Correspondence Series 1.
1846-1964
1860-1945
Physical Description: 8 Linear Feet(19 document boxes)
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series consists of the personal and professional correspondence of various McPherson family members, 1846-1964. The early
correspondence primarily documents the lives of Stephen McPherson, his brother Robert, and their sister Mary Jane from the
1860s through the 1880s when members of the McPherson family travelled and eventually migrated to Southern California. Included
are letters chronicling Stephen and Robert's separate travels across the United States. The correspondence follows Stephen
as he travels to Ohio to work as a teacher and then follows him to California, where he also worked as a teacher before becoming
a landowner and farmer. The early correspondence also documents the establishment, growth, and decline of McPherson Bros.,
Stephen and Robert's viticulture and agricultural enterprise, during the 1870s through the 1890s.
The bulk of the 20th century correspondence documents Stephen and Jennie's sons, Vincent and William. Included are letters
to and from Vincent while he worked for railroads in San Pedro and Colton, California, circa 1900 to 1915, and correspondence
to and from William McPherson when he worked as a teacher in San Juan Capistrano, circa 1903-1918. Finally, the correspondence
follows the brothers as they take over running the family farm and documents William's activities as a local historian and
collector of Californiana.
Series Arrangement
This series is arranged in two subseries:
- Subseries 1.1 Family correspondence, 1847-1959 and undated, 3.35 linear feet
- Subseries 1.2 Alphabetical correspondence, 1846-1964, 4.65 linear feet
Processing Note
The arrangement scheme follows the organization of the correspondence as it was found in 2012. It was obvious that someone
had previously sorted some of the correspondence according to either date or correspondent. The archivist sorted the remaining
correspondence following this scheme, though the subseries overlap in some instances.
Family correspondence Subseries 1.1.
1847-1959 and undated
Physical Description: 3.35 Linear Feet(eight document boxes)
Subseries Scope and Content Summary
This subseries consists chiefly of correspondence between members of the McPherson family. Most of the letters are postmarked
from either Chaumont, New York or Orange, California. There are also letters postmarked from McPherson, California, from various
cities in New Hampshire and Canada, among other places.
Subseries Arrangement
Chronological.
box 2, folder 1-5, box 3, folder 1
box 5, folder 1-3, box 3, folder 2-7, box 4, folder 1-6
Alphabetical correspondence Subseries 1.2.
1846-1964 and undated
Physical Description: 4.65 Linear Feet(11 document boxes)
Subseries Scope and Content Summary
This subseries consists of outgoing and some incoming correspondence to individual members of the McPherson family, extended
family members, and friends and acquaintances. Also included are McPherson Bros. business correspondence. Photographs, receipts,
clippings, and ephemera that were inserted in some of the letters are also included.
box 6, folder 6
Bisby, Minnie Kimball, to Jennie McPherson
1925-1927 and undated
McPherson, Vincent
1900-1956 and undated
box 9, folder 7
Correspondence from or about Lulu McPherson
1905-1957 and undated
box 9, folder 8
Correspondence from William McPherson from San Juan Capistrano
1906-1909
box 10, folder 1, box 9, folder 10
box 10, folder 2
Correspondence to
1902-1909
box 11, folder 1
Correspondence to
1914-1915
box 11, folder 2-3
Correspondence to
1916-1919
box 11, folder 4
Correspondence to
1923-1939
box 11, folder 5
Correspondence to
1940-1956
box 11, folder 6
Correspondence to
undated
box 12, folder 1, box 11, folder 8
Postal cards
1911-1942
1911-1916
box 7, folder 1-2
Flintham, Helen B.
1922-1929
Scope and Content Note
Also included are photographs, clippings, and ephemera. Many of the letters are addressed to William McPherson.
Processing Note
The letters were found in a box kept by William McPherson marked "Flintham letters."
box 7, folder 3
Jones, Clara (McPherson) and Richard W. Jones
1886-1905 and undated
Biographical Note
Clara (McPherson) Jones was the daughter of William Gregg McPherson, one of the founding settlers in the Presbyterian colony
of Westminster (now Westminster, California). She graduated from the Los Angeles State Normal School in 1889 and was a teacher.
