Earl C. Shively Collection
Scope and Content
The primary focus of this collection is upon letters and correspondence, with approximately 17,000 items contained within the collection. Large amounts of correspondence to Gilbert Bettman and Harry McGregor illustrate Shively's role as a Republican confidant while communications with such men as Pat Donovan illuminate Shively's role as a railroad lobbyist. Within the Ohio University portion of the collection, voluminous correspondence will be found, principally with John Baker, Gordon Bush, Brandon Grover and George Parks.
The collection is divided into three broad topical areas: World War I, Business and Personal, and Ohio University. Together these areas span the years 1914 through 1955.
Material on World War I includes trench orders, induction papers, maps and photographs from the period of November 1917 through September 1919. The letters and correspondence continue through 1955, encompassing the Last Man's Club.
The material identified as Business and Personal covers the period 1922 to 1956. (Materials on his parents cover a span from 1867- 1905.) A diversity of business, political, and personal correspondence is represented. Also included are manuscripts pertaining to investigations by the Office of the Attorney General, speeches and legal documents. Numerous newspaper articles, pamphlets, bills and receipts are also included. Further, this collection contains many photographs, primarily of people.
Material pertaining to Ohio University covers the period when Shively was a member of the Board of Trustees, 1938-1952. Along with letters and correspondence, this section of the collection includes speeches and alumni materials. The collection contains many documents relevant to Ohio University and particularly for those committees with which Shively was associated.
Dates
- Creation: 1914-1956
Creator
- Shively, Earl Cranston (Person)
Language of Materials
The records are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the Ohio University Libraries.
Conditions Governing Use
Ohio University retains all property rights to the collection.
Ohio University retains all copyrights unless retained by the donor, other correspondents, or other artists.
Biography of Earl Cranston Shively
Earl "Pop" Shively was born in McArthur, Ohio on February 9, 1893, to Henry and Alice Hastings Shively. He entered Ohio University at the age of 16, and received his degree in 1921. Shively served with the 318th Infantry Regiment, 80th Division during World War I. Post-war, Shively served as an interpreter at the Versailles Peace Conference. Upon his return to the U.S., Shively taught French at Ohio State University while working toward his law degree. In 1927, he became associated with the Ohio Attorney General's Office and from 1929 to 1933 served as First Assistant. On leaving the Attorney General's Office, Shively entered into private practice where he soon earned the reputation as "Ohio's most effective lobbyist," primarily in his role as General Counsel for the Ohio Railroad Association.
A dedicated and loyal alumnus of Ohio University, Shively deserved the title "Mr. Ohio University." A member of the Board of Trustees from 1938 to 1952 and twice its chairman, he was especially concerned about the Library. He established a library committee and, in 1946, succeeded in receiving a $70,000 appropriation from the State Legislature for the Library. Shively instigated the revision of the Board of Trustees' by-laws in 1951 and was instrumental in the selection of John C. Baker as President of Ohio University. Further, he served on the Inter-University Council of Ohio as a representative and as its general
counsel.
An active and involved citizen, Shively served on the Bar Examining Committee from 1941 to 1947 and the Selective Service Board of Appeal from 1948 to 1950. He was a member of the American Legion, the Columbus Bar Association, Beta Theta Pi fraternity, and was president of the Columbus Alumni Association.
Local and state politicians found in Shively an enthusiastic Republican ally. A man of many interests, Shively also owned and operated a farm.
Shively's death occurred January 3, 1956; he was survived by his wife of 26 years, Margaret Sharp Shively.
Extent
9.6 cubic feet
Abstract
The Collection contains manuscripts, newspaper articles, pamphlets, bills and receipts, photographs, documents, maps, and correspondence relating to the 318th Infantry Regiment, 80th Division during World War I, the Republican Party, railroad lobbying, the Attorney General's Office in Ohio, Ohio University Board of Trustees Matters, and the Ohio Penitentiary fire in 1930.
Statement of Arrangement
These records are organized into the following series:
- Series I: World War I
- Series II: Personal and Business
- Series III: Newspaper clippings, January 29-May 8, 1930
- Series IV: Bills and Receipts, 1925-June 1952
- Series V: Photographs
- Series VI: Memorabilia
- Series VII: Postcards
- Series VIII: Booklets, Guidebooks, Bar Journals, Government Publications
- Series IX: Manuscripts
- Series X: Books
- Series XI: Ohio University
Other Finding Aid
A paper copy of the folder list is available.
Acquisition Information
The Ohio University Archives received the Earl Cranston Shively Collection as a gift sometime after Shively's death in 1956.
Existence and Location of Copies
Ohio University will entertain requests to photocopy reasonable amounts of material from the collection for the convenience of individual researchers.
Description Note
Original, legacy collection inventories may contain inaccuracies or be incomplete. Collection descriptions may change or be updated as they are verified. Please contact Mahn Center staff if you note any errors or discrepancies.
Subject
- Shively, Earl Cranston (Organization)
- Ohio. Attorney General's Office (Organization)
- Ohio University -- Alumni and alumnae (Organization)
- Republican Party (Ohio) (Organization)
- Title
- Finding aid for the Earl C. Shively Collection
- Author
- Melissa Betcher processed the collection during June and July, 1983.
- Date
- 2020
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English
- Sponsor
- The finding aid was converted into EAD with funding support from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.
Revision Statements
- 5 January 2024: Subjects and other notes added from ALICE MARC records and Mahn Center Microsoft Office finding aids by Ohio University Libraries Metadata Services Department Python scripts.
Repository Details
Part of the Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections Repository
