Dwight E. Gard papers

Collection

Identifier: Mss 2040

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Papers of Dwight E. Gard relate to the period in which he was held as a prisoner of war by Japanese forces during World War II, and to the bank he later founded in Oregon, Multnomah Bank. Materials relating to Gard's experience as a POW include a notebook he kept while imprisoned; a photocopied typescript version of the notebook, with handwritten comments by Colonel John R. Vance, providing clarifications and additional details; and correspondence and articles related to the notebook and to Gard's experience. Materials concerning Multnomah Bank include newspaper clippings about Gard and the bank, reports of condition, blank stationery and checks, a small quantity of advertisements and advertising materials, and three photographs. The collection also includes preservation photocopies of Gard's notebook and of the newspaper clippings.

Dates

circa 1945-1972

Creator

Gard, Dwight E., 1909-1971 (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

Dwight E. Gard was born in Madras, Oregon, in 1909. He worked in banking in Bend, Oregon, and in Vancouver, Washington. During World War II, he was a major in the U.S. Army; he served in the Philippines, working in finance. He was captured by Japanese forces and was held as a prisoner of war for more than three years. After the war, he founded Multnomah Bank in Multnomah, Oregon (later part of Portland), and was president and chairman until Multnomah Bank merged with First State Bank of Oregon in 1970. Gard died in 1971.

Sources: Vital records on Ancestry.com; obituary in the Oregonian, December 1, 1971, Section 3, Page 8; "A backstory about Portland banker Dwight Gard, by Mike Francis, Oregonian, November 28, 2012, https://web.archive.org/web/20230815192635/https://www.oregonlive.com/oregonatwar/2012/11/a_backstory_about_portland_ban.html; collection materials.

Extent

0.52 Cubic Feet (1 slim letter document case, 1 oversize flat box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Papers of Dwight E. Gard (1909-1971) include a notebook he kept while he was held as a prisoner of war by Japanese forces during World War II, along with related correspondence and articles, and materials relating to Multnomah Bank, the bank he later founded in Portland, Oregon. These include newspaper clippings, reports of condition, and a small quantity of advertisements, photographs, and blank checks and stationery.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Due to fragility of Dwight E. Gard's original notebook, researchers are asked to use the preservation photocopy. Contact library staff for assistance.