In 1895, she married Richard W. Jones who became the manager of Hewes' Orange and Lemon Groves, part of David Hewes' 800 acre
ranch, named "Anapama," near El Modena, California. Richard W. Jones emigrated from Wales to Wisconsin in 1878 and migrated
to California in 1884.
box 7, folder 4
Kimball, Frank J.
1875-1879, 1919
McPherson, Bessie
1893-1920
1917-1918
Biographical Note
Bessie McPherson was born in Canada in 1875. She is the daughter of George W. and Margaret A. McPherson. In 1886, Bessie moved
to Southern California with her parents and her brother Hugh. She is the niece of William Gregg McPherson, one of the founders
of Westminster, California. She died in Pasadena, California in 1946 and is interred at Santa Ana Cemetery.
Scope and Content Note
The majority of letters are from Bert McCray to Bessie, 1917-1919.
box 7, folder 5, box 7, folder 6, box 8, folder 1-3
Correspondence to
1908-1920
box 8, folder 4-5
Postcards
1906-1918
1909-1912
box 9, folder 1
Postcards and greeting cards (blank)
undated
box 9, folder 2
McPherson Bros., correspondence and receipts
1886-1903
1887-1889
box 9, folder 3
McPherson, Jennie, postcards
1901-1923 and undated
McPherson, Lulu
1902-1952
1902-1911
box 9, folder 4
Correspondence to
1902-1910, 1952 and undated
box 9, folder 5
Postcards
1908-1911 and undated
box 9, folder 6
McPherson, Mary Jane
1846-1874 and undated
Biographical Note
Mary Jane McPherson was the daughter of William and Jane McPherson and the sister of Stephen, Robert, Naomi, and Chiles. She
lived in New Hampshire for a great portion of her life.
Note
Many letters to Mary Jane McPherson can also be found filed throughout Subseries 1.1. Family correspondence.
McPherson, William
1903-1964 and undated
Chronological correspondence
1903-1960 and undated
Alphabetical correspondence
box 17, folder 3
Abbott, Clinton G., correspondence to
1930-1931
Albanas, Jose, correspondence to; Notebook of William McPherson, titled "Jose Albanas"
circa 1920-1938
box 17, folder 6
Beattie, G.W. correspondence to
1928, 1934
box 17, folder 7
Benchley, Belle J., correspondence to
1933
box 17, folder 8
Bissell, Arthur A., correspondence to (from an unknown correspondent)
1919
box 17, folder 9
Bliss, Leslie E., correspondence to
1934-1938
box 17, folder 10
Bynum, Lindkley, correspondence to
1931-1937 and undated
box 17, folder 11
Cleland, Robert G., correspondence to
1941-1952
box 17, folder 12
Daughenbaugh, John Rustad, correspondence to
1941 December 2
box 17, folder 13
Egan, Richard, correspondence to
1919-1920
box 17, folder 14
Ellis, Arthur M., correspondence to
1925-1932
box 17, folder 15
Engelhardt, Zephyrin, Father, O.F.M., correspondence to and from
1921-1933
box 17, folder 16
Escoto, Leonarda M., correspondence to
1953
box 16, folder 7
Escoto-Cervantes, Francisco, correspondence pertaining to the immigration case of
circa 1951-1953
box 17, folder 17
Guzman, Felipe, letter to
1950 [?] December 12
box 17, folder 18
Hannah, Phil, correspondence to
1931-1932
box 17, folder 19
Harrington, John P., correspondence to
1932-1934
box 17, folder 20
Hill, Laurance, L., correspondence to
1930 April 19
box 16, folder 6
Honnold Library (Claremont, California), correspondence pertaining to the donation of William McPherson's Californiana library
1958
box 17, folder 2
Italian Villa (restaurant) in Anaheim, California, correspondence to the proprietor of
1953 November 8
box 17, folder 21
Laguna Beach, California, correspondence and other material pertaining to
1933-1955 and undated
box 17, folder 22
Layne, J. Gregg, correspondence to
1929-1950
box 17, folder 24
Makerji, Dhan, correspondence to
1911-1913 and undated
box 17, folder 23
Meadows, Don, correspondence to
