Office of the President. Oscar Clute Papers
UA.2.1.5

Summary Information

Repository
Michigan State University Archives and Historical Collections
Creator -
Clute, O., (Oscar)
Title
Oscar Clute papers
ID
UA.2.1.5
Date [inclusive]
1889-1893
Extent
0.75 Cubic feet
Language
English

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: "Item title, Collection title, Collection Identifier, Michigan State University Archives & Historical Collections, East Lansing, Michigan."

Return to Table of Contents »

Biographical Note

Oscar Clute was born near Albany, New York, March 1, 1837 of Dutch descent, and died in a Soldiers Home near Los Angeles, California, January 27, 1902. Clute taught high school from 1855 to 1859, at which time he entered the sophomore class at Michigan Agricultural College (now Michigan State University). He graduated in 1862. He served briefly in Howlett's Engineers during the Civil War. In 1864 he married Mary Merrylees (sister of Mrs. T.C. Abbot). They had six children: William Merrylees, Oscar Clark, Lucy Merrylees, Katherine Spencer, Edward Hale and Marie Morrill.

Following graduation Clute taught mathematics at M.A.C. for four years, excepting the period of brief military service. He received an M.S. degree in 1864. In 1866 he entered Meadville Theological Seminary, graduating in 1867. From 1868-1889 Clute served as a minister in Unitarian Church of New Jersey, Iowa and California. He was selected president of M.A.C. in 1889 and remained for four years. In 1893 M.A.C. Board conferred upon him an LL.D. Also in 1893 he left for the presidency of Florida Agricultural College, retiring from there in ill health in 1897.

The presidency at M.A.C. was a trying experience for the reserved and determined scholar. The college faced numerous crises from within as well as without. Student unrest, large scale faculty turnover and the populist revolt all seem to have taken a toll on Clute's health.

Following his retirement from M.A.C., Clute moved to Pomona, California. He returned to the ministry for one year before being forced by ill-health into the Soldier's Home.

Return to Table of Contents »

Scope and Content

The Oscar Clute papers consist primarily of correspondence (1889-1893) during Clute's presidency at Michigan Agricultural College (now Michigan State University). Also included are several articles on education and M.A.C., and information about the 1893 Columbian Exposition. The period of Clute's presidency was characterized by student unrest, political crises, and faculty turnover.

Return to Table of Contents »

Administrative Information

Publication Information

Michigan State University Archives and Historical Collections January 1979

Conrad Hall
888 Wilson Road, Room 101
East Lansing , MI, 48824
517-355-2330
archives@msu.edu

Revision Description

 Revised April 1999; Updated January 2006 January 2006

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Legal Status note

Copyright: Michigan State University. Property Rights: Michigan State University.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish material from this collection must be obtained from University Archives & Historical Collections, Michigan State University.

Return to Table of Contents »

Controlled Access Headings

Corporate Name(s)

  • Michigan State University. -- General subdivision--History; Chronological subdivision---1890;

Genre(s)

  • Letters (correspondence)
  • Speeches, addresses, etc.

Geographic Name(s)

  • Chicago (Ill.)

Personal Name(s)

  • Kuhn, Madison

Subject(s)

  • Agricultural education -- Michigan
  • Education, Higher

Return to Table of Contents »

Collection Inventory

Correspondence 

 1889 
Box Folder

A 

 863 1

B 

 863 2

C 

 863 3

E 

 863 4

G 

 863 5

H 

 863 6

I 

 863 7

J 

 863 8

K 

 863 9

L 

 863 10

M 

 863 11

O 

 863 12

P 

 863 13

R 

 863 14

S 

 863 15

V 

 863 16

W 

 863 17

 1890 
Box Folder

A 

 863 18

B 

 863 19

C 

 863 20

D 

 863 21

E 

 863 22

G 

 863 23

H 

 863 24

I 

 863 25

J 

 863 26

K 

 863 27

L 

 863 28

M 

 863 29

N 

 863 30

P 

 863 31

R 

 863 32

S 

 863 33

T 

 863 34

V 

 863 35

W 

 863 36

Z 

 Box
863		 Folder
37

 1891 
Box Folder

A 

 863 38

B 

 863 39

C 

 863 40

D 

 863 41

F 

 863 42

G 

 863 43

H 

 863 44

K 

 863 45

M 

 863 46

P 

 863 47

R 

 863 48

S 

 863 49

T 

 863 50

V 

 863 51

W 

 863 52

Z 

 863 53

 1892 
Box Folder

A 

 863 54

B 

 863 55

C 

 863 56

D 

 863 57

E 

 863 58

F 

 863 59

G 

 863 60

H 

 863 61

J 

 863 62

K 

 863 63

L 

 863 64

M 

 863 65

N 

 863 66

O 

 863 67

P 

 863 68

Q 

 863 69

R 

 863 70

S 

 863 71

T 

 863 72

U 

 863 73

V 

 863 74

W 

 863 75

 1893 
Box Folder

A 

 863 76

B 

 863 77

C 

 863 78

D 

 863 79

F 

 863 80

G 

 863 81

H 

 863 82

I-J 

 863 83

K 

 863 84

M 

 863 85

N 

 863 86

O 

 863 87

P 

 863 88

R 

 863 89

S 

 863 90

T 

 863 91

W 

 863 92

Y 

 863 93
Box Folder

 Undated 

 863 94

Return to Table of Contents »

Box Folder

Columbian Exposition 1893 

 863 95

"A History of the M.A.C." 1890 

 863 96

"Education at M.A.C." (1890) 

 863 97

"A Good Education" 1891 

 863 98

Speeches- "Bread, Brawn, Brain" and "Four Years of Progress" and President Elect L. G. Gorton Inaugural Address 1893 

 863 99