Westminster College Dean Robert G. McNiece correspondence, 1891-1908.

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Westminster College Dean Robert G. McNiece correspondence, 1891-1908.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/727986885

This collection contains the incoming, outgoing, and third party correspondence of Robert G. McNiece during his service to Westminster College (Salt Lake City, Utah) as an original faculty member, member of the Board of Trustees, and college dean. The materials in the collection date from 1891-1908. The letters are authored by only a handful of individuals and address a variety of subjects relating to the founding and early years of Westminster College. The collection consists largely of correspondence regarding the use of Reverend Dr. Sheldon Jackson's property in Washington, D.C., and the activities of Thomas Gordon, the college's floundering investment agent. The majority of these letters are either addressed to or from R. G. McNiece. Other authors include General John Eaton (the college's first president), Colonel William M. Ferry and Jeannette H. Ferry (college benefactors), Thomas Gordon, and Sheldon Jackson. Third party correspondence consists mainly of letters concerning Gordon and the financial status of the college from Presbyterian organizations, prospective donors, and community members. On the whole, this collection accurately describes the financial situation of the early college. It presents a chronicle of the struggle of the college founders in trying to secure necessary funding to create a strong financial foundation and an endowment. The most central focus of this collection is the property in Washington, D.C. The property was originally owned by Sheldon Jackson, but donated to the college when he was unable to fulfill his original commitment to provide the college with a $50,000 grant (i.e., Jackson deeded the property to the college in place of his grant). It is believed that Jackson's inability to fulfill the original agreement allowed the college to change its name from Sheldon Jackson College to Westminster College (the name change was solidified in the provisions of Ferry's donation). The original agreement, based on Jackson's grant, was broken by Jackson himself. Complications arose when the college's financial agent, Thomas Gordon, was discovered to have abused his power of attorney for personal gain. The end result of Gordon's misappropriation was a substantial monetary loss for the college (amounting to about $35,000). No lawsuit was ever filed against Gordon, for fear that the negative publicity generated would doom the college. In 1902, trustee William M. Ferry would step in and provide the college with the funding it desperately needed, buying the property that the campus currently occupies. An outgoing letter (May 1898) from McNiece to Mrs. Jeanette H. Ferry mentions the plan to consolidate Sheldon Jackson College and the Salt Lake Collegiate Institute and informs Ferry that both Dr. Eaton and Dr. Jackson have given their approval.

0.3 linear feet.

Westminster College, Giovale Library

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SNAC Resource ID: 8097369

Westminster College, Giovale Library

Related Entities

There are 12 Entities related to this resource.

Salt Lake Collegiate Institute

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w65n07kf (corporateBody)

The Salt Lake Collegiate Institute opened to students of all ages on April 12, 1875 in the basement of the First Presbyterian Church. Its first classes were taught by the Coyner family. 'Mrs. Mary Wilson Coyner took charge of the primaries, Miss Emma Margaret Coyner the intermediates and I had those in the advanced studies,' wrote J.M. Coyner in 1897. As a result of their efforts, the Coyners taught sixty-five pupils in their first term. The Salt Lake Collegiate Institute began without being abl...

Ferry, Jeannette Hollister, 1828-1917

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Jackson, Sheldon, 1834-1909

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Sheldon Jackson organized pioneer Presbyterian churches and schools in the West and Alaska. He recognized the importance of women's missionary work and helped to establish the Women's Executive Committee in 1878. In 1885, he was appointed as general agent for education in Alaska. In 1891, Jackson was instrumental in introducing reindeer into Alaska to remedy the failing food supply due to whalers. He continued to be active in the church's missionary work until his death. From the des...

Westminster College (Salt Lake City, Utah : 1902-1983). Dean's Office

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Eaton, John, 1829-1906

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6xw57kk (person)

A New Hampshire native, Colonel Eaton was the General Superintendent of Freedmen for Mississippi, Arkansas, West Tennessee and Northern Louisiana from 1862 - 1865. Eaton served with the 9th Regiment Louisiana Infantry (African Descent) and recruited men for the 7th Regiment Louisiana Infantry (African Descent). From the description of John Eaton letter, 1864 Jan. 30. (Louisiana State University). WorldCat record id: 265753858 Union Army chaplain; Tennessee Superintendent of ...

Sheldon Jackson College (Salt Lake City, Utah)

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Gordon, Thomas, 1922-

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w632149h (person)

Westminster College (Salt Lake City, Utah : 1902-1983)

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Ferry, William Montague, 1824-1905

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w68p8s4j (person)

Born in Granby, Mass., Sept. 8, 1796; clerk in the store of his brother Hewan at Remsen, N.Y.; studied and taught school, 1814-1817; studied theology and was ordained Presbyterian minister, 1822; missionary to the Mackinac Indians,1823-1835; purchased land in Grand River valley and began lumber business; was successful and at his death left $120,400 for benevolent purposes; died in Grand Haven. Mich., Dec. 30, 1867. (From Appleton. Mich. Pioneers, v. 6, p. 391-395.) (blue index cards) ...

Westminster College (Salt Lake City, Utah : 1902-1983). Board of Trustees

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Thompson, Charles L. (Charles Lemuel), 1839-1924

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McNiece, Robert G. (Robert Gibson), 1839-1913

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6gf0xtk (person)

Pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Salt Lake City, Utah. From the description of Letter, 22 Dec 1887. (Utah Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 122552088 Robert Gibson McNiece was born on 10 January 1839, on his family's farm in Topsham, Vermont. His family's humble circumstances and religious devotion would shape his character at an early age. He was raised and educated in the East, eventually becoming a Dartmouth College graduate. Following his educatio...