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Oral history interview with Carl Hillmer Francis

 Collection
Identifier: SR9437

Scope and Contents

This oral history interview with Carl Hillmer Francis was conducted by Linda S. Dodds in Dayton, Oregon, on June 2, 1982. At the time of the interview, Dodds’ name was Linda S. Brody.

In this interview, Francis discusses his family background and early life in Woodburn, Oregon, including his early education and childhood activities. He then talks about studying law at Willamette University and Northwestern College of Law, practicing law in Dayton, and serving as Dayton's mayor from 1941 to 1942. He also discusses his involvement with the Republican Party and Young Republicans.

Francis speaks about his service in the Oregon House of Representatives from 1943 to 1954, and in the Oregon Senate from 1955 to 1962. He describes some of his fellow legislators, working with lobbyists, and his decision to retire from the Legislature. He speaks about his interest in history and shares tales of some of his favorite historical figures. He closes the interview by talking about Dr. Lewis Alderman.

Dates

  • 1982 June 2

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright for this interview is held by the Oregon Historical Society. Use is allowed according to the following license: Creative Commons - BY-NC-SA: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/

Biographical note

Carl Hillmer Francis was born in Portland, Oregon, in 1915, and grew up in Woodburn, Oregon. He attended Willamette University Law School, but financial difficulties led him to transfer to Northwestern College of Law. He earned his law degree in 1937 and passed the Oregon bar exam later that year. He practiced law in Dayton, Oregon. In 1939, he and Viola Brodahl were married; they later had two children. Francis was a Republican politician and served as mayor of Dayton from 1941 to 1942. He represented Yamhill County in the Oregon House of Representatives from 1943 to 1954, and in the Oregon Senate from 1955 until his resignation in 1962. In 1964, he was elected Yamhill County district attorney. Just over a year later, he returned to private practice until he was appointed to the Yamhill County District Court by Governor Mark Hatfield around 1966. He retired from the bench in 1973 and again returned to private practice. He retired from law practice in 1985. He was volunteered as a greeter for the Dayton Block House during his retirement. He died in 1995.

Extent

.1 Cubic Feet (1 audiocassette (55 min., 32 sec.) + transcript (22 pages))

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Oral history interview with Carl Hillmer Francis conducted by Linda S. Dodds on June 2, 1982. Hillmer was an Oregon state representative and senator.

Creator

Title
Guide to oral history interview with Carl Hillmer Francis
Status
Completed
Author
Sarah Stroman
Date
2020
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
Finding aid is written in English.
Sponsor
This project is supported in whole or part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the State Library of Oregon.

Repository Details

Part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library Repository

Contact:
1200 SW Park Ave.
Portland OR 97205 United States
5033065204
5033065240