Collection Guide
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Davis (Winfield) Papers
mssHM 53656-53674
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Table of contents
Contributing Institution:
The Huntington Library
Title: Winfield Davis papers
Creator:
Davis, Winfield J.,
1851-
Identifier/Call Number: mssHM 53656-53674
Physical Description:
8 Linear Feet
(44 volumes)
Date (inclusive): 1849-1909
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.
Language of Material: Materials are in
English.
Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at
the Huntington Library for more information.
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.
[Identification of item]. Winfield Davis papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino,
California.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchased from Jones Book Store, August 1952; Walter E. Stoddard, March 1953; John
Howell-Books, September 1953.
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.
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.
Processed by Huntington Library Staff, September 1990. In 2020, Gayle Richardson created
the finding aid derived from a legacy summary report.
Arranged by subject and format.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Legislators -- California -- History
California -- Counties -- History
California -- History --
1850-1950
California -- Politics and Government --
1850-1950
Articles -- California
Clippings (information artifacts) -- California
Manuscripts -- California
Scrapbooks -- California
California.
Legislature