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Clifford E. Foster Scrapbook

 Record Group
Identifier: UA-10.3.528

Content Description

The Clifford E. Foster Scrapbook consists of photographs, tickets, dance cards, event programs, barbecue ribbons, grade reports, registration fees, and M. A. C. flags ranging in date from 1908-1914, during Foster’s time as a student at Michigan Agricultural College. Included are events for the Feronian Society, Olympic Society, Phi Epsilon Society, Sigma Phi, J Hop, Cap Night, Barbeques, Banquets, and Picnics. The scrapbook also contains the top button and a bit of fabric from Foster’s freshman beanie, and cadet patches. Photographs include graduation portraits, class rivalry, athletes, friends and relatives, wood shop class, forge shop class, civil engineering class, and images of Higgins Lake and Houghton Lake in Michigan.

Disclaimer: the scrapbook also contains a photograph of two men in black face.

Dates

  • Creation: 1908-1914, 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 / Historical

Clifford Eugene Foster was born on June 23, 1891, in Unadilla, Michigan to parents Asa and Nina Foster. Clifford grew up in Stockbridge, Michigan, and graduated from Stockbridge High School in 1908. Foster then attended Michigan Agricultural College from 1909-1911, 1912-1913, and 1914-1915, eventually graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. During his time at M. A. C., Foster was a member of the Olympic Society, Engineering Society, and served as a Regimental Commissary Sergeant. Following his college graduation in the spring of 1915, Foster began working professionally as a Civil Engineer holding several positions in Minnesota, Ohio, and Michigan. Some of these positions included inspector in the engineering division of the Duluth S. Shore & Atlantic railroad in Duluth, Minnesota, as an employee of the Michigan State Highway Department, and as Chief Engineer with the Lewis & Frisinger Company in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Foster married Sarah Kirby on June 24, 1916, and remained married until her passing in 1938. Foster remarried on November 30, 1940 to Emma Burgess, and between his two wives had at least six children. Foster passed away at the age of 65 in 1956 while living in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Extent

0.5 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Legal Status

Donor(s) have transferred any applicable copyright to Michigan State University but the collection may contain third-party materials for which copyright was not transferred. Copyright restrictions may apply. Property Rights: Michigan State University.

Status
3 Ready For Cataloging
Author
Rebecca Yeomans-Stephenson
Date
January 2025
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the University Archives and Historical Collections Repository

Contact:
Conrad Hall
943 Conrad Road, Room 101
East Lansing MI 48824 US
517-355-2330