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Oregon State University
Special Collections and Archives
Research Center

Oregon Pioneers Oral History Collection, 1975-1978View associated digital content.

Predominant Dates: 1975
The Oregon Pioneers Oral History Collection consists of 33 interviews conducted primarily in the summer of 1975 by Oregon State University students to document various aspects of local history from 1880 to 1929 in preparation for the United States bicentennial in 1976. Nearly all of the audiocassettes held in this collection have been digitized and are available upon patron request.
ID: OH 001
Extent: 0.5 cubic feet
More Extent Information
Scope and Content Notes
Biographical / Historical Notes
Statement on Access: Collection is open for research.
Statement on Description: Collection processed by Elizabeth Nielsen and Chris Petersen.
Arrangement
Preferred Citation: Oregon Pioneers Oral History Collection (OH 001), Oregon State University Special Collections and Archives Research Center, Corvallis, Oregon.
Acquisition Note: The oral histories were placed in the Archives' collections in 1975. The sound recordings and copies of the transcripts were housed at the Horner Museum for a period of time and transferred back to the Archives from the Horner Museum collections in 1996.
Languages of Materials
Other

Container List

Series 1: Transcripts, 1975-1978 Add to Shelf
Extent: 33 folders
Box-Folder 2.1: Allworth, Ethel E. "Peggy", ca. 1975 Add to Shelf

Peggy Allworth was the widow of Major Edward C. Allworth. Subjects discussed include Corvallis, the Memorial Union and E.C. Allworth. [Item OH01:01, interviewer unknown.]

Transcribed audio available online.

Box-Folder 2.2: Avery, Virgil, August 12, 1975 Add to Shelf

Virgil Avery was a descendant of Joseph Conant Avery, the founder of Corvallis. Subjects discussed include Avery Park, Pioneer Park, pioneer families, Corvallis businesses, and the Corvallis water supply. [Item OH01:02, interview conducted by Judy Carlson.]

Transcribed audio available online.

Box-Folder 2.3: Carey, Harold and Mabel Carey, July 21, 1975 Add to Shelf
Harold Carey was a grandson of Calvin and Susan Ellsworth, Siletz missionaries. Mabel Carey was Harold's wife. Subjects discussed include Calvin Ellsworth, Siletz and missionaries to Native Americans. [Item OH01:03, interview conducted by Janice Tiland.]
Box-Folder 2.4: Chambers, Chester W. and Rita C. Chambers, July 26, 1975 Add to Shelf
Chester Chambers was a grandson of Nahum King, for whom Kings Valley, Oregon is named. Rita Chambers was Chester's wife. Subjects discussed include Kings Valley, Nahum King, Hoskins, Native Americans, James Chambers and logging. [Item OH01:04, interviewer unknown.]
Box-Folder 2.5: Coolidge, Alice, July 24, 1975 Add to Shelf
Alice Coolidge moved with her family from North Dakota to Oregon in 1889 at the age of nine. Subjects discussed include Philomath and fruit growing. [Item OH01:05, interviewer unknown.]
Box-Folder 2.6: Cosgrove, Chester J., July 26, 1975 Add to Shelf
Chester Cosgrove, born in Independence, Oregon in 1894, spent the bulk of his life in Kings Valley. Subjects discussed include Josephine Patton, Independence (Or.), the Valley and Siletz Railroad, Kings Valley and Sol King. [Item OH01:06, interviewer unknown.]
Box-Folder 2.7: Cracraft, Catherine Ann, July 31, 1975 Add to Shelf
Catherine Cracraft was the daughter of Fred Fischer, founder of the Fischer Brothers Milling Company. The primary topic of this interview is the Fischer Flour Mill. [Item OH01:07, interview conducted by Lorraine Charlton-Ruff.]
Box-Folder 2.8: Payne, William and Mrs. William Payne, August 1, 1975 Add to Shelf
At the time of this interview, William Payne had lived in Corvallis for sixty years. Subjects discussed include the Willamette River and ferries. [Item OH01:08, interview conducted by Lorraine Charlton-Ruff.]
Box-Folder 2.9: Buxton, George and Mrs. George Buxton, August 6, 1975 Add to Shelf
George Buxton was the son of Harry and Lucille Buxton, 1905 OAC graduates and owners of the Buxton Planing Mill. Subjects discussed include Harry and Lucille Buxton, trains, M.S. Woodcock and travel. Folder includes reproduced newspaper clipping "Impressions and Observations of The Journal Man," by Fred Lockley [re: Henry Buxton] Oregon Journal, November 29, 1942 and photocopied typescript "The Story of Henry Buxton Sr. and Henry Buxton Jr.," by Rev. H.K. Hines, July 1969. [Item OH01:09, interview conducted by Lorraine Charlton-Ruff.]
Box-Folder 2.10: Schindler, Ralph, August 4, 1975 Add to Shelf
Ralph Schindler spent thirty-eight years in public service to the Corvallis community, working variously as city recorder, judge and county clerk from 1932-1970. Subjects discussed include riverboats, ferries and the Buxton planing mill. [Item OH01:10, interview conducted by Lorraine Charlton-Ruff.]
Box-Folder 2.11: Gilfillan, Francois A. and Violette Gilfillan, ca. 1975 Add to Shelf

