Elwyn Francis Chandler was born August 29, 1872, at Yellow Springs, Ohio. His father, Charles Henry Chandler, was a professor of science and mathematics at Antioch College and then at Ripon College in Ripon, Wisconsin, where Elwyn received his A.B. in 1894. The following year, Chandler was retained by the college as an instructor and elected as city engineer of Ripon, where he aided in the building of a new sewer system. He then served as acting principal at Christian Endeavor Academy in Wisconsin. He received his A.M. from Ripon College in 1897, then became a teaching fellow at the University of Wisconsin. In a letter of recommendation from 1895, Robert C. Flagg, president of Ripon College, wrote, “Mr. Chandler can be commended, without reservation, as a fine scholar, as a gentleman of honor and high ideals, and as a Christian.”
He married Anna Levina McCumber of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, September 7, 1900, one year after he had come to the University of North Dakota as a mathematics instructor. He became professor of civil engineering in 1914, then chair of the College of Engineering in 1926. The following year he became dean of the College of Engineering, a post he held until 1932 when he was appointed dean emeritus, after requesting a transfer of those duties because of failing health. For much of his tenure, Chandler also served on the UND Athletic Board of Control. Chandler was much revered as a professor; the engineering building was rededicated as Chandler Hall in April 1935.
Chandler held many appointments outside of the university. In 1904 and 1905, he was the first state engineer for North Dakota, appointed specifically by Governor Frank White. He was also a hydraulic engineer for the Water Resources branch of the U.S. Geological Survey (1903-1935); secretary of the North Dakota Society of Engineers (1912-1922); city engineer for Grand Forks (1918-1919); state director for the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey (1933); and associate water consultant for the National Resources Commission (1936).
In December 1922, Chandler was diagnosed with a slowly degenerative case of Spastic Paraplegia, which impaired him more in his later years. He suffered no mental deterioration, as evidenced by continuing his teaching duties. In 1927, Chandler bought an automobile and traveled on various university, government, and recreational trips. He visited all but six U.S. states and Canadian provinces, accumulating over 200,000 miles. He retired to part-time teaching at UND in 1939 and transferred his office from the university to his personal residence in the summer of 1942, after which small classes and research sections would meet at his home at 3012 University Avenue.
Chandler also engaged in several historical writings. His father had begun a history of New Ipswich, New Hampshire, which Elwyn completed. He also wrote several histories about UND as the university approached its 60th anniversary in 1943. His Alphabetical List and Records of the Former Faculty Members of the University of North Dakota, which he completed in 1944, is still the most complete inventory of early UND faculty and staff.
On January 17, 1946, Chandler received an honorary degree as Doctor of Science from UND. He died August 13, 1946.
Subjects (links to similar collections)
