Introduction | Biographical Sketch | Scope and Content | Series Description | Inventory

Introduction

The papers of William Backus Guitteau date from 1884 to 1963. They were donated by the Toledo Board of Education in 1971 and comprise approximately three linear feet. This collection consists of three scrapbooks detailing the education and career of William B. Guitteau with the bulk of the material focusing on the years 1890 through 1932. In addition, the collection contains several original copies of speeches Dr. Guitteau gave at various points in his career, correspondence pertaining to Guitteau's employment and miscellaneous newsclippings on his career. This particular collection will prove useful to those with an interest in Toledo politics, progressivism, education, and local history.

Literary and property rights are in the public domain and duplication is permitted for the purposes of research and preservation. This register was prepared by Robert Rook, graduate assistant in the History Department, Bowling Green State University, in March 1982.

Biographical Sketch

William Backus Guitteau was born in Toledo, Ohio, on November 27, 1877. He attended Toledo public schools including Toledo Central High School from which he graduated in 1894. Guitteau studied at the University of Michigan for one year and then enrolled at Ohio State University in 1896. In addition to his law studies at OSU, Guitteau passed the Ohio State Bar Exam. Postponing his career in law, Guitteau was awarded the President White Fellowship from Cornell University where he spent one year and earned a Master of Arts in Economics. Also, that same year Guitteau served as a Special Clerk to the U.S. Industry Commission in Washington, D.C.

In 1902, Guitteau resumed his graduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania where he completed a PhD in History in 1904. Guitteau's dissertation was written about municipal politics and foreshadowed a public career that was to span nearly thirty years. Guitteau was profoundly influenced by progressivism and was to emerge as "the archetype Progressive."

In 1905 Guitteau returned to Toledo where he became principal of Toledo Central High School. Guitteau spent the next twenty-five years serving the Toledo School District in various capacities. In 1911 Guitteau became Superintendent of Toledo Public Schools, later serving as Director of Schools from 1923 through 1925. In addition to his administrative functions, Guitteau lectured about municipal reform and published several textbooks--among them the highly controversial Our United States, which was deemed too "pro-British" and subsequently banned in several school districts. Guitteau also led a highly successful movement to provide better education for those stricken with tuberculosis culminating in the establishment of an "Open Air" School.

Guitteau attained his first position in city government in 1926 when he served briefly as City Service Director. One year later he made an unsuccessful mayoral bid. Guitteau's pinnacle of public achievement occurred in 1930 when President Herbert Hoover named him U.S. Collector for the Internal Revenue Service in northwest Ohio, a position he held until 1932.

With the election of Franklin D. Roosevelt and the onset of the New Deal, Guitteau retired from public life accepting a job as Executive Secretary and Lobbyist for the Ohio Crushed Stone Association. In 1946, Guitteau returned briefly to public service with his unsuccessful proposal for the reorganization of Toledo City Government. Guitteau retired from the Ohio Crushed Stone Association in 1949 and resumed private law practice until his death on July 25, 1963.

Guitteau is survived by his two daughters, Mary Jane of Cleveland, Ohio, and Joanne Pat of Tiffin, Ohio. Shortly after his death, Guitteau's private library was donated to Heidelburg College. This collection consists primarily of secondary sources and contains few personal papers.

Scope and Content

The papers of William B. Guitteau, with minor exceptions, document his public career from the turn of the century until 1932. The majority of the documents span from 1907 through 1920 with several items being undated. These papers consist primarily of original drafts of public speeches and essays submitted to journals covering a wide range of topics from citizenship to Boy Scouts, correspondence pertaining to Guitteau's employment and a few newsclippings.

In addition to the papers, this collection contains three scrapbooks. These scrapbooks are filled with a variety of items, for example newsclippings, photographs, and broadsides.

Volume I contains newsclippings, photographs, and grade cards detailing Guitteau's education and early career in the Toledo Public Schools. The only weakness of this material is in the lack of dates. Regardless, most of the items are arranged categorically and chronologically making identification possible.

