Civil Workers
Knox College graduate (a member of the class of 1905) Kellogg McClelland proved there was more than one way to serve one's country during World War I.
The Seymour Library Special Collections & Archives holds a manuscript collection containing McClelland's memorabilia, receipts, letters, memos, and more.
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Receipt for a barracks bag
Receipt for a uniform
Officer's pay voucher
Donation to United War Work Campaign Fund
McClelland served in Washington as a reference librarian for the information sector of the Ordnance Department. He worked in the Press Clippings Unit, keeping abreast of logistical and technological developments that could potentially be of use to researchers at the cutting edge of the war effort.
(Click on an image for a larger view.)Letter from Kellogg D. McClelland to Judge R.C. Rice
"Ordnance is Keystone of War Situation"
Telegram to Kellogg McClelland
Telegram from Kellogg McClelland to the Chief of Ordnance
Reference Library Branch of the Information Sector
Ordnance department subject area list
Press Clipping Unit memorandum
Press Clipping Unit memorandum about chemistry
Press Clipping Unit memorandum about equipment
Letter from E.S. Banister to Kellogg D. McClelland
Letter from Kellogg D. McClelland to Lt. Albert E. Bailey
Letter from Kellogg D. McClelland to the Director of Chemical Warfare Service
McClelland kept in contact with his alma mater during the war, providing information about the development of the S.A.T.C. program on Knox College's campus. For instance, McClelland responded to Knox president James McConaughy's queries about structural requirements for the barracks the college was building on campus, stating: "I was told that if you provided 45 feet of floor space for each man and toilet and other facilities were up to standard there ought to be no difficulty when it came to passing the inspection.... they did not care, whether you housed the students in the chapel or the gymnasium or new buildings. The only concern was that they be properly housed."
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Letter from Kellogg McClelland to J.C. Simpson
Telegram from Kellogg McClelland to James L. Conaughy
Although McClelland never saw action, his service deserves recognition. McClelland was, later in his life, to serve as Knox's acting president from 1948-1949.
Earle Wallick, a member of Knox's class of 1919, worked as a stenographer for the Civil Service Commission. He enjoyed his work, saying that "[I have] a very fine lot of fellows to work for, but yet, it is not just like going to College.... I hope to take some nightwork and sincerely trust that I shall soon be able to take up again my interrupted college course."
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Letter from Earle W. Wallick to Dr. W.E. Simonds
Knox alumni served in other capacities as well. For instance, Alfred A. Boyden worked with the Y.M.C.A., and Ira Neifert, a member of the class of 1915 and an assistant instructor in chemistry before the war, participated in the Gas Defense Service.
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"How to Be Uncomfortable and Happy"
"War Chemist"