William F. Herrin Papers, 1872-1910

William F. Herrin graduated from Corvallis College in 1873 with a B.S. degree in Agriculture.  Herrin was born in Jacksonville, Oregon, on August 7, 1854 and was only 18 at the time of his graduation from Corvallis College.  Herrin became an attorney and, at the time of his death in 1927, was Vice-President and Chief Counsel of the Southern Pacific Railroad in San Francisco.  In addition to his work as a lawyer, Herrin was known as a banker, businessman and real estate developor.  The San Francisco Examiner  described him as someone who "controlled the political destinies of California."

Herrin was elected the first Secretary of the Corvallis College Alumni Association at the time of his graduation in 1873.  He maintained ties with the College and was invited to be the chief speaker for the Quarter Centennial Jubilee Celebration held in 1910