Herbert Whittier Pike papers

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: RS 16/3/53

Staff Only

Scope and Content

The collection (1920-1984, undated) contains biographical information, correspondence, personal business records, clippings, government documents, and photographs. The bulk of the collection is related to Pike's 1955 trip to the U.S.S.R., including souvenir books, periodicals, scrapbooks, clippings, and photographs. Notebooks contain material related to Pike's undergraduate work, military training on artillery, and professional career. Sporadic information on Pike's land assessment work around the Midwest and Texas is included. Personal records include tax records (1918-1944) for the Pike farm. His correspondence files contain letters from U.S. President Gerald Ford related to the Conference on Agriculture and Food and the Conference on Inflation and from Governor Robert Ray related to political campaigns, the Iowa 2000 conference, and educational committees. Further correspondence includes letters relating to the local activities of the National Farmers Organization with Iowa State University president James Hilton and personal correspondence between Pike, his wife, Marian, and his parents. There are documents concerning the lobbying activities of the Iowa Farm Bureau and legislation affecting conservation, roadways, and taxation from 1967 to 1985. Transcripts of Pike's testimony before a U.S. Senate subcommittee on May 17, 1971, and before the U.S. House of Representatives, July 14, 1971, related to the 1971 Farm Bill are also in the collection.

Dates

1920-1984, undated

Language of Materials

English and Russian

Access Restrictions

Open for research.

Use/Re-use Restrictions

Consult Special Collections and University Archives

Biography/Profile

Herbert W. Pike (1912-1989) was born in Monona County, Iowa. He received a B.S. (1933) in agriculture and an M.S. (1939) in economics from Iowa State College (University). Pike worked as a land assessor for Bankers' Life, served a brief tenure as an extension assistant, served in World War II, and farmed near Whiting in Monona County. He took part in the agricultural tour of the U.S.S.R. in July 1955. Active in the Iowa Republican Party, Pike served on various committees. Governor Robert D. Ray appointed Pike to the Governor's Educational Advisory Council and the Iowa 2000 Committee. He served on the Citizen's Advisory Council of the Iowa Cooperative Study of Post High School Education. Pike was also active in banking issues, as he served on the Federal Land Bank of Omaha's Advisory Committee and the Committee on Agricultural Credit of the Federal Farm Credit Bureau. Pike submitted essays on his interests to U.S. News and World Report, Wallaces Farmer, and local newspapers. Later in his life, Pike became interested in alternative energy sources. He took part in a six-city tour of the East and Southeast in 1980 in which he surveyed developments in alternative energy.

Extent

7.59 Linear Feet (14 document boxes, 1 half-document box, 1 oversized box)

Additional Description

Arrangement

This collection is arranged into eight series:

Series 1, Biographical Materials, 1920-1970

Series 2, Appraisal Work, 1929-1972

Series 3, Russian Agricultural Delegate Experience, 1921-1972

Series 4, Governor's Educational Advisory Committee, 1959-1973

Series 5, Federal Land Bank, 1965-1973

Series 6, Conservation Issues, 1967-1984

Series 7, Governor's Conference on the Year 2000, 1973-1977

Series 8, National Committees Involvement, 1969-1974

Processing Information

Released on 2018-11-01.

Subjects

Agriculture--International cooperation Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Agriculture--Iowa Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Agriculture--Soviet Union Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Farms--Valuation Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Iowa State College--Alumni and alumnae Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Iowa--Education Advisory Council Subject Source: Lcnaf