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."

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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Collection Inventory

Correspondence 

 1889 

Box Folder

863 1

863 2

863 3

863 4

863 5

863 6

863 7

863 8

863 9

863 10

863 11

863 12

863 13

863 14

863 15

863 16

863 17

 1890 

Box Folder

863 18

863 19

863 20

863 21

863 22

863 23

863 24

863 25

863 26

863 27

863 28

863 29

863 30

863 31

863 32

863 33

863 34

863 35

863 36

Box
863
Folder
37

 1891 

Box Folder

863 38

863 39

863 40

863 41

863 42

863 43

863 44

863 45

863 46

863 47

863 48

863 49

863 50

863 51

863 52

863 53

 1892 

Box Folder

863 54

863 55

863 56

863 57

863 58

863 59

863 60

863 61

863 62

863 63

863 64

863 65

863 66

863 67

863 68

863 69

863 70

863 71

863 72

863 73

863 74

863 75

 1893 

Box Folder

863 76

863 77

863 78

863 79

863 80

863 81

863 82

I-J 

863 83

863 84

863 85

863 86

863 87

863 88

863 89

863 90

863 91

863 92

863 93
Box Folder

 Undated 

863 94

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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