George C. Westervelt Papers, 1872-1941
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Administrative/Biographical History
George C. Westervelt was born in Oscaboosa, Iowa on June 2, 1856 and was one of four sons (Henry, Edward, ?) born to Rev. William Andrew Westervelt (Oberlin College, Class of 1843) and Lydia H. Drake. The family moved to Oberlin when George was ten years old. He entered the preparatory department of Oberlin College in 1872, then became a student in the Oberlin Conservatory (1872-84), studying organ, harmony, and counterpoint with Professors William B. Chamberlain and George W. Andrews. As a student in the Conservatory, he organized several bands for “entertainment of the ladies.” One of these, the Orphans College Band (1881), was the first club in Oberlin to perform concerts on and off campus. It was the predecessor of the Oberlin College Conservatory Band he organized in 1902 to represent the school.
In poor health, he left Oberlin to homestead in South Dakota for several years, then joined his brother, Edmund, in a paper business in South Bend, Indiana for two years. He then devoted himself to the study of public school music and became Instructor of Instrumental and Vocal Music at Western Hasmal College, in Bushnell, Illinois before returning to Oberlin in 1896 where he taught music at the Conservatory, built houses in Oberlin and South Lorain. He worked as a decorator with H.C. Tuck, a college decorator.
His first marriage was to Ella Marie Hammond (b. n.d., d. 12 July 1946), who attended Oberlin College (1879-81, Lit.). She divorced him on grounds of negligence of duty in 1899. His second marriage was to Emma A. Howard (enrolled in the Conservatory 1900-01), the mother of their only child, John (n.d.). She died 1 December 1935.
George Westervelt was a resident of Oberlin and nearby communities for 75 years until his death at age 90 on 16 August 1946. The original family home was on the present site of United Methodist Church, South Prospect Street in Oberlin, Ohio. His brother, Edmund, donated Westervelt Hall (now FAVA) to the College.
Sources Consulted
Student file of George C. Westervelt, enrolled 1872-74, in Alumni Records (RG 28).
Author: Caitlin Condell Forms of Material (links to similar genres) Administrative Information
The George C. Westervelt Papers are divided into three series; Series I. Historical File; Series II. Correspondence; and, Series III. Scrapbooks and Notebooks. The historical file and scrapbook provide evidence of Westervelt’s role in the formation of Oberlin College’s first band. The correspondence series provides insight into Westervelt’s personal life, including information regarding family deaths and Westervelt’s personal financial difficulty.
A separate notebook contains notes recorded by Westervelt for a psychology class taught by Professor John Ellis.
Series I. Historical File, 1880-81, 1928-29, n.d. (1 folder)
This series consists of one file concerning the history of Oberlin Bands. Included are typed descriptions by Westervelt, as well as several letters and articles concerning Westervelt and his involvement in the formation of the first college band The Orpheus Club.
Series II. Correspondence, 1887, 1896, 1903, 1915-17, 1921, 1932-33, 1936-41 (2 folders)
This series is comprised of two folders. The first folder primarily contains correspondence between Westervelt and various family members, including letters regarding the deaths of his brother and wife, as well as letters detailing financial difficulty. The second folder contains correspondence between Mrs. George Westervelt and the DeMoulin Bros. & Company concerning the purchase of pulpit chairs for First Congregational Church in Oberlin, Ohio. Also included is a personal letter from Mrs. H.E. Westervelt (sister-in-law) to Emma Westervelt.
Series III. Scrapbooks and Notebooks, c. 1872-1938, n.d. (2 volumes, 1 folder)
Consists of a scrapbook that contains a miscellaneous collection of clippings that include biographical information regarding Westervelt and extended family, programs of Oberlin band concerts, reunion memorabilia for both Oberlin High School and Oberlin Conservatory, maps, social announcements, steamboat and train schedules, and other memorabilia c.1880-1900. An additional folder of loose notes contains similar materials, dated c.1872-1938. The notebook includes lecture notes recorded by George Westervelt for a psychology class taught by Oberlin College Professor John Ellis (1876).
INVENTORY
Series I. Historical File, 1880-81, 1928-29, n.d.
Box 1
History of Oberlin College Bands, 1880-81,
1928-29, n.d.
Series II. Correspondence, 1887, 1896, 1903, 1915-17, 1921, 1932-33, 1936-41 (incoming and outgoing)
Box 1 (cont.)
George Westervelt (incoming and outgoing),
1887, 1896, 1903, 1915, 1917,
1932-33, 1936-41
Mrs. Westervelt (incoming and outgoing),
1916, 1921
Series III. Scrapbooks and Notebooks, c.1872-1938, n.d.
Box 1 (cont.)
Scrapbook, c.1880-1900, n.d. (1 vol.)
Loose scrapbook items, c.1872-1938, n.d.
Notebook, 1876