Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Byars family papers, 1866-1990
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Byars family
- Title
- Byars family papers
- Dates
- 1866-1990 (inclusive)18661990
1875-1923 (bulk)18751923 - Quantity
- 4.5 linear feet, (5 boxes and 2 oversize boxes)
- Collection Number
- WUA102
- Summary
- The Byars family papers consist of legal and financial documents, correspondence, photographs, and Willamette University memorabilia documenting the lives of several generations from approximately 1866 to 1990.
- Repository
-
Willamette University Archives and Special Collections
Archives and Special Collections
Mark O. Hatfield Library
900 State Street
Salem, OR
97301
Telephone: 5033706866
Fax: 5033706141
archives@willamette.edu - Access Restrictions
-
This collection is open to researchers.
- Languages
- English
- Sponsor
- Processing of this collection was sponsored by the Willamette University History Department.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
The Byars family papers is a multigenerational collection that contains books, correspondence, photographs, financial and legal documents, and memorabilia connected with the Byars family, Willamette University, and Oregon. The material in the collection ranges from 1866 to 1990, but the majority is from 1875 to 1942. Items of note include: letters from William H. Byars to Senator John H. Mitchell regarding political appointments, a collection of cabinet cards, and a collection of land deeds from the Salem and Portland areas.
Historical NoteReturn to Top
William Henry Byars was born on July 7, 1839 in Des Moines County, Iowa, the son of Fleming Byars (1817-1848) and Maria (Deardorff) Byars (1817-1894). In 1853, he crossed the Oregon Trail with his family and settled in Milwaukie, Oregon. After meeting his future wife Emma A. (Slocum) Reed in Milwaukie in 1864, he moved to Douglas County, Oregon and worked as a teacher and mail carrier. Byars attended Umpqua Academy in 1860 and entered Willamette University in 1861. On March 15, 1865 Byars enlisted with Company A of the 1st Regiment Oregon Volunteer Cavalry under Colonel Reuben F. Maury. After being honorably discharged in 1866, he graduated from Umpqua Academy on June 21, 1867 as part of the first graduating class. A year and a half later he married Emma A. Reed on December 23, 1868. In 1873, he moved to Roseburg, Oregon and purchased the Roseburg Plaindealer newspaper. In 1882 he was elected state printer and moved to Salem, Oregon. Byars also worked as dater of the Oregon Statesman in Salem and purchased the Evening Capital Journal (later the Salem Capital Journal) shortly after its founding. He served as surveyor-general of Oregon under President Harrison and was appointed commandant of the state soldiers' home at Roseburg by Governor Lord. He died in Salem in 1922.
William Fleming Byars was born on February 26, 1871 in Wilbur, Oregon, the son of William Henry Byars (1839-1922) and Emma A. (Slocum) Byars (1843-1929). The family moved to Salem in 1883. There, he graduated from the Academy of Willamette University and spent a year in the College of Liberal Arts. At Willamette he met Ada Catharine Nesbitt of Goldendale, Washington whom he married on May 4, 1892. They moved to Portland and later to Goldendale in 1894, at which time he became the editor of the Goldendale Sentinel newspaper. Later, he acquired full ownership over the paper, which he published until he sold it in 1907. In 1908 he bought a half interest in an abstract company and would later purchase the other half. In 1913 he incorporated the three abstract companies of Klickitat County, Washington into the Abstract & Title Guaranty Company. Byars became president of the company and managed it until his death. He served as postmaster of Goldendale, Klickitat County engineer, city councilman, and mayor of Goldendale. He was active in the Goldendale Methodist Church and Mason Lodge No. 31. Byars died in Goldendale, Washington on March 6, 1949.
William "Bill" Joseph Byars was born April 14, 1917 to William N. Byars (1893-1982) and Minnie L. Byars (1890-1987). He graduated from Willamette University in 1941. During his time at Willamette, he was a member of Kappa Gamma Rho, the Mathematics Club, Songmen, and University Vespers. After her graduation from Willamette, he married Hilma May Breuser (Class of 1942). He died in Salem, Oregon on October 12, 2010.
