William Frederick Bohn Papers

The papers of William Frederick Bohn (1878-1947) provide dual documentation on the workings of the Office of Assistant to the President and on William Frederick Bohn, the individual.  The papers of Assistant to the President William F. Bohn, which span the years 1899-ca. 1958 and cover the presidencies of Henry Churchill King and Ernest Hatch Wilkins, are arranged in six series.  The records series approximating the filing systems used by Bohn reflect the numerous functions performed by him at Oberlin College.  Arranged in an alphabetical hierarchy, the series are: I. Administrative Records (Numerical File); II. Bureau of Appointments Correspondence (Old File); III. General Correspondence; IV. Fund Raising; V. Personal File; and VI. Scrapbooks.

Originally maintained as a numerical file using the "Oberlin Numbers," the administrative files of Series I consist of general files covering the full spectrum of Bohn's duties as an administrator.  Consisting of correspondence, printed material, and reports, the documentation offers a rich picture of the administration of Oberlin College as it embarked on its first full-scale fund raising effort.  Also described is student life during the first four decades of the 20th century.   Well documented is Bohn's role as a goodwill ambassador for the College, both among alumni and potential donors.  The numerous committee files and faculty records attest to his diverse on-campus responsibilities.  A nearly complete run of annual reports of the Assistant to the President from 1913 to 1943 describe in great detail the work performed by Bohn on behalf of the College.  It is a rich source for understanding the function and priorities of the Assistant to the President.

Series II, Bureau of Appointment Correspondence, documents Bohn's early work as Secretary of the Bureau of Appointments.  Originally named the "Old File," the series contained correspondence for the period 1909-1913 and was retained by Bohn as part of his records.  The alphabetically arranged file offers insight into the nature of graduate placement around 1910.  The Bureau of Appointments served primarily as an agent for teachers seeking employment.  Included in the documentation is both incoming and outgoing correspondence from teacher agencies and institutions, as well as individuals seeking a starting job or a change of employment.  The correspondence offers a unique source for understanding the salaries and expectations of teachers.  Some material on ministry and YMCA/YWCA personnel is found here.  The correspondence is arranged entirely by the name of the correspondent, and not by agency or institution.

General correspondence found in Series III further illuminates Bohn's role as a fundraiser and goodwill ambassador for Oberlin College.  Organized primarily by individual correspondents, the file does include some subject-oriented files such as Negro students at Oberlin College, and smoking.  The correspondence is organized by both individuals and organizations.  Names of many prominent people solicited for donations are found here and include: Kenyon Cox, Arthur Vining Davis, Harvey S. Firestone, Cass Gilbert, Henry J. Haskell, and Orville Wright.  Several faculty members also appear in the general correspondence, including Kemper Fullerton, Delphine Hanna, Harry N. Holmes, and Gertrude Moulton.  Much of the correspondence deals with establishing scholarships and other permanent funds.  The campaign of 1923 represented a radical departure from the fund raising illustrated in this series.

The fund raising files in Series IV consist primarily of material relating to the campaign of 1923.  The 1923 campaign was the first major fund raising initiative embarked upon by Oberlin.  The campaign was designed to have each alumnus of the college donate or raise $285 dollars.  Together with other donations, the College hoped to raise over $4.5 million.  The bulk of the 1923 campaign files represent the office files of J. H. Hutchinson, the Oberlin representative for the consulting firm of Tamblyn and Brown who helped to organize the campaign.   The files contain correspondence with campaign chairmen and coordinators, including Katherine Wright and Theodore Burton.  Material sent to division, district, and city and state campaign groups is found here along with miscellaneous campaign publicity.  Other records in this series include some earlier fund raising material from 1908 to 1922 involving efforts to raise money for specific funds.  An alphabetical file of prospective donors is on index cards and contains biographical statements and past records of giving.

Items not directly connected with Bohn's work as a college official are contained in Series V, Personal File. This short series consists of articles and talks by Bohn as well as correspondence and genealogy.  Correspondence concerns his retirement, his connections with Chinese missionaries, and offers he entertained regarding presidencies at other colleges.  The genealogy establishes Bohn's position as a member of the Sons of the American Revolution.

Two scrapbooks of newspaper clippings from 1923 and 1926-28 respectively, capture a specific slice of time at Oberlin.  The clippings, from newspapers across the country, chronicle events and activities within Oberlin.  The 1923 volume is focused on the 1923 fund raising campaign and contains numerous articles concerning progress.  Descriptions of addresses and talks as well as athletic events are to be found in the clippings.

Noticeably lacking in the Bohn papers are records of the Oberlin Shansi Memorial Association, which Bohn aided in establishing.  His tenure as a trustee and later chairman of Shansi is not well documented among his papers.  Only one folder of general printed material points out his affiliation with Shansi.  Likewise, work performed in the Oberlin community is not well evidenced among his papers.  The service to Shansi and the community is surpassed by documentation of the administrative functions performed on behalf of the College.