Collection includes correspondence, memorabilia, and an account book later used as a picture scrapbook. Correspondence includes letters, most in German with translations, between John E. Gantenbein and Mary Stier, and between Gantenbein and family, friends, and colleagues. Also included is correspondence between J. Edward Gantenbein and Helen Louise Pittock concerning personal matters.

Collection includes a handwritten German pay stub, 1812, for a person whose name may be Aloise Huemfich; a German confirmation record, 1869, for Maria Pape (also identified in collection as Mary); a marriage certificate for Charles Gritzmacher and Mary Pape, 1874, at Portland, Oregon; and newspaper clippings of obituaries of Gritzmacher family members, 1913-1958.