Francois Gilfillan, a 1918 OAC graduate, served variously as professor of pharmacy, Dean of Science and acting President of the college until his retirement in 1962. Violette Gilfillan, also a 1918 OAC graduate, was his wife. Subjects discussed include the School of Oceanography, the School of Pharmacy, Doug McKay and the Chemistry Department. [Item OH01:11, interviewer unknown.]

Transcribed audio available online.

Box-Folder 2.12: Hart, Dan S., July 28, 1975 Add to Shelf
Dan Hart was a longtime Philomath resident. Subjects discussed include Philomath, Mac McClellan, John Dorsey and the reservoir on Baldy. [Item OH01:12, interviewer unknown.]
Box-Folder 2.13: Hawkins, Melvin S., July 1975 Add to Shelf
Melvin Hawkins was born outside of Philomath in 1908 and remained a longtime area resident. He served as Benton County Commissioner for sixteen years. Subjects discussed include Reuben Shipley, Philomath, pioneer families, Native Americans, county government and Corvallis. [Item OH01:13, interviewer unknown.]
Box-Folder 2.14: Hughes, Bessie and George Hughes, August 1, 1975 Add to Shelf
Bessie Hughes' grandparents settled in the Willamette Valley in 1842; Bessie was born in Gates, Oregon in 1898. George Hughes was born in 1897, a third-generation Oregonian. Subjects discussed include the Chatfield and Hughes families and life in Gates. [Item OH01:14, interview conducted by Darrell Wolfe.]
Box-Folder 2.15: Anonymous, July 30, 1975 Add to Shelf

The focus of this interview is the bootlegging of alcohol in Corvallis during the era of Prohibition. [Item OH01:15, interview conducted by Janice Tiland.]

Transcribed audio available online.

Box-Folder 2.16: McMurtry, Minnie, July 25, 1975 Add to Shelf
Minnie McMurtry moved to Philomath in 1911, when she was three years old, and remained a longtime resident. Subjects discussed include Philomath, Samuel McClain, Chautauqua, Philomath College, Marys River settlements and teaching. [Item OH01:16, interviewer unknown.]
Box-Folder 2.17: Morgan, Ethel, August 2, 1975 Add to Shelf
Ethel Morgan was born in 1899 in Wren, Oregon and remained a longtime resident. Her great-grandfather was Nahum King, for whom Kings Valley was named. Subjects discussed include the King family and the history of Wren. [Item OH01:17, interviewer unknown.]
Box-Folder 2.18: Mullen, Floyd, August 1, 1975 Add to Shelf
Floyd Mullen was born east of Albany, Oregon in 1906 and remained a longtime resident. His grandparents settled in Oregon sometime in the 1800s. Subjects discussed include the Southern Pacific railroad, Willamette Valley farming, the Ketchum family, donation land claims, Lebanon paper mill, Quartzville and pioneer life. [Item OH01:18, interview conducted by Darrell Wolfe.]
Box-Folder 2.19: Murphy, Bessie Gragg, July 23 - August 4, 1975 Add to Shelf
Bessie Murphy was born in 1894 in Clatsop County, moving with her family to Corvallis in 1900. Subjects discussed include pioneer families and the Crees family. Folder contains a photograph of Bessie Murphy. [Item OH01:19, interview conducted by Judy Carlson.]
Box-Folder 2.20: Propst, Dale, July 25, 1975 Add to Shelf
Dale Propst was born in Linn County in 1889 and spent his life in the mid-Willamette valley. Subjects discussed include the Willamette Navigation Company, Southern Pacific railroad, Corvallis and Eastern railroad, Hammon Lumber Company, logging, gold mining and Chautauqua. [Item OH01:20, interview conducted by Darrell Wolfe.]
Box-Folder 2.21: Propst, Winnie, August 7, 1975 Add to Shelf
Winnie Propst was a great-grandaughter of John J. Crabtree, an early Linn County settler, and the wife of Dale Propst. The Crabtree family is the principal subject of this interview. [Item OH01:21, interview conducted by Darrell Wolfe.]
Box-Folder 2.22: Sommers, Robert E., ca. 1975 Add to Shelf
Robert Sommers was a descendant of John J. Crabtree, an early Linn County settler. Subjects discussed include the Linn Company, John J. Crabtree, Vickie Libbs and the Brownsville pioneer picnic. [Item OH01:22, interview conducted by Darrell Wolfe.]
Box-Folder 2.23: Rilatos, Robert, July 24, 1975 Add to Shelf

