Guide to the David Stathem Weaver Papers, 1862, 1917 - 1968

Collection Number MC 26

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Collection Information
Abstract:

The David Stathem Weaver Papers include materials documenting Weaver's career in agriculture, his tenure at North Carolina State College (later North Carolina State University) in the Department of Agricultural Engineering, his work in the Agricultural Extension Service, his role in promoting rural electrifcation, and his dedication to the improvement of the farm community. The collection includes speeches, correspondence, clippings, documents, photographs, and scrapbooks, from 1918 through 1966. Also included is an 1862 Civil War letter written by Weaver's maternal grandfather, David Stathem.

David Stathem Weaver (1896-1966) was an agricultural engineer, educator, and administrator. Weaver was professor, then department head of the Agricultural Engineering Department at North Carolina State College of Agriculture and Engineering (later North Carolina State University), 1923-1948. He was principal engineer, 1936-1937, for the Rural Electrification Administration in Washington, D.C., where he continued work that he had already begun in North Carolina. Weaver was also specialist in agricultural extension, 1937-1948, and associate director, 1948-1950, then director, 1950-1961, of the North Carolina Agricultural Extension Service.

Contact Information:
Processed by
William L. Svec; Jennifer McElroy
Date Completed
March 2003; January 2006
Encoded by
William L. Svec; Jennifer McElroy

Descriptive Summary

Creator

Weaver, David Stathem, 1896-1966

Title

David Stathem Weaver Papers, 1862, 1917 - 1968

Call Number

MC 26

Extent

5 archival storage boxes, 3.5 linear feet

Location

For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Special Collections Research Center Reference Staff.

Information for Users

Restrictions to Access

This collection is open for research; access requires at least 24 hours advance notice.
Acquisitions Information

Gift of Mrs. David S. Weaver on April 29, 1968 (Accession no. 1968-0004) and June 6, 1968 (Accession no. 1968-0005); transfer from NCSU University Archives, 2003.
Preferred Citation

[Identification of Item], David Stathem Weaver Papers, MC 26, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, North Carolina.
Copyright Notice

The nature of the NCSU Libraries' Special Collections means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The NCSU Libraries claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials.

The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to 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 or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.

Biographical Note


David Stathem Weaver was born on June 19, 1896, and died on November 12, 1966. Weaver served as an agricultural leader and educator throughout North Carolina from 1923 to 1966. He devoted much of his professional energies to the "relief of human drudgery" and to improve the rural family standard through the employment of mechanization, electricity and chemistry. His concern also extended to the waste of our natural resources and he was active in soil and water conservation and other agricultural programs whose aims were to promote this interest.

After serving in World War I, he graduated from Ohio State University in 1920 with a B.S. in Agriculture. From 1920 to 1923, he was an assistant professor of agricultural engineering at Mississippi A&M College. In 1923, Weaver began teaching at the North Carolina State College of Agriculture and Engineering (later North Carolina State University) where, in 1925, he received his master's degree in agricultural engineering. Weaver remained on the faculty and became a professor in 1936.

In the early 1930s, Weaver conducted the North Carolina Rural Electrification Survey, which was the forebear of the 1935 North Carolina Rural Electrification Act. The survey played an important role in convincing President Roosevelt and Congress that rural people wanted electricity. This directly led to the establishment of the Rural Electrification Administration (REA). From 1936 to 1937, Weaver was the principal engineer for the REA in Washington, D.C. where he continued work that he had already begun in North Carolina, and completed the first statewide electrification surveys. In an era when electricity's primary use was for illumination, he was interested in expanding its use to farm mechanization with the goal of improving farm productivity and efficiency as well as the farmers' quality of life. Weaver often remarked that electricity was the cheapest labor the farmer could employ. His work in this area led to his being called the "father of rural electrification in North Carolina" because his pioneering work had a major influence on both national and state programs in Rural Electrification.

