Henry Clark Gilbert was born December 1, 1891 in White Bear Lake, Minnesota – a community just north of St. Paul – to Philip G. Gilbert and Alcetta
Gilbert was active in faith-based students groups during his time at OAC. He was a member of OAC’s student chapter of the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA), and served as chair of the group’s Religious Meetings Committee, whose activities included bringing speakers to campus, and holding religious meetings, Bible classes, and “uplifting social gatherings.” Gilbert was also a member of
After graduating with a
From 1918 to 1921, Gilbert worked in South Dakota on the Barberry Eradication campaign out of the United States Department of Agriculture’s Cereal Investigations Office, first as the Assistant State Leader (
In 1921, the Gilberts relocated to Minnesota, where both Henry and Katherine began work on advanced degrees at the University of Minnesota (UM). Henry worked as a
The Gilberts returned to Oregon in late 1942, settling in the Hillsboro area. Henry Clark Gilbert died March 30, 1981 in Hillsboro, Oregon. Upon his death, Gilbert’s botanical specimens were donated to the
This collection was received by the former University Archives in the 1960s or 1970s.
Collection is open for research.
Henry C. Gilbert Photograph Collection (P 158), Oregon State University Special Collections and Archives Research Center, Corvallis, Oregon.
The OSU Special Collections and Archives Researcher Center's holdings contain numerous collections documenting the student experience at Oregon Agricultural College in the 1910s, including the
Collections which document OSU's connections to the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco, California in 1915 include the
Additional materials relating to the first World War can be found in the
The Henry C. Gilbert Photograph Collection is comprised of one series: 1. Photographs, 1905-1917. The photographs are arranged numerically by image number (P158:1-60).
The bulk of the Henry C. Gilbert Photograph Collection consists of postcards - in both color and black and white - depicting scenery, landmarks and agricultural practices throughout the Pacific Northwest and Canada. The collection also includes postcards and prints documenting scenes and activities from around Corvallis and the OAC campus. Many of the postcards are annotated and some were used to send messages - both by and to Gilbert - delivered through the post.
Of particular note are several images, many of them humorous, focusing on the membership, lodging and functions of the college's Oxford Club, predecessor to the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. Gilbert was a member of the Oxford Club and appears to have taken many of the photographs organized into this component of the collection. Also of interest is a group photograph of Gilbert and other student guides at the Oregon Building during the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco, California in 1915. Gilbert was one of 38 OAC students selected to serve as guides in the Oregon Building during the Expo.
Images from this collection have been digitized and are
The names of individual family members are annotated on the back of the photograph. Family members pictured include: Laura, Lucille, Lana, Genevieve, Bob, Arthur, Willard, Donald, Ida, Elwyn, Mama, and Papa. Additional captions clarify that Arthur, Lucille, Genevieve and Donald are Bert's children and that Elwyn is Willard's baby.
Image depicts corner of Sixth Street in Corvallis.
Pennants decorate the wall behind the student.
The Lady of the Fountain was a gift of the class of 1902 and was constructed in 1902 or 1903. It was located just to the west of the intersection where Madison Street crosses 9th Street.
Image depicts a male figure seated on a boulder beneath the Trysting Tree. Benton Hall (Community Hall) is visible in the background and a group of people can be seen lying on the grass near what has been the Women's Center since 1973.
Caption reads: "These are the guides on duty during March and April. They are on duty 4 weeks - 4 changing every 2 weeks. They are, from left to right, Fleishman (U of O), Bowen (U of O), Gilbert (OAC), Breeding (U of O), Doerner (OAC), Coe (OAC), Hayes (OAC), Hunter (U of O), Currey (OAC)." The men in the image stand on the porch of the Oregon Building at the Panama Pacific International Exposition, San Francisco.
Students are shown eating snow.
The caption on the reverse of the photograph reads: "Oxford Club House - The house faces south."
