Winfield Davis Papers mssHM 53656-53674
Gayle Richardson
The Huntington Library
April 2020
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
reference@huntington.org
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.
Conditions Governing Access
Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at
the Huntington Library for more information.
Conditions Governing Use
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.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchased from Jones Book Store, August 1952; Walter E. Stoddard, March 1953; John
Howell-Books, September 1953.
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.
Scope and Contents
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.
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.
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
Volume 1-5
Manuscript regarding history of California HM 53656
Volume 6
Manuscript account of counties of California HM 53657
1849-1903
Scope and Contents
Volume includes statistics regarding members of the legislature (1849-1895), the
governors and executive officers (1849-1903).
Volume 7
Manuscript account of elections and statistics of officers of
California
HM 53658
1851-1880
Volume 8
List of books in the Library of Winfield J. Davis (in numbered
sequence)
HM 53659
Volume 9
Biographical References - California History HM 53660
Volume 10
Manuscript index to California History HM 53661
Volume 11
Dictionary - California History HM 53662
Scope and Contents
Index volume to articles in periodicals.
Volume 12
Record Book "A" HM 53663
Scope and Contents
Manuscript copies of articles regarding California from periodicals.
Volume 13
Record Book "B" HM 53664
Scope and Contents
Manuscript copies of articles regarding California from periodicals.
Volume 14
Scrapbook "C" HM 53665
Scope and Contents
Scrapbook of clippings, chiefly regarding California.
Volume 15
Record Book "D" HM 53666
Scope and Contents
Manuscript copies of articles regarding California.
Volume 16
Record Book "E" HM 53667
Scope and Contents
Historical scrapbook of clippings - California and Sacramento.
Volume 17-21
Index volumes to articles regarding California in periodicals HM 53668
Scope and Contents
Summary report includes detailed instructions for using the index volumes.
Volume 22
Record Book HM 53669
Scope and Contents
Index to articles regarding California in periodicals, not in the scrapbooks.
Volume 23-40
Scrapbooks of clippings HM 53670
Scope and Contents
Clippings chiefly regarding California.
Volume 41
Scrapbook of clippings HM 53671
Scope and Contents
Clippings of poetry and topics of general interest only.
Volume 42
Scrapbook of clippings HM 53672
Scope and Contents
Clippings of poetry and topics of general interest, etc.
Volume 43
Scrapbook of clippings HM 53673
Scope and Contents
Miscellaneous clippings, poetry, etc.
Volume 44
Scrapbook of clippings HM 53674
Scope and Contents
Miscellaneous clippings, poetry, etc.