1925-1942
box 17, folder 1
Native American ceremonies, correspondence pertaining to
circa 1920-1942
box 17, folder 25
Olmsted, Frank, H., correspondence to
1937-1938
box 17, folder 26
Priestley, Herbert L., correspondence to
1931-1941
box 17, folder 27
Rowland, Leonore, correspondence to
1951
box 17, folder 28
Sanaker, Otto, letter to Arthur Bissell regarding a trip to Ladd Canyon and Santiago Canyon in Orange County, California
1919 November 18
box 17, folder 29
Scott, Carroll D., correspondence to
1936-1948
box 17, folder 30
Stephenson, Terry, correspondence to
1924-1942
box 17, folder 31
Stoermer, Grace S., letter to Adeline Pleasants
1938 February 11
box 17, folder 32
Storer, Tracey I., correspondence to
1930 April 23
box 17, folder 33
Temple, Tom, correspondence to
1939-1942
box 18, folder 1
Timmons, Myrtle
1915-1920 and undated
box 18, folder 2
Tiscareno, Froylan
1955-1959
box 18, folder 3
Whitsell, Leon O., correspondence to William McPherson
1930-1941
Spokane, Washington, correspondence from extended family
1919-1949
Scope and Content Note
The correspondence is primarily from Lucille McPherson (?), Cora Stewart (Mrs. Art Stewart), and Winifred McPherson, cousins
to Vincent and William McPherson. Most letters are addressed to William and were postmarked from Spokane, Washington. There
are a few letters from Robert McPherson who resided in Seattle, Washington. Also included are black-and-white photographic
prints generally showing scenes, scenery, and group portraits taken in Washington State, as well as some clippings and ephemera.
box 19, folder 1-3, box 18, folder 6-8
box 19, folder 4
Sweeten, Nettie E., postcards
1907-1914
Biographical Note
Nettie E. Sweeten was a teacher at El Modena Public School at the same time as Clara McPherson (later Jones). She was a teacher
to all three McPherson children, Vincent, William, and Lulu, as documented on their report cards (school records).
Diaries and notebooks Series 2.
1853-1957
Physical Description: 2 Linear Feet(five document boxes)
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series consists of diaries and notebooks kept by members of the McPherson family. The diaries of George W. McPherson
are especially rich as they document his personal and professional life, 1853-1898, including his work as a fish proprietor
in Cape Vincent, New York, through his move to Southern California with his family in 1886. The notebooks of Vincent and William
McPherson are pocket notebooks that they carried with them to record day-to-day information. Also included is the a diary
of H. R. Sage who worked for the McPherson Bros.
Series Arrangement
Alphabetical by person.
box 19, folder 5
Jones, Clara McPherson, diary
1932-1934
Note
See Series 1. Correspondence for biographical information on Clara McPherson Jones.
box 19, folder 6
Jones, Elva M., diary
1948
box 20, folder 1-5, box 21, folder 1-5, box 22, folder 1-3
McPherson, George W., diaries
1853-1898
Biographical Note
George W. McPherson was a wholesale fish dealer in Chaumont, New York. He married Margaret A. Kirkpatrick of the Township
of Wolfe Island, Fortenac County, Canada on April 23, 1872. They had two children, Bessie and Hugh. In 1886, George moved
with his family to what is now Orange County, California. He is a cousin to Robert and Stephen McPherson.
box 22, folder 4-7
McPherson, Vincent, diaries
1902-1951
1902-1918
box 23, folder 1
McPherson, Vincent, notebooks
1912 and undated
box 23, folder 2-9
McPherson, William, notebooks
1905-1957
1932-1952
box 24, folder 1
McPherson, William, notebooks, blank
undated
box 24, folder 2-7
McPherson, William, notebooks, "checked"
1908-1957
1927-1945
Photographs Series 3.
