Ben Wilson Olcott papers , 1911-1933

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Olcott, Ben W. (Ben Wilson), 1872-1952
Title
Ben Wilson Olcott papers
Dates
1911-1933 (inclusive)
Quantity
4 linear feet, (9 volumes)
Collection Number
Ax 081
Summary
Ben Wilson Olcott (1872-1952) became Oregon's Secretary of State, 1911-1919, and governor, 1919-1923 and as governor he opposed the anti-Catholic "School bill" of 1922. The collection consists of nine scrapbooks arranged by Olcott that contain official and personal material concerning his terms as a state official and include correspondence, press releases, speeches, newsclippings, and material relating to the Ku Klux Klan in Oregon.
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

Ben Wilson Olcott (1872-1952) was born on Keithsburg, Illinois on October 15, 1872. He came west to Salem, Oregon in 1892 to work with William Brown and Company. While in Salem he became acquainted with Oswald West, who was elected Oregon's Governor in 1910, and who exerted major influence on Olcott's future career. After a stint as a gold dust teller and buyer with the Fairbanks Banking Company, Olcott rejoined his friend West in 1907. West headed Oregon's State Land Office and he hired Olcott as an agent. When West decided to run for the governorship of Oregon in 1910, Olcott headed his successful campaign. West appointed Olcott as Secretary of State in 1911 when the incumbent died in office, even though West was a Democrat and Olcott a Republican. Noted for his "business efficiency" and integrity, Olcott was elected to the position in 1912 and again in 1916.

During Olcott's last term as Secretary of State, Governor Withycombe died in office and Olcott succeeded to the governorship, as provided by the state constitution. With the assistance of the U.S. Army, he pioneered aerial navigation and forest patrol work in the interest of forest fire prevention. He also secured protective legislation for forests bordering scenic highways, pushed development of hard-surface roads, and personally lobbied the state legislature for funds to construct a new boys' State Training School.

Olcott was defeated in his 1922 election campaign by Walter M. Pierce, the Democrat candidate. The election centered on the notorious "School bill," an effort by anti-Catholic groups (especially the Ku Klux Klan) to prohibit the use of public tax monies in funding private, i.e. Catholic parochial, schools. Although a Protestant, Olcott refused to support the proposed measure and reportedly saw that Klan members were vigorously prosecuted whenever they engaged in activities of terror. Pierce, on the other hand, supported the anti-Catholic measure and tacitly accepted the Klan's endorsement of his campaign.

Olcott returned to banking after the 1922 campaign, serving as manager of the Bank of Italy's branch in Long Beach, California, from 1923-1924. He then accepted the position of director with Oregon Mutual Savings Bank in Portland, where he completed his career. Olcott died in 1952.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The collection consists of nine scrapbooks arranged by Olcott that contain official and personal material concerning his terms as a state official and include correspondence, press releases, speeches, newsclippings, and material relating to the Ku Klux Klan in Oregon.

The first six volumes contain correspondence, press releases, speeches, newsclippings, and other material of an official nature that are arranged chronologically from about 1916-1923.

The other three volumes contain some official but mostly personal and social related documents and correspondence. Material is grouped by issue or event in no apparent order. Volume eight has a section near the end relating specifically to the Ku Klux Klan in Oregon.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Anti-Catholicism--Oregon--History--20th century
  • Governors--Oregon
  • Political campaigns--Oregon
  • Politicians--Oregon

Personal Names

  • Olcott, Ben W. (Ben Wilson), 1872-1952

Corporate Names

  • Ku Klux Klan (1915- )

Geographical Names

  • Oregon--Politics and government--1859-1950

Form or Genre Terms

  • Correspondence
  • Press releases
  • Scrapbooks