Scope and Contents: The Philo P. Safford Family Papers consist mainly of letters by Philo P. Safford (AB 1885) to his father John Safford (AB 1859, Seminary 1862) and mother Cornelia M. Walker Safford (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 & 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.
INVENTORY
Box 1
Letters sent by Philo P. Safford to his parents, 1880-87
Box 2
Letters sent by Philo P. Safford to his parents, 1888
Letters received by Philo P. Safford from his parents, 1881-September 1882
Box 3
Letters received by Philo P. Safford from his parents, October 1882-May 1885
Box 4
Letters received by Philo P. Safford from his parents, June 1885-May 1887
Miscellaneous letters received by Philo P. Safford, 1879-84
Box 5
Miscellaneous letters received by Philo P. Safford, 1885-86
Letters sent by John Safford to his wife, 1872-1886
Box 6
Letters sent by John Safford to his wife, 1887
Miscellaneous letters received by John Safford, 1867-88\
Miscellaneous letters received by Mrs. John Safford, 1876-88
High School materials of Philo P. Safford, ca. 1877-78
Ephemera, n.d.
Printed matter, 1884-87
Notes by Philo P. Safford on lectures by Professor J.M. Ellis, Oberlin College, 1884
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