Hilma May Breuser was born April 24, 1918 in Rainier, Oregon to Herman Mitchell Breuser (1873-1945) and Nancy Dorothy (Nowlin) Breuser (1890-1964). While attending Willamette University she worked as copy editor for the Willamette Collegian and was a member of Delta Tau Gamma and University Vespers. She graduated from Willamette University with a Bachelor of Arts in 1942 and later married William Joseph Byars (Class of 1941). She died in Salem, Oregon on January 24, 2011.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Byars family papers, Archives and Special Collections, Mark O. Hatfield Library, Willamette University.
Restrictions on Use
Library acts as "fair use" reproduction agent.
For further information, see the section on copyright in the Regulations and Procedures of the Willamette University Archives and Special Collections.
Copyright Information: Before material from collections at Willamette University Archives and Special Collections may be quoted in print, or otherwise reproduced, in whole or in part, in any publication, permission must be obtained from (1) the owner of the physical property, and (2) the holder of the copyright. It is the particular responsibility of the researcher to obtain both sets of permission. Persons wishing to quote from materials in any collections held by University Archives and Special Collections should consult the University Archivist. Reproduction of any item must contain a complete citation to the original.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Arrangement
The Byars family papers are arranged by generation and material type into four series. Series I contains the papers of William Henry Byars and is further arranged by material type. Series II comprises the papers of his son William Fleming Byars. Willamette University memorabilia and the papers of William "Bill" Byars and his wife Hilma Breuser Byars are in Series III. Series IV contains the bulk of the photographs in the collection.
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Series I: William Henry Byars, 1866-1989, (bulk 1866-1921) Return to Top
All items found in metal box labeled "Great Gr. Byars Paper Save!" unless otherwise noted. See Box 7 for the metal box.
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
Subseries A: Correspondence |
circa 1870-1919 | ||
Box | Folder | ||
1 | 1 | Correspondence
Found in manila envelope labeled "Gr. Grandfather Byars (W. H. Byars) Personal History Files." See Box 1, Folder 11 for the envelope.
|
circa 1890s |
1 | 2 | Letter from Alfred H. Byars to W. H. Byars
|
1899 January 18 |
1 | 3 | Letter from W. H. Byars to Austin Byars
Letter sent from Portland, Oregon.
|
1889 August 15 |
1 | 4 | Letter to W. H. Byars
|
1898 May 8 |
1 | 5 | Letters to W. H. Byars
Contains two letters (1885 and 1890) written on letterhead from the Oregon Statesman and a 1916 Multnomah Country tax return.
|
1885-1916 |
1 | 6 | Letter from W. H. Byars to Austin Mires |
circa 1870-1899 |
1 | 7 | Letter from W. H. Byars to R. J. Hendricks |
1890 November 15 |
1 | 8 | Letter W. H. Byars to W. J. Shipley
|
1899 February 1 |
1 | 9 | Letter of Payment from W. H. Byars to Mr. S. Swank
|
1913 October 14 |
1 | 10 | Letter from Ronald C. Glover to W. H. Byars
|
1913 November 21 |
1 | 11 | Letter to Mr. R. Hendricks
Found in Manila envelope labeled "Gr. Grandfather Byars (W.H. Byars) Personal History Files." The envelope is enclosed in this folder.
|
1890 November 21 |
1 | 12 | Letter from William M. Hilleary to W. H. Byars |
1913 December 5 |
1 | 13 | Letter from R. J. Hendricks to W. H. Byars
|
1890 November 20 |
1 | 14 | Letter from Austin Mires to W. H. Byars
Letter enclosed with a newspaper clipping: "Austin Mires Writes Poem on Fame."
|
1919 May 8 |
1 | 15 | Correspondence between Senator John H. Mitchell and W. H. Byars
Contains two sets of letters (1885 and 1889) between Senator John H. Mitchell and W. H. Byars. The first set of letters regards an audit of W. H. Byars with audit papers enclosed. The second set of letters regards politics in Oregon and Washington D.C. The envelope containing these papers is postmarked 1902.
