John Russell Herrick was born May 12, 1822 in Milton, Vermont. He graduated from the University of Vermont and Andover Theological Seminary. He married Harriet Emily Brownell in 1856, and they had two children: Mary Brownell and John Wheeler. In 1880, he became the second President of Pacific University and Tualatin Academy. As President of the University, however, he spent much of his time travelling to the Northeastern United States soliciting money for the school. One of Herrick main interests was promoting women's education and his most significant achievement while President was the construction of a Ladies' Hall. It was renamed Herrick Hall in 1897. His other achievements included his success in bringing one of the U.S. Government’s Indian Training Schools to Forest Grove. Herrick eventually resigned from Pacific University after losing the support of the Board of Trustees over various issues, as well as his concern over the effect of constant travel on his wife. He went on to do other work, including preaching, writing, and serving as President of the University of South Dakota. He died in Elgin, Illinois on July 26, 1912.
J. R. H.
[item identification], Pacific University President John Russell Herrick Correspondence, Pacific University Archives, Forest Grove, Oregon.
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The collection consists of 24 letters related to John Russell Herrick, written while he was President of Pacific University and Tualatin Academy. The letters include his exchanges with the Board of Trustees concerning his appointment, his progress in promoting and raising funds for the schools, his future plans for the University, and his resignation. Also included are several letters from people who were interested in sending themselves or their children to Pacific University or Tualatin Academy.
Letter from N. G. Clark to the President of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, M. H. Buckham, D. D. The letter recommends John Herrick as a candidate for the President of Pacific University.
Copy of a letter from John Herrick, soliciting money for Pacific University from groups in the Eastern United States.
Letter from John Herrick to the Pacific University Board of Trustees, accepting the position of President of Pacific University and Tualatin Academy.
Copy of a letter from John Herrick to a member of the Pacific University Board of Trustees, expressing his opinion that the University should ally itself with other Christian colleges in the West.
Letter from John R. Herrick to the Pacific University Board of Trustees, tendering his resignation as President of Pacific University and Tualatin Academy.
Letter from the Pacific University Board of Trustees to John Herrick, announcing his appointment as President of Pacific University and Tualatin Academy. This item is a handwritten duplicate. It is signed by Alanson Hinman, George Atkinson, G. Shindler, Myron Eells, R. P. Boise, O. Dickenson, G. H. Collier, and H. W. Corbett.
Letter from the Pacific University Board of Trustees to John Herrick, asserting their opinion that Pacific University ought to be a non-sectarian Christian college, and should not attempt to create a partnership between different denominations.
Letter to John Herrick from the United States Army, notifying him of the transfer of Lt. Melville C. Wilkinson from overseeing the Indian Training School. He returned to his company in the United States Army.
Letter to John Herrick advising him to accept the position of President at Pacific University.