Fred Howard "Tip" Maddock Papers

Collection

Identifier: RG 30-068

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The papers of Fred H. "Tip" Maddock consist entirely of materials related to the history of Oberlin, Ohio. The collection includes handwritten lists of street addresses, typed city directories, handwritten notes, and other materials that were compiled into notebooks by Maddock. The notebooks were compiled between 1933 to 1951 and they contain information concerning Oberlin businesses, buildings, the Telegraph School, the Chamber of Commerce, and local history. The time period covered is 1833-1953, with some undated materials.

Dates

Creation: 1933-1953, undated
Other: Date acquired: 10/30/1972

Creator

Maddock, Fred H. (Tip) (Maddock, Fred Howard) (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Unrestricted.

Biographical Sketch

Fred Howard "Tip" Maddock, well-known citizen of Oberlin for many years, was born in Lake Breeze (Sheffield), Ohio on January 25, 1874 to Charles (1835-1913) and Charlotte (nee Jarman) (1837-1917). He had five siblings: John (1856-1936), Rhoda (1859-), Elizabeth (1861-), Charles Jr. (1865-), and Benjamin Richard (1869-1955). He moved to Oberlin in 1894 to attend the Oberlin Business School. In 1895, Maddock became an Express Agent, selling train tickets from an office in the old corner Inn building for 22 years, and thus met almost everyone in town. In 1918 he quit this job in order to enlist in any branch of the military that would take him in order to help the war effort during World War I. However, after being informed that, at age 44, he was too old to enlist, Maddock returned to Oberlin and was employed by the Cleveland and South Western Railroad Company. In addition, he managed the Electrical Package Agency and became the operator of a taxi line. In 1933, as a result of a serious car accident, Maddock became bed-ridden, and for the next 18 years devoted himself to collecting all available information on Oberlin history. His particular interests were Oberlin businesses and the commercial buildings in the downtown Oberlin. In preparing his will in July of 1951, Maddock thought first of Oberlin. After his death on Sept. 20, 1951, a reading of the will revealed that he wished the proceeds of his estate to go to complete his history of proprietorships and occupancy of downtown Oberlin businesses; a history of the old Cleveland and South Western Railroad Company; and, his history of the Oberlin Rod and Gun Club. Maddock never married.

Sources Consulted

Fred H. "Tip" Maddock papers (30/68); Oberlin News Tribune Sept. 20, 1951 and October 4, 1951.

Note written by Prue Richards, Kenneth M. Grossi, Ellie Leonhardt.

Extent

0.80 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Method of Acquisition

The papers of Fred H. "Tip" Maddock were transferred by deed of gift from Mrs. Mabel Jameson. Additional materials were received from Jack Glazier in 1976.