circa 1855-1961
Physical Description: 2.6 Linear Feet(five document boxes, one print box)
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series consists of photographs documenting the lives of various McPherson family members, extended family, and friends,
circa 1855-1961. The series consists primarily of portraits (studio, group, and informal) and snapshots that document everyday
life, travel, and special occasions. Included are black-and-white photographic prints, cartes-de-visite, cabinet photographs,
tintypes, cyanotypes, copper plates, one daguerreotype, two ambrotypes, stamp photographs, two albums, and negatives. Most
of the photographs were taken in Southern California or upper New York State. There are also groups of photographs relating
to extended family in Detroit, Michigan, Chicago, Illinois, and Spokane, Washington. Finally, there is a group of 8 x 10 inch
black-and-white photographic prints showing the McPherson family ranch in Orange, California. The photographs show the McPherson
family home after it had fallen into severe disrepair and consist primarily of interior views of the house. They were taken
by Don Meadows in 1961.
Photographs can also be found among Series 1. Correspondence, Series 4. William McPherson writings and research, and Series
5. Subject files.
Series Arrangement
Alphabetical by genre.
box 41
Calhoun and McPherson families photograph album
circa 1860-1890
Physical Description: Approximately 4.5 x 5.5 inches, 25 pages.
Scope and Content Note
Includes cartes-de-visite and tintypes showing various members of the Calhoun and McPherson families. Portraits of Ada, Lucinda,
and Jay Calhoun are included as are portraits of Chiles, William, Stephen, Cora, George, and Alonzo McPherson. Also included
are images of Abraham Lincoln, members of the Saunders family, Reverend Canfield, and James Bennett.
box 41
Portraits of University of Iowa students, cartes-de-visite
circa 1874
Physical Description: Approximately 6 x 8 inches, 26 pages.
Scope and Content Note
It is assumed that the cartes-de-visite show University of Iowa (then Iowa State University) students (men and women), circa
1874, as the album includes a clipping showing seven staff members of the
University Reporter, the school's student newspaper. The clipping incudes names of the sitters in the photograph. Some, if not all, of the
University Reporter staff members depicted in the clipping are also represented in the cartes-de-visite portraits.
Historical Note
The University of Iowa, established in 1847, is the first public U. S. university to admit men and women on an equal basis
and its Medical Department is America's first coeducational medical school, admitting eight women to the medical school in
1870.
box 41
Portraits, unidentified, tintypes (gems)
undated
Physical Description: Approximately 3.5 x 3.5 inches, 12 pages.
Copper plates
circa 1850-1913
box 44
Photograph of Stephen McPherson
circa 1860
box 44
Engraving of wedding announcement for Lulu McPherson and Walter Lee Vieregg
1913
Cyanotypes
1905-1907 and undated
Scope and Content Note
Included are 14 cyanotypes. 10 are printed on linen, measuring approximately 4 x 6 inches, and show scenes of what is presumed
to be California as there is a seascape view, as well as several views of landscapes showing palms and related flora. There
is also views of a townscape, a woman driving a horse-drawn buggy, a child outside of a barn sitting in a wheelbarrow, and
exterior views of buildings. The remaining four cyanotypes, measuring 2.5 x 3.5 inches and dating from 1905-1907, show views
of the Vincent family homestead in New York State. Two of the images are labelled "Mabel and the pony "Jennie" and "Tinnie
and the angora cat in the parlor."
box 25, folder data_value_missing_7fda103663289a2affef262dad27379f
Scenes of California [?]
undated
box 25, folder data_value_missing_925ae05ea10a346ade79be202f0f8cbb
Vincent family homestead in New York
1905-1907
box 25, folder data_value_missing_99e321302532051fce570f716edb28db
Daguerreotypes and ambrotypes
before 1865
Scope and Content Note
Included are one daguerreotype and two ambrotypes showing portraits of one woman and two men. The sitters are unidentified
but one of the sitters is presumed to be Stephen McPherson when he was a young man, circa 1860. All three photographs are
encased.
Negatives
1928-1961 and undated
Scope and Content Note
Included are negatives documenting people and events in Southern California. The collection does not contain photographic
prints made from the negatives.
