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Milton Smith Wirt papers, 1861-1923
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Smith, Milton Wirt, 1855-1939
- Title
- Milton Smith Wirt papers
- Dates
- 1861-1923 (inclusive)18611923
1890-1920 (bulk)18901920 - Quantity
- 1.8 cubic feet, (4 document cases)
- Collection Number
- Mss 851
- Summary
- Papers of a lawyer and civic leader of Portland, Oregon. Includes extensive correspondence relating to land claims, real estate controversies, and tax delinquencies, as well as correspondence and financial documents relating to the Library Association of Portland, the Multnomah Law Library, the Portland Free Kindergarten Association, the Oregon Historical Society, and other organizations and business concerns. Also includes ephemera and personal financial documents.
- 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
A native of Aurora, Oregon, Milton Wirt Smith (1855-1939) was educated at Pacific University, where he earned an A.B. in 1878 and a master's degree in 1881. He studied law in Portland with Judge Matthew Deady and established his own law practice in the city in August of 1881. Active in civic affairs, he was a member of the board and treasurer of the Portland Library Association (precursor to the Multnomah County Library) from 1890, served as president of the Multnomah County Law Library, was vice president of the Portland Free Kindergarten, and served on the board of the Oregon Historical Society. He also sat on the board of the Columbia and Northwestern Railroad. His wife was Alice Sweek, also an Oregon native.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
This collection of Milton Wirt Smith's papers consists of extensive correspondence files, mostly dating from 1892-1918, relating to insurance payments, land claims, real estate controversies, and tax delinquencies. Also included are correspondence and various financial documents relating to the Library Association of Portland, the Multnomah Law Library, the Oregon Historical Society, the Portland Free Kindergarten Association, Pacific University in Forest Grove, railroads, and the Willamette Pulp & Paper Company. Other materials include miscellaneous documents, ephemera, personal financial records, and a report on missionary work in Cuba.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Preferred Citation
Milton Wirt Smith papers, Mss 851, 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: Correspondence, 1870-1919
- Series 2: General files, 1861-1923
Processing Note
Collection was processed by Trudy Williams and a collection guide prepared by Geoffrey B. Wexler. The guide was revised in August 2024 to make minor corrections and to conform to current standard.
Bibliography
Joseph Gaston, "Portland, Oregon: its history and builders" (Chicago and Portland: S. J. Clarke, 1911), Volume II, pages 204-205.
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Series 1: Correspondence, 1870-1918Return to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box | Folder | ||
| 1 | 1 | 1870-1879 | |
| 1 | 2 | 1890 | |
| 1 | 3 | 1891 | |
| 1 | 4 | 1892 | |
| 1 | 5 | 1893 January-July | |
| 1 | 6 | 1893 August-December | |
| 1 | 7 | 1894 | |
| 1 | 8 | 1895 | |
| 1 | 9 | 1896 | |
| 1 | 10 | 1897 | |
| 1 | 11 | 1898 | |
| 2 | 1 | 1899 January-March | |
| 2 | 2 | 1899 April-June | |
| 2 | 3 | 1899 July-September | |
| 2 | 4 | 1899 October-December | |
| 2 | 5 | 1900 January-March | |
| 2 | 6 | 1900 April-June | |
| 2 | 7 | 1900 July-September | |
| 2 | 8 | 1900 October-December | |
| 3 | 1 | 1901 January-July | |
| 3 | 2 | 1901 August-December | |
| 3 | 3 | 1902 January-July | |
| 3 | 4 | 1902 August-September | |
| 3 | 5 | 1903-1909 | |
| 3 | 6 | 1910-1918 | |
| 3 | 7 | undated |
Series 2: General files, 1861-1923Return to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box | Folder | ||
| 4 | 1 | A. E. Gebhardt -- Notary public certificate |
1898 |
| 4 | 2 | Abstract of title, Terrace Park, Lot 8, Block 9 |
1913 |
| 4 | 3 | Abstracts of title |
1906-1910; undated |
| 4 | 4 | Biographies of Milton Wirt Smith |
1904; 1911 |
| 4 | 5 | Cuba -- Mission work
Typescript report by an unknown Portland missionary regarding her experiences in Cuba, circa 1890-1908.
|
circa 1908 |
| 4 | 6 | F. G. Kraege -- Teaching certificates from Wisconsin |
1899 |
| 4 | 7 | Financial records (bills and receipts) |
1894-1911 |
| 4 | 8 | Ladd family and Ladd's Addition documents |
undated |
| 4 | 9 | Legal documents, general |
1861-1910 |
| 4 | 10 | Library Association of Portland -- Articles of incorporation |
1875 |
| 4 | 11 | Library Association of Portland -- Treasurer's correspondence |
1892-1913 |
| 4 | 12 | Multnomah Law Library -- Collections Committee correspondence |
1893-1911 |
| 4 | 13 | Muscatel vs. Wolfman and Weinstein -- Transcript |
1923 |
| 4 | 14 | Oregon Historical Society -- Treasurer's correspondence |
1907-1909 |
| 4 | 15 | Patent for land claims, Oswego Iron Company |
circa 1876-1896 |
| 4 | 16 | Rockwell Hunt letter |
undated |
| 4 | 17 | Social and business organizations
Includes ephemera and other papers from social clubs and businesses, including the Multnomah Athletic Club, Waverley Country Club, Pacific University, and Forbes Presbyterian Church.
|
circa 1863-1910 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Land tenure--Oregon
- Lawyers--Oregon--Portland
- Libraries--Oregon--Portland
Personal Names
- Smith, Milton Wirt, 1855-1939
- Smith, Milton Wirt, 1855-1939--Correspondence
Corporate Names
- Library Association (Portland, Or.)--Records and correspondence
- Multnomah Law Library (Portland, Or.)--Records and correspondence
- Oregon Historical Society--Records and correspondence
Geographical Names
- Cuba--Description and travel
Form or Genre Terms
- correspondence
- legal documents
- property records
