Guide to the Frank Hamilton Jeter Papers, 1918-1957

Descriptive Summary

Repository: North Carolina State University Libraries, Special Collections Research Center
Creator: Jeter, F. H. (Frank Hamilton), 1891-1955
Title: Frank Hamilton Jeter Papers, 1918-1957
Call Number: MC 34
Extent: 1 linear foot, 2 archival boxes
Location: For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Special Collections Research Center Reference Staff.
Language of Material: English

Information for Users

Restrictions to Access: This collection is open for research; access requires at least 24 hours advance notice.
Acquisitions Information: Material donated by the family of Frank Hamilton Jeter.
Preferred Citation: [Identification of item], Frank Hamilton Jeter Papers, MC 34, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC
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.
Proccessing Information: Michael Watts, July 2005

Biographical Note

Born on May 2, 1891, in Union County, South Carolina, Frank Hamilton Jeter was the son of a prosperous landowner. Raised in a small farming village that was surrounded by his father's property, Jeter lived and worked in that environment until he left to attend Clemson College, in Clemson, South Carolina. He graduated from Clemson in 1911 with a degree in agronomy. Jeter earned high marks. The 'practical' lessons he learned growing up on a farm enabled him to be successful in his agricultural studies. At Clemson he developed an interest in writing, devoting much of his time to literary work. He served as the editor of the college magazine during his senior year.

After graduating Jeter was employed as a field demonstration agent for a fertilizer company. In 1915, he took a position as the Extension Editor for the fledgling Cooperative Extension Service that was being organized at North Carolina State College (later North Carolina State University). At the time, there was no precedent for that kind of agricultural publication work. Jeter made contacts with local newspapers, the Associated Press, and other news agencies to get them interested in stories about farmers and farm people. Working closely with the newly established Amercian Association of Agricultural College Editors, he began weekly publication of "The Extension Farm News," a news bulletin that was distributed to press outlets, and members of the regional agricultural community.

Also in 1915, Jeter married Irene Albert of Atlanta, Georgia. In the following years, the couple had three children--Frank, Robert, and Jane. Jeter maintained a high level of civic involvement throughout his life. He was a member of the Raleigh Kiwanis Club and a Ruling Elder of Raleigh's First Presbyterian Church. Additionally, he was active in promoting Alpha Zeta, Alpha Gamma, and Epsilon Sigma Phi fraternities, and served as chairman of the editorial section for the Association of Southern Agricultural Workers.

Over a period of four decades, Frank Jeter developed a voice for the North Carolina Agricultural Extension Service and the southern farmer. His prolific writing, his presence as a public speaker, and his management and promotion of Extension publications helped bring national recognition to southern agriculture. In 1948, in recognition for his pioneering work in the field of agricultural journalism, and the advancement of agricultural education, Jeter was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Science by his alma mater, Clemson College.

Scope and Content Note

The Frank Hamilton Jeter Papers document Jeter's work with the North Carolina Agricultural Extension Service, as well as his tenure as agricultural editor and director of publications at North Carolina State College (later North Carolina State University). These files contain Jeter's writings on agriculture and document his appearances at Extension, civic, and farm meetings throughout North Carolina, as well as his many honors and awards in the field of agricultural communications. The files contain newspaper clippings and information pertaining to his editing work. The articles were published in numerous North Carolina newspapers as well as in North Carolina Agricultural Extension publications. There is also material from Jeter's weekly farm program on WPTF Radio in Raleigh. Also included are certificates of appreciation and correspondence documenting awards and tributes, tributes to Jeter after his death in 1955, and an autobiographical profile.

Organization of the Collection

This collection is organized into three series.

Online Catalog Terms

Jeter, F. H. (Frank Hamilton), 1891-1955.
North Carolina Agricultural Extension Service--History.
North Carolina State College--Employees--History.
North Carolina State University--History.
Agricultural literature--Editing.
Journalism, Agricultural--North Carolina.

Detailed Description of the Collection

Newspaper Articles, Speeches, and Notes, 1918-1955

0.75 linear feet, 1.50 archival boxes

Series contains newspaper and Extension publication articles written by Frank Hamilton Jeter. The series also includes text from speeches and a collection of note cards.
- Newspaper Clippings, 1918-1936 [MC 34 Box 1, Folder 1]
- Newspaper Clippings, 1937 [MC 34 Box 1, Folder 2]
- Newspaper Clippings, 1938 [MC 34 Box 1, Folder 3]
- Newspaper Clippings, 1939 [MC 34 Box 1, Folder 4]
- Newspaper Clippings, 1940 [MC 34 Box 1, Folder 5]
- Newspaper Clippings, 1941 [MC 34 Box 1, Folder 6]
- Newspaper Clippings / Frank Jeter1942 [MC 34 Box 1, Folder 7]
- Newspaper Clippings, 1943 [MC 34 Box 1, Folder 8]
- Newspaper Clippings, 1944 [MC 34 Box 1, Folder 9]
- Newspaper Clippings, 1945 [MC 34 Box 1, Folder 10]
- Newspaper Clippings, 1946 [MC 34 Box 1, Folder 11]
- Newspaper Clippings, 1947 [MC 34 Box 1, Folder 12]
- Newspaper Clippings, 1948, Jan.-Aug. [MC 34 Box 2, Folder 1]
- Newspaper Clippings, 1948, Sept.-Dec. [MC 34 Box 2, Folder 2]
- Newspaper Clippings, 1949, Jan.-June [MC 34 Box 2, Folder 3]
- Newspaper Clippings, 1949, July.-Dec. [MC 34 Box 2, Folder 4]
- Newspaper Clippings, 1950, Jan.-June [MC 34 Box 2, Folder 5]
- Newspaper Clippings, 1950, July-Dec. [MC 34 Box 2, Folder 6]
- Newspaper Clippings, 1951 [MC 34 Box 2, Folder 7]
- Newspaper Clippings, 1952-1955 [MC 34 Box 2, Folder 8]
- Newspaper Clippings, no date [MC 34 Box 2, Folder 9]
- Speeches and Notes, 1936 [MC 34 Box 2, Folder 10]
- Newspaper Clippings,, 1940-1948, Various Authors [MC 34 Box 2, Folder 11]
[Return to Descriptive Summary]
Radio--WPTF, 1945-1951

0.125 linear feet, 0.25 archival boxes

This series contains radio program guides, promotional material, and program related correspondence.
- Radio--WPTF, 1945-1951 [MC 34 Box 2, Folder 12]
[Return to Descriptive Summary]
Awards, Certificates, and Tributes, 1938-1957

0.125 linear feet, 0.25 archival boxes

Series contains numerous certificates of appreciation, awards announcements, correspondence, and tributes to Jeter. Also contains a condensed autobiography.
- Awards and Certificates--Press Announcements, 1938-1950 [MC 34 Box 2, Folder 13]
- Awards and Certificates--Certificates, 1938-1950 [MC 34 Box 2, Folder 14]
- Raleigh Kiwanis Club, 1938-1951 [MC 34 Box 2, Folder 15]
- Tributes, 1955-1957 [MC 34 Box 2, Folder 16]
- Autobiography, undated [MC 34 Box 2, Folder 17]
[Return to Descriptive Summary]

Guide to the Frank Hamilton Jeter Papers, 1918-1957

Collection Number MC 34

Collection Information