Frederick Wallace Wilson family papers, 1856-1942

Overview of the Collection

Compiler
Wilson, Frederick Wallace, 1872-1955
Title
Frederick Wallace Wilson family papers
Dates
1856-1942 (inclusive)
Quantity
0.9 cubic feet, (2 document cases)
Collection Number
Mss 2167
Summary
This collection consists of papers of several members of the Wilson family, including Frederick Wallace Wilson (1872-1955) of The Dalles, Oregon, a Circuit Court judge and author; his father, Joseph Gardner Wilson (1826-1873), an Oregon Supreme Court justice; and his mother, Elizabeth Millar Wilson (1830-1913). Materials include account books; business papers and records relating to Joseph Gardner Wilson's law practice, the Columbia Packing Company, The Dalles, Deschutes & Portage Railroad and Navigation Company, and The Dalles Brick and Tile Company; property records; correspondence of Elizabeth Millar Wilson; and a transcript of proceedings from a tribute dinner for Frederick W. Wilson, with a related scrapbook. Also included are incomplete reminiscences by an ancestor, Alfred D. Wilson.
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

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Joseph Gardner Wilson (1826-1873) came to Oregon in 1852 and later became an Oregon Supreme Court justice. He was elected to Congress in 1872 but died the following year in Ohio. His wife was Elizabeth Millar Wilson (1830-1913) and his son was Circuit Court Judge Frederick Wallace Wilson (1872-1955) of The Dalles, Oregon. Frederick W. Wilson was also the author of many historical works.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Collection consists of papers by or belonging to Frederick W. Wilson (1872-1955); his father, Joseph Gardner Wilson (1826-1873); his mother, Elizabeth M. Wilson (1830-1913); and an ancestor, Alfred D. Wilson. Frederick W. Wilson's papers make up about half the collection, and include ledgers; property records; business papers and records, particularly relating to the Columbia Packing Company of The Dalles, Oregon, The Dalles, Deschutes & Portage Railroad and Navigation Company, and The Dalles Brick and Tile Company. His papers also include the transcript of proceedings at a tribute dinner in his honor, with an associated scrapbook. Papers of Joseph Gardner Wilson include account books, a ledger, and business records relating to his law practice. Papers of Elizabeth M. Wilson consist of correspondence, with information on the founding of schools in Oregon, and an account book, which also includes transactions by Frederick W. Wilson. Also included are incomplete handwritten memoirs of Alfred D. Wilson, probably written in the early 19th century.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Preferred Citation

Frederick Wallace Wilson family papers, Mss 2167, Oregon Historical Society Research Library

Restrictions on Use

The Oregon Historical Society owns the materials in the Research Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from copyright owners.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in two series: Series 1, Papers of Joseph G. Wilson and other family members; Series 2, Papers of Frederick Wallace Wilson.

Acquisition Information

Gifts of the Wilson family, 1954-1970, and Elizabeth W. Buehler, March 1989 (Lib. Acc 19251).

Processing Note

Scrapbook and transcript of tribute dinner for Frederick W. Wilson were previously designated Mss 2167-1. Collection description was revised in July 2023 to make corrections and conform to current standard.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Series 1:  Papers of Joseph Gardner Wilson and other family members, 1856-1913Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
1 1
Memoirs of Alfred D. Wilson (incomplete)
undated
1 2
Joseph Gardner Wilson - business book for law practice, newspaper clippings
1856-1860; 1870-1871
1 3
Joseph Gardner Wilson - account book
1859-1884
1 4
Joseph Gardner Wilson - account book
1859-1891
1 5
Joseph Gardner Wilson - ledger
1862-1879
1 6
Elizabeth Millar Wilson - correspondence
Includes her reminiscences regarding schools in Oregon, and other subjects.
1877-1890
1 7
Account book for Elizabeth Millar Wilson and Frederick Wallace Wilson
1894-1913

Series 2:  Papers of Frederick Wallace Wilson, 1865-1942Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
1 8
Stock book of Columbia Packing Company
1890-1906
2 1
Abstract of title
1865-1942
2 2
Business papers
1891-1916
2 3
Ledger
1907-1910
2 4
Ledger
1907-1912
2 5
Ledger
1909-1911
2 6
Speeches by Wilson and Charles H. Carey
1932; 1941
2 7
Transcript of proceedings at tribute dinner for Wilson in The Dalles, Oregon
1942 June 20
2 8
Scrapbook of tributes to Wilson
1942

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Business enterprises--Oregon--Dalles
  • Judges--Oregon
  • Lawyers--Oregon
  • Real property--Oregon--Dalles
  • Schools--Oregon--History

Personal Names

  • Wilson, Alfred D.
  • Wilson, Elizabeth M. (Elizabeth Millar), 1830-1913
  • Wilson, Joseph Gardner, 1826-1873

Corporate Names

  • Columbia Packing Company (Dalles, Or.)
  • Dalles Brick & Tile Company (Dalles, Or.)
  • Dalles, Deschutes & Portage Railroad & Navigation Company (Dalles, Or.)

Family Names

  • Wilson family

Form or Genre Terms

  • account books
  • correspondence
  • reminiscences
  • scrapbooks

Other Creators

  • Personal Names
    • Wilson, Alfred D.