Elwyn F. Chandler Papers, 1868-1946

Elwyn F. Chandler Papers

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Collection Overview

Title: Elwyn F. Chandler Papers, 1868-1946

Predominant Dates:1900-1946

ID: OGLMC0054

Primary Creator: Chandler, Elwyn F. (1872-1946)

Extent: 12.0 Linear Feet

Arrangement:

Series 1: Personal Materials

Series 2: Collected Materials

Series 3: Personal Research

Series 4: Published Book, New Ipswich

Series 5: University of North Dakota History

Series 6: University Work

Series 7: U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, and U.S. Geological Survey

Series 8: Maps

Series 9: Correspondence

Series 10: Photographs

Subjects: University of North Dakota - Faculty

Languages: English

Abstract

1872-1946; UND Departments of Engineering and Mathematics, 1899-1939

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The collection, organized into ten series, contains personal correspondence as well as materials related to Chandler's academic work and research at the University of North Dakota. There are also histories compiled and written by Chandler about the campus and its buildings.

Collection Historical Note

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 60thanniversary 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.

Subject/Index Terms

University of North Dakota - Faculty

Administrative Information

Repository: Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections

Access Restrictions: Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections.

Acquisition Method: Donation; the original acquisition records are unavailable.

Related Publications:

Alphabetical List and Records of the Former Faculty Members of the University of North Dakota. Call number: LD3982.2 .A43 1944.

University of North Dakota, 1883 to 1942: history of each of the buildings and of the other campus accessories, from the first erection of each up to 1942. Call number: LD3984.6 .C48 1942.

University of North Dakota sixty-year history. Call number: LD3983 .C48 1943.

Preferred Citation: (Description of Item). Elwyn F. Chandler Papers. OGLMC 54, Box #, Folder #. Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections, Chester Fritz Library, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks.

Finding Aid Revision History: Finding aid added to Archon in April 2015 and revised in December 2015.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Personal Materials],
[Series 2: Collected Materials],
[Series 3: Personal Research],
[Series 4: Published Book, New Ipswich],
[Series 5: University of North Dakota History],
[Series 6: University Work],
[Series 7: U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey and U.S. Geological Survey],
[Series 8: Maps],
[Series 9: Correspondence],
[Series 10: Photographs],
[All]

Series 1: Personal Materials

The first series contains notes, mementos and clippings relating to Chandler's personal life. Included are papers he received from Ripon College, notes of auto trips, estate papers, notes from Mrs. Anna Chandler, Christmas cards and postcards, and autobiographical materials, including a personal account of his Spastic Paraplegia.

Box 1

Folder 1: Diplomas, licenses, awards, etc.
Folder 2: Ripon College mementos
Folder 3: Personal notebooks from Ripon College
Folder 4: Lineage, handwritten
Folder 5: Notes on automobile and trips
Folder 6: Personal clippings, notes, letters, and Christmas cards
Folder 7: Notes by Mrs. Chandler
Folder 8: Miscellaneous autobiographical notes
Folder 9: En memoriam note

Box 11

Folder 8: Biographical Information, 1940-1945

Series 2: Collected Materials

The second series concerns Chandler's work as a civil engineer. It includes notes and material on testimony before the U.S. Supreme Court in the North Dakota vs. Minnesota watershed case of Bois de Sioux, miscellaneous newspaper clippings and collected pamphlets from the United States, the State of North Dakota, and UND, dating 1914-1917.

Box 1

Folder 10: Bois de Sioux testimony and notes
Folder 11: Bois de Sioux correspondence
Folder 12: Boy’s Working Reserve Correspondence, 1917-1918
Folder 13: Minnesota and North Dakota intercollegiate conference notes and correspondence, 1908-1928
Folder 14: Grand Forks Street and Railway reports and correspondence
Folder 15: North Dakota State Engineers records

Box 2

Folder 1: Miscellaneous newspaper clippings
Folder 2: Miscellaneous newspaper clippings
Folder 3: Miscellaneous newspaper clippings
Folder 4: Miscellaneous collected pamphlets and notes
Folder 5: Miscellaneous collected pamphlets and notes
Folder 6: North Dakota Society of Engineers publications, 1914-1917
Folder 7: North Dakota Society of Engineers publications, 1917-1921
Folder 8: Miscellaneous North Dakota publications, 1900-1903
Folder 9: Miscellaneous North Dakota publications, 1904-1907
Folder 10: Miscellaneous North Dakota publications, 1908-1926
Folder 11: Miscellaneous North Dakota publications, 1927-1937
Folder 12: Miscellaneous North Dakota publications, 1938-1940