Weaver returned to North Carolina State College in 1937 as head of the Department of Agricultural Engineering where he had considerable influence in bringing light and power to farmers of North Carolina. He maintained his association with the Rural Electrification Administration, serving as secretary and sometime chairman through 1963. During the period of 1937 through 1948, he was also a specialist in charge of agricultural extension work. In 1948, he became the assistant director of the Agricultural Extension Service (AES). Succeeding I. O. Schaub as director in 1950, he served in that position until 1961. His retirement came in 1964 after serving three years as special assistant to the dean of the School of Agriculture and Life Sciences at North Carolina State College.

As head of the AES, Weaver was responsible for one of the largest adult education agencies in the United States. While in this position he helped found the North Carolina Board of Farm Organizations and Agencies in an effort to ensure cooperation among federal and state agencies seeking to service farm people. For his contribution he received the Distinguished Service Awards of the North Carolina Farm Bureau and the North Carolina State Grange. In 1950, he was named by the Progessive Farmer "Man of the Year in Service to Agriculture" and elected a Fellow of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers. In addition to numerous other honors, he was admitted to the North Carolina State University Hall of Fame. Weaver was an active member in the agricultural fraternity Alpha Zeta (serving as its National Chancellor) as well as in the Royal Arch Masons, Knights Templar and Delta Theta Sigma. He wrote numerous publications, articles, bulletins, and circulars. In 1964, North Carolina State College awarded him an honorary doctor of humanities degree, and in 1968 the Biological and Agricultural Engineering Laboratories of North Carolina State University building was named in his honor.

Weaver married Gertrude Marie Brickman on October 19, 1919, and he had three sons: David, Jr., Donald, and Samuel Alvin.

Scope and Content Note


The David Stathem Weaver Papers includes Weaver's speeches, correspondence, photographs, newspaper and journal clipppings, certificates of recognition, awards, and speeches made by his colleagues. The materials relate to his career in agricultural engineering, his dedication to improve the conditions of the farm community, and his work in the Agricultural Extension Service while a professor at North Carolina State College (later North Carolina State University).

The Professional Speeches series contains presentations made by Weaver regarding various agriculture-related topics, including mechanization and profit maximization. Most are typed but handwritten notes and edits are included.

The Agricultural Extension Service Statistical Data series contains statistical data regarding the AES staffing, salaries, budgets and accomplishments.

The Memorabilia series is a collection of clippings, correspondence, photographs, certificates of recognition and awards, his involvement in professional associations, and files on colleagues in his profession. Included are two oversized scrapbooks.

Professional Speeches by Colleagues Series contain various agriculture-related topics, including agricultural education, extension, and economic growth, presented by Weaver's colleagues.

The Civil War Letter series contains a letter written by his maternal grandfather in 1862 that describes his experiences as a Union soldier in the Civil War

The fifth box of materials in this collection was transferred from the NCSU University Libraries in 2003. These materials are now divided into an additional two series: Subject Files and Academics.

The Subject Files series contains information on a variety of agricultural and rural subjects, especially agricultural machinery.

The Academics series contains work completed by Weaver for his undergraduate and graduate educations, as well as departmental records, course materials, and student work related to Weaver's career in agricultural engineering at North Carolina State College.

Organization of Collection


The original order has been largely maintained. The collection is divided into seven series: Professional Speeches, Agricultural Extension Service Statistical Data, Memorabilia, Professional Speeches by Colleagues, Civil War Letter, Subject Files, and Academics. The two oversized scrapbooks have been dismantled from their original albums and rehoused in acid-free boxes with the original page order maintained. Glued items remain in original condition.

Online Catalog Headings

  • Agricultural extension work -- North Carolina
  • Agricultural extension work -- Research -- North Carolina
  • Agricultural extension workers
  • Agricultural innovations -- North Carolina
  • Agricultural machinery
  • Agricultural productivity
  • Agriculture -- Economic aspects -- North Carolina
  • Agriculture -- Labor productivity
  • Agriculture -- North Carolina
  • Agriculture -- North Carolina -- Costs
  • Agriculture -- Research -- North Carolina
  • Agronomy
  • Colvard, Dean W., 1913-
  • County agricultural agents -- North Carolina
  • Electricity in agriculture
  • Farmers -- North Carolina -- Attitudes
  • Farmers -- North Carolina -- Economic conditions
  • Farmers -- North Carolina -- Social conditions
  • Farm life -- North Carolina
  • Farm management
  • Farm mechanization -- North Carolina
  • Farms -- North Carolina
  • Farms, Size of -- North Carolina
  • North Carolina Agricultural Extension Service
  • North Carolina State College. Dept. of Agricultural Engineering--Faculty--History
  • North Carolina State University. Dept. of Biological and Agricultural Engineering--Faculty--History
  • Poe, Clarence Hamilton, 1881-
  • Rural development -- North Carolina
  • Rural extension -- North Carolina
  • Schaub, I. O. (Ira Obed), 1880-
  • Shoffner, Robert W.
  • Stathem, David
  • United States. Rural Electrification Administration
  • Weaver, David Stathem, 1896-1966

