Mailing Address:
Special Collections
College of Charleston Library
66 George Street
Charleston, SC 29424
Phone:
(843) 953-8016
Title: Louis M. Shimel papers
Collection #: Mss 1055
Dates: 1914-1953
Size: 17 items
Biographical Note: Born in Poland, Louis Shimel (originally Louis Schimmelman) immigrated to the US in 1887. Shimel became a lawyer and married Lillian Fechter (of Charleston, South Carolina) in 1913; the couple moved to Charleston, SC, where Shimel was one of the only Jewish attorneys. He was appointed (1922) an Assistant District Attorney under President Warren G. Harding and served 31 years. Shimel attended Brith Shalom Synagogue and served as first president of Charleston's Jewish Community Center.
Scope and Content Note:
Collection includes correspondence and certificates related to Louis M. Shimel's law career. Correspondence (1917) from the Secretary of the Navy re. desertion case; letters (1953) from judges and attorneys offering Shimel congratulations on his retirement as Assistant U.S Attorney. Certificates (1914-1953) document Shimel's career achievements including his right to practice law before the U.S. District Court of South Carolina, Supreme Court of South Carolina, U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for 4th District and Supreme Court of the United States.
Certificates of recognition for service in the U.S. Justice Department and 50 year membership in the Grand Lodge of Freemasons. Certificate (1918) of Honorable Discharge from the Army and for services as Four Minute Man for Committee on Public Information. Includes photograph (ca. 1950s) of Shimel in his Washington, DC, office and color photograph (ca. 1970) of South Windermere Shopping Center (Charleston, SC). Misc. copy of remarks of Hon. L. Mendel Rivers and Hon. Hale Boggs on Shimel's retirement (from 1953 Congressional Record).
Inventory:
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| A. | Correspondence (1917-1953): two letters (1917) between Shimel and the Hon. Josephus Daniels, Secretary of the Navy, re. a desertion case; letter (1941) from Alva M. Lumpkin, (U.S. District Court Judge, Columbia, SC) re. the years he worked with Shimel (as Assistant U.S. Attorney); letters (1953) to Shimel from Judge D. Gordon Baker of the South Carolina Supreme Court and C.T. Graydon, (Washington attorney) offering congratulations on Shimel’s retirement. |
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| B. | Certificates (1914-1952): Certificate from United States District Court (South Carolina) granting Louis M. Shimel the right to practice as Attorney, Solicitor and Proctor in the U.S. District Court for South Carolina (1914); Fifty Year Certificate from Grand Lodge of Ancient Free Masons (SC), 1965; Thirty Year Certificate from Attorney General of the United States for service to the Department of Justice (1952) |
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| C. | Photographs (1940s-1970s): Black and white image (ca. 1940s) of Louis Shimel in his office with three men; color photograph (ca. 1970) of South Windermere shopping center, Charleston, SC (note: South Windermere was created by Shimel’s son-in-law, William Ackerman) |
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| D. | Misc. Remarks of Hon. L. Mendel Rivers and Hon. Hale Boggs on Louis M. Shimel retirement after 31 years as Assistant United States District Attorney for the Eastern District of South Carolina (from 1953 Congressional Record) |
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| E. | Oversize (1914-1953): Certificate (1914) granting Louis M. Shimel right to practice law before the Supreme Court of South Carolina; Certificate of Honor (1918) presented to Shimel on the occasion of his honorable discharge from the U.S. Army and in recognition of service as a Four Minute Man to the Committee on Public Information during World War I; Certificate (1919) granting Shimel right to serve as attorney for the United States Circuit Court of Appeals, 4th District; Certificate (1929) granting Shimel right to practice law before the Supreme Court of the United States; press release (typed and mounted on cardboard) announcing Retirement of the Honorable Louis M. Shimel, Assistant United States Attorney (June 6, 1953). |
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