Letter, biographical information, certificates, and receipts relating to John C. Bell (1814-1906). Bell emigrated to Oregon in 1850, brought his family to Oregon in 1854, operated a general merchandise store in Salem, Oregon, and was appointed postmaster of Astoria, Oregon, in 1886.

Papers of John F. Miller (1825-1901), consisting of a muster roll for a volunteer mounted company he led, a letter about medicinal plants used by Native people, and a quitclaim deed. Miller was a U.S. Army officer and an early emigrant to Oregon. He led a volunteer company against Native peoples of the Rogue River Valley in 1853, served in the Oregon Territorial Legislature, worked briefly as an Indian agent, and fought in the Modoc War.