Scope and Contents note
The collection includes diaries, 1891-1893. A diary (September 19, 1859–December 29, 1860) of Charles J. Cummings is also included. The diaries are both descriptive and contemplative. They have additional importance because of their references to Beeson’s father, John Beeson, author of Plea for the Indians (NY: 1857).
There are two imprecise transcripts of the earlier diaries. Version 1 contains a transcription of the 1851–1859 diaries, plus the entry for February 5, 1893. Version 2 contains a transcription of the 1851–1856 diaries.
Also found in the collection are account books, 1848–1893, including an account of the game killed by Beeson in the years 1848–1856.
Dates
- 1848-1893
Creator
- Beeson, Welborn, 1836-1893 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access note
Collection is open to the public. Collection must be used in Special Collections and University Archives Reading Room. Collection or parts of collection may be stored offsite. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives in advance of your visit to allow for transportation time.
Conditions Governing Use
Property rights reside with Special Collections and University Archives, University of Oregon Libraries. Copyright resides with the creators of the documents or their heirs. All requests for permission to publish collection materials must be submitted to Special Collections and University Archives. The reader must also obtain permission of the copyright holder.
Biographical Note:
Welborn Beeson was born in LaSalle County, Illinois in 1836 to parents John and Ann Beeson. The family came overland to Oregon in 1853, settling in Jackson County along Wagner Creek. Welborn Beeson later built a school on the property. He married Mary Katharine Brophy and had seven children. As the Civil War began, Beeson joined the Union Army. After the war, Beeson returned and continued to farm the Jackson County land.
Welborn Beeson kept a diary from 1851 until his death in 1893. He was a farmer, active in politics and in the social life of the area. Beeson was buried in Sterns Cemetery located near the Beeson farm.
Source: Kimball, Violet T. Stories of Young Pioneers in Their Own Words. Missoula Montana: Mountain Press Publishing Company, 2000.
Extent
2 linear feet (4 containers)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Welborn Beeson was a farmer in Jackson County, Oregon during the late 1800s. The Beeson family came overland to Oregon in 1853, settling in Jackson County along Wagner Creek. In 1851, when Welborn Beeson was fifteen years old, he began to keep a diary and continued to do so until his death in 1893. After serving in the Union Army during the Civil War, Beeson returned to farm in Jackson County, and was active in politics and in the social life of the area. The collection includes diaries, 1891-1893, and account books, 1848-1893.
Arrangement note
Collection is organized into the following series: Diaries; and Expenses and Accounts.
- Beeson, Welborn, 1836-1893
- City and Town Life Subject Source: Archiveswest
- Diaries Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Jackson County (Or.) Subject Source: Lcnaf
- Journals (accounts) Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Military Subject Source: Archiveswest
- Oregon Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Oregon National Historic Trail Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Oregon Territory -- History Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Overland Journeys to the Northwestern United States Subject Source: Archiveswest
- Overland journeys to the Pacific Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Pioneers Subject Source: Archiveswest
- Pioneers -- West (U.S.) -- Diaries Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Politics and Politicians Subject Source: Archiveswest
- Title
- Guide to the Welborn Beeson papers
- Status
- Complete Description
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by Vida Germano
- Date
- ©2004
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- English
- Sponsor
- Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Repository Details
Part of the University of Oregon Libraries, Special Collections and University Archives Repository