Detailed Description of the Collection

  • Professional Speeches, 1952 - 1963


    0.6 archival storage boxes , 0.3 linear feet

    This series includes Weaver's speeches regarding agricultural-related topics such as farm mechanization, trends, challenges, improving conditions of farm life, the role of the AES and conservation from 1952 through 1963. The series is maintained in the original order as bound and organized by Weaver in particular periods of time. Original letters and memos were kept with the respective speeches. A letter to Clarence Poe is included. Most letters were to Weaver from the News & Observer, the Weekly Gazette and other journals requesting articles. Contains Weaver's handwritten notes when creating and editing his articles. Original acetates for a 1963 speech were not rehoused because of handwritten markings made on the acetates. Other "cut-and-paste" edits by Weaver dictated keeping in original form. Of possible interest are the memoranda that were the sources for his talk "What Will Farming Be Like in 1988--A Peek Into the Future." Also, the same 1963 folder (26.1.24) contains a data punch card entitled, "Cow Lactation Period."

    • 1952 - 1956
      • "Agricultural Prosperity Depends on the Development of Local Leadership." [MC 26 Box 1, Folder 1]
      • "The Public Must Understand Agriculture." [MC 26 Box 1, Folder 2]
      • Untitled article for The Progressive Farmer [MC 26 Box 1, Folder 3]
      • "The Work of the Agricultural Extension Service." [MC 26 Box 1, Folder 4]
      • "How North Carolina Farmers Can Improve Their Financial Situation in 1956." Letter from Clarence Poe. [MC 26 Box 1, Folder 5]
      • "The Challenge--Teamwork Approach to Agricultural Problems in North Carolina." [MC 26 Box 1, Folder 6]
      • "The Overall Extension Program and Significant Changes & Trends in Agriculture." [MC 26 Box 1, Folder 7]
    • 1955 - 1959
      • "Community Development A Step in Progress for the Southeast." [MC 26 Box 1, Folder 8]
      • "General--20/20 Vision." [MC 26 Box 1, Folder 9]
      • "Changes By 1955." [MC 26 Box 1, Folder 10]
      • "Farm City Week Talk." [MC 26 Box 1, Folder 11]
      • "Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread or Underdeveloped Nations Will Always Be Underdeveloped." [MC 26 Box 1, Folder 12]
    • 1957 - 1959
      • "Where Do We Go From Here?" (1958) [MC 26 Box 1, Folder 13]
      • General agricultural talk, no title [MC 26 Box 1, Folder 14]
      • "Twenty-Twenty Vision--What Every Rural Development Worker Needs." [MC 26 Box 1, Folder 15]
      • "The Cooperative Agricultural Extension Service." [MC 26 Box 1, Folder 16]
    • 1957 - 1960
      • "Farm Mechanization in North Carolina." [MC 26 Box 1, Folder 17]
      • "After Five Years, What?" [MC 26 Box 1, Folder 18]
      • "The Challenge--Teamwork Approach to Agricultural Problems in North Carolina." [MC 26 Box 1, Folder 19]
      • "Opportunities For Increasing Farm Income." (1957) [MC 26 Box 1, Folder 20]
      • "Advancing Agriculture Promotes National Economy." [MC 26 Box 1, Folder 21]
      • "Closing Statements--1958 Staff Conference." [MC 26 Box 1, Folder 22]
    • 1963
      • "The Urgency of Conserving America's Resources." [MC 26 Box 1, Folder 23]
      • "What Will Farming Be Like in 1988--A Peek Into the Future." [MC 26 Box 1, Folder 24]
      • "Soil Conservation Districts: The Next Twenty-Five Years." [MC 26 Box 1, Folder 25]