|
1885, 1889 |
1 | 16 | Letter of Payment from Mrs. R. L. Mouely to W. H. Byars |
1912 July 15 |
1 | 17 | Letters to Ronald C. Glover
Contains two letters from Charles H. Withers, Jr. and one letter from W. H. Byars (father-in-law of Ronald C. Glover).
|
1913 |
1 | 18 | Telegram from Paxton |
1889 October 18 |
item | |||
6 | 4 | Letterpress Copybook |
1892-1899 |
Subseries B: Legal Documents |
1873-1911 | ||
Box | Folder | ||
1 | 19 | Abstract of Title
From the Abstract Office of Union Title Abstract Company in Salem, Oregon. Abstract of Title number 161 to lot number 3 in Block number 53 in the City of Salem.
|
1890 April 28 |
1 | 20 | Abstract of Title
From the Abstract Office of Union Title Abstract Company in Salem, Oregon. Abstract of Title 66,000 to multiple lots on the Santiam River.
|
1892 August 22 |
1 | 21 | Contract between W. H. Byars and R. J. Hendricks |
1886 November 2 |
1 | 22 | Contract between W. H. Byars and W. B. Raffety |
1889 June 10 |
1 | 23 | Contract between W. H. Byars and M. C. Starr |
1889 July 31 |
1 | 24 | Land Records
Written on "The Greater Salem Midsummer Carnival" letterhead. The notes detail multiple land transactions from 1873-1902.
|
1903 |
1 | 25 | Mortgage Loan Envelope |
1890 May 20 |
4 | 1 | Deeds |
1888-1908 |
4 | 2 | Purchase of Patent Rights from John Bowen |
1876 July 22 |
4 | 3 | Patent letter signed by John H. Miller & John D. Brown |
circa 1870s |
4 | 4 | Printing Press Bill of Sale - S.F. Floed to W.H. Byars |
1883 November 28 |
4 | 5 | Printing Equipment Bill of Sale - W. A. McPherson to W. H. Byars |
1875 March 23 |
4 | 6 | Lease Agreement for Plaindealer Office |
1878 November 9 |
4 | 7 | Contract between W. H. Byars and A. R. Flint |
1877 October 25 |
4 | 8 | Duplicate Land Sale Agreement between W. H. Byars and Francis I. McKenna |
1892 September 22 |
4 | 9 | Oregon Daily and Weekly Statesman Interests Sold |
1883 May 4 |
4 | 10 | Bond for Deed from Portland University to W. H. Byars |
1892 September 21 |
4 | 11 | Deed E. A. Byars |
1898 March 15 |
4 | 12 | Oregon & California Railroad Deed for Land to Lewis Stout & Memo for Sale of a Buggy |
1875-1886 |
4 | 13 | Warranty Deed W. H. Odell & Wife to W. H. Byars |
1883 March 3 |
4 | 14 | Warranty Deed from Lewis Stout & Wife to W. H. Byars |
1885 September 19 |
4 | 15 | Duplicate Last Will & Testament of Emma A. Byars |
1924 September 3 |
4 | 16 | Lease from W. H. Byars to Charles H. Withers |
1911 August 9 |
item | |||
6 | 2 | Salem Book of Laws |
1903 |
Subseries C: Financial Documents |
1890-1921 | ||
Box | Folder | ||
1 | 26 | Receipts |
1890-1893 |
1 | 27 | Receipts for Payments to Francis I. McKenna |
1892-1893 |
1 | 28 | Ladd & Bush, Bankers checks |
1919 November |
1 | 29 | Ladd & Bush, Bankers checks |
1920 January |
1 | 30 | Ladd & Bush, Bankers checks |
1920 February |
1 | 31 | Ladd & Bush, Bankers checks |
1920 March |
1 | 32 | Ladd & Bush, Bankers checks |
1920 April |
1 | 33 | Ladd & Bush, Bankers checks |
1920 May |
1 | 34 | Ladd & Bush, Bankers checks |
1920 June |
1 | 35 | Ladd & Bush, Bankers checks |
1920 July |
1 | 36 | Ladd & Bush, Bankers checks |
1920 August |
1 | 37 | Ladd & Bush, Bankers checks |
1920 September |
1 | 38 | Ladd & Bush, Bankers checks |
1920 October |
1 | 39 | Ladd & Bush, Bankers checks |
1920 November |
1 | 40 | Ladd & Bush, Bankers checks |
1920 December |
1 | 41 | Ladd & Bush, Bankers checks |
1921 January |
1 | 42 | Ladd & Bush, Bankers checks |
1921 February |
1 | 43 | Ladd & Bush, Bankers checks |
1921 March |
1 | 44 | Ladd & Bush, Bankers checks |
1921 April |
1 | 45 | Ladd & Bush, Bankers checks |
1921 May |
1 | 46 | Ladd & Bush, Bankers checks |
1921 June |
1 | 47 | Receipts |
1920s |
1 | 48 | A.O.U.W. Dues Receipts |
1919-1921 |
1 | 49 | Dr. B. H. White Receipt |
1919 June 10 |
1 | 50 | Oregon Historical Society Dues Receipts |
1919 April 13 |
1 | 51 | Glendale Lumber Stock Certificate
Certificate made out to W. H. Byars for 100 shares of stock.
