William B. Terrell Collection

Collection

Identifier: Mss.Coll.015

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection contains items primarily about Elon College spanning a broad range of years, from the 1900s to the 1980s. The collection contains some items, mainly photographs, from the years the William Brown Terrell attended Elon College; however, it mainly reflects Mr. Terrell's lifelong interest in Elon College affairs, particularly his involvement with the Alumni Association. The collection is arranged alphabetically by type of material into four series, then chronologically where applicable. These series are: Books; Literary Productions; Photographs; and Printed Materials.

The smallest series, Literary Productions, contains two essays (2:1). One of these essays was written by historian Durward T. Stokes, author of Elon College: Its History and Traditions. This essay provides a historical account of Brick Church, in Guilford County, from its origins in the 1770s until the early 1980s, when the essay is likely to have been written. The other document describes the kidnapping of Elon College alumna Maedell Lambeth, in 1934. This essay has neither author nor date attached, but is likely to have been penned in the early 1980s as well, judging by the story's references.

The largest series is Photographs, containing sixteen black-and-white images of Elon College people and buildings. The majority of these photographs are from the 1920s, including one image of Old Main burning in 1923 (3:1). There are two class photographs-Freshman Class, 1901-02 and Sophomore Class, 1905 (3:2)-as well as the Burlington Club, 1923 (3:1.1), of which W. B. Terrell was president. There are a few undated images (3:3), some of which also appear to have been taken in the 1920s. Several of the photographs in this collection can be found in different issues of the yearbook Phi Psi Cli, in other manuscript collections, or in the Elon Archives' Photograph Collection.

The Books series includes Elon College publications dating from 1912 to 1919 (1:1), before W. B. Terrell was a student. There are five Elon College Bulletins, each being unique issues that do not follow the traditional college catalogue format that the majority of Elon College Bulletins adhere to. These issues are titled Special Funds Number, 1912; Opening Number, 1913; Vacation Number, 1913; Mid-Vacation Number, 1916; and Special Christian Education Number, 1919. Each of these bulletins contains speeches and sermons presented to students, as well as some photographs. The two remaining items in this series are duplicate copies of the 1915 yearbook, Phi Psi Cli (1:2).

The final series, Printed Material, primarily contains newspaper articles about Elon College. The majority of these articles highlight events dating between the mid-1960s and mid-1970s. One news item is about the hiring of L. H. (Hap) Perry as the football head coach in 1946 (4:3); another discusses music professor Malvin N. Artley's violin repair workshop (4:2). The remaining news articles are about Elon College president James Earl Danieley's retirement in 1973 and the donation of the Bob Crumpton Home to Elon College in 1974 (4:4). The most unique item in this series is the Souvenir Library Bulletin, 1924, dedicated to the opening of the Carlton Library. This special bulletin contains photographs of the Carlton family, the dedication speech presented by Louis R. Wilson, and a brief history of the library's establishment (4:1).

Dates

Creation: 1900s - 1980s

Creator

Terrell, William Brown, 1896-1991. (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Copyright Notice

The nature of the Archives and Special Collections of Belk Library means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The Archives and Special Collections of Belk Library claims only physical ownership of most materials. The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to the U.S. Copyright Law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research of otherwise should be fully credited with the source.

Biographical / Historical

William B. Terell was born April 15, 1896 in Burlington, NC to Bedford Brown Terrell and Jennie Viola Scott Terrell. (*Social Security Death Index, William B. Terrell Biographical Vertical File). He had four brothers; James (Jim), Hubert, Ben, and John; and two sisters, Blanche and Ida.

He served in WWI, Headquarters Company 120th Infantry, Old Hickory 30th Division in both France and Belgium, attaining rank of corporal, before attending Elon College under special arrangements for veterans

He attended Burlington High School (Alamance County, NC), and later graduated magna cum laude from Elon College with an A.B. degree (1921-1925). He attended graduate school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. While in college at Elon, he was involved with the following: Booster’s Entertainment Club (1925); Burlington Club (President, 1923); Christian Endeavor (Division Leader, 1923); basketball and baseball (class teams); College band; Commencement (marshal); Democratic Club (President, 1925); Kappa Psi Nu Fraternity Maroon and Gold, (managing editor, 1924; editor, 1925); Philologian Literary Society; junior class (president, 1924); Religious Activities Cabinet (1922); Religious Activities Organization (President, 1925); Ministerial Association (secretary, 1924); Student Senate (1923); Sunday school (student teacher, 1924); Sophomore class (treasurer); and North Carolina Press Association (Vice President, 1925).

