Special Collections Department
403 Parks Library
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-2140

RS 21/7/38
Rex B. Conn (1900-1975)
Papers, 1936-1974, undated


Descriptive summary

creator: Conn, Rex B. (1900-1975)
title: Papers
dates: 1936-1974, undated
extent: 0.84 linear feet (2 document boxes)
collection number: RS 21/7/38
repository: University Archives, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University.

 

Administrative information

access: Open for research
publication rights: Consult Head, Special Collections Department
preferred citation: Rex B. Conn Papers, RS 21/7/38, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University Library.

 

Abstract

County agent and farm editor for the Cedar Rapids Gazette. Rex Conn was born near Marengo, Iowa, and received a B.S. (1922) in animal husbandry from Iowa State College (University). He engaged in farming until 1928 when he became a county extension agent in Sioux County, Iowa. In 1935, Conn became Extension Director for Linn County. He was Farm Editor for the Cedar Rapids Gazette from 1944-1969. While working for the Gazette, Conn served as President of the Newspaper Farm Editors Association (1955-1956) and as President of the All-Iowa Fair Board (1961-1962). After retirement, he accepted an unpaid position as a communications specialist at Kirkwood Community College. This collection contains correspondence, printed materials, a taped interview covering his career with transcription and index, newspaper clippings, and articles written by Conn.

 

Biographical note

Rex Conn was born August 7, 1900, near Marengo, Iowa. He received a B.S. (1922) in animal husbandry from Iowa State College (University). He was engaged in farming until 1928 when he became a county extension agent (1928-1932) in Sioux County, Iowa. He later accepted a position as a buyer (1932-1935) for the Producers Commission Association of the Sioux City Stockyards. In 1935, Conn became the Extension Director (1935-1944) for Linn County. Conn was named Farm Editor for the Cedar Rapids Gazette in 1944, a position he held until 1969. In addition, he had a radio show and appeared on agricultural television programs. After retirement, Conn accepted an unpaid position as a communications specialist at Kirkwood Community College.

Conn served as President (1955-1956) of the Newspaper Farm Editors Association, and as President (1961-1962) of the All-Iowa Fair Board. Conn received several awards and honors including the Newspaper Farm Editors Association J. S. Russell Memorial Award (1964) and the Iowa State University Alumni Medal (1967).

On June 25, 1925 Conn married Helena Dorothea Schoenfelder. They had five children, all of whom graduated from Iowa State: Mary (1947), Rex Jr. (1949), Dorothy (1951), Ruth (1952), and Lois (1955). He passed away in 1975.

 

Collection description

This collection (1928-1973, undated) contains correspondence, printed materials, a taped interview covering his career with transcription and index, newspaper clippings, and articles written by Conn.

 

Organization

The collection is listed chronologically.

 

Container list

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

1

1

Iowa Fair president, superintendent, and committee member programs

1936-1961

1

2

Citations, certificates, honors, and awards

1943-1973

1

3

Biographical Information

1944-1967

1

4

Collection of newspaper articles from Cedar Rapids Gazette by Rex Conn concerning his trip to Guatemala.

1946

1

5

Guatemalan trip: photos and collection of newspaper articles from the Cedar Rapids Gazette by Rex Conn (74 b/w photographs)

1946

1

6

Correspondence with American friends and business associates

1946-1974

1

7

Speeches and articles by Rex Conn and clips about Rex Conn

1946-1975

1

8

European tour with Iowa Farm Bureau: clips, pamphlets, and program

1947

2

1

Farm Editor's Report on Europe by Rex Conn in Cedar Rapids Gazette

1947

2

2

Published Articles in Farm Policy Forum by Rex Conn: "Measure Grain...or...Weigh It?"; "Do We Mean What We Say?"; "Don't Pigeon-Hole the Aiken Bill"; "Find a Better Way to Sell 4-H Club Calves"; and "Get Your Licks in Now!"

1949-1952

2

3

Correspondence with foreign friends and business cards of foreign friends

1951-1969

2

4

Chairman of Foreign Visitors Committee, Cedar Rapids Chamber of Commerce; programs and biographies of visitors

1954-1965

2

5

Newspaper clipping: From Cedar Rapids Gazette concerning Rex Conn's South American trip, written by Conn

1960

2

6

South American trip with Ezra Taft Benson: programs and pamphlets

1960

2

7

"Programme for Visit of American Journalists to India"

1969

2

8

Cedar Rapids Gazette containing many articles by Rex Conn about his trip to India

1969

2

9

India trip: revised program, clip and invitations

1969

2

10

Program to the "Rex Conn Night" at the Armar Ballroom, Cedar Rapids

1969

2

11

Interview with Rex Conn by Stanley Yates

1971

2

12

Oral history interview with Rex Conn by Michael Lundeen: early days as a County Agent

1974