Also, this volume contains several miscellaneous items concerning Guitteau's civic involvement after 1933.

Volume II contains material specifically relating to Guitteau's role in Toledo politics including newsclippings, photographs, and telegrams outlining his mayoral campaign. In addition, this volume contains substantial material, for example, newsclippings and telegrams detailing the development and response to the "textbook controversy" which plagued Guitteau's publishing career.

Volume III consists primarily of newsclippings outlining Guitteau's career in school administration in Toledo. also several personal notes are contained including correspondence from Heidelburg College concerning Guitteau's posthumous donation of his private library.

The strength of this collection lies in its coverage of Guitteau's involvement in reform, both in government and education. Much of the material is "classically" progressive. Of particular research interest are the materials concerning the controversy over Guitteau's Our United States. The one weakness of this collection is its lack of Dr. Guitteau's personal papers beyond the speeches.

Series Description

CORRESPONDENCE

CORRESPONDENCE--EMPLOYMENT
February 1896-August 1912, n.d.
Arranged chronologically
Includes correspondence from colleges and organizations interested in employing Guitteau. Also included are letters of recommendation sent on behalf of Guitteau.

LITERARY PRODUCTIONS

PUBLIC ADDRESSES OF WILLIAM B. GUITTEAU
February 1894-1920, n.d.
Arranged chronologically
Contains a series of speeches made by Dr. Guitteau at various civic functions covering such diverse topics as George Washington and Boy Scouting.

SCRAPBOOKS AND NEWSCLIPPINGS

SCRAPBOOKS
1884-1963
Arranged chronologically. The first scrapbook only has been indexed.
Three scrapbooks and a few miscellaneous newsclippings outlining the education and career of William B. Guitteau. Each scrapbook concentrates on a particular area of Dr. Guitteau's public life and contains a variety of items including newsclippings, programs, photographs, grade cards and some correspondence.

Inventory

Box 1

1. Letter to C.A. Seiders, President of the Toledo Board of Education, from Guitteau on new high school buildings, April 18, 1907.
2. "Washington's Birthday", February 1894
3. "The Search for the Practical", 1894
4. Toast given at OSU commencement luncheon, 1897
5. "The Problem of the Hour"--oratorical contest handwritten and typed copy, 1898
6. "America in the Philippines--Our Responsibility", 1905
7. "Some Phases of Our Educational System", 1905
8. Class Address--Boxwell Commencement, June 9, 1906
9. "The Man of Achievement", February 6, 1907
10. Philalethean Banquet Address, May 31, 1907
11. Address of Welcome (educational conference), 1909
12. "The Purpose of Education" (Boxwell Commencement), June 1910
13. "The Influence of Woman upon Education", 1910
14. "The Social Ideal" (Class Banquet), 1910
15. "Modern Methods in the Teaching of Civil Government", april 21, 1911
16. "Personality of a Teacher", June 1911
17. Speech given at formal meeting of Birmingham School, November 13, 1911
18. "What the Age Owes America", December 6, 1911
19. "The Class of 1911", 1911
20. "Education for Efficiency", 1911
21. Introduction of Captain Amundsen, January 30, 1913
22. "Training for Citizenship", February 1913
23. "Ideals, National and Individual", May 23, 1913
24. "Present Educational Problems", 1913
25. "A Greeting from the Superintendent", 1916
26. "Democracy on Trial in the World War", 1918
27. "A Message to the Class of 1920", 1920
28. Address by Guitteau (Boy Scouts?), n.d.
29. "Education in a Democracy", n.d.
30. "Our National Ideal", n.d.
31. Questions and Answers on War, n.d.
32. Correspondence--employment, February 1896-August 1912, n.d.
33. Newsclippings--miscellaneous on Guitteau, (1899), 1902-1917, 1952, n.d.

