Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Milton Smith Wirt papers, 1861-1923
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Smith, Milton Wirt
- Title
- Milton Smith Wirt papers
- Dates
- 1861-1923 (inclusive)18611920
1890-1920 (bulk)18901920 - Quantity
- 1.8 cubic feet, (4 document cases)
- Collection Number
- Mss 851
- Summary
- Papers of a lawyer and civic leader of Portland, Oregon. Includes extensive correspondence, 1870-1918, relating to land claims, real estate controversies, tax delinquencies, the Library Association of Portland, the Multnomah Law Library, the Portland Free Kindergarten Association, the Oregon Historical Society, and other organizations and business concerns. Also includes ephemera and personal financial documents.
- 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
-
The collection is open to the public.
- Languages
- English
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
A native of Aurora, Oregon, Milton Wirt Smith (1855-1939) was educated at Pacific University, where he earned an A.B. in 1878 and a master's degree in 1881. He studied law in Portland with Judge Matthew Deady and established his own law practice in the city in August of 1881. Active in civic affairs, he was the treasurer and member of the board of the Portland Library Association (precursor to the Multnomah County Library) from 1890, served as president of the Multnomah County Law Library, was vice-president of the Portland Free Kindergarten, and served on the board of the Oregon Historical Society. He also sat on the board of the Columbia and Northwestern Railroad. His wife was Alice Sweek, also an Oregon native.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
The collection consists of extensive correspondence files, mostly dating from 1892-1918, relating to insurance payments, land claims, real estate controversies, and tax delinquencies. Also included are correspondence and various financial documents relating to the Library Association of Portland (1890-1902), Multnomah Law Library (1893-1911), the Oregon Historical Society (1908-1909), the Portland Free Kindergarten Association, Pacific University at Forest Grove, railroads, and the Willamette Pulp & Paper Company. Miscellaneous documents, ephemera, personal financial records (1893-1902), and report on missionary work in Cuba (1890-1908) are also included.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Restrictions on Use
The Oregon Historical Society is the owner of the materials in the Research Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from the Research Library prior to any use of reproductions. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use of reproductions may require seeking additional authorization from the copyright holders.
Preferred Citation
Milton Wirt Smith papers, Mss 851, Oregon Historical Society Research Library
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Arrangement
The collection is arranged in two series:
- Series A: Correspondence, 1870-1919
- Series B: General files, 1861-1923
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.
Series A: Correspondence, 1870-1918Return to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 1/1 | 1870-1879 | |
| 1/2 | 1890 | |
| 1/3 | 1891 | |
| 1/4 | 1892 | |
| 1/5 | 1893 January-July | |
| 1/6 | 1893 August-December | |
| 1/7 | 1894 | |
| 1/8 | 1895 | |
| 1/9 | 1896 | |
| 1/10 | 1897 | |
| 1/11 | 1898 | |
| 2/1 | 1899 January-March | |
| 2/2 | 1899 April-June | |
| 2/3 | 1899 July-September | |
| 2/4 | 1899 October-December | |
| 2/5 | 1900 January-March | |
| 2/6 | 1900 April-June | |
| 2/7 | 1900 July-September | |
| 2/8 | 1900 October-December | |
| 3/1 | 1901 January-July | |
| 3/2 | 1901 August-December | |
| 3/3 | 1902 January-July | |
| 3/4 | 1902 August-September | |
| 3/5 | 1903-1909 | |
| 3/6 | 1910-1918 | |
| 3/7 | undated |
Series B: General files, 1861-1923Return to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | ||
| 4/1 | A. E. Gebhardt -- Notary public
certificate |
1898 |
| 4/2 | Abstract of title, Terrace Park, Lot 8, Block
9 |
1913 |
| 4/3 | Abstracts of title |
1906-1910; undated |
| 4/4 | Biographies of Milton Wirt Smith |
1904; 1911 |
| 4/5 | Cuba--Mission work
Typescript report by an unknown Portland missionary
regarding her experiences in Cuba, circa 1890-1908.
|
circa 1908 |
| 4/6 | F. G. Kraege--Teaching certificates from
Wisconsin |
1899 |
| 4/7 | Financial records (bills and receipts) |
1894-1911 |
| 4/8 | Ladd family and Ladd's Additiona
documents |
undated |
| 4/9 | Legal documents, general |
1861-1910 |
| 4/10 | Library Association of Portland--Articles of
incorporation |
1875 |
| 4/11 | Library Association of Portland--Treasurer's
correspondence |
1892-1913 |
| 4/12 | Multnomah Law Library--Collections Committee
correspondence |
1893-1911 |
| 4/13 | Muscatel vs. Wolfman and
Weinstein--Transcript |
1923 |
| 4/14 | Oregon Historical Society--Treasurer's
correspondence |
1907-1909 |
| 4/15 | Patent for land claims, Oswego Iron
Company |
circa 1876-1896 |
| 4/16 | Rockwell Hunt letter |
undated |
| 4/17 | Social and business organizations
Includes ephemera and other papers from social clubs and
businesses, including the Multnomah Athletic Club, Waverly Country Club,
Pacific University, and Forbes Presbyterian Church.
|
circa 1863-1910 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Land tenure--Oregon.
- Lawyers--Oregon--Portland.
- Libraries--Oregon--Portland--History.
Personal Names
- Smith, Milton Wirt--Archives (creator)
Corporate Names
- Library Association (Portland, Or.)
- Multnomah Law Library (Portland, Or.)
- Oregon Historical Society
- Pacific University
- Portland Free Kindergarten Association (Portland, Or.)
- Willamette Pulp & Paper Company
Geographical Names
- Cuba--Description and travel
- Portland (Or.)--History.
- Portland (Or.)--Social life and customs.
Form or Genre Terms
- Legal documents
- Letters (correspondence)
Collection processed by Trudy
Williams, finding aid prepared by Geoffrey B. Wexler
2006
