Oral history interview with Mary M. Whittier and Nora I. Jordan
Scope and Contents
This oral history interview with sisters Mary M. Whittier and Nora I. Jordan was conducted by Elizabeth Patapoff on October 7, 1980. In this interview, Whittier and Jordan discuss their family background and early life in Columbia City, Oregon, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including Whittier’s memories of the 1894 flood. They talk about the family of Lucinda Caples and Dr. Charles Caples, and about the rivalry between Columbia City and St. Helens. Whittier speaks about her teaching career, and about changes in technology. Jordan discusses the construction of railroad lines in the Columbia City area, and boating on the Columbia River. Whittier closes the interview by talking about her experience with appendicitis.
Dates
- 1980 October 7
Creator
- Whittier, Mary M. (Mary Maclay), 1887-1982 (Interviewee, Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Joint copyright for this interview is held by the estates of Mary M. Whittier, Nora I. Jordan, and Elizabeth Patapoff. Use is allowed according to the following statement: In Copyright - http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Biographical note
Mary Maclay Whittier, nee Mary Gibson Maclay, was born in Downs, Kansas, in 1887. Her family moved to Columbia City, Oregon, in 1890, when she was 3 years old. In 1895, her sister, Nora Isabella Jordan, nee Maclay, was born in Columbia City, Oregon. Whittier taught seventh and eighth grades in many cities across Oregon, and died in 1982. Jordan died in 1991.
Extent
0.1 Cubic Feet (1 audiocassette (50 min., 10 sec.) + 1 photograph (color))
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Oral history interview with Mary M. Whittier and Nora I. Jordan conducted by Elizabeth Patapoff on October 7, 1980. Whittier and Jordan were residents of Columbia City, Oregon, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Elizabeth Patapoff, most likely in the 1980s or 1990s.
Existence and Location of Copies
General
Summary (4 pages) is available for in-person use at the Oregon Historical Society Research Library.
- Caples, Charles G. (Charles Green), 1832-1906
- Caples, Lucinda M. (Lucinda Margaret), 1836-1916
- Columbia City (Or.)
- Families -- Oregon -- Columbia City
- Floods -- Oregon -- Portland -- 1894
- Home and Family
- Jordan, Nora I. (Nora Isabella), 1895-1991
- Oral Histories
- Oregon
- Whittier, Mary M. (Mary Maclay), 1887-1982
- interviews
- oral histories (literary genre)
Creator
- Whittier, Mary M. (Mary Maclay), 1887-1982 (Interviewee, Person)
- Jordan, Nora I. (Nora Isabella), 1895-1991 (Interviewee, Person)
- Patapoff, Elizabeth (Interviewer, Person)
- Title
- Guide to the oral history interview with Mary M. Whittier and Nora I. Jordan
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Sarah Stroman
- Date
- 2022
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is written in English.
- Sponsor
- Digitization funded by the James F. Miller Endowment.
Repository Details
Part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library Repository
1200 SW Park Ave.
Portland OR 97205 United States
5033065204
5033065240
libreference@ohs.org