Philo P. Safford Family Papers

The Philo P. Safford Family Papers consist mainly of letters by Philo Perry Safford (1863-1914, AB 1885) to his father John Safford (1831-1891, AB 1859, Seminary 1862) and mother Cornelia Melissa Walker Safford (1831-1914 attended 1853-59), 1884-87; of letters written by his parents to Philo, 1881-87; and of other letters received by Philo or his parents, 1872-88.

Philo’s letters, 1884-85, are from Oberlin and contain much information about oratory, debate, and his support for Prohibitionist Party candidate St. John in 1884. Other topics covered are student living conditions, expenses, and his participation in tennis.  Subsequent letters tell of his life as a high school principal in Salem, Ohio (September 1885 to June 1886), his law training (1887-88) in New York City at Columbia College Law School, and the firm of Carter, Hughes and Cravath.

Philo’s parents’ letters reflect their general interest in his career and in Oberlin. They contain much information about the life and concerns of a Congregational minister at Ashtabula, Ohio (1881), Fond du Lac, Wisconsin (December 1881 to April 1885), and Grinnell, Iowa.

The papers include a small amount of printed ephemera from Oberlin such as concert programs and invitations, 1884-87.