Edgar Lamont Tenney was born on February 8, 1879, in Rock Island, Illinois. He earned a B.S. (1904) in mechanical engineering from Iowa State College (University). Throughout his career, Tenney worked as a mechanical, civil, structural, electrical, mining, and military engineer. In 1919, he started work on creating his own model of the steam automobile. He was in the United States military during World War I, serving in the 108th Engineers, 33rd Prairie Division, from May 8, 1918, to June 24, 1919. He was a Life Member of the Iowa State College alumni organization (which later became the ISU Alumni Association). Tenney married Clara E. Williams on June 19, 1907, near Ida Grove, Iowa. Together they had four children: Charles, Dorothy, Florence, and Virginia. Tenney died in December 1961. This collection includes biographical information including Tenney’s war records and correspondence, class and laboratory notes from mechanical engineering courses, and a copy of Tenney's thesis describing plans for a ventilation system for Morrill Hall.

George W. Bissell Papers, RS 11/10/14

The files are arranged in alphabetical order.