Elmo Smith papers

Collection

Identifier: Mss1830

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Papers of Elmo Smith include diplomas; business cards; appointment book, 1 volume, 1956; letter from C. T. Caulfield, commander of the U.S. Navy Training Center, August 6, 1956.

Dates

1932-1956

Creator

Smith, Elmo Everett, 1909-1968 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing 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.

Biographical note

Elmo Smith (1909-1968) was born in Colorado, moved to Idaho in 1922, and graduated from the College of Idaho in 1932. He entered the advertising business and started an advertising newspaper in Ontario, Oregon. In 1936, he established the Eastern Oregon Observer in Ontario, later served as mayor of the town, and was elected to the Oregon Legislature in 1948. He served two terms as president of the Oregon Senate, and became governor upon the death of Paul Patterson in 1956. He held the office in 1957 and 1958 but was defeated for re-election. At the time of his death in 1968, he had an interest in four small community newspapers. He and Dorothy Leninger married in 1932 and the couple had two children.

Extent

.23 Cubic Feet (1 document case)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Elmo Smith (1909-1968) established the Eastern Oregon Observer newspaper and served in the Oregon Legislature and as governor. Papers date from 1932 to 1956 and include diplomas, business cards, an appointment book, and a letter from C. T. Caulfield, commander of the U.S. Navy Training Center.