Erastus G. Smith papers
Scope and Contents
There are a considerable number of notes and scripts for addresses and speeches given by Smith at various venues such as Beloit College, the Wisconsin State Legislature, professional meetings, and church services. Many of the notes have been gathered or taken by Helen and Robert K. Richardson, former Beloit College Archivist.
Dates
- 1869-1970, bulk 1910-1937
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research; however, certain materials are fragile and require Archives staff for handling, or use may be restricted altogether.
Biographical / Historical
Born April 30, 1855 in South Hadley, MA.
Married December 26, 1883 to M. Elizabeth Mayher
Beloit College Professor of Chemistry 1881-1921
Mayor of Beloit 1887-1891 (3 terms), 1924-1925
Beloit Savings Bank President 1914-1928
WI State Assemblyman 1926-1932 (2 terms, both houses)
Red Cross Chairman of the Board during WWI
Died June 19, 1937 in Holyoke, MA, one day after attending 60th reunion of Amherst College class of 1877.
For a more detailed biography, see Erastus G. Smith's page on the Archives website.
Extent
1.63 Linear Feet (3 boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
From the time he was called to the chair of chemistry and mineralogy at Beloit College in 1881, Professor Erastus Gilbert Smith became an important figure in the Beloit community. He served four terms as mayor of Beloit, and three terms representing the southern half of Rock County in the state legislature. He was president of the Beloit Savings Bank from 1914-1928. Prof. Smith remained in active service as head of the Beloit College department of chemistry until 1921 when he retired as professor emeritus.
This collection gathers documents from all these aspects of his life, with a large portion being comprised of his addresses and speeches to a variety to audiences such as Beloit College, the Wisconsin State Legislature, professional meetings, and church services.
Arrangement
This collection has been compiled over the years through separate accessions of various sizes from various offices and individuals, none of which has any accompanying documentation. The original order of the documents is unknown. The arrangement order presented here has been imposed by the College Archives staff.
- Title
- Erastus G. Smith papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Michelle Tom
- Date
- March, 2013
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English
Repository Details
Part of the Beloit College Archives and Special Collections, Beloit, WI Repository