Robert Rilatos was a descendant of the earliest residents of the Siletz Reservation. Subjects discussed include the history of the Siletz Reservation, Logsden and the surrounding area. [Item OH01:23, interview conducted by Janice Tiland.]

Transcribed audio available online.

Box-Folder 2.24: Smith, Florence Adell, July 15, 1975 Add to Shelf
Florence Adell Smith moved to Corvallis with her family in 1894. Subjects discussed include the Henkle family, Jeremiah Mason, the Shipley family and Coos Bay. [Item OH01:24, interview conducted by Judy Carlson.]
Box-Folder 2.25: Starker, T.J., July 22, 1975 Add to Shelf
T.J. Starker moved to Oregon with his family in 1907. An OAC graduate and professor, Starker was also a prominent forester in the mid-Willamette valley. Subjects discussed include forestry, lumbering and the Peavy Arboretum Fund. [Item OH01:25, interviewer unknown.]
Box-Folder 2.26: Strand, August L. and Mollie Strand, ca. 1975 Add to Shelf

August and Mollie Strand moved to Corvallis in 1942. August Strand served as president of Oregon State College from 1942-1961. Subjects discussed include the evolution of Oregon State College to Oregon State University, student life in 1950s and the President's house. [Item OH01:26, interviewer unknown.]

Transcribed audio available online.

