MS-217
CLARENCE BRUSH COLLECTION
INTRODUCTION
The Clarence Brush Collection was accessioned into the Piqua Public Library on July 18, 2012 as a donation from Ms. Peg Sparks of Sidney, Ohio. The collection contains some photographic 5x7 negatives, a number of unidentified family photographs, some business and personal records, a number of Mr. Brush’s school materials from elementary and high school, some army records from 1918 and ten files of miscellaneous materials. The collection is housed in two Hollinger boxes containing 49 files. The literary copyright for these materials is retained by the Piqua Public Library. There are no known restrictions on the use of these materials.
SCOPE AND CONTENT
The Clarence Brush Collection is divided into the following five series:
SERIES I: PHOTOGRAPHS
SUB-SERIES I A: Black and White Studio Negatives (scanned positive prints of each negative are included in the files) Box 1, Files 1-9.
SUB-SERIES I B: Photographs General – positive prints – Box 1, Files 10-19
SERIES II: Documents relating to the C.N. Brush Studio – Box 1, Files 20-23.
SERIES III: Business and Personal Papers – Box 1, Files 24-26.
SERIES IV: School notes, materials and records for Clarence N. Brush – Box 1, Files 27-39.
SERIES V: Miscellaneous – Box 2, Files 1-10
CONTAINER LIST
BOX 1
SERIES I: PHOTOGRAPHS
SUB-SERIES I A: Black and White Studio Negatives (scanned positive prints of each negative are included in the files)
File
1 Bride – 2 negatives and two positives – identity of bride not determined. One negative is 4”x5” and the other is 4”x6”. Date of photo is c. 1960.
2 Portrait of a young lady approximate age 18, identity not determined – 2 negatives, one is a face shot the other is in profile. The negatives are 5”x7”, also 2 positives, c. 1960
3 Portrait of a young man, possible a high school senior portrait, approximate age 18, identity not determined – 2 negatives, c. 1960, 2 positives. The negatives are 5”x7”
4 Portrait of a young lady, possible high school senior portrait, approximate age 18, identity not determined – 2 negatives, c. 1965, 2 positives. The negatives are 5”x7”
5 Portrait of a young lady, possible high school senior portrait, approximate age 18, identity not determined – 2 negatives, c. 1965, 2 positives. The negatives are 5”x7”
6 Portrait of a young lady, identity not determined, in a prom dress – 2 negatives and 1 negative of the lady in a sleeveless white dress with scooped neckcarrying a large purse and wearing dark gloves and a dark flat hat. There are positives of these photos, c. 1960. The negatives are 5”x7”.
7 Portrait of a young man, possible a high school senior portrait, approximate age 18, identity not determined – this is the same young man as in file 3 – 2 negatives, c. 1960, 2 positives. The negatives are 5”x7”
8 Portrait of a young man, possible college graduation photo – seated and standing – 2 negatives, 2 positives – identity not determined – c. 1960. The negatives are 5”x7”
9 Portrait of man in his 50’s – identity not determined – c. 1960 – 2 negatives & 2 positives. The negatives are 5”x7”.
SUB-SERIES I B: Photographs General – positive prints
File
10 [1] Cabinet photograph of a man in coat and vest. The photo is 2 ½” x 4”. Photo was taken by Triplett & Hills New Gallery, over Gates & Co.’s Clothing House, Troy, Ohio. Triplett & Hills were in business from 1880 to 1881 so the photo can be dated to those years. [2] Small cabinet photograph, 2”x3”, of two little girls, c. 1885. The following is printed on the back: “Photographs, 50 cts. per doz., For 60 Days Only, Next J.E. Schauer’s Hack Stable, Main St., Troy, Ohio, C. DILLOWAY.”+
11 Four photographs, 2 ½” x 4 ¼”, dated 1916. [1] 5 farm hands eating lunch on the ground outside a house. [2] Lady with two cows. [3] Same lady as in #2 feeding chickens. [4] A four generation picture – same lady as in #’s 2 & 3 with her mother and grandmother and an approximately three year old boy.
