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Record Creator: | Beetham, Robert Emory |
Title: | Robert Emory Beetham Diary |
Date Span: | 1901-1904 |
Abstract: | Robert Emory Beetham (1873-1947) was born in Bedford, Ohio, the son of a Methodist clergyman. Bishop Hartzell recruited him upon his graduation from Drew to become a missionary educator in Old Umtali in Rhodesia. He served there for three years. He then served as president of Scio College in Harrison County, Ohio. He was President until Scio's merger with Mt. Union College in 1910. At that time he became Vice-President of Mt. Union. After this appointment he served as a chaplain in World War I. After his service as chaplain he was a pastor of churches in several conferences. He died on December 4, 1947 and is buried in Cadiz, Ohio. |
Extent: | 0.17 cubic feet |
Identification: | drew.ms.gcah4318 |
dbtext | 4318 |
Robert Emory Beetham (1873-1947) was born in Bedford, Ohio, the son of a Methodist clergyman. Beetham was educated at Scio College, New York University, and Drew Theological Seminary. Bishop Hartzell recruited him upon his graduation from Drew to become a missionary educator in Old Umtali in Rhodesia. He served there for three years. He then served as president of Scio College in Harrison County, Ohio. Beetham was president until Scio's merger with Mt. Union College in 1910. At that time he became vice-president of Mt. Union. After this appointment he served as a chaplain in World War I. After his service as chaplain he was a pastor of churches in several conferences, and finally was pastor at Wesley Church, Salem, and Trinity,West Medford, in the New England Conference. After forty years in Ministry he retired to Daytona Beach, Florida where he died on December 4, 1947. He is buried in Cadiz, Ohio. His wife of forty-three years survived him.
The Beetham collection is a diary covering the years 1900-1904. This diary is very carefully written and is very legible. It covers his years as a student at Drew Seminary and missionary work in Africa. The material from the Drew period is especially interesting in recalling his activities as a student and characterization of several of the prominent professors of that time. There are also some special notes describing his student activities. The diary also covers a number of his experiences and travels in Africa. Of particular note is the careful description he gives of sites on his journeys and of ancient ruins he explored. There are also a few letters, clippings, and a menu from his Drew Seminary senior banquet which carries the autographs of several of his professors. These documents were loose items from the diary.
Materials have been arranged in the following manner.
The materials are arranged by record type.
When citing material from this collection please use the following format: Direct reference to the item or its file folder, Robert Emory Beetham Collection, Methodist Collection - Drew University, Madison, New Jersey. Do not make use of the item's call number as that is not a stable descriptor.
There are no restrictions regarding this collection. Copyright still owned by Drew. Permissions to publish must be directed to Drew.
Detailed use restrictions relating to our collections can be requested from the office of the archivist at the General Commission on Archives and History. Photocopying is handled by the staff and may be limited in certain instances. Before using any material for publication from this collection a formal request for permission to publish is expected and required.
Microfilm Edition of the Mission Biographical Reference Files
Microfilm Edition of the Missionary correspondence of the Board of Missions of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Call Number | Folder Title | Date(s) |
- 2128-3-3: 1 | Diary | 1901-1904 |
- 2128-3-3: 2 | Documents from Diary | 1901-1904 |