Thomas R. Cornelius papers, 1831-1886

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Summary

Creators:
Cornelius, Thomas R.
Abstract:
Papers belonging to Thomas R. Cornelius, an early Oregon pioneer, member of the Oregon State Legislature, and Colonel at Fort Walla Walla.
Extent:
7 Linear Feet (5 boxes, 3 volumes)
Language:
Materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Thomas R. Cornelius papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of letters, including two letter books, documents, and account books related to the military protection of the Oregon area during the American Civil War and the development of the Oregon Central Railroad, 1867 to 1870. The collection contains correspondence by Oregon pioneer John T. Apperson.

Biographical / historical:

Thomas R. Cornelius (1827-1899) emigrated to Oregon from Mississippi with his family in 1845 as a member of the Joseph Meek party. He served in the Oregon Mounted Volunteers during the Cayuse War (1847-1855) and the Yakima War (1855-1858) and served in the Oregon State Legislature for twenty years. In 1861, he was made a colonel by the U.S. War Department and ordered to raise a volunteer regiment, the Oregon First Cavalry, which he commanded at Fort Walla Walla until his resignation the next year. The city Cornelius, Oregon, is named after him.

Acquisition information:
Purchased from Fred Lockley, Jr., 1924.
Processing information:

Processed by Huntington Library staff in 1946. In February 2025, Brooke M. Black created a finding aid.

Arrangement:

Organized in two series: 1. Letters, 1831-1886; 2. Letter books, 1859-1865.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more information.

Terms of access:

The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Thomas R. Cornelius papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
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