had donated a copy of the biography A. Steve Nance: Labor Statesman and Citizen to the Southern Labor Archives on March 20, 1972 (L1972-09).