John E. Wirkler Papers, 1880-1959, n.d.
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Administrative/Biographical History
John Ebenezer Wirkler, known widely on the Oberlin College campus as "Mr. Jack" during his long and varied career in the office of the Secretary and as Glee Club Director, first arrived in Oberlin as a transfer student from Bethel College, Newton, KA, in 1901. He was born in Wichita, Kansas, on July 2, 1879, the son of Christian and Elizabeth Badiger Wirkler. He earned both an A.B. degree (1903) and an A.M. degree (1904) from Oberlin College. He was an Instructor of History in the Oberlin Academy from 1904 to 1911. In 1911, he was appointed Assistant to the Secretary. He served in the Office of the Secretary in several capacities, including Assistant to the Secretary, 1911-1915, Assistant Secretary,1915-1938, Associate Secretary,1938-1945, and Emeritus Associate Secretary, 1945-1946. Wirkler also served as a special assistant to the Secretary and Director of Admissions, 1945-1946. He was involved in matters related to admissions, scholarships, financial aid and student employment, rooming for men, the weekly calendar, and catalogues.
He was perhaps best known by generations of students for his active and enthusiastic work with the Men's and Women's Glee Clubs. He joined the Oberlin Glee Club in 1901. By 1906 he assumed the directorship from which he retired in 1951. He also led the Women's Glee Club from 1918 to 1951. These popular groups performed regularly to eager audiences both on and off campus, including major tours during school breaks. During World War II, Wirkler directed Navy V-12 choruses and Navy men were members of the Glee Club. In addition, he conducted choirs in Oberlin, Elyria, and Lorain.
The many personal contacts through his various professional activities on campus endeared him to generations of students. In 1947, he received the Alumni Medal for distinguished service to Oberlin. In 1948, he edited a catalogue of graduates of Oberlin College.
John Wirkler married Virginia Norfleet Ballard (OC 1909) in Suffolk, Virginia, on January 14, 1908. The couple had three children, Sarah Elizabeth (OC enrolled 1926-1927), Richard B. (OC enrolled 1930-1933), and John E., Jr (OC enrolled 1934-1936). The Wirklers were members of First Church in Oberlin.
John Wirkler died of a heart attack on May 9, 1958, in Oberlin, Ohio. His wife died on April 25, 1963, survived by their three children and several grandchildren.
Sources Consulted
The faculty file and student file of John E. Wirkler; and, the student file of Virginia Norfleet Ballard (Mrs. John E. Wirkler), RG 28.
Forms of Material (links to similar genres) Administrative Information
The papers of John E. Wirkler primarily document his work as director of the Men's and Women's Glee Club of Oberlin College. The collection contains programs and publicity, sheet music, and scrapbooks relating to the Glee Clubs.
Of particular interest are the words and music to songs performed by the Glee Clubs. Included is sheet music to the popular song of the 1940s and 1950s at Oberlin entitled I'll Be with You Where You Are (1946).
Also included in the collection is correspondence relating to John E. Wirkler's work as editor of the 1948 Alumni Catalogue. The letters include matters concerning the catalogue as well as other issues relating to the College. Some of the correspondence pertains to Wirkler's work with the Oberlin College Glee Clubs.
The papers of John E. Wirkler are divided into two series: 1. Correspondence, 1932-57, and 2. Files relating to the Oberlin College Glee Clubs (Men and Women), 1880-1948, 1951-59, n.d. Series 2 is further subdivided into three subseries: 1. Programs and Publicity, 1880-1930, 1945, 1948, 1951-59; 2. Music, 1923, 1946, n.d.; and 3. Scrapbooks, 1894-1951.
SERIES DESCRIPTIONS
Series 1. Correspondence, 1932-57 (8 folders, 0.3 l.f.)
The correspondence series contains letters relating to John E. Wirkler's work to assemble an Alumni Catalogue (1948) for Oberlin College graduates. Other letters concern issues relating to the College such as the Glee Clubs, student life, and the administration. Two folders contain correspondence and printed matters related to Wirkler's membership in the University Club of the University of Florida.
Series 2. Files relating to the Oberlin College Glee Clubs (Men and Women), 1880-1948, 1951-59, n.d. (1.1 l.f.)
This series is divided into three subseries. Subseries 1. Programs and Publicity, 1880-1930, 1938, 1945, 1951-59, contains programs, newspapers clippings, membership information, and notices concerning the performances of the Oberlin College Men's and Women's Glee Clubs. Subseries 2. Music, 1923, 1946, n.d., includes sheet music (words and scores) of Oberlin College songs and other songs performed by the Glee Clubs. Subseries 3. Scrapbooks, 1899-1951, consists of scrapbooks containing clippings, concert programs, and press notices relating to the Glee Clubs.
Note: Two berets, received as part of the Wirkler Papers, are located in the Museum Items Collection, #209 (RG 35). See the database or listing for the Museum Items.
INVENTORY
Series 1. Correspondence, 1932-57
Box 1
To and from J. Wirkler, 1932-46
Correspondence re: 1948 Alumni Catalog,
1947-49, A-Z, 1956-57 (5f)
Music, especially that of Ron Roy Perry and
Louis Rowland, 1956-57
University of Florida, Gainesville and Winter
Park, 1952-57 (2f)
Series 2. Files relating to the Oberlin College Glee Clubs (Men and Women), 1880-1946, 1951-59, n.d.
Subseries 1. Programs and Publicity, 1880-1930, 1938, 1945, 1951-59
Box 1 (cont.)
Publicity Materials (newspaper clippings, typed
manuscripts), c. 1920-22 (2f)
Box 2
Printed material, miscellaneous: Programs for Men's
and Women's Glee Clubs, publicity materials,
Oberlin Alumni Magazine (10/1956), 1919, 1928,
1930, 1938, 1945, 1948, 1951, 1959
Roster of Men's Glee Club Members, 1880-1930
Subseries 2. Music, 1923, 1946, n.d.
Box 3 (oversize)
Humorous words to songs, n.d.
"In Robot Land," by L.E. Yeamans, for Men's Glee
Club, n.d.
Manuscripts submitted by Oberlin alumni for use by
Glee Clubs, 1946, n.d.
Oberlin College Songs, words and music
Alma Mater, n.d.
Oberlin Reunion Song (1900), n.d.
Ten Thousand Strong, n.d.
Oberlin College Song Book, 1946 (2 copies)
Oberlin Pep Song, 1923 (2 copies)
"I'll Be With You Where You Are," 1946
Subseries 3. Scrapbooks, 1894-1951
Box 4
Glee Club Reunion Concert Program, 1898-1951
Newspaper Clippings regarding Glee Club Tours,
1902-1911
Oberlin College Glee Club Concert Programs,
1894-1917
Press notices, 1894-95
Other Items:
Berets (2), filed in RG 35, Museum Items, Item #209, Box 29.