Finding aid for the Edward L. Worthington Papers
Repository: Western Reserve Historical Society
Creator: Worthington, Edward L.
Title: Edward L. Worthington Papers
Dates: 1924-1934
Extent: 0.10 linear feet (1 container)
Abstract: Edward L. Worthington was a Cleveland, Ohio, investment broker and civic leader who served as Welfare Director for the city of Cleveland and president of the Cleveland Boys' Bureau, an organization which assisted homeless youth during the depression of the 1930s. Worthington also served as chairman of the Farms Committee, a 1933 program to provide jobs for unemployed Clevelanders. The collection consists of correspondence, reports and publications. The collection pertains primarily to Worthington's work with the Cleveland Boys' Bureau, as its president and chief fund raiser. The correspondence includes material from the Boys' Clubs of America and Union League Foundation of Boys' Clubs, as well as Dudley S. Blossom, a prominent Cleveland philanthropist. The material highlights the efforts of a private charity to deal with the social upheaval and disintegration of the family structure brought on by the 1929 depression.
MS Number MS 4511
Location: closed stacks
Language: The records are in English

Biography of Edward L. Worthington

Edward L. Worthington, (1888-1957) was born in Mt. Morris, New York, and moved to Cleveland, Ohio, as a young boy. Worthington was an investment broker and civic leader, and served as Welfare Director for the City of Cleveland during the administration of Mayor Thomas Burke. Worthington became involved in the social welfare field during the 1930s when he served as the president of the Boys' Bureau, an organization which assisted transient youths during the Depression. During the mayoral administration of Harry L. Davis, Worthington served as chairman of the Farms Committee, a program instituted by the City of Cleveland to provide work for unemployed Clevelanders in 1933.

Scope and Content

The Edward L. Worthington Papers, 1924-1934, consist of correspondence, reports, and publications.

This collection pertains mainly to Worthington's work with the Boys' Bureau as its president and chief fund raiser, and also includes personal correspondence. The Boys' Bureau correspondence contains material from Francis Payne Bolton and Dudley C. Blossom. The collection is a source for material on social welfare programs during the Depression, especially in Cleveland, and thus may be of interest to community historians and those interested in the social welfare movement.

Statement of Arrangement

The collection is arranged by document type and is maintained in four folders.

Restrictions on Access

None.

Separated Material

All photographs have been removed to the photograph and print collection.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Subjects:

Boys -- United States -- Societies and clubs.
Charities -- Ohio -- Cleveland.
Cleveland Boys' Bureau.
Depressions -- 1929 -- United States.
Homeless youth -- Ohio -- Cleveland.
Shelters for the homeless -- Ohio -- Cleveland.
Social work with youth -- Ohio -- Cleveland.
Transients, Relief of -- Ohio -- Cleveland.
United States -- Social conditions -- 1933-1945.
Worthington, Edward L., 1888-1957.

Preferred Citation

[Container ___, Folder ___ ] MS 4511 Edward L. Worthington Papers, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio

Acquisition Information

Mr. and Mrs. Karl Koepke, 1984.

Processing Information

Processed by Patricia J. Stahley in 1990.