    [Return to Descriptive Summary]

  • Agricultural Extension Service Statistical Data, 1955 - 1960


    0.2 archival storage boxes , 0.1 linear feet

    Included are charts and graphs that depict salaries, number of county agents and budget information within the Agricultural Extension Service of North Carolina between 1955 and 1960. Reports about the accomplishments of the AES Program in Stanley and Duplin Counties are included along with letters pertaining to these topics.

    • Charts and Graphs [MC 26 Box 1, Folder 26]
    • Reports [MC 26 Box 1, Folder 27]

    [Return to Descriptive Summary]

  • Memorabilia, 1918-1968


    2.7 archival storage boxes , 2.35 linear feet

    Series includes newspaper articles, news releases, certificates of recognition and awards, photographs, a list of scientific publications, letters, minutes, and programs from 1918 through 1968. Included are clippings, new briefs, Christmas cards and photographs kept on friends and colleagues that include Dr. D.W. Colvard, Dr. Clarence Poe, Dean I.O. Schaub, Robert W. Schoffner and Agricultural Extension Service friends.

    • Scrapbook 1: originally titled "David S. Weaver", 1934 - 1957
      Items include newspaper articles, photographs, letters, committee programs, and a list of Weaver's scientific publications. Included are articles about Weaver's 1950 "man of the Year for Service to North Carolina Agriculture" award, a 1952 service appreciation award by the Fraternity of Alpha Zeta, and a 1942-1943 "Certificate of Recognition by the United States of America War Production Board. Letters of appreciation from Governor Luther Hodges (1952) and the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (1954).
      		 [MC 26 Box 1, Folder 28-32]
    • Scrapbook 2: (Oversized) originally titled "Personal--Awards & Honors--Family Pictures--Alpha Zeta--A.S.A.E.", 1918 - 1968
      Items include newspaper articles, photographs, letters, and 1961 retirement tributes to Weaver. Included are Weaver's 1918-1919 military induction order and army notices, an Honorary Degree bestowed in 1964 and his appointment by the Governor to the North Carolina Hall of Fame in 1966. Also, there are articles and photos regarding Weaver's 1950 "Man of the Year Award" and his 1925 North Carolina State College Commencement program. Various letters are from North Carolina Governors, United States Congressmen, Secretary of the USDA, the War Production Board, and C.W. Burkett. Photographs include the original Alpha Zeta house "Old Hort Building," various Alpha Zeta conclave meetings and its cofounders, C.W. Burkett and John F. Cunningham (1926-1953).
      		 [MC 26 Box 3, Folder ]
    • Scrapbook 3: (Oversized) originally titled "Associates, Organizations & Programs, Individual Friends Groups", 1950 - 1961

      Items include newspapaer articles, photographs, letters, and a certificate naming Weaver High Priest of the Raleigh Chapter of Royal Masons. Included are: an article about his promotion to Director of the Agricultural Extension Service (1950-1951); a photograph and article of hurricane damage in 1955; a letter to Dr. Hugh Bennett, the "father of soil conservation" (1961); and North Carolina State Fair Arena architectural plans and construction photographs (1960-1961).
      		 [MC 26 Box 4, Folder ]
    • Colvard, Dean D.W. [MC 26 Box 2, Folder 1]
    • Poe, Dr. Clarence [MC 26 Box 2, Folder 2]
    • Schaub, Dean I. O. [MC 26 Box 2, Folder 3]
    • Schoffner, Robert W. [MC 26 Box 2, Folder 4]
    • Agricultural Extension Friends [Folder 1 of 2] [MC 26 Box 2, Folder 5]
    • Agricultural Extension Friends [Folder 2 of 2] [MC 26 Box 2, Folder 6]
    • North Carolina State College: Non-Extension, 1943 - 1965 (Folder 1 of 2) [MC 26 Box 2, Folder 7]
    • North Carolina State College: Non-Extension, 1943-1965 (Folder 2 of 2) [MC 26 Box 2, Folder 8]
    • Soil and Water Conservation, 1961 - 1965 [MC 26 Box 2, Folder 9]
    • Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Conference (unidentified photographs) [MC 26 Box 2, Folder 10]
    • Various Group Pictures, 1952 - 1965 [MC 26 Box 2, Folder 11]
    • Weaver, David, "Electrifying Agriculture," U.C.C. Quarterly, Spring, 1945 [MC 26 Box 2, Folder 12]
    • Articles from News & Observer of "Tar Heels of the Week," 1961 - 1966 [MC 26 Box 2, Folder 13]
    • Articles from News & Observer of "Tar Heels of the Week," 1959 - 1966 [MC 26 Box 2, Folder 14]

