John Davidson Letcher
Acting President, 1892
Professor John D. Letcher with a Calculus Class,
ca. 1893. Letcher, seated in the middle, taught all the
mathematics classes offered by the College, including calculus,
which was required of all mechanics students and those completing
a B.S. degree. The students in this class have written
their names on the chalk board for the convenience of the
photographer. Standing (l to r): W. Frank Holman, Henry M.
Desborough, Edward Getty (E.G.) Emmett, and W. Claude
Williams. Seated (l to r): W. Scott Goodall, John D.
Letcher, and George W. Denman. [OSU Archives
P25:1554]
Senior Professor John D. Letcher was chosen unanimously by the
Board of Regents as the acting president after B.L. Arnold's sudden
death in January 1892. According to their report, he was "better
acquainted with the duties of the president and the working of the
college than any other man living". He held the position in
addition to his teaching duties for 4 months until the arrival of
John McKnight Bloss in early June.
Like Arnold, Letcher was a native of Virginia. Son of Virginia's
Confederate governor, he attended Virginia Military Institute and
graduated in 1873 with a degree in Civil Engineering. He
alternated teaching mathematics in small colleges with jobs in the
field, serving for a time as chief of engineering for the Ohio and
Northwestern Railroad. He came to Oregon Agricultural College in
1888 as both Professor of Mathematics and Engineering and of
Military Science and Tactics.
Although Letcher was a finalist for the permanent presidency, the
Board of Regents chose John M. Bloss after a nationwide search.
Letcher stayed at OAC until 1894 when he became Professor of
Mathematics at the University of Oregon in Eugene. He left Eugene
in 1896 and later returned to Virginia where he died in 1938 at the
age of 85.
Professor Letcher with students on the steps of Alpha
Hall, 1890.
John D. Letcher, Professor of Mathematics and
Engineering, is the gentleman wearing a bowler hat in the center near
the back of the group.
Alpha Hall, built in 1889, was the second structure built on the
present campus site. It served the college as a dormitory until Waldo Hall
was built in 1907. The photo was taken by the Pernot Brothers,
"Photograph & Portrait Artists" of Corvallis, Oregon.
[OSU Archives P144:11]
Graduating Class of 1892 with College Faculty and
new President, 1892.
The new College
President John M. Bloss
arrived in Corvallis on June 3rd and conferred degrees to the Class
of 1892 at the Commencement program on June 29th. Bloss is the
tallest man in the back row and Letcher is standing to his left in
front of him. [OSU Archives #73]
Where to Find More Information about John D. Letcher
President's Office Records
(RG 13)
Board of Regents Records (RG 8)
Memorabilia Collection - Letcher, John D.
OSU Chronological History for the
1890s
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