He was married to Katherine Doris McLean of Gibsonville, NC on July 13, 1925. McLean was also a graduate of Elon, receiving her A.B. degree in 1925 (same graduating class as W. B. Terrell; her photograph is next to Terrell in Phi Psi Cli 1925, senior class). She was on the faculty at Elon College Elementary School for two years, and passed away at the age of 35 on February 26, 1940, after a two-month illness. The couple had one son, William Brown Terrell Jr. "Billy", born 1927.

Billy graduated from Elon College High School in 1943, and attended North Carolina State College before appointment to West Point. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1949, and received a M.S. degree in astronautics from University of Michigan in 1962. He married Jo Ann Ruth on July 10, 1951. They had one son, William Douglas Terrell, born September 26, 1952, as well as two daughters. Billy served as a pilot in the USAF, and was decorated for action in Vietnam, 1970.

William B. Terrell married a second time, to Evelyn Mae Rives of Greensboro on May 17, 1947. She was a graduate of Woman's College of the University of North Carolina and a teacher in Alamance and Guilford County schools. They had one son, Charles Bedford Terrell, born 1950. Charles attended Davidson College in Davidson, NC, and Duke Divinity School in Durham, NC. He married Diana Durig of New Martinsville, WV, on August 23, 1974. They had one son, Robert Bedford Terrell, born February 24, 1977. Charles became an ordained minister of the Christian Church (Ministry?), May 1975.

Terrell entered teaching profession following graduation from Elon College, 1925, and served as an English teacher and principal at Tryon High School in Gaston County, NC, for three years (1925-1928). (*Magazine of Elon, November 1976, Alumni News, October 1956, and biographical vertical file). He acted as Principal of Elon College High School for fifteen years (1928-1943); Principal of Wadesboro High School (1943-1945); Superintendent of Wadesboro City Schools (1945-1948); Superintendent of Warren County Schools (1948-1957); and Magistrate of the Court, 5th Judicial District, Burlington, NC, (1968-1976, including three years as judge of small-claims court in Alamance County).

Terrell had the following organizational Affiliations: Board member at Wesley Memorial Methodist Church; Associate lay leader of the Raleigh District of the Methodist Church; Masonic order, American Legion, Sudan Temple of the Shrine at New Bern; Burlington Rotary Club; Executive Committee member, Occoneechee Council of the Boy Scouts of America; Secretary of the Warren County Tuberculosis and Health Association; Director of alumni affairs for thirteen years, 1957-1970 [Magazine of Elon, 1976]; President of Elon College General Alumni Association, 1952-1954; Executive Secretary of Elon College General Alumni Association, 1957-1968; and Elon Alumni News editor.

He received the following awards: Silver Beaver Award of the Boy Scouts of America for volunteer service; Elon College Alumni Achievement Award, May 28, 1966; Burlington Police Department Award, plaque commemorating his service as magistrate; Paul Harris Fellow Award, Burlington Rotary Club, 1988; and the Outstanding Citizen award for May 1990, presented by Mayor Jerry R. Tolley. The 1967 edition of Phi Psi Cli was dedicated to Terrell "in appreciation of his unselfish service to Elon College and for his interest in each of his students as individuals." Terrell was appointed Special Ambassador by Dr. J. E. Danieley, and presented with trip to Europe, Elon College Alumni Tour 1970, in appreciation of services as Alumni Director. The William B. Terrell Athletic Scholarship, established by students at the former Elon High School, in 1976

Terrell passed away on December 8, 1991.

Biographical Sources:

Newspapers:

Christian Sun

* July 9, 1925, pg. 2

* December 11, 1956, pg. 13

Daily Times-News (Burlington, NC)

* January 19, 1923 (last page)

* September 18, 1928

* August 18, 1943, pg. 6

* February 26, 1940, pg. 12

* February 28, 1940, pg. 12

* March 15, 1947, pg. 5

* May 19, 1947, pg. 8

* October 12, 1948, pg. 5

* November 13, 1948, pg. 12

* July 19, 1951, pg. 8A

* January 4, 1957, pg. 1B, 6B

* June 3, 1967, pg. 4B

* May 17, 1968, pg. 1B

* July 27, 1968, pg. 1B

* July 17, 1970, pg. 5B

* August 24, 1974, pg. 5A

* May 15, 1975, pg. 13B

* November 1, 1976, pg. 3A

* November 9, 1976, pg. 10A

* January 1, 1977, pg. 13A

Maroon and Gold

* September 30, 1925, pg. 3

* September 13, 1928, pg. 3

* October 24, 1956, pg. 1

Magazines:

