Important Original Scrap Book and Photograph of Major Wa Obenchain, Pertaining to Ogden College, Bowling Green, Ky

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PRESENTING A UNIQUE AND IMPORTANT Original Scrap Book and Photograph of Major WA Obenchain, pertaining to Ogden College, Bowling Green, … Read more PRESENTING A UNIQUE AND IMPORTANT Original Scrap Book and Photograph of Major WA Obenchain, pertaining to Ogden College, Bowling Green, KY.

The photograph is ‘new’ to the market and has never left family ownership until NOW!

It is a previously, unseen image, of a significant historical figure, Major William Alexander Obenchain, who served on General Robert E. Lee’s Staff during the Civil War and was President of Ogden College in Bowling Green, Kentucky between 1883 – 1906.

We are of the opinion that the photo was taken, whilst, Major Obenchain was President of Ogden College, and circa 1890-1900. It bears the stamp on the bottom right for “McClure of Lexington, KY”.

Framed and under glass.

The Scrap Book is his personal Collection of numerous and various newspaper article cuttings, letters, speeches and other historical items of memorabilia, MAINLY, relating to Ogden College (now part of Western Kentucky University), from the 1870’s up to 1918.

Signed in ink, by the Major, on the inside of the front cover and hand-written annotations by him, throughout.

It also includes newspaper article cuttings and other historical items of memorabilia personally relating to Major Obenchain and his family, including: Articles relating to the ‘Stone’ Criminal Trial in Dallas, TX in 1876 for the almost fatal shooting of his brother, James T Obenchain , Merit Certificate for distinguished academic achievement by Major Obenchain, from the Buchanan Collegiate Institute dated July 6th 1849, et al.

Over 53 Pages of content!

An EXCEPTIONAL and UNIQUE Collection that is ‘new’ to the market, has never been seen by the public before and has never left family ownership until NOW!

A UNIQUE HISTORICAL RECORD OF OGDEN COLLEGE/WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY and BOWLING GREEN!

William Alexander Obenchain. Born April 27, 1841 at Buchanan, Botetourt Co., Virginia.

Parents: Thomas Jefferson Obenchain and Elizabeth Ann Sweetland.

Entered VMI on July 18, 1859 as a member of the VMI (Virginia Military Institute) Class of 1862 and was graduated (1st in his class) in December 1861–this class was graduated early due to the Civil War.

Served in various capacities as an Engineer officer throughout the Civil War. At rank of Captain he was a senior ranking officer in the Virginia Corps of Engineers and served on Gen. Robert E. Lee’s Staff.

He was promoted to the rank of Major, for meritorious conduct near Richmond in 1864.

Post-War Career- Educator.

Taught at Hillsborough Military Academy (NC), Pittsboro (NC) Military Academy, Western Military Acad. (New Castle, KY), University of Nashville, Ogden College, Bowling Green, KY.

Married Eliza Calvert Hall (famous Author) of Bowling Green in 1885.

Obenchain died August 17, 1916 at his home in Bowling Green, age 75.

Provenance: From the Obenchain Family Estate

Condition: Both are in very good condition for their age. Some minor foxing and fading through age. The binding to the scrap book is loose in places and some scuffing to the cover. There is a water stain on the top right of the photo. Despite these minor condition issues, the items are so significantly important and unique, that they do not affect the value of the pieces.

Dimensions:

Photo in Frame: 17.75 inches tall, 14.25 inches wide and 1 inch deep

Scrap Book: 12.5 inches tall, 10 inches wide and 1.75 inches deep. See less