Box-Folder 2.27: Wilcox, Beatrice Eddy, August 1, 1975 Add to Shelf
Beatrice Wilcox was a great-grandaughter of Israel Eddy, the founder of Eddyville, Oregon. Subjects discussed include Israel Eddy, Eddyville, railroads, the Eddy family, hunting and Jesse Tanner. [Item OH01:27, interview conducted by Janice Tiland.]
Box-Folder 2.28: Woodcock, Baird, July 31, 1975 Add to Shelf
Baird Woodcock was a grandson of Milton Woodcock, who founded First National Bank in Corvallis in 1890. Subjects discussed include Corvallis, the Woodcock family and banks. [Item OH01:28, interview conducted by Judy Carlson.]
Box-Folder 2.29: Updike, Violet, July 16, 1975 Add to Shelf
Violet Updike was born in 1893 in Oyster City, Oregon and spent the bulk of her life in the Yaquina Bay region. Subjects discussed include Oysterville, Oyster City, Lincoln City schools and transportation, Toledo and Yaquina Bay oysters. [Item OH01:30, interviewer unknown.]
Box-Folder 2.30: Christiansen, Richard Andor, August 2, 1975 Add to Shelf
Richard Anderson moved with his family to the Yaquina Bay area in 1900, when he was ten years old, and spent the majority of his life in the region. Subjects discussed include the Yaquina Bay area, U.S. Life Saving Service, revenue cutter service, the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II and shipbuilding. [Item OH01:31, interviewer unknown.]
Box-Folder 2.31: King, Bertha A., August 17, 1975 Add to Shelf
Bertha King, born in 1889, spent the bulk of her life in Corvallis. She was a descendant of Nahum King, after whom Kings Valley is named. Subjects discussed Nahum King, Sol King, Fort Hoskins, Kings Valley, the Opera House in Corvallis and Arthur King. [Item OH01:32, interviewer unknown.]
Box-Folder 2.32: Johnston, Helen, March 22, 1976 Add to Shelf
Helen Johnston was a pupil, friend and secretary for the American composer Ernest Bloch, who lived at Agate Beach, Oregon from 1941 until his death in 1959. Bloch is the principal subject of this interview. [Item OH01:33, interviewer unknown.]
Box-Folder 2.33: Pioneers! Publication produced using Oregon Pioneers Oral History Collection information, ca. 1978 Add to Shelf
Series 2: Audiocassettes, 1975-1976 Add to Shelf
The full contents of this series have been digitized with the exception of damaged tapes OH01:21, OH01:22 and OH01:30. Digital files are available upon patron request.]
Extent: 31 items
Item 1: Allworth, Edith E. "Peggy", ca. 1975 Add to Shelf
[Item OH01:01]
Item 2: Avery, Virgil, August 12, 1975 Add to Shelf
[Item OH01:02]
Item 3: Carey, Harold and Mabel Carey, July 21, 1975 Add to Shelf
[Item OH01:03]
Item 4: Chambers, Chester and Rita Chambers, July 26, 1975 Add to Shelf
[Item OH01:04]
Item 5: Coolidge, Alice, July 24, 1975 Add to Shelf
[Item OH01:05]
Item 6: Cosgrove, Chester J., July 26, 1975 Add to Shelf
[Item OH01:06]
Item 7: Payne, William and Mrs. William Payne; Cracraft, Catherine Ann, July 31 - August 1, 1975 Add to Shelf
[Items OH01:08 and OH01:07]
Item 8: Buxton, George and Mrs. George Buxton; Payne, William and Mrs. William Payne, August 1 - 6, 1975 Add to Shelf
[Items OH01:09 and OH01:08]
Item 9: Buxton, George and Mrs. George Buxton; Schindler, Ralph, August 4 - 6, 1975 Add to Shelf
[Items OH01:09 and OH01:10]
Item 10: Gilfillan, Francois A. and Violette Gilfillan, ca. 1975 Add to Shelf
[Item OH01:11]
Item 11: Hart, Dan S., July 8, 1975 Add to Shelf
[Item OH01:12]
Item 12: Hawkins, Melvin S., July 1975 Add to Shelf
[Item OH01:13; tape 1 of 2]
Item 13: Hawkins, Melvin S., July 1975 Add to Shelf
[Item OH01:13; tape 2 of 2]
Item 14: Hughes, Bessie and George Hughes, August 1, 1975 Add to Shelf
[Item OH01:14]
Item 15: Anonymous [re: bootlegging of alcohol in Corvallis during the era of Prohibition], July 30, 1975 Add to Shelf
[Item OH01:15]
Item 16: McMurtry, Minnie, July 25, 1975 Add to Shelf
[Item OH01:16]
Item 17: Morgan, Ethel, August 1, 1975 Add to Shelf
[Item OH01:17]
Item 18: Mullen, Floyd, August 1, 1975 Add to Shelf
[Item OH01:18]
Item 19: Murphy, Bessie Gragg, July 23 - August 4, 1975 Add to Shelf
[Item OH01:19]
Item 20: Propst, Dale, July 25, 1975 Add to Shelf
[Item OH01:20]
Item 21: Sommers, Robert E.; Propst, Winnie, ca. 1975 Add to Shelf
[Items OH01:22 and OH01:21; tape is damaged]
Item 22: Rilatos, Robert, July 24, 1975 Add to Shelf
[Items OH01:23]
Item 23: Smith, Florence Adell, July 15, 1975 Add to Shelf
[Items OH01:24]
Item 24: Strand, August L. and Mollie Strand, ca. 1975 Add to Shelf
[Items OH01:26]
Item 25: Wilcox, Beatrice Eddy, August 1, 1975 Add to Shelf
[Items OH01:27]
Item 26: Woodcock, Baird, July 31, 1975 Add to Shelf
[Items OH01:28]
Item 27: Reynolds, Minerva Kiger, July 1975 Add to Shelf

[Items OH01:29]

Transcribed audio available online.

Item 28: Updike, Violet, July 16, 1975 Add to Shelf
[Items OH01:30; tape is damaged]
Item 29: Christiansen, Richard Andor, August 2, 1975 Add to Shelf
[Items OH01:31]
Item 30: King, Bertha A., August 17, 1975 Add to Shelf
[Items OH01:32]
Item 31: Johnston, Helen, March 22, 1976 Add to Shelf
[Items OH01:33]
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