In the 1960s, a series of oral histories were conducted to mark the University of Illinois Centennial. This was a collaborative effort between the University Archives and the WILL public broadcasting station to record sessions with faculty and alumni capture their experiences at the University of Illinois.
Recording was made on February 12, 1952 in the Farm Bureau Building at Eureka, Woodford County, Illinois. The speakers are Hugh Brock (Farm Advisor of Woodford County), Lester Davidson (former Director of the ILlinois Agricultural Association), Frank Felder (first man to use the Farm Bureau's Farm Management Service), Charlie Smith, Louis C. Schurtz, Simon Lantz (former State Senator), W. H. Smith. Ralph Allen acts as moderator. Speakers relate their experiences in establishing the Woodford County Farm Bureau & the Illinois Agricultural Association, in introducing soil treatment and in farming during the early 1900's.
Recording was made on February 12, 1952 in the Farm Bureau Building at Eureka, Woodford County, Illinois. The speakers are Hugh Brock (Farm Advisor of Woodford County), Lester Davidson (former Director of the ILlinois Agricultural Association), Frank Felder (first man to use the Farm Bureau's Farm Management Service), Charlie Smith, Louis C. Schurtz, Simon Lantz (former State Senator), W. H. Smith. Ralph Allen acts as moderator. Speakers relate their experiences in establishing the Woodford County Farm Bureau & the Illinois Agricultural Association, in introducing soil treatment and in farming during the early 1900's.
E. T. Robbins recounts his experiences as the first Farm Advisor of Tazewell County. Herman W. Danforth (first President of the Farm Bureau and first President of the Illinois Agricultural Association) comments on Robbins' talk & relates how Robbins was appointed Farm Advisor.
This recording was made in 1949-1950 by several individuals at the request of Ralph Allen, Jr. It consists of interviews and recorded messages from those involved in farm advisory work in Illinois in the early 20th century. Speakers include Ralph Allen, Frank Bill, George Iftner, Milo Miller, Ernest Benniman, Jimmy Hoyt, Paul Miller, Eleanor Winkle, Clarence Bale, George Deppert, and Chester G. Starr. Many send greetings and reminiscences to Dave Thompson (whose response can be heard in <a href="https://www.library.illinois.edu/voices/collection-item/recording-agricultural-history-part-5/">Part 5</a>) and Chester G. Starr, and comment on the establishment of Tazewell County's Farm Bureau and progress made in farming.
Recording made by Dave Thompson (Agricultural Consultant for the Grocery Manufacturers Association of America) on April 29, 1949 in New York City at Ralph Allen's request. Thompson relates his activities as Farm Advisory for McLean County (February 1915- February 1919), as Executive Secretary of the Illinois Agricultural Association (1919-1922) & as Editorial staff member of radio station WLS (1922-41). He also references the messages sent from Allen and Frank Bill on the recording which can be heard in <a href="https://www.library.illinois.edu/voices/collection-item/recording-agricultural-history-part-4/">Part 4</a> of this series.
This recording concerns the dedication of the James L. Reid Memorial for yellow dent corn in Delavan, IL, on Sept. 10, 1955. Excerpts are read from University of Illinois Professor of Plant Genetics Robert W. Jugenheimer's remarks. The recording of the program includes a welcome by Delavan's mayor, introductions of those present, comments by Dean Louis B. Howard on the role of the University of Illinois, an introduction by Ralph Allen Ralph Allen, Jr. of the Reid family, and remarks from Ralph Allen, Jr., Prof. R.W. Jugenheimer, Dr. Kenyan C. Paing of the Michigan State University Corn Foundation, Mr. Clifford Walton Jr., James L. Reid's great grandson, and Mr. George Ifter, former farm advisor of Tazewell County.
Frank W. Hatten studied electrical engineering at the University of Illinois, and was a childhood friend of Ralph Allen, Jr. On this tape, he is interviewed by Allen at his home in Delavan, IL. He discusses working his way through college, his apprenticeship with the Westinghouse Company, his work on the Panama Canal, and escorting President Taft through part of the canal. Other notable figures he mentions are Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Franklin Roosevelt, Robert Byrd, William Jennings Bryan, and Roald Amundsen. The tape concludes with a recording of Hatten's funeral service in Delavan.
In these interviews, conducted c. 1949 and on November 27th, 1967, Ralph Allen, Jr. speaks to three people associated with the early years of the University of Illinois: Joseph C. Blair, and Paschal and Edith Hatch Allen. Blair, professor of horticulture from 1900-1938 and dean of the College of Agriculture from 1938-1939, discusses his early life and studies at Cornell University, and also his arrival at the University of Illinois in 1896 and his contacts with farmers and students. Paschal Allen graduated in 1905, and remembers registration, train trips with the College of Agriculture, Pres. Andrew Draper, Prof. J.C. Blair, Prof. Hopkins, baseball, George Huff, football, and basketball. Edith Hatch Allen speaks of her uncles, who were in the first and second graduating classes of the University, Altgeld Hall, and the 1902 graduation.
