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John Minto papers, 1864-1912

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Minto, John, 1822-1915
Title
John Minto papers
Dates
1864-1912 (inclusive)
Quantity
2.5 cubic feet, (3 document cases, 1 flat box)
Collection Number
Mss 752
Summary
Papers of John Minto, Oregon pioneer of 1844, State legislator, and Secretary of the Oregon State Board of Horticulture. Materials include correspondence, memoirs, reports, notes, literary manuscripts, a diary, scrapbooks, and memorabilia. Correspondence from John Gill, George Himes, and F. G. Young are included, as are letters from T.C. Shaw and Jesse Applegate. A letter from William Tolmie describes his 1833 trip to the Oregon Country. Also included are writings on pioneer reminiscences, forestry, conservation, animal husbandry, and a history of the Oregon State Fair.
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

The collection is open to the public.

Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
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Historical Note

John Minto was born in England and arrived in Oregon in 1844, settling south of Salem where he was a pioneer in the sheep industry. He served four terms in the State Legislature (1862, 1868, 1880, and 1890), organized the first Oregon State Fair, served as Secretary of the Oregon State Board of Horticulture, was active in Oregon forestry and conservation groups, and helped survey the Minto and Santiam mountain passes.

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Content Description

The collection consists of correspondence, memoirs, reports, notes, literary manuscripts, a diary, scrapbooks, and memorabilia created or collected by John Minto. Correspondence from John Gill, George Himes, and F. G. Young are included, as are letters from T.C. Shaw and Jesse Applegate. A letter from William Tolmie describes his 1833 trip to the Oregon Country. Minto was a prolific writer on a variety of subjects, including in this collection: pioneer reminiscences, forestry, conservation, animal husbandry, higher education, Northwest Native Americans, and poet Robert Burns. His "Leaflet on Practical Conservation," and his speech for the presentation of an oil painting of John McLoughlin are included.

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Use of the Collection

Alternative Forms Available

Also included is one microfilm reel of correspondence from 1883-1912. This microfilm contains the following materials:

  • Folder 2: Letters from Minto, 1900-1912
  • Folders 3-4: Family letters, 1905-1912
  • Folders 5-6: General letters, 1883-1912

Restrictions on Use

The Oregon Historical Society is the owner of the materials in the Research Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from the Research Library prior to any use of reproductions. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use of reproductions may require seeking additional authorization from the copyright holders.

Preferred Citation

John Minto papers, Mss 752, Oregon Historical Society Research Library

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

The collection is arranged into the following series

  • Series A: Correspondence, 1879-1912
  • Series B: Writings and speeches, 1864-1912

Acquisition Information

Gift of Harold Gill, 1952 March and 1953 February

Related Materials

  • Minto family photographs. In Oregon Historical Society Subject Photo Files.
  • Rhymes on life in Oregon, 1909, by John Minto (Oregon Historical Society Library Call number 811 M668r)
  • John Minto, man of courage, 1822-1915 : a biography of an Oregon pioneer , 1980, by Beverly Elizabeth Lowe ; foreword by Victor Atiyeh (Oregon Historical Society Library Call number 92 M667l )
  • Rhymes of early life in Oregon and historical and biographical facts by John Minto, a pioneer of 1844, 1915?, by John Minto. (Oregon Historical Society Library Call number 979.1 M668r 1915?)

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Detailed Description of the Collection

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Fairs--Oregon--History
  • Forestry--Oregon
  • Horticulture--Oregon
  • Overland journeys to the Pacific
  • Pioneers--Oregon

Personal Names

  • Applegate, Jesse A. (Jesse Applegate), 1835-1919
  • Gill, John
  • Himes, George H., 1844-1940
  • Shaw, T. C.
  • Tolmie, William Fraser
  • Young, Frederic G.

Corporate Names

  • Oregon Conservation Associaton
  • Oregon Forestry Association
  • Oregon State Fair
  • Oregon. State Board of Forestry
  • Oregon. State Board of Horticulture

Family Names

  • Minto family

Geographical Names

  • Salem (Or.)--History

Form or Genre Terms

  • Diaries
  • Letters (Correspondence)
  • Manuscripts

Other Creators

  • Personal Names

    • Minto, John, 1822-1915--Archives (creator)

Finding aid prepared by Diane Couture
2007

CC0

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