Milton Smith Wirt papers

Collection

Identifier: Mss 851

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection of Milton Wirt Smith's papers consists of extensive correspondence files, mostly dating from 1892-1918, relating to insurance payments, land claims, real estate controversies, and tax delinquencies. Also included are correspondence and various financial documents relating to the Library Association of Portland, the Multnomah Law Library, the Oregon Historical Society, the Portland Free Kindergarten Association, Pacific University in Forest Grove, railroads, and the Willamette Pulp & Paper Company. Other materials include miscellaneous documents, ephemera, personal financial records, and a report on missionary work in Cuba.

Dates

1861-1923
Majority of material found within 1890-1920

Creator

Smith, Milton Wirt, 1855-1939 (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

A native of Aurora, Oregon, Milton Wirt Smith (1855-1939) was educated at Pacific University, where he earned an A.B. in 1878 and a master's degree in 1881. He studied law in Portland with Judge Matthew Deady and established his own law practice in the city in August of 1881. Active in civic affairs, he was a member of the board and treasurer of the Portland Library Association (precursor to the Multnomah County Library) from 1890, served as president of the Multnomah County Law Library, was vice president of the Portland Free Kindergarten, and served on the board of the Oregon Historical Society. He also sat on the board of the Columbia and Northwestern Railroad. His wife was Alice Sweek, also an Oregon native.

Extent

1.8 Cubic Feet (4 document cases)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Papers of a lawyer and civic leader of Portland, Oregon. Includes extensive correspondence relating to land claims, real estate controversies, and tax delinquencies, as well as correspondence and financial documents relating to the Library Association of Portland, the Multnomah Law Library, the Portland Free Kindergarten Association, the Oregon Historical Society, and other organizations and business concerns. Also includes ephemera and personal financial documents.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in two series:

Series 1: Correspondence, 1870-1919
Series 2: General files, 1861-1923

Bibliography

Joseph Gaston, "Portland, Oregon: its history and builders" (Chicago and Portland: S. J. Clarke, 1911), Volume II, pages 204-205.

Processing Information

Collection was processed by Trudy Williams and a collection guide prepared by Geoffrey B. Wexler. The guide was revised in August 2024 to make minor corrections and to conform to current standard.