|
1890 April 2 |
1 | 52 | Salem Consolidated Street Railway Stock Certificate
Certificate made out to W. H. Byars for 5 shares of stock.
|
1893 April 15 |
1 | 53 | Tax Returns of E. A. Byars |
1917 |
1 | 54 | Tax Receipt for W. H. Byars |
1914 September 17 |
1 | 55 | Transaction Book |
1920-1921 |
1 | 56 | Utility Bill |
1920 August |
Subseries D: Military Documents
Materials in this subseries were not found in the metal box.
|
1866-1915 | ||
Box | Folder | ||
2 | 1 | Personal Military and Civil History of William H. Byars
Contains William H. Byars' complete military career under the commands of Thomas R. Cornelius and Reuben F. Maury as well as a handwritten autobiography of William H. Byars' civil life. Also includes multiple notes, newspaper clippings, and photographs of Congressman Hawley's headstone and a cabinet card of W. H. Byars with mining equipment from Ray Stout's picture collection.
|
1902 |
2 | 2 | Certificate of Discharge |
1901 September 15 |
2 | 3 | Samuel P. Buck Military Discharge |
1898 August 15 |
2 | 4 | General Order Sedgwick Post Number 10 |
1915 May 28 |
2 | 5 | Transfer Card W. H. Byars |
1866 April 6 |
2 | 6 | Veterans Associated Roster |
1908 |
Subseries E: Certificates
The Willamette University diplomas for Vera Mary Byars and Ronald Grawfond Glover were included in this series because these were the only items of theirs in the collection. Vera Mary Byars was William Henry Byars' daughter. She married Ronald Grawfond Glover.
|
1867-1906 | ||
Box | Folder | ||
2 | 7 | National Geographic Society Certificate |
1910 |
2 | 8 | William Henry Byars - Umpqua Academy Diploma |
1867 June 21 |
5 | 1 | W. H. Byars - Notary Public Certificate |
1903 April 14 |
5 | 3 | W. H. Byars - Notary Public Certificate |
1885 June 15 |
5 | 4 | W. H. Byars - State Printer Certificate
Found in envelope "Save Gr. Gr Byars apt as State Printers 1880s"
|
1882 June 5 |
5 | 5 | Vera Mary Byars - Diploma in Music from Northwest Normal College |
1905 June 20 |
5 | 6 | Ronald Crawford Glover - Diploma Bachelor of Laws Willamette University |
1906 June 12 |
Subseries F: Miscellaneous |
circa 1880-1989; circa 1897-1920 | ||
Box | Folder | ||
2 | 9 | Fort Klamath Prose by O. A. |
circa 1900-1920 |
2 | 10 | Personal Notebook
Written in a "Patronize American Capital German American Insurance Company of New York" notebook.
|
1897 |
2 | 11 | San Diego Map Book
Dodge Auto map and guide book to points of interests and tours in San Diego.
|
1915 |
2 | 12 | Whitworth College Vocal Instruction Program |
1918 May 24 |
2 | 13 | W. F. Byars - W. H. Byars
The only photograph found in the metal box labeled "Great Gr. Byars Paper Save!"
