Bonisteel, Roscoe O. (Roscoe Osmond), 1888-

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Ann Arbor, Michigan, attorney, Republican regent of the University of Michigan.

From the description of Roscoe O. Bonisteel papers, 1903-1972. (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 34421410

Roscoe Osmond Bonisteel was born November 23, 1888 at Sidney Cross, Ontario. In 1891 he moved with his family to the United States. Following the retirement in 1913 of his father Milton F. Bonisteel from International Harvester the family moved to Ann Arbor, where Milton became active in both the real estate and the insurance business.

Roscoe Bonisteel received most of his early education in Pennsylvania, graduating from Harrisburg high school and receiving most of his undergraduate education at Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Bonisteel received his college diploma, however, from the University of Michigan, which conferred upon him a bachelor of laws degree in 1912.

For the next half century Bonisteel practiced law in Ann Arbor. In addition to his practice, he was active in numerous professional organizations. He was president of the State Bar of Michigan (1936-1937), an organization he helped to create. He also served as a member of the American Bar Association House of Delegates (1936-1940).

Bonisteel's scope of activities, however, was far broader than his legal interests. He actively involved himself in politics, education, business, religion and community betterment.

Politically, Bonisteel was a conservative Republican. He served as an active party worker throughout his life. He was elected chairman of the Washtenaw County Republican organization and was appointed to numerous state boards and commissions. In both 1928 and 1944 he was selected as a delegate to the Republican National Convention. Bonisteel remained politically active throughout the 1950s. In 1961 he was elected as a Republican delegate to the state constitutional convention. At the convention he served on several committees, but was most influential in his posts as chairman of the education committee's sub-committee on higher education, and as vice-chairman of the committee on emerging problems. Education was a continuing concern of Bonisteel. He was a trustee of Dickinson College, a member of the Board of Trustees, Cleary College, the Board of Governors, Wayne State University (1956-1959) and the Board of Regents, the University of Michigan (1946-1959). In addition he served on the Board of Directors and was chairman of the executive committee of the National Music Camp at Interlochen.

In the business community, Bonisteel served as legal counsel for numerous corporate clients. Personally, he was a member of several Michigan firms' board of directors, including Ann Arbor Bank, Information Industry Associates, Michigan Life Insurance, and the State Bank of Frankfort.

Bonisteel worshipped at First Presbyterian Church of Ann Arbor. He was an active member of the congregation. He served both as an elder and a trustee of the church. In addition to all his other activities, Bonisteel was involved in a host of community organizations. He was a Mason, an active 33rd degree member, and a Michigan grand master (1929-1930). He was a Rotarian, serving that organization as president of the Ann Arbor chapter (1932-1933) and as International District governor (1934-1935). He was a member of the American Legion, having been a captain in the U.S. Air Service (area intelligence) during World War I. He was elected commander of Legion post 46 (1925) and served as judge advocate for Michigan (1934-1935). He was also active in historical organizations, most prominently as president of the Historical Society of Michigan (1961-1962).

Roscoe Bonisteel died on February 25, 1972.

From the guide to the Roscoe O. Bonisteel Papers, 1903-1972, (Bentley Historical Library University of Michigan)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Reichert, Rudolph E. (Rudolph Edward), 1887-1965. Rudolph Edward Reichert papers, 1907-1965. Bentley Historical Library
creatorOf Boyles, Emerson R., 1881-1960. Emerson R. Boyles papers, 1879-1911 and 1931-1960. Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn University of Michigan. News and Information Services. Faculty and Staff Files, 1944-2005 (bulk 1960-1995) Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Rudolph E. Reichert Papers, 1907-1962 Bentley Historical Library
creatorOf Michener, Earl Cory, 1876-1957. Earl C. Michener papers, 1898-1934 and 1940-1954. Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Shirley Wheeler Smith Papers, 1881-1959 Bentley Historical Library
creatorOf Stellanova Osborn papers, 1907-1988 Bentley Historical Library
creatorOf Osborn, Stellanova, 1894-1988. Stella Brunt Osborn papers, 1916-1992. Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn James Fairbairn Smith papers, 1924 and 1945-1975 Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Emerson R. Boyles papers, 1879-1911 and 1931-1960 Bentley Historical Library
creatorOf Hatcher, Harlan, 1898-1998. Harlan Henthorne Hatcher papers, 1837-1998 (bulk 1891-1986). Bentley Historical Library
creatorOf Sink, Charles A. (Charles Albert), 1879-1972. Charles Albert Sink papers, 1907-1985. Bentley Historical Library
creatorOf Sink, Charles A. (Charles Albert), 1879-1972. Charles Albert Sink papers, 1907-1996. Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Stellanova Osborn papers, 1907-1988 Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Harlan Henthorne Hatcher Papers, 1837-1998, 1891-1986 Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Charles A. Sink Papers, 1890s-1996 Bentley Historical Library
creatorOf Averill, George R., 1893-1971. George R. Averill papers, 1928-1969. Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Earl C. Michener papers, 1898-1934 and 1940-1954, 1904-1934 Bentley Historical Library
creatorOf Bonisteel, Roscoe O. (Roscoe Osmond), b. 1888. Roscoe O. Bonisteel papers, 1903-1972. Bentley Historical Library
creatorOf Roscoe O. Bonisteel Papers, 1903-1972 Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn George R. Averill papers, 1928-1969 Bentley Historical Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith American Bar Association. corporateBody
associatedWith Angell, James Burrill, 1829-1916 person
associatedWith Averill, Geoarge R., 1893-1971 person
associatedWith Averill, George R., 1893-1971. person
associatedWith Bonisteel family. family
associatedWith Boyles, Emerson R., 1881-1960. person
associatedWith Burton, Marion Le Roy, 1874-1925 person
associatedWith Cleary College (Ypsilanti, Mich.) corporateBody
associatedWith Dickinson College. corporateBody
associatedWith First Presbyterian Church (Ann Arbor, Mich.) corporateBody
associatedWith First Presbyterian Church (Ann Arbor, Mich.) corporateBody
associatedWith Hatcher, Harlan, 1898-1998. person
associatedWith Historical Society of Michigan (1874- ) corporateBody
associatedWith Hutchins, Harry B. (Harry Burns), 1847-1930 person
associatedWith Michener, Earl Cory, 1876-1957. person
associatedWith Michigan. Constitutional Convention (1961-1962) corporateBody
associatedWith National Music Camp. corporateBody
associatedWith Osborn, Stellanova, 1894-1988. person
associatedWith Presbyterian Church corporateBody
associatedWith Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) corporateBody
associatedWith Reichert, Rudolph E. (Rudolph Edward), 1887-1965. person
associatedWith Republican Party (Mich.) corporateBody
associatedWith Sink, Charles A. (Charles Albert), 1879-1972. person
associatedWith Smith, James Fairbairn. person
associatedWith Smith, Shirley Wheeler, 1875-1959 person
associatedWith University of Michigan corporateBody
associatedWith University of Michigan. Board of Regents. corporateBody
associatedWith University of Michigan. Law School corporateBody
associatedWith University of Michigan. News and Information Services. corporateBody
associatedWith Wayne State University. corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
Ann Arbor (Mich.)
Michigan
Michigan--Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor (Mich.)
Subject
Travel
Elections
Elections
Families
Freemasonry
Freemasonry
Leisure
Rites and ceremonies
Occupation
Activity

Person

Birth 1888

Death 1972

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