Elon Alumni News

* October 1948, pg. 8

* May 1953, pg. 6

* October 1956, pg. 2

* July 1966, pg. 11

* July 1967, pg. 5

* May 1968, pg. 23

* April 1969, pg. 32

* July 1970, pg. 2

Magazine of Elon

* November 1976, pg. 7

Books:

* Phi Psi Cli, 1922-1925

Extent

0.5 Linear Feet (1 archival box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

This small collection reflects William Brown Terrell's lifelong interest in Elon College affairs, particularly documenting his active participation during his student years and his involvement with the Alumni Association. Although some of the items-mainly photographs-represent the years that W. B. Terrell studied at Elon College in the 1920s, the majority of materials reflect his interest in the college generally, spanning the years from the 1900s into the 1980s. The collection is arranged alphabetically by type of material into four series, then chronologically, if applicable. These series are: Books; Literary Productions; Photographs; and Printed Materials.

Arrangement

Physical Location

The collection is located in Belk Library Archives Satellite Shelving at Elon University. Please contact the Archivist and Special Collections Librarian for further details about the location.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift. Please refer to the Correspondence Legal file for more information.

Accession Number

#2006.08.1

Related Materials

Please consult with the Archivist and Special Collections Librarian for additional information about related materials to this collection.

Processing Information

Processed by Sandra Sokoloff, August, 2006

Note: The numbers following the name/subject entry indicate in which Series#:Folder# that name/topic can be found (ex. 1:1). If no Series#:Folder# is listed, then a number will indicate in which Series the name/topic can be found. Dates of the items are given in parentheses for an individual Series/Folder or, if at the end, for the entire subject/name entry (no date=n.d.).

Administrative Building, Old Main, 3:1 (1920s)

Ames, Willie, 3:2 (1901-1902)

Andes, A.W., 3:2 (1901-1902)

Artley, Dr. Malvin N., 4:2 (ca. 1966-1971?)

Athletic Director, Elon College, 4:3 (1946)

Banks, F.T., 3:2 (1901-1902)

Barber, J.D., 3:1.1 (1923)

Brunk, Ella, 3:2 (1905)

Bulletin of Elon College, 1:1 (1912-1919)

Burlington Club—Elon College, 3:1.1 (1923)

Burlington Club President, 3:1.1 (1923)

Carlton Library Building, 4:1 (1924)

Colley, J.C., 3:2 (1905)

Combs, A.L., 3:1.1 (1923)

Crumpton Conference Center, 4:4 (1974)

Crumpton Homestead, 4:4 (1974)

Crumpton House, 4:4 (1974)

Crumpton, Dr. John L., 4:4 (1974)

Crumpton, Preto Brown, 4:4 (1974)

Crumpton, Pretto Browne, 4:4 (1974)

Cude, E.F., 3:1.1 (1923)

Daily Times-News, Burlington NC, 4:4 (1973, 1974)

Danieley, James Earl – retirement, 4:4 (1973)

Danieley, Jane Elizabeth, 4:4 (1973)

Danieley, Mark, 4:4 (1973)

Danieley, Ned, 4:4 (1973)

Danieley, Verona Daniels, 4:4 (1973)

Dunn, Mamie, 4:2 (ca. 1966-1971?)

East, Eileen, 3:2 (1905)

Elder, Fannie Glenn, 3:1.1 (1923)

Elder, W.C., 3:1.1 (1923)

Eldridge, Lucy, 3:2 (1901-1902)

“Elon Co-Ed Kidnapped”, 2:1 (n.d)

Elon College alumni, 4:4 (1974)

Elon College president, 1957-1973, 4:4 (1973)

Elon College, 1:2 (1915)

Elon College, 2:1 (n.d)

Elon College, NC, 2:1 (n.d)

Elon College, NC, 4:1 (1924)

Fires–Old Main, 3:1 (1923)

Fix, J.M., 3:1.1 (1923)

Football, 4:3 (1946)

Franks, Lenora, 3:2 (1905)

