Francis Nighswander papers , 1862-1870

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Nighswander, Francis Marion, 1884-
Title
Francis Nighswander papers
Dates
1862-1870 (inclusive)
Quantity
0.1 linear feet, (1 container)  :  1 folder
Collection Number
A 091
Summary
The Francis Marion Nighswander papers are contained in a single folder. The papers comprise a journal, personal drawings, letters, and documents concerning the currency question of 1885. The materials are focused around Oregon and California life, as that is where Nighswander lived and worked for the majority of his life.
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

See the Current Collection Guide for detailed description and requesting options.

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

Historical NoteReturn to Top

Francis Marion Nighswander was born in 1844. He left Urbana, Ohio in March 1862 for California by way of Panama. He worked in Suisun City on the dairy ranch of J.M. Jones and on the stock ranch of A. Jackson near Suisun. In 1863 he worked as a sheepherder. In 1864 he left California in company with John McMullen, driving a band of 4,000 sheep to Oregon. In Oregon, he settled in the Siuslaw precinct in southern Lane County.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The journal of Francis Nighswander is a composite volume of 104 numbered pages. Parts of it were written at the time of the events described and parts were composed as much as five years after the events. The journal begins with the departure from Ohio, describes the journey to California, adventures while there, the trip to Oregon, and ends with a description of a leisure trip to Yaquina Bay, Oregon in 1867, written in 1870. The journal is punctuated by a series of crude pencil sketches, some colored, of a few California scenes, Oregon scenes, and copies of popular illustrations. Part of the journal consists of copies of thirteen letters form James Nighswander, a brother. The letters date from May 1862 to June 1865 and are written from Florence City and Pioneer Gulch, Idaho, Salt Lake City and Brigham City, Utah, Varina and Nevada City, Montana, and Wild Horse Creek, British Columbia. James Nighswander was a miner. His letters describe his surroundings and experiences. The loose papers consist of two addresses by F. M. Nighswander on the currency question in 1885.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Currency question--United States
  • Gold mines and mining--British Columbia
  • Gold mines and mining--Idaho

Geographical Names

  • California--Description and travel
  • Oregon--Description and travel
  • Yaquina Bay (Or.)--Description and travel

Form or Genre Terms

  • Diaries
  • Drawings
  • Pencil works