James Steel papers

Collection

Identifier: Mss 2922

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of James Steel's financial records, including cash books, journals, ledgers, and a household expense ledger. Also included are: a cash book from the First Congregational Church, 1874-1878; articles of incorporation of the Oregon and Washington Fireproofing Company, 1890; data on land claims of the Oregon and California Railroad, 1889-1890; data on Lost Horse land claims, 1867-1869; data regarding the development of Tacoma, Washington; biographical information; and a letter from Ladd and Co. to Mary L. Steel detailing the James Steel estate, 1908.

Dates

Creation: 1864-1985
Creation: Majority of material found within 1864-1909

Creator

Steel, James, 1835-1913 (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

James Steel was an Oregon pioneer and early business leader in Portland. He traveled overland to Oregon from Iowa in 1862, and served as the president of the Willamette Savings Bank and Merchants National Bank until 1890. He built an electric street railway to Oregon City, served as state bank examiner from 1907 to 1910, and was a deacon emeritus of the First Congregational Church in Portland. He is also credited as one of the founders of Tacoma, Washington. His wife was Mary L. Steel.

Extent

2.2 Cubic Feet (4 document cases)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Financial records of an Oregon pioneer and early business leader of Portland, including account books, cash books, financial journals, and a cash journal of the First Congregational Church of Portland.