Box 3

Folder 1: Miscellaneous U. S. Government publications, 1899-1919
Folder 2: Miscellaneous U. S. Government publications, 1920-1922
Folder 3: Miscellaneous U. S. Government publications, 1922-1939
Folder 4: Miscellaneous UND publications, small, 1913-1942
Folder 5: Miscellaneous UND commencement programs, 1926-1944
Folder 6: Miscellaneous UND originated publications and pamphlets, large, 1928-1943
Folder 7: Miscellaneous commercial originated publications, 1896-1947

Series 3: Personal Research

Personal research composes the third series of material. Dating from 1904 to 1946, it includes notes, speech manuscripts, materials published in books and journals, and published monographs.

Box 3

Folder 8: Personal research, published matter, and speeches, 1904-1910
Folder 9: Personal research, published matter, and speeches, 1911-1919
Folder 10: Personal research, published matter, and speeches, 1920-1929
Folder 11: Personal research, published matter, and speeches, 1930-1939
Folder 12: Personal research, published matter, and speeches, 1939-1946
Folder 13: Personal research, published matter, and speeches, undated

Box 4

Folder 1: Notes and clippings of material published in papers, magazines, etc.
Folder 2: Monograph copies and notes
Folder 3: Commercial Club correspondence and notes
Folder 4: Fortnightly Club manuscripts, 1900-1912

Series 4: Published Book, New Ipswich

The fourth series includes various versions of the book New Ipswich, a history begun by Charles H. Chandler, and completed by Elwyn. This material includes handwritten manuscripts, typed copies, and galley proofs.

Box 4

Folder 5: C. H. Chandler papers
Folder 6: C. H. Chandler account book, 1868-1875
Folder 7: C. H. Chandler account book, 1875-1894
Folder 8: C. H. Chandler estate, administration accounts
Folder 9: New Ipswich, handwritten manuscript, chapter VI
Folder 10: New Ipswich, typed copy of Chapter I
Folder 11: Map of New Ipswich area, New Hampshire
Folder 12: New Ipswich, typed copy for printers
Folder 13: New Ipswich, typed copy of Chapter IX
Folder 14: New Ipswich, typed section
Folder 15: New Ipswich, duplicate typed copy, pp. 650-875
Folder 16: New Ipswich, duplicate typed copy. pp. 876-1025

Box 5

Folder 1: New Ipswich, duplicate typed copy, pp. 1026-Index 104
Folder 2: New Ipswich, rough draft, typed
Folder 3: New Ipswich, rough draft, typed
Folder 4: New Ipswich, galley proof

Series 5: University of North Dakota History

The fifth series contains notes and drafts of Chandler 's history of the University of North Dakota. Histories of the buildings, faculty, maintenance staff, and student activities are included.

Box 1

Folder 16: Materials on First UND Commencement

Box 5

Folder 5: UND History, rough notes pertaining to
Folder 6: UND History, buildings, notes
Folder 7: UND History, buildings, carbon copy
Folder 8: UND History, buildings, carbon copy
Folder 9: UND History, buildings, carbon copy
Folder 10: UND History, buildings, facsimile copy

Box 6

Folder 1: UND History, faculty roster, notes
Folder 2: UND History, faculty roster, draft with revisions
Folder 3: UND History, faculty roster, preliminary draft
Folder 4: UND History, faculty roster, preliminary draft
Folder 5: UND History, faculty roster
Folder 6: UND History, faculty roster
Folder 7: UND History, faculty roster
Folder 8: UND History, library
Folder 9: UND History, summary, compiled, and duplicates
Folder 10: UND History, summary, compiled, and duplicates
Folder 11: UND History, third revision
Folder 12: UND History, summary, compiled, and duplicates

Series 6: University Work

The sixth series is comprised of works related to Chandler's professorship at UND. Included are an index of his university work, grade books, records of his office material, students' workbooks, and schedules for events sponsored by the North Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

Box 6

Folder 13: Index of University Work, 1915-1928
Folder 14: UND, teaching and office notes
Folder 15: UND, teaching and office notes
Folder 16: C. A. A. ground school notes, 1939-1942
Folder 17: North Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference material

Box 7

Folder 1: UND Campus field workbooks for student work
Folder 2: UND Campus field workbooks for student work
Folder 3: Student grade books

Series 7: U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey and U.S. Geological Survey

The seventh series is made up of field notebooks, notes, instructions and correspondence relating to Chandler's work with the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey and the U.S. Geological Survey, 1903-1935.