12 Two different post card photographs of the same group of seven ladies taken on a farm, c. 1916
13 Two photographs, probably of a family reunion dated June 22, 1950: [1] photo of 13 ladies and one man, ages of individuals in the photo is 55 + years. [2] group photograph of 22 ladies, 6 men and 7 children – various ages from infant to 80’s.
14 Three photographs, probably of a family reunion, dated c. 1960: [1] photo of 11 ladies and 6 men all 60+ years of age. [2] group photo of 19 ladies, 8 men and 5 children – various ages from approximately 8 to 80+ years. [3] Husband and wife with two beagle dogs sitting on a porch in chairs – both appear to be 65+ years of age.
15 Photograph of a basketball team – 7 adult players, probably a company team – the letter “F” is on their jerseys, c. 1920.
16 Polaroid photograph of three men sorting apples at Brush Orchard. The photo is dated 1960.
17 Photograph of the U.S. Marine Corps camp at Cape Haitien, Haiti. The photo was taken September 4, 1920
18 Two glossy 8x10 black/white advertising photographs of a dozen jars of “New! Mor-Grip, Bowlers, Golfers for Slip Control.”
19 Photograph of the head and neck of a horse. The photo is 8x10 and printed on both sides of card stock paper. The front side is a color photo and the back side is the same photo in black/white.
SERIES II: Documents relating to the C.N. Brush Studio
File
20 Table sign, 8x11” – “Photography by C.N. Brush Studio, 2025 East U.S. 36, 773-3817, Piqua, Ohio”
21 Certificates awarded to Clarence N. Brush: [1] “The Winona School of Photography sponsored by Professional Photographers of America, Inc. CERTIFICATE. This is to Certify that Clarence N. Brush has completed General Portrait Photography, 1960”. [2] “Professional Photographers of America, Inc., CERTIFICATE OF MERIT, Be It Known That there have this date been awarded to Clarence N. Brush 1 Merits in recognition of achievements in professional photography or meritorious services rendered to this Association or to the Profession of Photography, as explained below: General Portrait Photography, 1960.” [3] “The Winona School of Photography sponsored by Professional Photographers of America, Inc. CERTIFICATE. This is to Certify that Clarence N. Brush has completed Advanced Professional Portraiture – 1966.” [4] “Professional Photographers of America, Inc., CERTIFICATE OF MERIT, Be It Known That there have this date been awarded to Clarence N. Brush 1 Merits in recognition of achievements in professional photography or meritorious services rendered to this Association or to the Profession of Photography, as explained below: The Winona School of Professional Photography Advanced Professional Portraiture, 1966.”
22 Envelopes: [1] 8 ½” x 10 ½” manila envelope with stamped return address “Photo by Clarence N. Brush, R.R. 2 Box 130, Piqua, Ohio. [2] 5 ½” x 7 ½” negative envelope
23 Behind the Camera At Cromer Photos – and advertising book containing prices for various types of photos charged by Paul Cromer, Professional Photographer, Covington, Ohio – 1956. This book may have been used as a guide by Clarence Brush for prices to charge and services to provide when he became a professional photographer in 1960.
BOX 1
SERIES III: Business and Personal Papers
File
24 Cash account book for both personal and business sales and purchases for The Piqua Rabbitry, C. N. Brush, Prop. R. 5 Box 83, Piqua, Ohio. The book covers the period from June- October 1918 and from January 1919-September 1928. During this period Mr. Brush was and accountant/auditor for French Oil Mill Machinery Co. The Piqua Rabbitry was a second business during this period.
25 Receipts to C. N. Brush from The Piqua Daily Call for business advertising September 10, 1945 and October 1, 1945 and receipts for classified advertising January 14, February 1 and February 24, 1955.
26 Goat’s Milk Cheese: Made from small quantities of milk, published by Chr. Hansen’s Laboratory, Inc., Little Falls, N. Y.