Volume I - Scrapbook of William B. Guitteau

1. Baby photo of Guitteau, n.d.
2. Adult photo of Guitteau, n.d.
3. Photo; grade cards, 1885-1891
4. Campaign pamphlet, 1927
5. Cards of honor, 1884-1887
6. Newsclippings, n.d.
7. Newsclippings, 1893
8. Photo of Guitteau, age 7, 1885
9. Newsclippings, 1893
10. Clippings from "The Critic", 1894
11. Newsclippings, 1894
12. Family photo; graduation program, 1894
13. Newsclippings, 1894
14. Newsclippings, 1894
15. Newsclippings, 1894
16. Newsclippings, 1894
17. "The Philomathean", 1894
18. Class photo; newsclippings, 1894
19. Childhood photo of Guitteau; newsclippings, n.d.
20. Program of "Widow Plunket's Quiltin' Bee;" newsclipping, n.d.
21. "The Review", n.d.
22. Family and home photos, n.d.
23. Rewards of merit, n.d.
24. Photos; pamphlet concerning English Exercises and Tests, n.d.
25. Advertisement for History of the United States, n.d.
26. Telegram; photo, n.d.
27. Advertisement for Our Government Today, n.d.
28. Campaign literature; newsclippings, 1928
29. Newsclippings, 1937
30. Certificate of election, 1927
31. Childhood photo of Guitteau, n.d.
32. Adult photo of Guitteau, n.d.
33. Advertisement for History of the United States; newsclippings, n.d.
34. Newsclippings, n.d.
35. Newsclippings, n.d.
36. Newsclippings, n.d.
37. Newsclippings, n.d.
38. Newsclippings; advertisement for The Constitution, n.d.
39. Newsclippings, n.d.
40. Newsclippings, n.d.
41. Newsclippings, n.d.
42. Newsclippings, n.d.
43. Photo, n.d.
44. Grade card; college requirements, 1894-1895
45. Photo; college requirements, 1894-1895
46. Debate program; college requirements, 1897
47. College requirements, 1900-1901
48. Debating league programs, 1897
49. Debating league programs, 1898
50. Commencement programs, 1897
51. Program; photos of Professor Jens, Dean Hunter, 1898
52. Commencement clipping, 1897
53. Photo; matriculation card, 1902-1903
54. Commencement clipping, 1897
55. Commencement clipping, 1897
56. Newsclipping, 1927
57. Newsclipping, 1927
58. Newsclipping, 1927
59. Newsclipping, 1927
60. Newsclipping, 1927
61. Newsclipping, 1927
62. Correspondence from the Toledo Auto Club, 1928
63. Correspondence from the Guitteau for Mayor Committee, 1927
64. Correspondence from the Guitteau for Mayor Committee, 1927
65. Correspondence from Fred Mery, 1927
66. Correspondence from the Guitteau for Mayor Committee, 1927
67. Correspondence, 1927
68. Political cartoons from the Toledo News-Bee, 1927
69. Newsclipping, 1927
70. Newsclipping, 1927
71. Correspondence in behalf of Guitteau, 1927
72. Newsclippings, 1927
73. Newsclippings, 1927
74. Newsclippings, 1927
75. Newsclippings, 1927
76. Newsclippings, 1927
77. Newsclippings, 1927
78. Newsclippings, 1927
79. Newsclippings, 1927
80. Newsclippings, 1927
81. Newsclippings, 1927
82. Newsclippings, 1927
83. Newsclippings, 1927
84. Newsclippings, 1927
85. Newsclippings, 1927
86. "The Retina", 1902-1903
87. "The Retina", 1902-1903
88. "The Retina", 1902-1903
89. "The Retina", 1902-1903
90. "The Retina", 1902-1903
91. "The Retina", 1902-1903
92. Newsclippings, 1930
93. "Tattle Tales", 1902
94. Newsclipping, 1901
95. Newsclipping, 1901
96. Photos; newsclippings, 1901
97. Photo; newsclipping, n.d.
98. Newsclippings, 1901-1905
99. Newsclippings, 1901-1905
100. Newsclippings, 1901-1905
101. Newsclippings, 1901-1905
102. Newsclippings, 1901-1905
103. Newsclippings, 1901-1905
104. Newsclippings, 1901-1905
105. Newsclippings, 1901-1905
