John Buel Dimick (1840-1903) was a member of the Company B Volunteer Cavalry and later the Oregon Infantry during the Civil War, and a state senator from Marion County from 1887 to 1890. Collection includes correspondence with his wife, Almira Dimick, during his time in the military; business correspondence; political correspondence and speeches; and correspondence with various family members.

Collection includes two typescript term papers by Arthur C. Spencer III: A 1960 paper titled "James W. Nesmith: Oregon Douglas-Union Democrat in the Civil War Period" and a 1966 paper titled "The First Congregational Church, Portland, Oregon."

Materials relating to John Whiteaker, first governor of the state of Oregon. Collection includes a handwritten autobiography; Whiteaker family bible, with genealogical information; 1950s correspondence to Whiteaker's descendants regarding the autobiography; and a photograph of Whiteaker at the time of his governorship, as well as two portraits of him in later life.