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Irwin Betzel Papers, 1911-1920

By Finding aid prepared by Trevor Sandgathe

Collection Overview

Title: Irwin Betzel Papers, 1911-1920

ID: MSS Betzel

Primary Creator: Betzel, Irwin

Extent: 1.2 cubic feet. More info below.

Arrangement: The Irwin Betzel Papers are arranged into two series: Series I: Scrapbooks & Photographs, 1911-1920; Series II: Pharmacy Notebooks & Collected Ephemera, circa 1920.

Languages of Materials: English [eng]

Abstract

The Irwin Betzel Papers are comprised of materials assembled and generated by Irwin Betzel during his years as an Oregon Agricultural College student and OAC Instructor of Pharmacy. Included are two scrapbooks, a photograph album, several loose photographs, three pharamcy notebooks, and a small collection of pharmacy ephemera.

Scope and Content Notes

The Irwin Betzel Papers are comprised of materials assembled and generated by Betzel during his tenure as an Oregon Agricultural College student (1911-1915), OAC Instructor of Pharmacy (1915-1918), and practicing pharmacist (circa 1920). The collection includes two scrapbooks and a photograph album containing photographs, newsclippings, programs, brochures, dance cards, grade reports, certificates, patches, ribbons, and other ephemera documenting Betzel's involvement in the Oxford Club, the OAC Cadets, theater productions, and various Class of 1915 social activities. Included is an extensive collection of photographs featuring Irwin Betzel; members of the Oxford Club; OAC student Florence Knight; and images of other OAC students, faculty, and events.

Also included are three notebooks generated as part of Betzel's work as a pharmacist containing handwritten formulas for an assortment of health treatments and hygiene products. The notebooks also contain recipes for a wide variety of household products including paints, photo-developing chemicals, and beer. The notebooks are accompanied by a small collection of pharmacy-related ephemera including advertisements and instructions for pharmaceuticals, bottle labels, and a certificate of membership for the C. C. Co. Spatula Club of Good Mixers.

Biographical / Historical Notes

Irwin Leonard Betzel graduated from Oregon Agricultural College in 1915 with a BS degree in Pharmacy. While an OAC student, Betzel was a member of the Oxford Club, participated in intramural (class) football and drama productions, and served as business manager of the C-P Journal and as assistant manager of the 1915 Orange during 1913/14. In September 1915, he was appointed Instructor in Pharmacy, a position he held until he was excused for war duty in 1918. After World War I, he served as a drug company representative in Portland and later as a pharmacist in Eugene.

Administrative Information

More Extent Information: 385 photographs; 3 boxes including 2 oversize boxes

Statement on Access: The collection is open for research.

Acquisition Note: The scrapbooks and photograph album were obtained by the OSU College of Pharmacy and the OSU Alumni Association in January 1998 and transferred to the OSU Archives. The notebooks and accompanying ephemera were donated to OSU by Northwest Christian University in 2013. The collection now resides in OSU's Special Collections & Archives Research Center.

Related Materials:

Other collections documenting early 20th century student life at Oregon Agricultural College include the A. Isabella Downs Scrapbook (MSS Downs), the Ruth H. Kennedy Scrapbook (MSS Kennedy), the George J. and Florence Badura Collection (MSS Badura), the Spike Sisters Scrapbooks (MSS Spike), and the Frederick V. Betts Scrapbook (MSS Betts).

Materials relating to the OAC pharmacy program can be found in the College of Pharmacy Records (RG 105) and the School of Pharmacy Photograph Collection (P 166). Other photographs of the Oxford Club can be found in the Henry C. Gilbert Photograph Collection (P 158) and the J. Llewellyn Spriggs Photograph Album (P 285). SCARC also holds editions of Fusser's Guide (formerly the C-P Journal) (PUB 2-22c) and the Beaver Yearbook (formerly the Orange).

Preferred Citation: Irwin Betzel Papers (MSS Betzel), Oregon State University Special Collections and Archives Research Center, Corvallis, Oregon.

Creators

Betzel, Irwin

People, Places, and Topics

Betzel, Irwin
College environment--Oregon--Corvallis.
College students--Oregon--Corvallis.
History of Science
Knight, Florence
Men--Oregon--Corvallis--Societies and clubs.
Oregon Agricultural College--Students.
Oregon Agricultural College. School of Pharmacy
Oxford Club (Oregon Agricultural College)
Patent medicines.
Pharmacology.
Pharmacy--Study and teaching (Higher)--Oregon--Corvallis.
University History

Forms of Material

Dance cards.
Photograph albums.
Photographic prints.
Scrapbooks.


Box and Folder Listing