Preston B. Holtzendorff, Jr. Papers
Collection
Identifier: Mss-0290
These papers contain correspondence, photographs, two scrapbooks, and miscellaneous items related to Preston B. Holtzendorff, Jr., longtime Clemson General Secretary of the YMCA. Among the correspondence are items sent and received during the period 1919-1971. There are one hundred seven photographs which depict scenes such as the Clemson Blue Ridge Delegation during the years 1929 and 1932; buildings such as Tillman Hall, the "Y" cabin near the Seneca River, and Holtzendorff Hall; scenes from Holtzendorff's time in the U.S. Army Air Corps; and various Clemson cadet related photographs. Among the miscellaneous items in these papers are a biography of Holtzendorff by T. S. Buie, 1973; a certificate of graduation from the U.S. School of Aeronautics, 1918; Clemson Cadet Handbook, 1934 and "Thumbers Philosophy" (no date); and personal bank statements, Clemson employee earnings, and income tax records, 1944-1950. The two scrapbooks reflect life at the Clemson YMCA through photographs, news clippings, brochures, and announcements.
Preston B. Holtzendorff, Jr. was born on November 9, 1894 near Rome, Georgia, the son of Preston B. Holtzendorff, Sr. and Agnes W. Drake Holtzendorff.
He graduated from law school at the University of Georgia in 1916. Shortly afterwards in June 1916 he came to Clemson College at the post of Assistant General Secretary of the YMCA before being called in February 1918 into the military service during World War I. During the conflict he served with the U.S. Army Air Corps, rising to the rank of Second Lieutenant. After the war, he joined with his brothers in their Tulsa, Oklahoma law practice and married Ann Linton of Georgia in 1919. In June 1919, he returned to Clemson and was elected to the post of General Secretary of the YMCA, replacing Roy John.
For the next forty years at Clemson until his retirement in 1959, Holtzendorff oversaw religious, social, and recreational activities at the "Y" such as Evening Watch prayer groups, Freshman Focus, "Y" Council, Sunday evening Vesper Services, and intramural sports programs. Holtzendorff served as Clemson's freshman football coach in the early 1920s and later as the college swimming coach. Preston B. Holtzendorff, Jr. died on January 28, 1971, and is buried at Cemetery Hill on Clemson University's campus. The YMCA building, which was built in 1916, was named in honor of Holtzendorff in 1971.
0.71 Cubic Feet (correspondence, photographs, two scrapbooks and miscellaneous items in 3 boxes.)
English
This material collected by Preston B. Holtzendorff, Jr., longtime General Secretary of the Clemson YMCA, gives insight into Clemson student life as well as into the general everyday oprations of the local Young Men's Christian Association.
By series.
Received from Preston B. Holtzendorff III and Marjorie Holt on April 14, 1988, accession 88-36.
This collection was processed by Project Archivist Carl Redd and student assistant Emily Estes in April 2006.
Part of the Clemson University Libraries Special Collections and Archives Repository