106. Newsclippings, 1901-1905
107. "The Toledo Rotarian", 1915
108. Newsclippings, 1931
109. Newsclippings, 1931
110. Newsclippings, 1931
111. Newsclippings, 1931
112. "School Review"; "What the War Should Do for Our Methods in Civics and Economics", 1939; 1919
113. Family photo; bar exam results, 1935
114. Correspondence from Glenwood School, 1920
115. Newsclipping, 1927-1928
116. Newsclipping, 1927-1928
117. Newsclipping, 1927-1928
118. Photo; "Ohio Township News", 1942
119. Newsclipping, 1930; 1905
120. Newsclipping, 1930; 1905
121. Newsclippings; photo, 1905; 1916
122. List of articles written; newsclippings, 1903
123. Newsclippings, 1905-1907
124. Newsclippings, 1905-1907
125. Newsclippigns, 1905-1907
126. Newsclippings, 1905-1907
127. Newsclippings, 1905-1907
128. Newsclippings, 1905-1907
129. Newsclippings, 1905-1907
130. Newsclippings, 1905-1907
131. Newsclipppings, n.d.
132. Newsclippings; photo, 1905; 1907
133. Newsclippings; photo, 1905; 1907
134. Newsclippings, photo, 1905; 1907
135. Photo; advertisement for English Exercises and Tests, 1905; n.d.
136. Newsclippings; senior class banquet program, 1902
137. Newsclippings, 1906-1909
138. Newsclippings, 1906-1909
139. Newsclippings, 1906-1909
140. "The Scottonian", 1920
141. Memoirs of Lucas County clipping, n.d.
142. Newsclipping, 1920
143. Photo; correspondence from the public schools, 1923
144. Newsclippings, 1922
145. Draft for announcement of textbook revision, n.d.
146. Newsclippings, 1921; 1907
147. Newsclippings, 1921; 1907
148. Newsclippings, 1921; 1907
149. Newsclippings, 1921; 1907
150. Newsclippings, 1921; 1907
151. The Toledo Rotarian, 1915
152. Newsclippings, 1909; 1911
153. Newsclippings, 1911-1913
154. Newsclippings, 1911-1913
155. Newsclippings, 1911-1913
156. Newsclippings, 1911-1913
157. Newsclippings, 1911-1913
158. Newsclippings, 1911-1913
159. Newsclippings, 1911-1913
160. Newsclippings, 1911-1913
161. Newsclippings, 1911-1913
162. Newsclippings, 1911-1913
163. Newsclippings, 1911-1913
164. Liberty Loan Awards; Phi Beta Kappa Election, 1911
165. Victory Liberty Loan Award; Toledo Boy Scout Year Book clipping, 1918
166. Newsclippings, 1920-1921
167. Newsclippings, 1920-1921
168. Newsclippings, 1920-1921
169. Newsclippings, 1920-1921
170. Book Reviews of Government and Politics in the United States, 1911
171. Educational Review clippings, 1911
172. Educational Review clippings, 1911
173. Clippings concerning Government and Politics in the United States, 1913
174. Clippings concerning Government and Politics in the United States, 1913
175. Reviews of Government and Politics in the United States, 1911-1912
176. Reviews of Government and Politics in the United States, 1911-1912
177. Pamphlet, "Textbooks in Civics", n.d.
178. Reviews of Preparing for Citizenship, 1913-1915
179. Pamphlet, "What the War Should Do for Our Methods in Civics and Economics", n.d.
180. Announcement of the revised edition of Government and Politics in the United States, n.d.
181. Advertisement for Preparing for Citizenship, n.d.
182. Advertisements for Government and Politics in the United States, Our United States, The History and Geography of Ohio, Preparing for Citizenship, n.d.
183. Advertisements for Government and Politics in the United States, Our United States, The History and Geography of Ohio, Preparing for Citizenship, n.d.
184. Advertisements for Government and Politics in the United States, Our United States, The History and Geography of Ohio, Preparing for Citizenship, n.d.