Box 7

Folder 4: U.S. Geological Survey, miscellaneous notes
Folder 5: U.S. Geological Survey, correspondence
Folder 6: U.S. Geological Survey, instructions
Folder 7: U.S. Coast and Geological Survey, lists of publications
Folder 8: U.S. Geological Survey, forms
Folder 9: U.S. Coast and Geological Survey, bench mark reports
Folder 10: U.S. Coast and Geological Survey, bench mark reports
Folder 11: U.S. Coast and Geological Survey, bench mark reports

Box 8

Folder 1: U.S. Coast and Geological Survey, bench mark reports
Folder 2: U.S. Coast and Geological Survey, bench mark reports
Folder 3: U.S. Coast and Geological Survey, bench mark reports
Folder 4: U.S. Coast and Geological Survey, bench mark reports
Folder 5: U.S. Coast and Geological Survey, bench mark reports
Folder 6: U.S. Coast and Geological Survey, bench mark reports
Folder 7: U.S. Coast and Geological Survey, field notebooks
Folder 8: U.S. Coast and Geological Survey, field notebooks
Folder 9: USGS, rating table workbook, 1903-1904
Folder 10: USGS, river cross-section workbook, 1903-1904
Folder 11: USGS, rating table workbook, 1905-1906
Folder 12: USGS, river cross-section workbook, 1905-1906

Box 9

Folder 1: USGS, level party reports, 1934
Folder 2: USGS, level party reports, 1934

Series 8: Maps

Contour maps, base maps, and other maps relating to Chandler's geological work make up the eighth series. These are filed by area.

Box 9

Folder 3: Mustinka and Bois de Sioux River maps
Folder 4: Station rating curves
Folder 5: Temperature curve maps and computations
Folder 6: Devil's Lake maps and trip, 1905
Folder 7: North Dakota contour maps
Folder 8: Grand Forks County contour maps
Folder 9: Minnesota base and contour maps
Folder 10: Montana contour maps

Box 10

Folder 1: Western States and South Dakota base and contour maps
Folder 2: Wisconsin contour maps
Folder 3: New England contour maps
Folder 4: Miscellaneous maps
Folder 5: Geodetic grid maps and computations
Folder 6: Geodetic computation forms

Box 11

Folder 6: Misc. Data on River Flows in North Dakota
Folder 7: Station Rating Curves

Series 9: Correspondence

This series has Chandler's correspondence arranged in chronological order from 1901 to 1946. All of his collected correspondence is in this series except for some postcards in series 1 and some business correspondence in series 2.

Box 10

Folder 7: Correspondence, incoming, updated
Folder 8: Correspondence, incoming, 1901- 1909
Folder 9: Correspondence, incoming, 1910- 1914
Folder 10: Correspondence, incoming, 1915- 1919
Folder 11: Correspondence, incoming, 1920- 1924
Folder 12: Correspondence, incoming, 1925- 1929
Folder 13: Correspondence, incoming, 1930- 1934
Folder 14: Correspondence, incoming, 1935- 1937
Folder 15: Correspondence, incoming, 1939- 1940
Folder 16: Correspondence, incoming, 1941- 1943
Folder 17: Correspondence, incoming, 1944- 1946
Folder 18: Correspondence, outgoing, 1903- 1913
Folder 19: Correspondence, outgoing, 1916- 1924
Folder 20: Correspondence, outgoing, 1925-1934

Box 11

Folder 1: Correspondence, outgoing, 1935- 1937
Folder 2: Correspondence, outgoing, 1938- 1940
Folder 3: Correspondence, outgoing, 1941- 1942
Folder 4: Correspondence, outgoing, 1943- 1944
Folder 5: Correspondence, outgoing, 1945-1946

Series 10: Photographs

A total of 818 photographs were separated and placed in the Orin G. Libby Photograph Collection. One scrapbook has photographs of geological, architectural, and cultural sights from the Midwest and northwest U.S. Another scrapbook has photographs of North Dakota river stations with technical descriptions in the margins. The remaining loose photographs depict various subjects including, but not limited to, images of Chandler, UND campus life, geological and geographical scenes, and postcards.

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