Jesse F. Brumbaugh served as professor of psychology at Oregon State College from 1915 until his retirement in about 1939 when he became professor emeritus. He continued teaching into the 1950s.

Brumbaugh (originally spelled Brumback) was born in Kewanna, Indiana on May 29, 1868. He received degrees from Depauw University (A.B., 1894), University of Chicago (A.M. 1902), and the State Law School of South Dakota (L.L.B., 1910). Prior to his tenure at Oregon State, Brumbaugh taught at Depauw University (1894-1896 and 1902-1906), Dakota Wesleyan (1897-1901), and the State University of South Dakota (1909-1913).

Brumbaugh taught a wide range of classes during his years at Oregon State, including Elementary Psychology, Educational Psychology, Introduction to Reflective Thinking, Logic, and Ethics. He authored numerous articles and three books - (1917), (1932) and (1933). Brumbaugh was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa and Pi Gamma Mu honorary societies and the Society of Applied Psychology. He married Anna Cook of Sheldon, South Dakota in August 1899. They had four children. Brumbaugh probably died around 1959.

The Jesse F. Brumbaugh Papers consist of materials created and assembled by Brumbaugh documenting his personal life and teaching career at Oregon State College from 1915 until the 1940s. The collection includes a grade school notebook; biographical information; personal correspondence; law teaching materials; teaching materials for psychology courses; writings; financial records; clippings and memorabilia; and photographs.

The grade school notebook is from about 1875 and includes hand-drawn maps of states and related geographical information, other drawings, writing lessons, mathematical problems, historical essays, and poetry.

The biographical information consists of undated genealogical information and a resume and letters of recommendation created in 1908-1915. Brumbaugh's diploma from the University of Chicago is also included with the biographical information. Correspondence dated 1926-1958 is with professional colleagues, family members, and publishers. The law teaching materials include materials for a 1915-1916 Farmers' Short course in law and government.

The teaching materials for psychology courses comprise the bulk of the collection and include lecture notes, course outlines, syllabi, and exams. Materials for courses in child development, educational psychology, ethics, vocational psychology, reflective thinking, and logic are included. Teaching materials created by other educators are also part of the collection. These include "American Civics and Government Test for High Schools and Colleges" (circa 1946) by F.A. Magruder and R.J. Clinton at Oregon State College and M.M. Chambers at Teachers College of Kansas City, Missouri and an advertisement for (circa 1940).

The writings consist of a partial undated typescript of a study of human reaction time involving automobiles and poems written by Brumbaugh. One of the poems is dated 1953; however, most are undated. The financial records include insurance policies, tax statements, property deeds, and stock information for 1898-1957.

The clippings and memorabilia include newspaper clippings on various subjects from 1945 to 1953 and memorabilia from 1922 to 1955. The memorabilia includes notecards, membership cards, recipes, and a dime novel catalog. The memorabilia also includes a portion of the Chicago Day at the Fair Edition of the for October 10, 1893. This item has been encapsulated.

The photographs consist of 11 photographic prints and were made from the 1930s until 1946. Most of the images are unidentified; one is identified as his daughter Madeline Brumbaugh and another depicts Jesse Brumbaugh pushing a reel mower. The other images are unidentified children (perhaps his grandchildren); an old woman standing next to a tree; and a composite photograph of young women (perhaps a sorority or living group). An aerial photograph of a ranch house and orchard made by Kennel-Ellis of Klamath Falls is also included.