|
circa 1910-1920 |
4 | 17 | Autobiography William Henry Byars |
circa 1920s |
4 | 18 | Autobiography William Henry Byars (copy) |
circa 1980s |
4 | 19 | Crossing the Plain (W. H. Byars) |
circa 1920s |
4 | 20 | Mail Carrier Account |
circa 1920s |
4 | 21 | As United States Mail Carrier (W. H. Byars) |
circa 1980s |
4 | 22 | Photocopies of W. H. Byars Works |
circa 1980s |
5 | 2 | Map of San Diego |
circa 1920s |
item | |||
6 | 3 | Miss Ana Byars Roseburg, Oregon Autography Book |
circa 1880s |
object | |||
7 | 1 | Metal Box |
Series II: William Fleming Byars, 1911-1949Return to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
Box | Folder | ||
2 | 18 | Obituary of William F. Byars
This obituary was published in The Goldendale Sentinel.
|
1949 March 10 |
2 | 14 | Weekly Willamette Collegian |
1911 February 16 |
2 | 15 | Banquet Program |
1922 June 14 |
2 | 16 | Commencement Program |
1922 June 14 |
2 | 17 | Commencement Schedule |
1922 June 14 |
4 | 23 | News Article - William F. Byars |
circa 1940s |
4 | 24 | News Article - William F. Byars |
circa 1940s |
4 | 25 | Obituary of Mrs. W. F. (Ada Catherine Nesbitt) Byars |
circa 1950s |
Series III: William J. Byars and Hilma Breuser Byars, 1890-1990, (bulk 1938-1942) Return to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
Box | Folder | ||
3 | 1 | YM-YW Dance Programs |
1938-1940 |
3 | 2 | May Weekend Programs |
1939-1942 |
3 | 3 | Lausanne Hall Program |
1940 February 10 |
3 | 4 | Lausanne Open House Invitation |
1940 February 10 |
3 | 5 | Kappa Gamma Rho Dance Invitations |
1940 April 29 |
2 | 19 | Mail Carrier Account Copy
Found in a manila envelope.
|
1990 August 31 |
2 | 20 | Short biography of Rev. William Nesbitt Byars |
circa 1953 |
2 | 21 | Chopsticks |
circa 1939 |
2 | 22 | Commencement Invitation |
1941 |
2 | 23 | Freshman Study List |
1939 |
2 | 24 | Freshman Glee Programs |
1939-1941 |
2 | 25 | Postcard from James Byars |
1938 September 23 |
2 | 26 | Letter from Margaret Taylor to Hilma Breuser |
1939 |
2 | 27 | Letters from Bill J. Byars to Hilma Breuser |
1939 |
2 | 28 | Letter from Mr. Breuser to Hilma Breuser |
1942 March 12 |
2 | 29 | Student Activity Ticket Books |
1939-1940 |
2 | 30 | Student Directory |
1938 |
2 | 31 | Student Handbooks |
1939-1940 |
2 | 32 | Membership Cards |
1942 |
2 | 33 | Name Cards |
1939-1940 |
2 | 34 | Flower Cards |
1939-1942 |
2 | 35 | Postcards |
1940 |
2 | 36 | Birthday Card |
1939 |
2 | 37 | Valentine's Day Card |
1942 February 12 |
2 | 38 | Music Recital Program |
1942 February 5 |
3 | 6 | Lausanne Room Rent Receipts |
1939-1941 |
3 | 7 | Photographs |
circa 1935-1940 |
3 | 8 | Photograph of Hilma M. (Breuser) Byars |
1992 |
3 | 9 | Photograph of William J. Byars |
circa 1940 |
3 | 10 | Class of 1942 35th Reunion Photograph |
1977 May 7 |
3 | 11 | Photograph Description |
circa 1890s |
3 | 12 | Newspaper Clipping and Photographs
Found in the 1939 Wullulah between pages 24 and 25.
|
1987 August 12 |
3 | 13 | Newspaper Clippings
Found in the 1939 Wullulah between pages 62 and 63.
