James M. Brown papers
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
- Creation: 1851-1925
Creator
- Brown, James M., 1844-1922 (Person)
- Brown, Percy L., 1876-1934 (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
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
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.
Subject
- Brown family (Family)
- Brown, James M., 1844-1922 (Person)
- Brown, Percy L., 1876-1934 (Person)
- Brown, Carl M., 1879-1903 (Person)
- Independent Order of Good Templars. Silver Lodge No. 36 (Silverton, Or.) -- Records and correspondence (Organization)
- Title
- Guide to the James M. Brown papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Todd Sulloway
- Date
- 2006; revised 2024
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is written in English.
Revision Statements
- 2024-08-30: Revised to clarify date ranges and conform to current standard.
Repository Details
Part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library Repository
1200 SW Park Ave.
Portland OR 97205 United States
5033065204
5033065240
libreference@ohs.org