Davis (Winfield) Papers, 1849-1909

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Summary

Title:
Winfield Davis papers
Dates:
1849-1909
Creators:
Davis, Winfield J., 1851-
Abstract:
The collection consists of scrapbooks of indexes to articles in periodicals, articles, and manuscripts (in 44 volumes) related to the life and career of Winfield J. Davis, California politician and writer.
Extent:
8 Linear Feet (44 volumes)
Language:
Materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Winfield Davis papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of 44 scrapbooks of clippings, articles, indexes of published articles, and a few manuscripts of Winfield J. Davis from 1849 to 1909. It includes a manuscript account of the counties of California and statistics regarding members of the state legislature, the governors and executive officers.

Biographical / historical:

Winfield J. Davis (1851-1909) was born in Oneida County, New York, and came with his family to California in 1862. The family moved from their farm in Placer County to the city of Sacramento in 1869. There, Davis studied to become a shorthand reporter and wrote for newspapers including the Sacramento Bee, Daily Union, and the Daily Record; he also learned the printing and publishing trade. In 1879 he was admitted to the California bar. Davis was also active in California political affairs, elected to the state legislature (on the Republican ticket) where he served from 1884 to 1890. In 1891 he was elected a member (and later became president) of the Board of Education of Sacramento. He wrote extensively on historical and political subjects related to California, and he is perhaps best known as the author of "History of political conventions in California, 1849-1892." Davis held many offices, was historian of the Sacramento Society of California Pioneers, and was well known in the public life of Sacramento.

Acquisition information:
Purchased from Jones Book Store, August 1952; Walter E. Stoddard, March 1953; John Howell-Books, September 1953.
Processing information:

Processed by Huntington Library Staff, September 1990. In 2020, Gayle Richardson created the finding aid derived from a legacy summary report.

Arrangement:

Arranged by subject and format.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Gayle Richardson
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2024-07-11 10:07:34 -0700 .

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]. Winfield Davis 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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