|
circa 1950s |
3 | 14 | Newspaper Clippings |
circa 1940s |
3 | 15 | Prom Programs |
1940-1941 |
3 | 16 | Kappa Gamma Rho Memorabilia |
1939-1941 |
3 | 17 | Dalda Dau Gamma Programs |
1939 |
3 | 18 | Lausanne Hall Dance Programs |
1938-1941 |
3 | 19 | Alpha Psi Delta Booklet |
1938 |
3 | 20 | Kappa Gamma Rho Booklet |
1937-1938 |
3 | 21 | First Methodist Church Memorabilia |
1940-1941 |
3 | 22 | Willamette Sticker |
circa 1940 |
item | |||
6 | 1 | Inscribed Copy of the Chronicles of Willamette
Inscription reads: "To William and Hilma Byars, with the high regards of the Author. Robert Moulton Gatke Aug. 30 1943." Loose in main box.
|
1943 August 30 |
Series IV: Photographs, 1880-1930Return to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
Box | Folder | ||
2 | 39 | 4th Grade Class
Odell, Oregon. Names of everyone in the class included on the back of the photograph.
|
1926 |
2 | 40 | Edna, Norah, Alicia, and Claire |
circa 1900-1920 |
2 | 41 | Minnie Dorgmon Byars |
1909 |
2 | 42 | Waterfall by Vera Marie Byars |
circa 1910s |
2 | 43 | Rodmon Carl Cole (Spokane High School)
Spokane High School graduation photo. Created by Libby Art Studio.
|
1907 |
2 | 44 | Peyton and William Barber |
1914 March 12 |
2 | 45 | Rebecca Byars McKee
Dayton, Washington. Created at New Model Studio.
|
circa 1880s |
2 | 46 | Austen Mises
Olympia, Washington. Created by Rodgers.
|
circa 1880s |
2 | 47 | Hubert Vincent and Jayce Deulot
Wedding photograph. Created by Hathaway.
|
1913 |
2 | 48 | Unidentified Baby
Created by Jed Br__ Photography.
|
circa 1880s |
2 | 49 | Unidentified Baby
Richmond, Indiana. Created by East End Studios, Stigleman and Son.
|
circa 1880s |
2 | 50 | Unidentified Family |
circa 1910-1930 |
2 | 51 | Prize Bull and Unidentified Man |
circa 1910-1930 |
2 | 52 | Unidentified Man
Salem, Oregon. Created by Cronise Photo.
|
circa 1880s |
2 | 53 | Unidentified Man
Olympia, Washington.
|
circa 1890s |
2 | 54 | Unidentified Woman |
circa 1880s |
2 | 55 | Unidentified Woman
Cherrington of Salem, Oregon.
|
circa 1880s |
2 | 56 | Unidentified Woman
Haussler of San Francisco, California.
|
circa 1900-1920 |
2 | 57 | Unidentified Woman
Lentz Bros. of Peru, Indiana.
|
circa 1880s |
5 | 7 | Willamette University Bicycle Club Photograph
Removed from frame.
|
circa 1940s |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Pioneers
Personal Names
- Byars, A. H. (Alfred Henry), 1872-1959
- Byars, Ada Catharine, 1872-1936
- Byars, Emma A. (Emma Augusta), 1843-1929
- Byars, Hilma M. (Hilma May), 1918-2011
- Byars, W. N. (William Nesbitt), 1893-
- Byars, William F. (William Fleming), 1871-1949
- Byars, William H. (William Henry), 1839-1922
- Byars, William J., 1917-2010
- Cornelius, Thomas R.
- Glover, Ronald C., 1882-1964
- Glover, Vera Mary, 1884-1969
- Maury, Reuben F., 1821-1906
- Mitchell, John H. (John Hipple), 1835-1905
Corporate Names
- Ladd & Bush Bank (1869-1940)
- Oregon Historical Society
- Portland University (Portland, Or.)
- Umpqua Academy (Wilbur, Or.)
- Willamette University
Geographical Names
- Des Moines (Iowa)
- Goldendale (Wash.)
- Olympia (Wash.)
- Portland (Or.)
- Roseburg (Or.)
- Salem (Or.)
- Spokane (Wash.)
Form or Genre Terms
- correspondence
- deeds
- legal documents