The collection contains the papers of Edward Arpee and is arranged in two series. The first series consists of two folders pertaining to the working relationship and manuscript of the World War II memoirs of then Col. John Francis Regis Seitz (d. 1978). The other series contains a diverse array of personal papers such as correspondence, clippings, and contracts, relating to Arpee's authorship (for centennial committee, City of Lake Forest), printing (R. R. Donnelley & Sons, Lakeside Press), and publication (Rotary Club of Lake Forest) of his 1964 released "Lake Forest: History and Reminiscences."
In the first series, Edward Arpee's presence is shown as a helping hand to fellow author and friend Col. J. F. R. Seitz. Mainly, the first folder shows a one-page single-spaced typed letter (carbon copy) to "Jeff," dated January 21, 1948 with a two-page introduction.The letter suggests that this is a revised manuscript after having heard from publishers (not encouraging), with several questions for the author. No reply is in the file. Arpee appears to be the editor or ghost-writer of Mr. Seitz's own memoir, "From Pearl Harbor to the Elbe: A Field Commander's View of the War in Europe December 7, 1941 -- April 25, 1945." Seitz, a 1929 West Point graduate, went on to a further military career in Korea until he retired with disability in 1966. These factual details are confirmed within the included background information on Colonel Seitz within folder one as well. Such information greatly helps when one examines the 121-page double-spaced typescript (carbon copy), with an eight-page index, with a one-page introduction. The manuscript encompasses many different topics of interest and is the single largest portion of the collection.
The second file series relates to author Arpee's 1964 released "Lake Forest, Illinois: History and Reminiscences of Lake Forest, 1861-1961." It was originally undertaken for the City's centennial committee, but was not ultimately published by them. Rather, the the local Rotary Club of Lake Forest helped Arpee publish this important book. There is correspondence with Mayor Michael Cudahy, local resident Elliott Donnelley of the Donnelley Chicago printing firm, First National Bank President Philip Speidel (Lake Forest College '19), Rotarian Gilbert Curren (Lake Forest College '40), Merle Norton Alderman (Lake Forest Academy alum '08 and publisher of 1916 "Lake Forest Art and History.") There are authorship and printing contracts, press clippings following publication, and letters from readers of the published history.
Arpee, Edward