    [Return to Descriptive Summary]

  • Professional Speeches By Colleagues, 1953 - 1961


    0.4 archival storage boxes , 0.2 linear feet

    These are speeches on agricultural-related topics by Weaver's colleagues at particular forums between the years 1953 and 1961. Of special interest: the 1955 presentation by C. S. Reed, an engineer from Duke Power Company, contains two folded maps; a 1957 talk by the Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture, Ezra Taft Benson, at the Harvest Day Festival; a 1957 "Salute to North Carolina" presented by NBC announcer Alex Dreier.

    • Nesius, David, "Extension Education for Guiding Adjustments." [MC 26 Box 2, Folder 15]
    • Black, Wm., "What Is Our Program?" [MC 26 Box 2, Folder 16]
    • Ratchford, C. B., "Fitting Activities, Methods and Programs into the County Extension Program." [MC 26 Box 2, Folder 17]
    • Ahlgren, Henry, "An Extension Program in a Changing Agriculture." [MC 26 Box 2, Folder 18]
    • Corbett, R.B., "The Challenge in the Sixties." [MC 26 Box 2, Folder 19]
    • Welch, Frank, "Progress in Southern Agriculture Through Research and Education." [MC 26 Box 2, Folder 20]
    • Franklin, Wayne, "The Future Role of Agriculture." [MC 26 Box 2, Folder 21]
    • Bannon, L. H., "The Business of Agriculture." [MC 26 Box 2, Folder 22]
    • Agricultural Policy Committee of the North Carolina State Grange: "A Framework for Agricultural Policy." [MC 26 Box 2, Folder 23]
    • Taylorsville Agribusiness Discussion [MC 26 Box 2, Folder 24]
    • Reed, C. S., "Times Are Changing." [MC 26 Box 2, Folder 25]
    • Reed, C. S., "Income Per Capita." [MC 26 Box 2, Folder 26]
    • Mackie, Arthur, "Economic Growth and Development of the Southeast." [MC 26 Box 2, Folder 27]
    • Benson, Ezra, "Harvest Festival--1957." [MC 26 Box 2, Folder 28]
    • Agricultural Economics Department, "The Income Situation." [MC 26 Box 2, Folder 29]
    • Dreir, Alex, "Salute to North Carolina." [MC 26 Box 2, Folder 30]
    • Knight, Eugene, "Using Related Groups and Industries." [MC 26 Box 2, Folder 31]

    [Return to Descriptive Summary]

  • Civil War Letter, 1862


    0.1 archival storage boxes , 0.05 linear feet

    This series contains a letter, 1862, from Weaver's maternal grandfather, David T. Stathem, written to Stathem's sister while he served in the Union Army and was stationed in the South during the Civil War. Stathem writes about how the monotonous food drove him and fellow soldiers to raid a henhouse for fresh meat and how they were almost court-martialed because their actions violated the Articles of War. He describes the drinking water as "when boiled casts a green scum to the surface." He references the cold winter and overall camp life. Stathem comments on the lack of "interesting" conversation and laments, "it is all vulgar, low or obscene." He also expresses missing home and family. The series also includes a sketch of "Stathemville."

    • Original Letter and Illustration of Stathem Home [MC 26 Box 2, Folder 32]
    • Photocopies of the original letter. [MC 26 Box 2, Folder 33]

    [Return to Descriptive Summary]

  • Subject Files, 1925-1946


    0.66 archival storage box , 0.33 linear feet

    This series contains reports, papers, letters, press releases, agronomy informational circulars, and other materials that provide information on a variety of agricultural subjects. Many of the materials were authored by David Weaver or produced by N.C. State College and/or the Agricultural Extension Service. As much as possible, the series is organized following the original groupings of documents.