185. Advertisements for Government and Politics in the United States, Our United States, The History and Geography of Ohio, Preparing for Citizenship, n.d.
186. Advertisements for Government and Politics in the United States, Our United States, The History and Geography of Ohio, Preparing for Citizenship, n.d.
187. Advertisements for Government and Politics in the United States, Our United States, The History and Geography of Ohio, Preparing for Citizenship, n.d.
188. Advertisements for Government and Politics in the United States, Our United States, The History and Geography of Ohio, Preparing for Citizenship, n.d.
189. Advertisements for Government and Politics in the United States, Our United States, The History and Geography of Ohio, Preparing for Citizenship, n.d.
190. Advertisements for Government and Politics in the United States, Our United States, The History and Geography of Ohio, Preparing for Citizenship, n.d.
191. Advertisements for Government and Politics in the United States, Our United States, The History and Geography of Ohio, Preparing for Citizenship, n.d.
192. Newsclippings, 1922
193. Clippings, The Historical Outlook, n.d.
194. Advertisement for History of the United States, 1929
195. Advertisements for Our United States, Government and Politics in the United States, History of the United States, n.d.
196. Advertisements for Our United States, Government and Politics in the United States, History of the United States, n.d.
197. Certificate of Election, 1913
198. Newsclippings, 1913-1914; 1920
199. Newsclippings, 1913-1914; 1920
200. Newsclippings, 1913-1914; 1920
201. Newsclippings, 1913-1914; 1920
202. Newsclippings, 1913-1914; 1920
203. Wedding invitation, 1920
204. "The Great Lessons of Our History", n.d.
205. Advertisement for Our United States, n.d.
206. Advertisement for Our United States, n.d.
207. Correspondence from Fred Mery, 1926
208. Photo, n.d.
209. Newsclippings, 1925-1926
210. Newsclippings, 1925-1926
211. Newsclippings, 1925-1926
212. Newsclippings, 1925-1926
213. Newsclippings, 1925-1926
214. Newsclippings, 1925-1926
215. Newsclippings, 1925-1926
216. Newsclippings, 1925-1926
217. Newsclippings, 1925-1926
218. Newsclippings, 1925-1926
219. Newsclippings, 1925-1926
220. Newsclippings, 1925-1926
221. Newsclippings, 1925-1926
222. Campaign pamphlet; newsclippings, 1927
223. Newsclippings, 1927
224. Newsclippings, 1927
225. Newsclippings, 1927
226. Correspondence in behalf of Guitteau, 1927
227. Newsclippings, 1927
228. Newsclippings, 1927
229. Newsclippings, 1927
230. Newsclippings, 1927
231. Newsclippings, 1927
232. Newsclippings, 1927
233. Newsclippings, 1927
234. Newsclippings, 1927
235. Correspondence from the President of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution; Toledo City Journal clipping, 1923; 1928
236. Correspondence from the President of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution; Toledo City Journal clipping, 1923; 1928
237. Newsclippings, 1927
238. Newsclippings, 1927
239. Newsclippings, 1927
240. Newsclippings, 1927
241. Newsclippings, 1927
242. Newsclippings, 1927
243. Newsclippings, 1927
244. Newsclippings, 1927
245. Newsclippings, 1927
246. Cost of paving streets and alleys, 1927
247. Average on Bids upon which contracts were awarded, 1926-1927
248. Newsclippings, 1920; 1927
249. Newsclippings, 1920; 1927
250. Newsclippings, 1920; 1927