Caption reads: "Oxford Club, 1913-14. Front to rear: Smith (Soph.); Edwards, Homer; Scudder; Edwards, Connor; McCollum, Edgar; Taylor; Norton; Cook; Wright; Harvey; Gilbert; Roberts; Kehrli; McCollom, Chas; Robinson. Betzel took picture." The full names of the club members are, respectively, Clifton F. [?] Smith, J. Homer Edwards, Joy W. Scudder, Conner W. Edwards, J. Edgar McCollom, Frank J. [?] Taylor, James E. Norton, Mortimer P. Cook, Ralph V. Wright, Paul A. Harvey, H.C. Gilbert, Glen H. Roberts, Frank W. Kehrli, Charles A. McCollom, Charles L. Robinson. Betzel refers to Irwin L. Betzel. Club members stand in a row with each man placing a hand on the shoulder of the man in front of him in the line.
Image depicts members physically supporting one another in an elaborate group pose.
Irwin L. Betzel most likely took the photograph since his last name is inscribed in the lower left corner of the image. He is specifically cited as the photographer in a caption on the back of a previous image in this collection.
Sent to H.C. Gilbert in Corvallis, Oregon. Caption reads, "Am on car, so note writing. Please seal and mail my two letters on my table, Monday. Cliff, c/o Oxford club."
Caption reads: "What do you think of this bunch of wild aboridgenes [sic]"
Caption reads: "Kehrli and Chas McC. in ring. Betzel and Taylor timing. Edgar McC." Kehrli refers to Frank Walter Kehrli and Chas McC is Charles McCollom. Betzel and Taylor are Irwin Leonard Betzel and Frank J. Taylor [?]. Edgar McC is Edgar McCollom.
Caption reads: "This is the best way to get more than two in a bed."
Caption reads: "One man lifting seven."
Caption reads: "The punishment of a 'Rook' for insubordination."
Caption reads: "The Oxford Club bunch just home from the masquerade."
Image shows the organization of a Harrisburg neighborhood and provides insight into the spacing, size, and external appearance of homes in the area in 1913. Image was sent to H.C. Gilbert from Harrisburg, Oregon. Caption reads: "July 25, 1913. Have certainly been following your advice as to the good time. this is one view of the big 'city.' Told G. of my promise so suppose shall have to make it good. Was the lecture good. Wrote to E today. Shall be home Wed. Hope you'll have a good time tomorrow. A friend, L .B. H."
The Presbyterian Church, completed in 1910, still stands and is located at 114 SW 8th St, Corvallis, OR, near Central Park.
Image shows a manned ferry transporting a horse-drawn conveyance (most likely a buggy) across the Willamette River. Trees, a road, and several buildings are visible in the background.
Image shows a ferry resting on the Willamette River. Trees and one building are visible in the background.
The Methodist Church still stands and is located at 600 State Street; Salem, OR. It was completed in 1878.
Addressed to Henry Gilbert at Salem, Oregon. Caption reads: "Thanks very much for the pictures you sent some time ago. They brought back pleasant memories to me. How are spending the spring? Are you glad that you are thru school? This is fine country out here. I like it first rate. I am in town for the summer. The homestead is rather a lonesome place. An Aggie Fried, Hazel [Stum?]. Gull Lake, Saskatchewan, Box 136."
Addressed to Henry C. Gilbert at Oregon Agricultural College, Alpha Hall. Caption is mostly intelligible. It reads: "Oct. 4, 1913. Friend Gilbert: - I was somewhat surprised to hear from you but am glad you remembered your promise. Yes that address is alright so just send the penant. How do you like going to school this winter and what studies or branch you are taking. I am working in a doctor's office this winter, so that accounts for my delay in answering your card. Yours truly, Miss Iva Bluhm, 414 Wald Amette St., Oregon City, Oregon."
Addressed to Henry C. Gilbert at White Bear Lake in Minnesota. Caption reads: "This is where the conductor truthfully shouts all aboard. Phoenix, Arizona, 1/27/1905."
Obverse caption reads: "Beachey starting on his last flight from P.P.I.E. Grounds, March 14. Cardinell-Vincent Co. official photographers." Reverse caption reads: "Beachey had been using a Biplane up till this flight. This day when he tried his 'dip for life' at about 3000 ft. elevation the single planes were not strong enough and collapsed. He fell into the bay and was killed."