Guide to the Dr. Ira A. Priest Papers and Artifacts, 1876-1956


Title:
Dr. Ira A. Priest Papers and Artifacts, 1876-1956
Repository:
Archives and Special Collections, University Libraries, The University of Akron
Phone: 330-972-7670
http://www.uakron.edu/libraries/archives
Creator:
Dr. Ira A. Priest
Dates:
1876-1956
Bulk dates:
1896-1933
Quantity:
12 cubic feet (7 boxes plus footlocker)
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.
Identification:
99/84
Language:
The records are in English

Biography of Dr. Ira A. Priest

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.

Scope and Content

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.

Statement of Arrangement

Series I: Papers This series contains correspondence from Dr. Priest's service with the 8th Ohio Infantry and as a member of the Odd Fellows. There are also personal writings such as sermons, poetry, and a journal. The series also includes contemporary photocopies of writings and correspondence. Series II: Printed Material This series contains pamphlets, small books, and other printed items that relate to Dr. Priest's various occupations. The series also includes photographs, maps, and degrees and diplomas. Series III: Artifacts This series contains artifacts primarily from Dr. Priest's service as a chaplain with the 8th Ohio Infantry Division and some general items, including a few relating to Buchtel College.

Restrictions on Use

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.

Restrictions on Access

No restrictions on access, except not available through interlibrary loan.

Related Material: Related Material

The University of Akron, Office of the President, Dr. Ira A. Priest Records, 1897-1901 (RG 4/5)


Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Subjects:

Army chaplains
Buchtel College (Akron, Ohio)
Odd-Fellows, Independent Order of
Ohio. National Guard
University of Akron
University of Akron--Presidents--Biography.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of Item], Dr. Ira A. Priest Papers and Artifacts, Archival Services, University Libraries, The University of Akron, Akron Ohio.

Acquisition Information

Donated by the family of Dr. Ira A. Priest.

Processing Information

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.


Detailed Description of The Collection



Papers, 1877-1933

Box 1 / Folder 1
8th Infantry Ohio National Guard correspondence, 1916-1917




Box 1 / Folder 2
Independent Order of Odd Fellows correspondence, 1911-1925




Box 1 / Folder 3
Telegrams regarding the death of Ira Priest, February 18-19, 1933




Box 1 / Folder 4
Journal from Dr. Priest's time at Goddard Seminary, 1877




Box 1 / Folder 5
Ledger, 1902-1907




Box 1 / Folder 6
Writings of Dr. Ira Priest (sermons, poems, etc.), undated




Box 1 / Folder 7
Photocopies of writings from 1916-1920 (1), 1916-1920




Box 1 / Folder 8
Photocopies of writings from 1916-1920 (2), 1916-1920





Printed Material, 1891-1933

Box 2 / Folder 1
8th Infantry Ohio National Guard items, 1901-1912




Box 2 / Folder 2
8th Infantry Ohio National Guard uniform regulations, 1908




Box 2 / Folder 3
8th Infantry Ohio National Guard Christmas dinner program, 1916




Box 2 / Folder 4
8th Infantry Ohio National Guard postcards, undated




Box 2 / Folder 5
8th Infantry Ohio National Guard ordnance forms, undated




Box 2 / Folder 6
Four Bibles, 1916




Box 2 / Folder 7
Book of Proverbs, 1914




Box 2 / Folder 8
Bulletin of the Law and Order League, endorses Ira Priest as a candidate for City Council President and Vice-Mayor, 1903




Box 2 / Folder 9
City of Akron Council Rules and Official Directory, 1903-1904




Box 2 / Folder 10
Clippings, 1896-1933 (1), 1896-1933




Box 2 / Folder 11
Clippings, 1896-1933 (2), 1896-1933




Box 2 / Folder 12
Clippings, 1896-1933 (3), 1896-1933




Box 2 / Folder 13
Dictionary, 1899




Box 2 / Folder 14
Familiar Faces of Ohio, 1896




Box 2 / Folder 15
Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Vermont items, 1919-1933




Box 2 / Folder 16
Military Equipment for Field Service catalog, M. C. Lilley Co., 1916




Box 2 / Folder 17
Red Cross watch meeting program, December 31, 1900




Box 2 / Folder 18
Transactions of the Ohio College Association (contains an address by Dr. Ira Priest), 1899




Box 2 / Folder 19
Two poems and a Masonic bulletin, 1906 and undated




Box 2 / Folder 20
Universalist Church items, 1894-1900




Map-case 8 / Drawer 1
Newspaper Clippings (from 8th Ohio footlocker), 1939




Map-case 8 / Drawer 1
Photograph, 8th Ohio Infantry in Texas, circa 1916-1917




Map-case 8 / Drawer 1
Photograph, 8th Ohio Infantry in Texas, Christmas Morning, circa 1916-1917




Map-case 8 / Drawer 1
Twelve degrees, diplomas, awards, 1876-1956




Map-case 8 / Drawer 1
Map, Ohio Canal (2), undated




Map-case 8 / Drawer 1
Map, Yellow Springs, undated




Map-case 8 / Drawer 1
Map, Summit County, 1891





Artifacts, undated

Box 3
Buttons in an "A. Polsky Co. Akron, Ohio" bag, undated




Box 3
Collars in a leather bag, undated




Box 3
Mirror compact, undated




Box 3
Handkerchiefs, undated




Box 3
Sewing Kit or "Housewife" with patches (3), undated




Box 3
Belts with Buckles (2), undated




Box 3
First Aid Kit and Gauze, undated




Box 3
Epaulets with Cross, undated




Box 3
Hat Cord, undated




Box 3
Business card wallet, undated




Box 3
Note pad, undated




Box 3
Box of cufflinks and small spoon, undated




Box 4
Leather puttee leggings, undated




Box 4
Canteen, undated




Box 4
Cup, Dish, and Cutlery, undated




Box 4
Belts, undated




Box 4
Tent Clothing Hanger, undated




Box 5
Clerical stole, lettering "I. H. S." (possibly stands for Interfaith Humanitarian Sanctum?), undated




Box 5
Keepsakes from 8th Ohio footlocker, undated




Box 5
Military pins and decorations, undated




Box 5
Buchtel College wool felt banner, undated




Box 5
Buckskin Gloves and Gauntlets (2 pair), undated




Box 5
Army pants (3 pair), undated




Box 6
Army tent, undated




Box 6
8th Infantry metal pail, undated




Box 7
Leather military boots, undated




Box 8
8TH OHIO FOOTLOCKER: Box of Keepsakes (*Some items moved to Box 6 and Map File 8 - Drawer 1) Empty bottle - soda and mint tablets, undated W F & CO Express canvas bag (empty) , undated Pennsylvania Railroad Restaurants paper cups, undated Letter wax (2 boxes), undated Shaving soap, undated Tooth picks, undated Used bar of soap (Wrapped in newspaper), undated Box of white powder (Labeled soda), undated Pad lock key, undated Bottle of pills, undated Empty ring box, undated Empty glasses case, undated Plastic comb, undated 4 metal pieces, undated Twine, string, rope, undated Small key, undated Small jar of Sal Hepatica (Full), undated Envelope with hinge inside, undated, undated





CLOTHING RACK 2: Olive Drab Overcoat (wool) with Major's Leaves, undated Olive Drab Overcoat (canvas) with 8th Ohio Infantry Pins, undated Large Olive Drab Overcoat (wool), undated, undated