    • Agricultural Machinery [Online Content]

      		[MC 0026 Box 5, Folder 1]
    • Agricultural Machinery and Animals [MC 0026 Box 5, Folder 2]
    • Agricultural Machinery, Relation to Production (1 of 2) [Online Content]

      		[MC 0026 Box 5, Folder 3]
    • Agricultural Machinery, Relation to Production (2 of 2) [Online Content]

      		[MC 0026 Box 5, Folder 4]
    • Agricultural Machinery, History and Development [Online Content]

      		[MC 0026 Box 5, Folder 5]
    • Agricultural Machinery, Care and Repairs [MC 0026 Box 5, Folder 6]
    • Farm Mechanization, paper by Frank D. Barlow, Jr. and H. Brooks James [Online Content]

      		[MC 0026 Box 5, Folder 7]
    • "Tedder type" peanut shaker [MC 0026 Box 5, Folder 8]
    • Mowing Machines [MC 0026 Box 5, Folder 9]
    • Sweep Rakes [MC 0026 Box 5, Folder 10]
    • Tillage Machinery [MC 0026 Box 5, Folder 11]
    • Electric Brooder [MC 0026 Box 5, Folder 12]
    • Cold Storage [MC 0026 Box 5, Folder 13]
    • Farm Shop Work [MC 0026 Box 5, Folder 14]
    • Kitchen Equipment [MC 0026 Box 5, Folder 15]
    • Rural Housing (1 of 2) [Online Content]

      		[MC 0026 Box 5, Folder 16]
    • Rural Housing (2 of 2) [MC 0026 Box 5, Folder 17]
    • Harvesting Soybeans [MC 0026 Box 5, Folder 18]
    • Tobacco Barns and Curing [MC 0026 Box 5, Folder 19]
    • Cement, Concrete, Gravel, Plaster, Sand [MC 0026 Box 5, Folder 20]
    • Oils, Petroleum, Compounds, Paints, etc. [MC 0026 Box 5, Folder 21]
    • Agricultural Engineering Publication References [MC 0026 Box 5, Folder 22]
    • Bill of Materials for Plan 128 [MC 0026 Box 5, Folder 23]

    [Return to Descriptive Summary]

  • Academics, 1917-1945


    0.33 archival storage box , 0.17 linear feet

    The Academics series contains materials related to David Weaver's undergraduate and graduate education, as well as his education career at N.C. State College. Weaver's undergraduate laboratory exercises and Master's Thesis are included, as well as records and reports of the N.C. State College Departments of Agronomy and Agricultural Engineering, course materials, and one student term paper.

    • "Methods of Obtaining Maximum Direct Sunlight in Hog Houses," Master's Thesis, 1925 [MC 0026 Box 5, Folder 24]
    • Agricultural Engineering Laboratory Exercises, 1917-1918 (1 of 3) [MC 0026 Box 5, Folder 25]
    • Agricultural Engineering Laboratory Exercises, 1917-1918 (2 of 3) [MC 0026 Box 5, Folder 26]
    • Agricultural Engineering Laboratory Exercises, 1917-1918 (3 of 3) [MC 0026 Box 5, Folder 27]
    • Department of Agronomy Equipment Records [MC 0026 Box 5, Folder 28]
    • Agricultural Engineering 406 Laboratory Exercises [MC 0026 Box 5, Folder 29]
    • J. Irwin Davis, Jr. Term Paper, Agr. Econ. 404, 1937 [MC 0026 Box 5, Folder 30]
    • Dept. of Agricultural Engineering, "Report on Hydrolic Ram Location" [MC 0026 Box 5, Folder 31]
    • Cannery Workshops Handbook, 1944 [MC 0026 Box 5, Folder 32]
    • Shop Course for Adults in farm and household construction and repair, Nov. 1945 [MC 0026 Box 5, Folder 33]

    [Return to Descriptive Summary]