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William Daniel Boone Dodson papers

 Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: Ax 488

Scope and Contents

The collection reflects only the the years from 1947 until 1949 in Dodson's career. During this time, Dodson's chief areas of concern were the alcohol plant (Willamette Valley Wood Chemical Co.) in Springfield, and the development of the resources of the Columbia River. Much of the correspondence relates directly to those interests.

Dodson was heavily involved in the transfer of the war-time alcohol plant in Springfield from the Department of War Assets into private hands. In 1948, the plant opened as Willamette Valley Wood Chemical company.

Correspondence is separated into two sections: incoming, which is organised alphabetically, and outgoing, which is organized by date, from 1947-1949. Correspondence is mostly professional, but there are also many personal letters to and from a Fred H. Kiser.

There are folders of reports on the Chamber of Commerce, public power on the Columbia river, and Willamette Valley Wood Chemical company.

The collection also contains biographical information, notes taken in shorthand, and publications regarding automatic telephones (by Dodson), post-war readjustment, state water laws, and Chinese deities, and also a roster of the Scout Young Camp, No. 2 and Auxiliary No. 3, of the United Spanish War Veterans.

Dates

  • 1947-1949

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

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 / Historical

William Daniel Boone Dodson (1871-1950) was born in Madison County, Arkansas, and came to Oregon in 1890. He worked as a newspaper reporter and editor, and also as a salesman. He served as a war correspondent during the Spanish-American War.

In 1913, Dodson began a long career with the Portland Chamber of Commerce. He served as general manager from 1915 until 1933, as executive vice-president from 1933 until 1940, and as director of industrial promotion from 1940 until 1950.

During these latter years, Dodson served the Chamber and the state in both Portland, and in Washington D.C., working chiefly in the interests of industrial development of Oregon.

Extent

0.5 linear feet (1 container) : 1 manuscript box

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

William Daniel Boone Dodson (1871-1950) had a long career with the Portland Chamber of Commerce, serving as general manager, executive vice-president, and as director of industrial promotion where he worked chiefly on the industrial development of Oregon. The collection (1947-1949) contains correspondence, reports, biographical information, and publications.

Other Finding Aids

Paper finding aid with additional information is available in Special Collections & University Archives.

Processing Information

Collection processed by staff 1969; and Tanya Parlet, 2013.

This finding aid may be updated periodically to account for new acquisitions to the collection and/or revisions in arrangement and description.

Material within this collection is minimally arranged. Any arrangement is either derived from the records' creators or custodians or from staff at the time of initial processing. It may be necessary to look in multiple places for the same types of materials.

Title
Guide to the William Daniel Boone Dodson Papers
Status
Complete Description
Author
Tanya Parlet
Date
2013
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English
Sponsor
Funding for production of this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).

Repository Details

Part of the University of Oregon Libraries, Special Collections and University Archives Repository

Contact:
1299 University of Oregon
Eugene OR 97403-1299 USA