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Jesse Jewell Gard (1902-1967) was born in Clackamas County, Oregon and received a graduate degree from the Graduate School of Banking at Rutgers University. He was a cashier in the First National Bank of Madras, Oregon, in 1924, and later worked for the Ladd and Bush Bank, Salem, and the United States National Bank, Portland. He was active politically, professionally, and in civic affairs. His Republican activities were extensive and he served on the Republican National Committee for many years.
The collection contains political files, business and professional records, civic files, personal correspondence, and memorabilia.
The political files consist of correspondence and documents relating to the Presidential campaigns of 1952, 1956, and 1960 and for the senatorial campaigns of Wayne Morse (1950), Guy Cordon (1954), and Edwin R. Durno (1962), and a file of correspondence about the candidacy of Harold J. Warner for Oregon Supreme Court justice (1950). Also included here are correspondence and minutes of the Oregon Republican party, the state Central Committee, Republican Western Conferences, and Republican leaders. Notable leaders include Mrs. Marshall E. Cornett, Leonard W. Hall, Wayne L. Morse, and Walter Norblad.
The business and professional files include correspondence, memoranda, reports, and publications of Oregon banks, banking associations, and other companies.
The civic files relate to Gard's work with United Good Neighbors, Oregon United Appeal, Oregon Community Chest, Portland Rose Festival, United China Relief, and the Portland Housing Authority, 1941-1960. Materials include correspondence, reports and meeting minutes.
The personal correspondence includes letters from family and friends. An important portion is from and about Gard's brother, Major Dwight E. Gard, a U.S. Army finance officer in the Philippines and a Japanese prisoner of war during 1941-1946. There are a few letters from Harry W. Gard, Gard's father, relating particularly to the establishment of the North Unit Irrigation District (Jefferson Water Conservancy District) near Madras, Oregon, in 1927.
The memorabilia includes citations, clippings, photograph albums, scrapbooks, and election campaign souvenirs and paraphernalia.