Collections : [University of Michigan Bentley Historical Library]

Ann Arbor, Michigan, businessman, publisher of Ann Arbor Courier, Republican politician, and regent of University of Michigan. Correspondence, letter books, speeches, newspaper clippings, and photographs; papers (1909-1920) of Michigan Public Domain Commission, of which Beal was a member; papers (1877-1904) concerning Port Huron Gas Light Company; and printed material and miscellanea (1885-1905) concerning League of American Wheelmen and his interest in bicycling.

The Junius E. Beal papers include correspondence, papers accumulated from his various interests and organizational activities, subject files, speeches, newspaper clippings, and photographs. The series in the collection include: Correspondence, Michigan Public Domain Commission, Topical Files; and Other Materials. Most of the files in the collection relate in some way to Beal's life in Ann Arbor, either as a student, a businessman, a public figure, as someone who took civic responsibility seriously and was determined to serve his community and the university that he loved.

Dean of the College of Engineering of the University of Michigan; correspondence, letter books, appraisals and reports, lectures, blueprints, newspaper clippings, photographs, and other materials concerning his activities as dean of the College of Engineering, engineer for the U.S.S. Yosemite in the Spanish American War, chairman of the Block Signal and Train Control Board, Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate in 1924, and coordinator for the P.W.A. in Michigan in 1933-1935; also genealogical materials on the Cooley family.

The Mortimer E. Cooley papers consists of correspondence, subject files, personal materials, and photographs detailing the professional career and activities of a distinguished engineering educator. The collection has been arranged into the following series: Correspondence; Topical Files; University of Michigan and College of Engineering materials; Genealogical and Miscellaneous; Arbitration, appraisal, and consultation files; Photographs; Naval Logs; and Testimonial and celebratory materials. Box 47 was eliminated during 2001 reprocessing.

Chicago, Illinois engineer. Personal and business papers, notes, reports, and correspondence, much of it with his brother Mortimer E. Cooley and Chase S. Osborn; include material concerning the Cooley family genealogy, water engineering projects, the Hudson Bay Co., 1850-1908, the St. Lawrence Seaway, and Mortimer E. Cooley's race for the U.S. Senate in 1924.

The Ernest L. Cooley papers consist of correspondence, engineering reports and notes, and Cooley family genealogical material. Included is an extensive exchange of correspondence with his brother Mortimer E. Cooley, dean of the Engineering School of The University of Michigan. These letters concern vacation plans for trips to northern Michigan and Canada, and Mortimer Cooley's candidacy for the U.S. Senate from Michigan in 1924 (especially correspondence, July 1924 to Jan. 1925). There is also material relating to the management of the Cooley farm in Georgia 1927; the controversy surrounding the falling level of the Great Lakes (i.e., Nov. 18, 1926); and other engineering projects.

Another of his correspondents was Chase S. Osborn, former governor of Michigan. These letters cover personal matters growing out of their retreats to Osborn's summer camp at Duck Island. There is also material relating to the proposed St. Lawrence Waterways in letters of Aug. 1927 and throughout. Other than correspondence, the collection includes reports made on hydraulic engineering projects, particularly relating to flood control in the Chicago area, and the diversion of the Des Plaines River. Cooley also collected material relating to the history of the Hudson Bay Company. There are several folders of original business correspondence, reports, and accounts of the Hudson's Bay Company, 1850-1908. Miscellaneous items of interest include Cooley family genealogy found particularly in correspondence of 1915-1916. Cooley also wrote a short autobiographical sketch, Dec. 30, 1920; there is also a note on William Randolph Hearst, June 20, 1912.

Republican politician and regent of University of Michigan. Correspondence, 1901-1940, personal and professional materials, legal briefs and letters relating to William Cook estate and other University of Michigan affairs during his regency, 1918-1937; also correspondence while member of University's Board in Control of Athletics concerning University's departure from and return to Big Nine Conference and college athletics in general.

The Murfin papers relate mainly to JOM's activities as regent and as member of the University of Michigan's Board in Control of Athletics. The collection contains information concerning Michigan's departure from and return to the Big Nine Conference and the amateur-professional dilemma in college athletics. The regental material documents such problems as administrative oversight, particularly selection of the president and settlement of the William Cook estate. As member of the Law Club's governing body, Murfin helped to shape the university's case when Cook's bequest was contested by his wife. Although Murfin was influential in Michigan Republican party affairs, he filed his political papers separately and thus they are not included here.

The collection has been divided into two series: Correspondence, 1901-1940 and Topical Files which contain personal information and legal briefs concerning in part the Cook bequest

Hillsdale, Michigan physician, regent of the University of Michigan. Correspondence, notes, reports, addresses, and other papers relating to board of regents activities and state medical issues.

The Sawyer papers contain a mixture of papers relating to his political and regental activities, and to his medical practice and association with professional medical groups. The collection has been arranged into three series: Correspondence and other papers (arranged chronologically); University of Michigan Board of Regents; and Addresses and Miscellaneous. Sawyer's regent's papers are significant for information on those individuals who were considered for the presidency of the University of Michigan in 1909, 1920, 1925, and 1930. As a heavily involved regent, Sawyer maintained communications with his fellow regents, with university presidents and other administrators. These letters and other documents will be found throughout the Correspondence series. These individuals include James B. Angell, Harry B. Hutchins, Marion L. Burton, Clarence C. Little, and Alexander Ruthven.