Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
William Daniel Boone Dodson papers , 1947-1949
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Dodson, William Daniel Boone, 1871-1950; Kiser, Fred H., 1878-1955
- Title
- William Daniel Boone Dodson papers
- Dates
- 1947-1949 (inclusive)19471949
- Quantity
- 0.5 linear feet, (1 container) : 1 manuscript box
- Collection Number
- Ax 488
- Summary
- William Daniel Boone Dodson (1871-1950) had a long career with the Portland Chamber of Commerce, serving as general manager, executive vice-president, and as director of industrial promotion where he worked chiefly on the industrial development of Oregon. The collection (1947-1949) contains correspondence, reports, biographical information, and publications.
- Repository
-
University of Oregon Libraries, Special Collections and University Archives
UO Libraries--SCUA
1299 University of Oregon
Eugene OR
97403-1299
Telephone: 5413463068
spcarref@uoregon.edu - Access Restrictions
-
Collection is open to the public. Collection must be used in Special Collections and University Archives Reading Room. Collection or parts of collection may be stored offsite. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives in advance of your visit to allow for transportation time.
- Additional Reference Guides
-
Paper finding aid with additional information is available in Special Collections & University Archives.
See the Current Collection Guide for detailed description and requesting options.
- Languages
- English
- Sponsor
- Funding for production of this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).
Historical NoteReturn to Top
William Daniel Boone Dodson (1871-1950) was born in Madison County, Arkansas, and came to Oregon in 1890. He worked as a newspaper reporter and editor, and also as a salesman. He served as a war correspondent during the Spanish-American War.
In 1913, Dodson began a long career with the Portland Chamber of Commerce. He served as general manager from 1915 until 1933, as executive vice-president from 1933 until 1940, and as director of industrial promotion from 1940 until 1950.
During these latter years, Dodson served the Chamber and the state in both Portland, and in Washington D.C., working chiefly in the interests of industrial development of Oregon.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
The collection reflects only the the years from 1947 until 1949 in Dodson's career. During this time, Dodson's chief areas of concern were the alcohol plant (Willamette Valley Wood Chemical Co.) in Springfield, and the development of the resources of the Columbia River. Much of the correspondence relates directly to those interests.
Dodson was heavily involved in the transfer of the war-time alcohol plant in Springfield from the Department of War Assets into private hands. In 1948, the plant opened as Willamette Valley Wood Chemical company.
Correspondence is separated into two sections: incoming, which is organised alphabetically, and outgoing, which is organized by date, from 1947-1949. Correspondence is mostly professional, but there are also many personal letters to and from a Fred H. Kiser.
There are folders of reports on the Chamber of Commerce, public power on the Columbia river, and Willamette Valley Wood Chemical company.
The collection also contains biographical information, notes taken in shorthand, and publications regarding automatic telephones (by Dodson), post-war readjustment, state water laws, and Chinese deities, and also a roster of the Scout Young Camp, No. 2 and Auxiliary No. 3, of the United Spanish War Veterans.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
| Description |
|---|
| Guide to the William Daniel Boone Dodson Papers |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Business enterprises--Oregon
- Businessmen--Oregon
- Forest products industry--Oregon--Springfield
- Telephone, Automatic
- Water resources development--Columbia River
- World War, 1939-1945--Psychological aspects
Personal Names
- Dodson, William Daniel Boone, 1871-1950
Corporate Names
- Portland Chamber of Commerce (Or.)
- Willamette Valley Wood Chemical Co
Geographical Names
- Columbia River--Power utilization
- Oregon--Economic conditions--20th century
- United States--History--1945-1953
Form or Genre Terms
- Correspondence
- Reports