251. Newsclippings, 1920; 1927
252. Newsclippings, 1920; 1927
253. Newsclippings, 1920; 1927
254. Newsclippings, 1920; 1927
255. Newsclippings, 1920; 1927
256. Newsclippings, 1920; 1927
257. Newsclippings, 1920; 1927
258. Newsclippings, 1920; 1927
259. Newsclippings, 1920; 1927
260. Newsclippings, 1920; 1927
261. Promotion for Our Government Today, n.d.
262. Newsclippings, 1941
263. Newsclippings, 1941
264. Plan for Charter Amendment, n.d.
265. Newsclipping; photo of Mrs. E. W. Guitteau (mother of William B. Guitteau), 1931
266. "Fair Play on the Auto License Tax", n.d.
267. "Democracy on Trial in the World War", 1918
268. "Democracy on Trial in the World War", 1918
269. "Democracy on Trial in the World War", 1918
270. "Democracy on Trial in the World War", 1918
271. "Democracy on Trial in the World War", 1918
272. "Democracy on Trial in the World War", 1918
273. "Democracy on Trial in the World War", 1918
274. "Democracy on Trial in the World War", 1918
275. "Democracy on Trial in the World War", 1918
276. "Democracy on Trial in the World War", 1918
277. Correspondence from Ohio Crushed Stone Association, 1942; 1939
278. A bill (H.B. No. 135), 1939-1940
279. A bill (H.B. No. 123), 1941-1942
280. Correspondence in behalf of Arthur H. Day, 1938
281. Photo of Guitteau; program of the Annual Meeting of the France Stone Co., 1939
282. Advertisement for English Exercises and Tests, n.d.
283. Newsclippings, n.d.
284. The Social Studies contents page, 1939
285. "Fictions about the Supreme Court", 1939
286. "Fictions about the Supreme Court", 1939
287. "Fictions about the Supreme Court", 1939
288. "Fictions about the Supreme Court", 1939
289. Newsclippings, 1923
290. Photo; correspondence from the President of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, n.d.
291. Newsclippings, 1927
292. Newsclippings, 1927
293. Newsclippings, 1927
294. Telegrams; program of the Ohio State Association of Township Trustees and Clerks, 1923; 1935
295. Telegrams; program of the Ohio State Association of Township Trustees and Clerks, 1923; 1935
296. Program of the Ohio State Association of Township Trustees and Clerks, 1938; 1941
297. Program of the Ohio State Association of Township Trustees and Clerks, 1942
298. Better Highways articles, 1931; 1934
299. Better Highways articles, 1931; 1934
300. Better Highways articles, 1931; 1934
301. Blank
302. Blank
303. Blank
304. Blank
305. Blank
306. Blank
307. Blank
308. Blank
309. Blank
310. Blank
311. Blank
312. Blank
313. Blank
314. Blank
315. Blank
316. Blank
317. Blank
318. Blank
319. Blank
320. Blank
321. Blank
322. Blank
323. Blank
324. Blank
325. Blank
326. Blank
327. Blank
328. Blank
329. Blank
330. Blank
331. Blank
332. Blank
333. Blank
334. Guitteau Family Genealogy, n.d.
335. Newsclippings, 1930
336. Newsclippings, 1930
337. Newsclippings, 1930
338. Correspondence from Herbert Hoover, 1933
339. Newsclippings, 1928-1932
340. Newsclippings, 1928-1932
341. Newsclippings, 1928-1932
342. Newsclippings, 1928-1932
343. Newsclippings, 1928-1932
344. Newsclipping; Advertisements for History of the United States, 1931

Volume II--Scrapbook of William B. Guitteau

Newspaper clippings concerning Toledo politics, 1926-1927; 1963

Volume III--Scrapbook of William B. Guitteau

Newspaper clippings concerning education in Toledo, 1909-1920; 1953; 1963
Correspondence from Heidelburg College, 1963

Manuscripts by Subject | Education Collections | Political Collections