Coleman, O.T. (1891-1965), Papers, 1917-1960 (C976)

.4 linear feet

INTRODUCTION

The papers of O.T. Coleman contain his World War I correspondence from Camp Funston, Kansas; England; France; and Germany. The collection also includes clippings and pictorial images regarding World War I and Coleman's diaries as a soil extension agent for the University of Missouri.

DONOR INFORMATION

O.T. Coleman donated his papers to the University of Missouri on 27 September 1962 (Accession No. 3515).

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

Otis Turner Coleman, a native of Lakenan, Missouri, joined the United States Army in late 1917. He was stationed at Camp Funston, Kansas, where he received basic training with the 354th Infantry, 89th Division. He rose to the rank of Battalion Sergeant of Company "C" before being discharged in 1919. Coleman fought in France and Germany towards the end of World War I. He received the Purple Heart in 1943 for being gassed during a battle near Flirey, France.

Around 1925 Coleman began working for the University of Missouri. He was an agent at Palmyra in Marion County for the University of Missouri Extension Service until 1928. Then he became a faculty member in the College of Agriculture in 1928 where he worked in the Soil Extension Service. He served in this position until near his death in 1965.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

The papers of O.T. Coleman contain letters, dating from 1917 to 1919, that he wrote to his family during World War I from Camp Funston, Kansas; England; France; and Germany. The correspondence explains training at Camp Funston, travel to England and France, battles in France and Germany, and life in general as a soldier during World War I. Coleman also describes his post war study at Clare College in England as part of a program funded by the United States Army. Also included are clippings and pictorial images regarding World War I.

The collection contains Coleman's diaries from when he worked for the Extension Service at the University of Missouri. The annual diaries contain brief information about his work, functions he attended, and sites he visited during his thirty-five year career. There are also addresses, telephone numbers, and reminder notes in the diaries.

The O.T. Coleman Papers are arranged by type of material and chronologically therein.

FOLDER LIST

f. 1Correspondence, 1917
f. 2Correspondence, 1918
f. 3Correspondence, 1919
f. 3aClippings, 1943
f. 4Photographs, c. 1918
f. 5Diaries, 1925-1928
f. 6Diaries, 1929-1932
f. 7Diaries, 1933-1936
f. 8Diaries, 1937-1940
f. 9Diaries, 1941-1944
f. 10Diaries, 1945-1948
f. 11Diaries, 1949-1952
f. 12Diaries, 1953-1956
f. 13Diaries, 1957-1960

INDEX TERMS

These index terms are the subjects, people, places, etc. under which this collection is listed in all available indexes at The State Historical Society of Missouri-Columbia. If you are interested in a specific index term, please contact the reference staff.