Freshman Class, 3:2 (1901-1902)

Garrison, C.M., 3:1.1 (1923)

Gay, Leland, 3:2 (1905)

Gibbs, F. Lee, 3:1.1 (1923)

Godwin, Jennie, 3:2 (1905)

Goins, J.A., 3:1.1 (1923)

Guilford County, NC, 2:1 (n.d)

Harden, Ann, 3:2 (1905)

Harper, William Allen, 3:1 (1926)

Head Coach, 4:3 (1946)

Herndon, Gertrude, 3:2 (1901-1902)

“History of Brick Church”, 2:1 (n.d)

Holland, Charles E., 3:2 (1901-1902)

Holland, Goldie, 3:2 (1901-1902)

Holland, Harvey, 3:2 (1901-1902)

Holland, Pretlow, 3:2 (1901-1902)

Holland, Sadie, 3:2 (1901-1902)

Holland, Susie, 3:2 (1901-1902)

Holleman, Martha Pearl, 3:2 (1901-1902)

Holmes, Howard Braxton, Professor, 3:2 (1901-1902)

Homewood, Louise, 3:1.1 (1923)

Horne, Lillian, 3:1.1 (1923)

Horne, Lillie, 3:1.1 (1923)

Iseley, Bertha, 3:2 (1901-1902, 1905)

Isley, Bertha, 3:1.1 (1923)

Isley, C.G., 3:1.1 (1923)

Isley, H.L., 3:1.1 (1923)

James, L.G., 3:1.1 (1923)

Jones, M.L., 3:1.1 (1923)

Jones, Tom, 3:2 (1901-1902)

Kernodle, Annie, 3:2 (1901-1902)

Kernodle, Iola, 3:2 (1901-1902)

Kernodle, June, 3:2 (1905)

King, O.H., 3:1.1 (1923)

Ladies Cooperative Hall, 3:1 (1920s)

Lambeth, Maedell, 2:1 (n.d)

Lankford, C.O., 3:2 (1905)

Lincoln, Lucius, 3:2 (1905)

Long, J. Dolph, 3:2 (1901-1902)

Loy, Kittie, 3:1.1 (1923)

Loy, R.T., 3:1.1 (1923)

McPherson, H.E., 3:1.1 (1923)

Miles, Shellie, 3:1.1 (1923)

Moffitt, Clara, 3:2 (1905)

Morrow, Eunice, 3:1.1 (1923)

Music Professor at Elon College, 4:2 (1965-2004)

Neville, J.B., 3:2 (1901-1902)

Newman, Alma, 3:2 (1905)

Norfleet, John, 3:2 (1901-1902)

Orange County, NC, 2:1 (n.d)

Paschall, Annie, 3:1.1 (1923)

Perry, L.J. (Hap), 4:3 (1946)

Phi Psi Cli, 1:2, 3:1.1 (1915, 1923)

Pitt, Mary Lou, 3:2 (1901-1902)

Pritchard, Josaphene, 3:2 (1905)

Pritchard, Mary, 3:2 (1901-1902)

Pritchette, C.E., 3:2 (1905)

Pritchette, Virgil, 3:2 (1905)

Reidsville, NC, 4:3 (1946)

Shoffner, Maggie, 3:2 (1901-1902)

Simpson, J.V., 3:1.1 (1923)

Smith, Leon Edgar, 4:3 (1946)

Somers, C.L., 3:1.1 (1923)

Sophomore Class, 3:2 (1905)

Souvenir Library Bulletin, 4:1 (1924)

Sports Teams (Elon College?), 3:3 (n.d.)

Staley, William W., 3:1 (1926)

Stokes, Durward T. (author), 2:1 (n.d)

Students – Elon College, 3:3 (n.d.)

Talton, Lucy, 3:2 (1901-1902)

Taylor, Maude, 3:2 (1901-1902)

Terrell, W.B., 3:1.1 (1923)

Turner, Olive, 3:2 (1901-1902)

Violin repairs, 4:2 (ca. 1966-1971?)

Violins, 4:2 (ca. 1966-1971?)

Wellons, James W. “Uncle”, 3:1 (1926)

West Dorm, 3:1 (1920s)

Whitley Auditorium, 3:1 (1926)

Whitley, Homer, 3:2 (1905)

Wilkins, J.C., 3:2 (1905)

Wills, Euclid, 3:2 (1901-1