Correspondence Files Related to Academy, College, and Early Years, 1902-1921

This series was originally titled “To his parents during Academy and College years and later.” Consisting of letters primarily written by John G. Olmstead to Icabod and Mary Olmstead (his parents) and Louise H. Olmstead (his wife), they contain descriptions of student life at Oberlin (1902-1906) and describe John’s involvement with the Oberlin Shansi Memorial Association and the Oberlin College Basketball Team. Later letters cover such topics as Icabod Olmstead’s health, and there is an extensive correspondence detailing John’s work with the YMCA during World War I and the effect this separation had on his marriage. Included are several letters written by Icabod Olmstead to John, at which time he discusses John’s engagement to Louise Hutchinson, his coal business, and family finances. This series also includes correspondence from classmate H.H. Kung and New Testament Language and Literature teacher Edward I. Bosworth to John G. Olmstead. This series is arranged chronologically.