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Robert L. Finch, MG 65, 1917-1941

MG 65

Biographical Note

Robert L. Finch was born May 28, 1897 in Tempe, Arizona. He attended school in Tempe and graduated from the State Normal School in 1917. He immediately enlisted in the U.S. Army for service in World War I. During his service in France he attained the rank of 1st Lieutenant and won the Distinguished Service Cross and the Croix de Guerre. He returned home to Tempe in 1919 and took up farming. He became very involved with the American Legion in Tempe over the years, and served as first post commander there.

Finch decided to run for the state legislature in 1922 and won a seat in the House of Representatives as a Republican in a thoroughly Democratic state and district. He served 4 consecutive two-year terms; his first three terms he represented Tempe while the last term he represented part of Yavapai County near Jerome, Clarkdale, and Cottonwood. The move to Clarkdale in Yavapai County was precipitated by work he had found with mining interests in the area. In 1930, Finch gained employment with the American Seating Company, a furniture manufacturer, in California. He spent the next ten years with this company living first in San Francisco and then in Los Angeles where he managed their offices. Finch died on May 7, 1941 in Los Angeles after battling cancer.

Scope and Content

This collection consists mostly of documents, award certificates, photos, maps and other memorabilia related to Robert L. Finch’s distinguished military service in France during World War I. The collection also includes correspondence, news clippings and other items related to Finch’s service in the Arizona State Legislature during the 1920s and to his personal life following the War. The collection was divided into three series according to subject matter and one series of oversized materials. Each series is contained in a single file folder in one box except oversized items which are listed separately at the end of the inventory. All oversized materials are military related.

Arrangement

Restrictions

Conditions Governing Access

All photocopies of original materials are made by staff. We reserve the right to refuse copy services based on physical condition and possible damage to the materials.

For preservation purposes, if microfilm copies are available, patrons will use the microfilm first.

Under Arizona Revised Statute 39-141, public records used for commercial purposes have additional requirements. Please contact the Arizona State Archives for further information.

Conditions Governing Use

It is the researcher’s responsibility to determine the copyright status of materials he or she uses. The Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records is not legally or financially responsible for any copyright infringement by researchers.

Many documents held by the Arizona State Archives come under the Public Record law (ARS 41-151). Documents created by the government are not copyrighted. The United States of America Copyright Law (P.L. 94-553, effective Jan. 1, 1978) extends statutory rights of authority to unpublished works which were previously protected by literary property rights under common law. Such works do not have to be registered with the Copyright Office to receive protection under the law.

Controlled Access Terms

Accession Number

A-2001-45.

Administrative Information

Custodial History

The collection was donated by the family of Robert L. Finch.

Preferred Citation

Bibliographic citations must cite the title of the record group(s), the box or volume number, the History and Archives Division and the name of the Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records in full. Please use the following example:

Governor George W.P. Hunt to Ely Sims, November 21, 1919, Box 14, Office of the Governor, RG 1, History and Archives Division, Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records.

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