James M. Brown papers

Collection

Identifier: Mss 575

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Papers of James M. Brown of Silverton, Oregon, and other members of his family, particularly his son Percy L. Brown. These materials consist of manuscripts, financial records, and ephemera. Most of the materials deal with the education, business, and social activities of Percy L. Brown. There are also ledgers relating to the family's involvement in many organizations around Silverton, including the Silverton Trombone Band and the Silverton Marine Band. Several of the ledgers contain membership and dues lists of the Silver Lodge No. 36, Independent Order of Good Templars. Other ledgers probably belonged to James M. Brown and contain detailed financial accounts. Business papers and family letters are also included in the collection.

Dates

1851-1925

Creator

Brown, James M., 1844-1922 (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 M. Brown (1844-1922) was born in Lincoln County, Missouri, on January 6, 1844, to James Brown (1814-1887) and Lucinda Davis (died 1872). In 1846, the Brown family traveled overland with members of the Donner Party, then continued along the Oregon Trail. After arriving in Oregon, the Brown family received 640 acres near Silverton under a donation land claim. James M. Brown married Edna Eastham (1850-1936), and they had four children. Brown served as a notary public and justice of the peace, and later as president of the Interurban Telephone Company, which was incorporated in 1908. His son Percy L. Brown (1876-1934), who had attended Willamette University and graduated from the Oregon Institute in 1896, served as secretary and manager of the company. Percy L. Brown also served as mayor of Silverton from 1911-1912, was active in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and was a partner with his brother Carl M. Brown in an electric light plant and waterworks in Silverton.

Extent

1.5 Cubic Feet (3 document cases)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Materials relating to James M. Brown (1844-1922), who emigrated to Silverton, Oregon, as a child in 1846, and to other members of Brown's family, particularly his son Percy L. Brown (1876-1934). Papers include correspondence, financial records, and ephemera, and much of the material deals with Percy L. Brown's educational, business, and social activities.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in two series:

Series 1: Family papers, 1851-1925
Series 2: Ledgers, circa 1858-1914

Bibliography

"Portrait and Biographical Record of the Willamette Valley Oregon" (Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company), 1903; "History of the Willamette Valley Oregon Volume II" (Chicago: S. J. Clarke Publishing), 1927; genealogy file: "Brown, James Family (Silverton, Ore.)," Oregon Historical Society Research Library; genealogy file: "Brown Family-Silverton," Oregon Historical Society Research Library; Scrapbook 132, page 68, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.

Processing Information

Collection was processed by Todd Sulloway in November 2005, and a collection guide created in 2006. The guide was revised in August 2024 to clarify some date ranges and conform to current standard.