Cornell University Class of 1912. Floyd Roy "Flood" Newman was born in Casnovia, Michigan in 1890 and grew up in Churchville, New York. In 1908, he entered Cornell University where he majored in chemistry and participated actively in athletics. In February 1912, he skated the length of Cayuga Lake. While at Cornell, Newman was a member of Bandhu Fraternity, which later became Phi Kappa Tau fraternity. Following his graduation, Newman went to Shanghai, China, as a Standard Oil Company trainee. There he joined the Shanghai Volunteer Corps and rose to the rank of first lieutenant. As an Army officer in World War I, Newman helped organize the distribution of petroleum supplies to the armed services in the United States and France. In 1925 he co-founded the Allied Oil Company, Inc. of Cleveland. He was co-owner and secretary-treasurer of the company until 1948 when it merged with the Ashland Oil and Refining Company. Newman was a former Cornell University Trustee and served as a Presidential Councillor. He gave Helen Newman Hall, Newman Lab and the F.R. Newman Arboretum to Cornell, and supported the University's geological sciences and athletic programs.
Collection consists of correspondence, photographs and passports; programs, menus, broadsides, clippings and pamphlets, including "Dedication of the F.R. Newman Military Collection," October 25, 1976, Barton Hall. Menus, programs, maps, pamphlets, Chinese banknotes, and 103 negatives (with contact prints) of scenes of China collected during his stay in Shanghai, China, from 1912 to 1916. Photographs of Bandhu Fraternity; material concerning the Class of 1912 25th Reunion, June 1937; correspondence and other materials concerning the Class of 1912 Fifty Year Memorial Fund, and Newman's role in the establishment of the Class of 1912 Professorship; correspondence between Newman and the Cornell University Treasurer's Office, 1950-1963; and correspondence and testimonials concerning Newman. Also, material concerning Newman's trip to Japan; a letter from Floyd Newman's son, John A. Newman (Cornell University Class of 1943), concerning Mario Garcia Menocal (Cornell University Class of 1888), Cuba's first popularly elected president, and his brother, Adolpho Jose Menocal (Cornell University Class of 1888). Speeches and program of the dedication of the F.R. Newman Arboretum at the Cornell Plantations, June 10, 1982. Also, a large collection of Cornell memorabilia, including the skates Newman used to skate the length of Cayuga Lake in 1912; football shoes and helmet; baseball shoes and gloves; a 1912 Cornell University banner, buttons and freshman beanie; several beer steins, tickets and postcards.
Also, a collection of World War I memorabilia including photographs, medals, helmets, French and German bayonets and German uniform items; and memorabilia and documents from the Shanghai Volunteer Corps.
"Recollections" by David C. Duncan, June 8, 1970; typescript talk by Newman at the Union Club in Cleveland, May 12, 1983; cassette of interview of Newman by David Dunlop and Anne Bland, February 28, 1986; and
History of Allied Oil Company, Inc., prepared as case material for the Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration, 1954; materials for the dedication of the Newman addition to the Riga Free Library in Churchville, N.Y.; photocopies of Newman's index cards for Allied Oil Company; photographs of Newman's 99th birthday; and a photocopy of an article about John Newman's miniature village, 1932.
Eight Chinese paper decorative gods, and a head-dress, circa 1914. Also, Newman's personal briefcase, a drawing of himself, and a photographic portrait by Fabian Bachrach. Also, miscellanea including photographs, newspapers, portraits, drawings, souvenirs, and other items from China, Japan, and America.
Photos of Japan and China, 1912-13; Japanese wedding gown, shoes and fan, gift from Yugi Yamaguchi to Cornell University.
Boxes 45, 46, 49, 50, 53, 54, 56, 57 are restricted.
Floyd R. Newman papers, #37-5-1619. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
Includes photographs of the album presented to Newman at the Plantations dedication.
Includs photo of John C. Newman 52, Hattie A. Newman 43, Floyd R. Newman 20, Ruth 12, taken on or about 4-29-11, 25th wedding anniversary.
About 1912 Cayuga Lake skate