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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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. 

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Letter from Kellogg D. McClelland to Judge R.C. Rice

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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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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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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