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Letters mostly concerned with religious, educational, and financial problems; very little on the war. Of special interest: John Pare to J. A. Reed, Oct. 3, 1860: refers to "a monetary panic almost without parallel" in the country. J. A. Reed to T. Baldwin, Nov. 13, 1860: interesting description of new college at Grinnell. Butler to J. A. Reed, May 10, 1861: some initial exuberance over war as a moral crusade; closes with, "Is it not fit and proper that those who have so vilely liballed God as have the whole Southern people should be signally punished?" J. A. Reed to A. B. Robbins. July 15, 1861. Copy of original letter concerning building damage. T. Baldwin to College, July 30, 1861: long and important letter: details war fever in East; difficulty of College Society to raise funds there; history and policy of religious education in Western development; hope that union cause will unite quarreling denominations. T. Baldwin to J. A. Reed, Oct 19, 1861: short references to the effect of war on the Society's fundraising and on Boston finance. Butler to J. A. Reed, Nov. 5, 1861: condemns "a war fro the conservation of slavery," feels abolition is "the only justification for the continuance of the war". T. Baldwin to J. A. Reed, Nov. 23, 1861: College Society and concern with Western development. T. Baldwin to J. A. Reed, April 16, 1862: short and hopeful reference to war. T. Baldwin to J. A. Reed, June 16, 1862: Presbyterian - Congregational dissension in Society. Holbrook to J. A. Reed, July 11, 1862: railroad land speculation. Holbrook to J. A. Reed, June 5, 1863: financial condition of country. T. Baldwin to J. Holbrook, Sept. 18, 1863: College Society and vague plans for "omnibus colleges" and colonies; education for war veterans. George Magoun to College, July 8, 1864: concerns texts used generally in college courses and recommendations for Iowa College.

T. Baldwin to J. A. Reed, July 8, 1867: short letter on Western education. G. Magoun to J. A. Reed, Nov. 2, 1867: financial state of college and rivalry with Tabor College. O. Merill (?) to Magoun, July 3, 1868: wants stronger religious image for the college. J. A. Reed to Magoun, July 10, 1868: resignation: informative letterhead of the American Home Missionary Society for Southern Iowa which aids 100 missionaries in Iowa at a cost of $20,000. G. Magoun, Jan. 4, 1869: letter concerns college advertising in Iowa papers; also has interesting letterhead with names of faculty, tuition rates ($4-7 per term) --free to disabled Union soldiers. G. Magoun to J. B. Grinnell, Jan. 23, 1869: fundraising frustrations for Western colleges in Srpingfield, Mass.; East thinks West rich enough. J. Guernsey, undated 1869 (?): plan for a self-sufficient ministerial training school on large farm (several implications here for educational and utopian study). G. Magoun, Jan. 26, 1869: letter on fundraising troubles, mentions Guernsey's plan. G. Magoun(?) to Treasurer, March 6 and 10, 1869: interesting letter about fundraising, about a college land buying scheme to benefit from rising railroad land values, and also about the "sore" reaction to Grant's new cabinet. "Everybody is asking everybody else "Who is Secretary Borie (Sec. of Nacy, Adolph E.)?" Gen. Grant has succeeded perfectly in non-plussing the politicians and Washington quidnuncs and people are a little sore about the announcements. It isn't a good time to ask even a millionaire in Congress for a few thousands for endowment." G. Magoun, March 15, 1869: on the frustration and exhaustion of college fundraising in the East. G. Magoun, March 27, 1869: results of fundraising in Hartford; expressions of exhaustion and relief. G. Magoun, April 3, 1869: financial relations with the College Society. T. Baldwin to Magoun, April 16, 1869: need and plan for tapping "older West" for college support.

