Tarbell-Brown family papers

Tarbell-Brown family papers, 1891-1978

Overview of the Collection

Creator: Tarbell family
Title: Tarbell-Brown family papers
Dates: 1891-1978 (inclusive)
18911978

1891-1941 (bulk)
18911941
Quantity: 0.45 cubic feet, (1 document case)
Collection Number: Mss 2508
Summary: Correspondence of the Tarbell and Brown families of Yankton, Oregon and Aroostook County, Maine. The bulk of the letters are from family members in Oregon, particularly Alice Tarbell Brown, Charles and Nancy Tarbell, and Lawrence Tarbell, to Everett and Anna Tarbell in Maine. The collection also includes research materials relating to Yankton and St. Helens, Oregon, and to Yankton Church.
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

Frank and Alice Tarbell Brown came to Oregon by train from Aroostook County, Maine, around 1890. Alice Tarbell Brown was the daughter of Charles and Nancy Tarbell. The Browns settled in Columbia County, Oregon, near St. Helens. The community was originally called Yankeetown, but was known as Yankton after the establishment of a post office in 1894. In 1892, members of the extended family of Alice Tarbell Brown migrated to the Yankton area. These included her parents, Charles and Nancy Tarbell; her brother Lawrence Tarbell, his wife, Emma, their children, Iris, Cora, Guy and Ray; her brother Bert, and Bert's wife, Jennie. Members of the family corresponded regularly with Alice Tarbell Brown's brother Everett and his wife, Anna, who had stayed in Maine. Alice Tarbell Brown's father, Charles Tarbell, was a devout Baptist and is credited with building the Yankton Church.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The collection consists primarily of correspondence of members of the Tarbell and Brown families from 1891-1941. Much of the correspondence is from Oregon family members to Anna and Everett Tarbell in Maine, and to Hattie Dunn, a family friend. Among the correspondents represented in the collection are: Charles and Nancy Tarbell, Alice Tarbell Brown, Beth Brown Masters (Alice Tarbell Brown's daughter), Joseph and Almeda Tarbell, Mrs. D. J. Wilkin (Cousin Maggie), Lawrence Tarbell, Lucius Tarbell, and C. H. McKee (a pastor). Subjects include agriculture, hops, livestock, and schools. Also included are research notes on the history of Yankton Church, as well as the Yankton and St. Helens post offices and school districts.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Alternative Forms Available

Transcriptions of some of the letters in this collection are included in "The Tarbells of Yankton: a family and a community, 1891-1932, presented in letters," by Egberg S. Oliver, which is held at the Oregon Historical Society Research Library, call number 979.124 O48T.

Preferred Citation

Tarbell-Brown family papers, Mss 2508, 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

Acquisition Information

Gift of Egbert S. Oliver, July 1978 (Lib. Acc. 14513).

Bibliography

Oliver, Egbert S., "The Tarbells of Yankton: a family and a community, 1891-1932, presented in letters" (Portland, Oregon: The HaPi Press, 1978).

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