William F. Raven papers

Record Group

Identifier: UA-17.96

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The William Raven papers consist of correspondence related his job as an Agricultural Extension Agent. The correspondence consists of letters to Raven requesting information, replies to his letters, a few letters from his superiors, and some letters relating to his duties as an agent. There are also a few letters in the collection from Raven himself. The Raven family materials folder contains copies of genealogical information on Edwin Morse who was Paulina Raven's husband, newspaper articles written by Paulina, and an obituary for William Raven. There are also two postcards one of the Agricultural School, Menominee, Michigan and the other of the Hotel Sherman in Chicago.

Dates

Creation: 1913 - 1915, 1981, Undated

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish material from this collection must be obtained from University Archives & Historical Collections, Michigan State University.

Biographical Note

William F. Raven was the first Agricultural Extension Agent for Michigan Agriclutural College (now Michigan State University). He was hired in 1908 and was a field agent in livestock. From 1912 to 1913, he oversaw land clearing to create the Chatham Experiment Station. He also assisted during fairs and exhibitions, and helped organize six cattle breeding associations. He visited farms, and gave lectures and demonstrations. In January 1916, he was appointed head of a project between M.A.C. Extension and the United State Department of Agriculture to improve and develop livestock in Michigan by forming cooperative breeding and cow testing associations. Raven was married to Elona Case on March 5, 1888 and had eight children: Herman, John, Emmett, Marion, Will, Paulina, Julia, and Ayesha. Emmett became Huron County agricultural extension agent and Paulina was the first home demonstration agent leader in Michigan.