Letters mostly concern financial and building matters. Of special interest: J. Guernsey, Aug. 11, 1870: on back of letter is an American Home Missionary Society circular dated Nov. 1, 1869, detailing financial policy of Society. J. Guernsey, Aug. 23, 1870 (?): on typhoid scare. J. M. Chamberlain, Dec. 15, 1871: East College Building burns down. H. S. DeForest, Dec. 28, 1871: on fire: "You must all feel the burden.  Well, one must be as plucky as Chicago is and take hold for a new start". Rev. C. Emerson, Sept. 4, 1872:  interesting letter, urges greater role for women in college education.

G. Magoun, Sept. 22, 26, Oct. 3, and Nov. 1, 1873: interesting letters on fund-raising and the beginning of the western "university"; anecdotes about getting contibutions; perhaps a greater emphasis here on individual, wealthy contributors than on churches. G. Magoun, Nov. 7, 26, Dec. 3, 9-10, 31, 1873: more letters on fundraising; also, an expression of his close relationship and fondness for the students. Senior Class to Magoun Dec. 2, 1973: asks him to return from fundraising travels and teach them (16 signatures).

D. O. Mears, Feb. 11, 1886: Goodnow's legacies; Mears may decline presidency. D. O. Mears to Trustees, Feb. 11, 1886: declines presidency. D. O Mears to Chamberlain, March 2, 1886: sharply criticizes trustees, even though "you say they have acted under the inspiration of prayer" D. O. Mears to Chamberlain, May 11, 1886: asks trustees' position on proposal. Mrs. Mears to Chamberlain, July 5, 1886: again Mears declines presidency. J. Chamberlain to Mears, May 14, 1886; explains trustees' position on proposal. Mears to Trustees, July 13, 1886: again declines presidency, explains reasons why. George Gates to S. J. Buck, Mar. 8, 1887: accepts presidency (copy) G. Magoun to Trustees, 1890 (?): resigns teaching position, cites importance of teaching "mental and moral science". George Gates to C. W. Vermilion, Oct. 4, 1893: student discipline case Class of 1893 letter, 1897: on naming Ward Field Resolution, Jan. 22, 1899: supporting Prof. George Herron against his proposed removal by the trustees.

Letters (1876-1880) concern college suit against Muscatine to recover illegal wharfage fees. Other letters of interest: G. Magoun, June 21, 1884: long letter on resignation D. Mears, Sept. 4, 1884 and Sept. 16, Oct. 28, Dec. 10: on being considered for college president; contributions for "Ladies Cottage"; library contributions of E. A. Goodnow. D. Mears, March 5,9, May 8, 1885: more on Goodow and library; criticism of college's search for new president. D. Mears, July 7, 1885: on accepting the Presidency. E. Adams, Aug. 29 1885, and Sept. 1, 1885; on changing college name. D. O. Mears, Sept. 17, 1885: on endowment, criticism of trustees. Merrill, Sept. 26, 1885: on changing college name. D. O . Eshbaugh, Oct. 1, 1885: on changing college name. John Meyer, Oct. 30, 1885: on changing college name. Albert Shaw, Nov. 12, 1885: on Carleton and ollege named after benefactors. D. O. Mears to Trustees, Nov. 16, 1885: long and important letter concerning Goodnow's proposed endowment of $50,000 to college on two conditions: first, that Mears become president prior to the gift and second, that Iowa College become Goodnow College. The letter reveals much about Mears as well as Goodnow. Mears to Chamberlain, Nov. 25, 1885: "no college lives on its name" arguing for proposal. Rev. R. Cordley, Dec. 7, 1885: argues against change. D. Mears to Chamberlain, Dec. 24, 1885: Goodnow sick, proposal seems lost.

George Gates to Miss Meyers, March 21, 1900: student discipline D. Bradley, Feb. 15, 1902: accepts presidency. J. Main. April 30, 1902: accepts Dean of the Faculty. Letter, June 21, 1904: financial state of the college. Adams, Henry C., University of Michigan professor, to J. Main, Jan. 19, 1911: calls the college "a pioneer in the study of political science"; emphasizes "the need of industrial education, that men may attain the highest ideal of citizenship," In "a business world" an institution "cannot overlook the educational needs of business men." James L. Hill to John Main, March 11, 1921: generous pledge to college H. H. Robbins, Nov. 18, 1923: quotes father's diary of 1857 giving college's financial holdings. Harry Downer, 1938: letter concerns Grinnell alumnus, Henry Windsor, who founded Popular Mechanics.