SERIES IV: School notes, materials and records for Clarence N. Brush
File
27 Pledge card for The Lincoln legion, Abstinence department of the Anti-Saloon League signed by Clarence Brush, February 12, 1911 in which he promised to abstain from the use of intoxicating liquors as a beverage. He was twelve years old at the time.
28 Clarence Brush, drawing book No. 1 containing pencil drawings and watercolor paintings of plants and flowers.
29 Applied Arts Drawing Books – Sixth Year Autumn and Winter by Wilhelmina Seegmiller, Atkinson, Mentzer & Grover, Chicago, 1908
30 Applied Arts Drawing Books – Sixth Year Winter and Spring by Wilhelmina Seegmiller, Atkinson, Mentzer & Grover, Chicago, 1908
31 Applied Arts Drawing Books – Seventh Year Autumn by Wilhelmina Seegmiller, Atkinson, Mentzer & Grover, Chicago, 1908
32 Applied Arts Drawing Books – Seventh Year Autumn and Winter by Wilhelmina Seegmiller, Atkinson, Mentzer & Grover, Chicago, 1908
33 Clarence Brush Theme Tablet with themes written on various topics – topics appear to be fifth to seventh grade – Piqua City Schools.
34 Envelope from Steadmans’ Graded Lessons in Writing (penmanship) by Andrew H. Steadman and Carrie D. Steadman, American Book Company, 1909
35 Practical Writing Book 2 (penmanship) by Platt R. Spencer’s Sons, American Book Company, Cincinnati, 1905.
36 National Note-book Sheets for Laboratory Work in Physics by George M. Turner and C. Brooks Hersey, L. E. Knott Apparatus Company, Boston, Mass., 1907 – in the book are Clarence Brush’s hand written descriptions of his laboratory work. It was done at Piqua High School c. 1916.
37 Clarence Brush’s hand written biology notebook produced in his high school biology class, c. 1915.
38 Class schedule for The Ohio State University Student Army Training Corps in the College of Engineering a branch of the Army Quartermaster Corps. Clarence Brush enlisted in the National Army on October 10, 1918 and was sent to Ohio State University. He was honorably discharged on December 11, 1918.
39 Pocket Notes book containing notes on European History especially Military History. The back half contains exercises in French. This notebook was used by Clarence Brush at Ohio State University in his studies with the Student Army Training Corps. – 1918.
BOX 2
SERIES V: Miscellaneous
File
1 [1] Official War Song Sheet, furnished by Columbus War Camp Community Service Committee on Music. [2] Songs We Like To Sing, YMCA, issued with the compliments of the Transportation Bureau of the National War Work Council of Young Men’s Christian Associations. These two documents were probably given to Clarence Brush during his time in the Student Army Training Corps, 1918.
2 Instructions – How to Play Field Croquet, published by Carey Industries, Inc., Carey, Ohio 43316
3 Post card to Clarence Brush from Fort Loramie, 21 June, 1919 from “Guess Who.” The post card caption is “I’m Trying So Hard To Forget You.”
4 Two ink blotters from The Piqua Savings Bank
5 Postage paid three cent envelope with a return address of “The French Oil-Mill Machinery Co., Lock Box 920, Piqua, Ohio.
6 Nine postage paid fourteen cent post cards – stamp commemorates Wisconsin Territory, 1836 and was issued by U.S. Postal Service in 1986.
7 Humorous card signs: [1] “It’s not what you eat that causes ulcers; it’s what’s eatin’ you.” [2] “It’s a shame that when you turn your head it doesn’t wring your neck a little.” [3] “Caution: be sure brain is engaged before putting mouth in gear.” [4] “It’s hard work to get away with loafing around here.” [5] “We shoot every third salesman, The second one just left.” (2 sizes of this).
8 Funeral Memory Book supplied by Melcher Funeral Home, Piqua, Ohio for the funeral of Anna Brush Urserman – contains the list of Friends who called at the funeral home.
9 Hand strap polishing cloth issued by Ostertag Bros., Piqua, Ohio.
10 52” tailor’s measuring tape issued by Sears, Roebuck and Co., Chicago – the tape is stitched paper.