The Frederick John Rank papers contain his diaries from 1875-1939, which record his daily life and touch upon his work as a packer for Montgomery Ward. A bound volume about Rank's diaries, compiled by Rank's great-granddaughter Janet Rank Spaletto, is also present. Additionally the papers contain family correspondence, some of which relates to Rank's son's attempt for an assistant postmaster general appointment.

Letters dating 1831 to 1898 from Thomas Butler Carter to his cousin Aaron Carter in New Jersey, which give descriptions of Carter’s personal and business life in Chicago, plus a few other letters. Also includes a typescript of Carter’s autobiographical sketch of his life in Chicago (1889), six studio photographic portraits, and several miscellaneous documents.

Papers of Chicago Plan Commission head, Charles H. Wacker, his immediate family, and the family of his daughter, Rosalie Wacker Zimmerman. Includes correspondence, photographs, artifacts, keepsakes, films, and scrapbooks spanning five generations.