Letters and brochures relating to the 1897 fund-raising campaign. Letters to H. H. Robbins, Secretary of the Board of Trustees, regarding talks given by W. M. Parsons about the college (stereopticon talks) from: Charles H. Seccomb, Sibley, Iowa, June 9, 1897; Clara E. Townsend, Armour, S. Dakota, June 11, 1897; and Frank E. Kenyon, Denmark, Iowa, June 11, 1897. Letters to W. M. Parsons, Field Representative for the Board of Trustees, regarding requests fro donations from: J. B. Grinnell, Jan. 23, 1896; Rev. Magoun, Oberlin, Ohio, Sept. 20. 1897; MR. & Mrs. C. W. Jamieson Warren, Penn., Sept. 27, 1897; and Katherine A. James, CHicago, Oct. 6th. Letter to Parsons from George Gates, Florence, Italy , Sept. 20. 1897 Circular and brochure regarding 1897 Semi-Centennial Fund Drive. piece of Iowa College stationery from 1890s.  Geo. A. Gates, President; H. H. Robbins, Secretary; W.M. Parsons, Field Representative (These materials were accessioned in 1996)

Job Cushman letters. 1855-1879: From Cushman, Kingston, Mass. to Trustees, President, Treasurer; primarily about donations to Grinnell College Davenport property: deed, correspondence with Bishop Lee about sale of property to Griswold College, 1859-1863. Executive Committee of Board of Trustees. Annual reports. 1847-1903, 1905. Reports cover finances, acquisition and sale of property, construction and repairs of college buildings, details of burning of East College (Dec 1871) faculty appointments, and other topics. Faculty committee reports, 1909, 1921. Faculty reports to Board of Trustees, 1848-1889. Annual summaries of curriculum, religion, science apparatus, library, statistics, student discipline, proposals for the future, etc. Some correspondence included from L. F. Parker, von Cuellen, H. W. Parker, S. J. Buck.

Faculty reports to Board of Trustees, 1890-1906, 1920.  In addition to topics covered in previous reports, these later faculty reports have annual summaries from the various departments, note curricular and faculty changes, athletic activities, needed building repairs and equipment; letter from women faculty requesting endowed chair.

Finance Reports: Financial agent's reports to Board of Trustees, 1852-1894: Harvey Adams, E. Adams, J. C. Holbrook, J. M. Chamberlain, D. Lane, H. DeForest, W. Parsons. Finance Committee reports to Board of Trustees, 1876-1902 (incomplete) Finance campaigns, 1872-1878, D. Lane letters to Chamberlain (Treasurer) Financial campaign report. 1905, 1912, 1915, (list of pledges) Grinnell, Iowa: Land deeds 1854-1868; articles of incorporation, 1854; plat of south Grinnell 1856. Grinnell University Literary Fund, 1855-1860: Donation deed of Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Grinnell to Literary Fund of Grinnell University; financial statements. Iowa College - Historical Material, 1847, 1908. Memorandum on founding college, 1847 (?); regulations on student rooms, c. 1847; historical data written in 1908. Library Reports to Board of Trustees. 1853-1906 (incomplete)

Students' Army Training corps (SATC), World War I.: Correspondence, description of program, policy statements on granting college credit, war service rosters from St. Olaf and Oberlin statistics, newspaper clippings, daily course schedules, etc. Presidents' Reports to Board of Trustees. 1871, 1881, 1883, 1885, 1891, 1894, 1897, 1900, 1903-1906. Rand Gymnasium for Women. Correspondence during construction. Feb. 1897-Feb. 1898. Treasurer's vouchers. 1853-1857. Secretary-Treasurer's Reports. 1849-1880. (incomplete)