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Oral history interview with Carl Hillmer Francis, 1982 June 2
Overview of the Collection
- Interviewee
- Francis, Carl Hillmer, 1915-1995
- Title
- Oral history interview with Carl Hillmer Francis
- Dates
- 1982 June 21982-06-021982-06-02
- Quantity
- .1 cubic feet, (1 audiocassette (55 min., 32 sec.) + transcript (22 pages))
- Collection Number
- SR 9437
- Summary
- Oral history interview with Carl Hillmer Francis conducted by Linda S. Dodds on June 2, 1982. Hillmer was an Oregon state representative and senator.
- Repository
-
Oregon Historical Society Research Library
1200 SW Park Avenue
Portland, OR
97205
Telephone: 503-306-5240
Fax: 503-219-2040
libreference@ohs.org - Access Restrictions
-
Collection is open for research.
- Languages
- English
- Sponsor
- This project is supported in whole or part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the State Library of Oregon.
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
Carl Hillmer Francis was born in Portland, Oregon, in 1915, and grew up in Woodburn, Oregon. He attended Willamette University Law School, but financial difficulties led him to transfer to Northwestern College of Law. He earned his law degree in 1937 and passed the Oregon bar exam later that year. He practiced law in Dayton, Oregon. In 1939, he and Viola Brodahl were married; they later had two children. Francis was a Republican politician and served as mayor of Dayton from 1941 to 1942. He represented Yamhill County in the Oregon House of Representatives from 1943 to 1954, and in the Oregon Senate from 1955 until his resignation in 1962. In 1964, he was elected Yamhill County district attorney. Just over a year later, he returned to private practice until he was appointed to the Yamhill County District Court by Governor Mark Hatfield around 1966. He retired from the bench in 1973 and again returned to private practice. He retired from law practice in 1985. He was volunteered as a greeter for the Dayton Block House during his retirement. He died in 1995.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
This oral history interview with Carl Hillmer Francis was conducted by Linda S. Dodds in Dayton, Oregon, on June 2, 1982. At the time of the interview, Dodds' name was Linda S. Brody.
In this interview, Francis discusses his family background and early life in Woodburn, Oregon, including his early education and childhood activities. He then talks about studying law at Willamette University and Northwestern College of Law, practicing law in Dayton, and serving as Dayton's mayor from 1941 to 1942. He also discusses his involvement with the Republican Party and Young Republicans.
Francis speaks about his service in the Oregon House of Representatives from 1943 to 1954, and in the Oregon Senate from 1955 to 1962. He describes some of his fellow legislators, working with lobbyists, and his decision to retire from the Legislature. He speaks about his interest in history and shares tales of some of his favorite historical figures. He closes the interview by talking about Dr. Lewis Alderman.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Alternative Forms Available
Audio and transcript available online in OHS Digital Collections.
Preferred Citation
Oral history interview with Carl Hillmer Francis, by Linda S. Dodds, SR 9437, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.
Restrictions on Use
Copyright for this interview is held by the Oregon Historical Society. Use is allowed according to the following license: Creative Commons - BY-NC-SA: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Cassette | ||
1 | Oral history interview with Carl Hillmer Francis | 1982 June 2 |
Folder | ||
SR9437 | Transcript of oral history interview with Carl Hillmer Francis | 1982 June 2 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Lawyers--Oregon--Dayton
- Legislators--Oregon
- Mayors--Oregon--Dayton
Personal Names
- Francis, Carl Hillmer, 1915-1995
Corporate Names
- Oregon. Legislative Assembly
- Republican Party (Or.)
Geographical Names
- Oregon--Politics and government--20th century
Form or Genre Terms
- interviews
Other Creators
-
Personal Names
- Dodds, Linda S. (interviewer)