Simon Barclay Conover Papers, 1891-1892

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Simon Barclay Conover
Title
Simon Barclay Conover Papers
Dates
1891-1892 (inclusive)
Quantity
1 container, (0.5 linear feet)
Collection Number
Cage 692
Summary
Includes correspondence, government documents, news clippings, and vouchers related to the establishment of the State Agricultural College at Pullman, Wash.
Repository
Washington State University Libraries' Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections (MASC)
Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections
Terrell Library Suite 12
Pullman, WA
99164-5610
Telephone: 509-335-6691
mascref@wsu.edu
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Historical NoteReturn to Top

Simon Barclay Conover was born September 23, 1840, in Cranbury, New Jersey. He studied medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and University of Nashville, after which he served briefly in the medical department of the Union Army in 1864. He served as a U.S. senator for Florida from 1873 to 1879. In 1880 he made an unsuccessful bid at the governorship of Florida, and in 1889 was appointed U.S. Surgeon at the quarantine station at Port Townsend, Washington. The next year he became president of the Board of Regents for the new Agricultural College and School of Sciences of the State of Washington, later renamed Washington State University, and served as a regent for about two years. He continued to practice medicine until his death on April 19, 1908.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The papers of S. B. Conover consist of correspondence, government documents, newspaper clippings and vouchers related to the establishment and operation of the State Agricultural College at Pullman for the years 1891 and 1892.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

The papers are arranged in twelve folders by topic, and are placed in chronological order within each folder.

Acquisition Information

Papers of Simon Barclay Conover were donated to the Washington State University Libraries in October 2004 (MS 2004-16) by Libby Walgamott of Anacortes, Washington, a descendant of Mr. Conover.

Processing Note

The papers were processed by Kristopher Stenson in November 2004.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
1 1 Scrapbook with newspaper clippings Apr. 22, 1891-Dec. 22, 1892
1 2 Letters of application to teach at college 1891
1 3 Letters of application to teach at college and responses 1892
1 4 Conover's opening address and newspaper excerpt of the same Jan. 1892
1 5 Misc. vouchers, account books, U.S. Treasury circular regarding funds 1891-1892
1 6 Letters regarding Federal appropriations and materials requested by the Federal government Jun.-Dec. 1891
1 7 Materials and letters about contracting builders and supplying equipment for college Jan.-Jul. 1892
1 8 Letters regarding newspapermen and false information Jul. 2-Aug. 4, 1892
1 9 Letter from Prof. Hitchcock regarding resignation and response Dec. 1892
1 10 Student petition and letters regarding dismissal of Pres. Lilly Oct. 6-Dec. 28, 1892
1 11 Lilly indictments and letter of explanation 1892
1 12 Misc. letters and circular 1891-1892

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Washington State University -- Archives.
  • Washington State University -- History.
  • Washington State University. President -- History.