Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Albert M. McPherson papers, 1850-1961
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- McPherson, Albert M.
- Title
- Albert M. McPherson papers
- Dates
- 1850-1961 (inclusive)18501961
1907-1961 (bulk)18501961 - Quantity
- 0.5 cubic feet
- Collection Number
- MG 425
- Summary
- McPherson was an engineer, a member of the 1907 graduating class at the University of Idaho. The papers include correspondence, University of Idaho memorabilia, and photographs.
- Repository
-
University of Idaho Library, Special Collections and Archives
Special Collections and Archives
University of Idaho Library
875 Perimeter Drive
MS 2350
Moscow, ID
83844-2350
Telephone: 2088850845
libspec@uidaho.edu - Access Restrictions
-
The manuscript group is open to the public. Researchers must use the collection in accordance with the policies of the University of Idaho Special Collections and Archives.
- Languages
- This collection is in English.
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
Albert Mortimer McPherson was born in Rockford, Illinois, on November 26, 1883 and died at Wichita Falls, Texas, in 1961. He was a member of the 1907 graduating class at the University of Idaho and is listed as being from Boise before his admittance to the U.I. Preparatory School. The description beneath the photograph of McPherson in the 1908 Gem of the Mountains goes on to say that he was “Captain in Company C, cadet U.I. battalion; second team football; advanced to Senior Class the second semester of his junior year, having taken four years’ work in three; Theta Mu Epsilon.” Albert married a fellow University of Idaho student, Nettie Hitt, from Weiser, Idaho.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
The papers of Albert M. McPherson span the years 1850 to 1961 with the bulk of the material covering the years 1907 to 1961.
McPherson’s daughter, Marguerite, included a brief biography of the family (folder 1) that includes the succession of places where the family lived as Albert’s engineering career took them to southern Idaho, Utah, and Texas. The biographical sketch contains rather limited information, but includes her mother, Nettie (Hitt) McPherson, her sister, Helen, and her grandfather, A. F. Hitt. Photographs of the Albert McPherson and family include some identification on the back of the images.
Also included with this manuscript group is a diary written by McPherson’s great-uncle, E. M. Hartt. The diary and letters were written to his family between 1850 and 1851 as he traveled from Missouri to California during the early gold mining days. They record many instances of encounters with other immigrants as well as his adventures as a struggling placer miner.
Artifacts in this collection include a suede scabbard that held McPherson’s sword during his time as a cadet at the U of I. The other item is a wallet with his name on the inside flap that contains various identification cards related to his profession as a civil engineer.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Restrictions on Use
Consult Head of Special Collections and Archives on permission for use.
Preferred Citation
Albert M. McPherson papers, MG 425. Special Collections and Archives, University of Idaho Library, Moscow, Idaho.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Arrangement
The papers were not arranged in any particular order when they were received, therefore, an order was imposed and the material foldered by subject matter.
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| Box | Folder | |
| 1 | 1 | Biographical information and wallet, 1916-1999 |
| 1 | 2 | Correspondence concerning donation, 1992 |
| 1 | 3 | Correspondence, birth/death certificates, 1941-1961 |
| 1 | 4 | Shriners certificate, 1917 |
| 1 | 5 | Flyers to freshmen and sophomores and scabbard cover, 1906-1907 |
| 1 | 6 | Diary of E. M. Hartt, 1850-1851 |
| 1 | 7 | Photographs of Nettie and Albert McPherson and family, 1920s-1957 |
| 1 | 8 | Photo of Carry McPherson, undated |
| 1 | 9 | Photo of Alex McPherson, undated |
| 1 | 10 | Photo of Albert McPherson, 1955 |
| 1 | 11 | Photo of McPherson family in Boise, 1898 |
| 1 | 12 | Photo of McPherson at U of I and Utah (4), 1907 and undated |
| 1 | 13 | Photo of Nettie (Hitt) McPherson, 1907 and undated |
| 1 | 14 | Photo of Nettie McPherson, undated |
| 1 | 15 | Photo of Albert McPherson graduating class, 1907 |
| 1 | 16 | Photo of Albert McPherson and cadets, undated |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Gold miners--California--Diaries.
- Gold mines and mining--California--History--19th century.
Finding aid prepared by Marilyn Sandmeyer
April 2007
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
