Tarbell-Brown family papers

Collection

Identifier: Mss 2508

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection consists primarily of correspondence of members of the Tarbell and Brown families from 1891-1941. Much of the correspondence is from Oregon family members to Anna and Everett Tarbell in Maine, and to Hattie Dunn, a family friend. Among the correspondents represented in the collection are: Charles and Nancy Tarbell, Alice Tarbell Brown, Beth Brown Masters (Alice Tarbell Brown's daughter), Joseph and Almeda Tarbell, Mrs. D. J. Wilkin (Cousin Maggie), Lawrence Tarbell, Lucius Tarbell, and C. H. McKee (a pastor). Subjects include agriculture, hops, livestock, and schools. Also included are research notes on the history of Yankton Church, as well as the Yankton and St. Helens post offices and school districts.

Dates

1891-1978
Majority of material found within 1891-1941

Creator

Tarbell family (Family)

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

Frank and Alice Tarbell Brown came to Oregon by train from Aroostook County, Maine, around 1890. Alice Tarbell Brown was the daughter of Charles and Nancy Tarbell. The Browns settled in Columbia County, Oregon, near St. Helens. The community was originally called Yankeetown, but was known as Yankton after the establishment of a post office in 1894. In 1892, members of the extended family of Alice Tarbell Brown migrated to the Yankton area. These included her parents, Charles and Nancy Tarbell; her brother Lawrence Tarbell, his wife, Emma, their children, Iris, Cora, Guy and Ray; her brother Bert, and Bert's wife, Jennie. Members of the family corresponded regularly with Alice Tarbell Brown's brother Everett and his wife, Anna, who had stayed in Maine. Alice Tarbell Brown's father, Charles Tarbell, was a devout Baptist and is credited with building the Yankton Church.

Extent

0.45 Cubic Feet (1 document case)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Correspondence of the Tarbell and Brown families of Yankton, Oregon and Aroostook County, Maine. The bulk of the letters are from family members in Oregon, particularly Alice Tarbell Brown, Charles and Nancy Tarbell, and Lawrence Tarbell, to Everett and Anna Tarbell in Maine. The collection also includes research materials relating to Yankton and St. Helens, Oregon, and to Yankton Church.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Egbert S. Oliver, July 1978 (Lib. Acc. 14513).

Existence and Location of Copies

Transcriptions of some of the letters in this collection are included in "The Tarbells of Yankton: a family and a community, 1891-1932, presented in letters," by Egberg S. Oliver, which is held at the Oregon Historical Society Research Library, call number 979.124 O48T.