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Title: |
Dr. Ira A. Priest Papers and Artifacts, 1876-1956 |
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Repository: |
Archives and Special Collections, University Libraries, The University of Akron
Phone: 330-972-7670 http://www.uakron.edu/libraries/archives |
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Creator: |
Dr. Ira A. Priest |
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Dates: |
1876-1956 |
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Bulk dates: |
1896-1933 |
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Quantity: |
12 cubic feet (7 boxes plus footlocker) |
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Abstract: |
Dr. Ira A. Priest (1856-1933) was a minister in the Universalist Church, fifth president of Buchtel College (now The University of Akron), and a chaplain in the 8th Ohio Infantry of the Ohio National Guard. His papers and artifacts consist of correspondence, sermons, writings, printed materials, photographs, clippings, uniforms, personal items, and memorabilia that relate to Dr. Priest's long career as a minister, chaplain, and academic in Ohio, Texas, and Vermont. |
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Identification: |
99/84 |
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Language: |
The records are in English |
Rev. Dr. Ira A. Priest was born at Mt. Holly, Vermont in May of 1856 and spent his childhood on a farm. After attending public schools he worked his way through Goddard Seminary in Barre, Vermont where he prepared for college. He entered Tufts College (now Tuffts University) in Medford, Massachusetts in 1880 and graduated four years later with a Ph.B. degree. In 1884 he continued his studies in the theological department at Tufts and in 1887 graduated with a Bachelor of Divinity degree. In 1898 his alma mater conferred on him the degree of D.D.
Priest was connected exclusively with church work for many years and served numerous pastorates. For two years he was in charge of the Universalist Church at Munson, Massachusetts, for three years he was at Adams, Massachusetts, and for five years at Newtonville, Massachusetts. In the fall of 1896 he moved to Akron, Ohio and took charge of the Universalist Church in addition to serving as Chaplain and Instructor in Ethics and Psychology at Buchtel College, now The University of Akron. The following year, he was named 5th President of Buchtel College.
Priest faced many challenges during his first years in office. In addition to the financial debts brought on by the depression of the 1890s, the Main Building, now referred to as Old Buchtel Hall, burnt to the ground on December 20, 1899, an immeasurable loss to the young and struggling college. The next day, Priest vowed to rebuild the college and served on a committee with prominent local citizens to restore the endowment funds and erect necessary buildings in order to keep the college in the first rank of educational institutions of its kind in Ohio. He also oversaw the building of the new Buchtel Hall and the Academy Building as well as a heating plant.
After he left Buchtel College, Priest became interested in business and politics, although he still remained engaged in religious affairs. In 1901 he embarked in a real estate, loan, and general insurance business, which he conducted alone until September 1906 when the firm of Patton & Priest was organized. It became one of the leading firms of its kind in Akron.
Priest always took an interest in politics and on numerous occasions was elected to city office. In 1903, he was elected President of Akron City Council and was re-elected in 1905. A staunch Republican, he served as Treasurer of the Summit County Central Committee and served as the party's choice for membership on the Board of Public Service. Fraternally, Priest was a Knight Templar Mason and belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Priest was a chaplain for over 17 years with the 8th Ohio Infantry of the Ohio National Guard and held the rank of Major. For a brief time he was stationed with the troops along the Mexican border.
On June 23, 1887, Priest married Eva Hall of Lacon, Illinois. They had one child. Priest died at the age of 77 at his home in Belmont, Vermont on February 18, 1933.
The bulk of this collection consists of artifacts, which mostly pertain to Dr. Priest's service as a chaplain to the 8th Infantry Regiment of the Ohio National Guard. The artifacts also include those items worn and carried by a man during the late 19th to early 20th century such as cuff links, collars, a driving overcoat, calling cards, sealing wax, and medicines. The remainder of the collection consists of personal papers of Dr. Priest, including correspondence, sermons, and writings, as well as printed material that he collected during his various occupations.
The researcher should note that there is also a considerable amount of official correspondence from Dr. Priest's tenure as President of Buchtel College in The University of Akron Office of the President Records (RG4/5) in University Archives. These letters are not part of this collection of his personal papers and artifacts as they are official university records, but will of course be of interest to anyone doing research on Dr. Priest.
Copyright restrictions may apply. Permission to reproduce or publish materials in this collection must be secured in writing from Archival Services, University Libraries, The University of Akron.
No restrictions on access, except not available through interlibrary loan.
Related Material: Related MaterialThe University of Akron, Office of the President, Dr. Ira A. Priest Records, 1897-1901 (RG 4/5)
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
[Identification of Item], Dr. Ira A. Priest Papers and Artifacts, Archival Services, University Libraries, The University of Akron, Akron Ohio.
Donated by the family of Dr. Ira A. Priest.
Initial arrangement by Archival Services staff. Finding aid begun by Nicole D. Laflamme in 2006. Collection was further processed and finding aid updated by Adrienne Browning in 2014. Processing and arrangement completed and finding aid updated by Theodore Mallison, July 2019.