Clarence A. Barton papers

Collection

Identifier: Coll 836

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of papers, photographs, audio recordings, and memorabilia relating to Clarence A. Barton's life, his career in the Oregon Legislature, and his family. Materials include copies of Barton's speeches and his newspaper column, "From Where I Sit"; invitations, booklets, photographs, and ephemera from his legislative career, particularly from his time as House speaker in 1963; condolence letters, clippings, and resolutions following Barton's death; a photograph of President John F. Kennedy with an inscription to Barton; and diplomas and certificates awarded to Barton. Other items of note are: a photocopy of Edward Egan's diary that had been given to Barton's grandfather, Clarence M. Barton; newspaper inserts and special sections; histories and other materials relating to Morrow County, where Barton's wife was originally from; volumes of early 20th century legislative caricatures by Wade Murray and Harry Murphy; a spring 1963 issue of Willamette Alumnus; and a framed photograph and a Cirkut print of the Barton family farm.

Dates

Creation: 1861-1968
Creation: Majority of material found within 1905-1967

Creator

Barton, Clarence A., 1910-1967 (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

Clarence Atkinson Barton was born in 1910 in Coquille, Oregon. He graduated from the law school at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, in 1934. He served as a Democratic representative for Coquille in the Oregon Legislature from 1957 to 1964, and was House speaker for the 1963 legislative session. He did not run for re-election in 1964, but ran again, unsuccessfully, in 1966. Also in 1966, Barton wrote an opinion column in the Coquille Valley Sentinel titled, "From Where I Sit."

Barton was president of the West Coast Title Company, which he sold in 1965. He married Mae Helene Groshens (1909-2001) in 1937; the couple had no children. Clarence A. Barton died in February 1967 in Portland, Oregon. Following his death, the Oregon Legislature passed a joint resolution honoring him.

Sources: Articles in the Oregonian and Coquille Valley Sentinel, 1966-1967; vital records on Ancestry.com

Extent

2.9 Cubic Feet (2 legal document cases; 2 flat boxes (20x24); 1 slim letter document case; 1 oversize folder (30x42))

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Papers and memorabilia relating to Clarence A. Barton (1910-1967) and his family, including photographs and Barton's newspaper column, "From Where I Sit." Barton was a lawyer, a Democratic representative for Coquille in the Oregon Legislature, and was speaker of the House for the 1963 legislative session.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in four series: Series 1. Legislative career; Series 2. Newspaper columns and speeches; Series 3: Death and memorials; Series 4. Other photographs and memorabilia.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Audio recordings in the collection require specialized equipment for listening. Contact library staff for assistance.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of the Mae Barton Estate, January 2003 (Lib. Acc. 24903).

Separated Materials

Original copy of Edward Egan diary was separated from this collection and designated Coll 57, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.

Artifacts were separated to Museum Collections, Oregon Historical Society.