Joseph Denison

Collection — Container: Papers

Identifier: BU-02-010

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Joseph Denison papers are composed of two photocopies of Denison's 1884 diary, photographs of him and family members, a paper written about him, and correspondence. Some of the letters were handwritten by Denison, while others were written after his death and pertain to ownership of the original copy of the diary. Denison's diary was written after his time at Baker. Most of the information in it is about his experiences as minister of the Valley Falls Methodist Episcopal Church, and as superintendent of the Atchison District of the Kansas Conference.

Dates

Created: 1815-1900

Biographical or Historical Information

Joseph Denison was born in Bernardston, Massachusetts in 1815. He traveled with the New England Emigrant Aid Company to Kansas Territory in 1855 and was one of the first settlers of the town of Manhattan, Kansas. He was also a founder of Bluemont Central College, the institution that would become Kansas State Agricultural College and, eventually, Kansas State University. Denison was the first president of Kansas State Agricultural College and served for ten years. In 1874, he became president of Baker University. The Old Castle building on Baker's campus, which has the distinction of being the first college building in the state, received its name from Denison. After five years at Baker, Dension returned to Manhattan and worked for the Methodist church. He remained there until his death in 1900.

Note written by Sara DeCaro

Extent

1.00 boxes

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection contains photographs and papers related to Joseph Denison, the eleventh president of Baker University.

Arrangement Note

The papers are arranged in three folders. The first holds the photographs, one copy of the diary, and the correspondence regarding ownership of the diary. The second has letters written by Denison and papers written about him. The third has another photocopy of his diary and some photocopied letters.