Informal portrait of two women and a man in San Juan Capistrano
1908
Scenes showing the aftermath of the St. Francis Dam collapse in San Francisquito Canyon, Los Angeles County, California
1928 April 20 and May 2
Photographic prints
circa 1855-1961
Scope and Content Note
Included are black-and-white photograph prints documenting daily life, events, and things of interest to the McPherson family,
circa 1855-1961. Most of the photographs document locations in Southern California, often in Orange County, and in New York
State. There is also a group of photographs sent to William and Vincent McPherson, dating from circa 1930-1945, from extended
family living in Spokane, Washington.
box 25, folder data_value_missing_71f78859abec043ea661701e46f02a36
box 25, folder data_value_missing_cf046b05f1a3a9a71736b165f1dfa97d
Buildings and infrastructure in California, New York, and unidentified locations
1898-1927 and undated
box 25, folder data_value_missing_21bb748058e15d288b59c2ccf454849d
Landscapes and outdoor scenes
1911-1947 and undated
box 25, folder data_value_missing_f092df453f1819717edfd13b3d040927
McPherson family home in Orange, California
1961
box 25, folder data_value_missing_6b2a12fd5b1a83dc440a5ff37e739b8c
Men and children surrounding a horsecar
circa 1880
box 25, folder data_value_missing_3d9a1c00ad83555e15321fc904e19371
Peking, China, American Legation Guard
1905
Scope and Content Note
Consists of two 2.75 x 3.5 inch black-and-white photographic prints showing distant group portraits of Chinese people standing
outside of a hospital clinic and a "bible" house. An accompanying letter from Estelle Zimmerman [?], the photographer, to
Clara and others, describes taking the photographs, as well as describes the Peking Legation District.
box 25, folder data_value_missing_1d21292ad7a68f7717afa0bc94a13387
"Pictures from Antonio Tiscareno"
1935 November
box 25, folder data_value_missing_d2ed7817fa1125cd13b85d8c10a5d55e
box 26, folder data_value_missing_2fc4a3335991989eab08afb248ee4adf
Spokane, Washington
circa 1930-1945
box 26, folder data_value_missing_b423a2a9c8045aa676fe635ce7a1d21d
Three girls cycling on a summer day
circa 1900
box 26, folder data_value_missing_b52a3b7c824ca2e3575b2d9ffc3b1c4e
Two men clearing corn stalks and distant view landscapes showing a farm and mountains
1913 January
Scope and Content Note
Consists of four black-and-white photographic prints.
box 26, folder data_value_missing_c45f7acfedde5838538dc1ad30f11c95
Train crash in Colton, California
1907
Scope and Content Note
Two 5 x 7 inch black-and-white mounted photographic prints showing crowds surrounding the train crash site.
Portraits
circa 1855-1961
Scope and Content Note
Included are black-and-white photographic prints consisting of studio portraits, informal portraits, group portraits, and
snapshots of family, friends, and other people of interest to the McPherson family.
box 26, folder data_value_missing_d1f1748759d8b03a3de02fb6024d0eee
box 27, folder data_value_missing_72c5c23d7600dfa0a39c62e0dfdd374b
Burruel, Martina (Chola Martina)
1907 Februray 4
box 27, folder data_value_missing_25665974ea5d80372a93519dda55efd8
"Eva and family"
circa 1920
Scope and Content Note
Some of the people are identified with their given name only.
box 27, folder data_value_missing_2893f580b6f33c3bc3e739855f7c417a
Lewis family (?)
1912-1915 and undated
box 28, folder data_value_missing_5c2701ed3748e5e90bd5cff970d2ea9e
Jones, Clara (McPherson) and Richard W. Jones
undated
Note
See Series 1. Correspondence for biographical information on Clara McPherson Jones.
box 28, folder data_value_missing_cce0a15901eb0f1ddf600fe53f5ff118
box 28, folder data_value_missing_ddfc4b1975bd890e45c0c6b0577b7a96
McPherson, Childs
undated
Scope and Content Note
Consists of three group portraits of Childs McPherson and his family and others. The studio portraits includes Childs' wife
and their daughter, Cora. and was taken by Hart, Photographer in Watertown, New York. The remaining group portraits show family
and friends posed outside, in front of houses and include Childs' daughter Cora and the brother of U. S. President Grover
Cleveland, "Rev. Cleveland."
box 28, folder data_value_missing_e413f0268084d9cdf3ab0a47bdf8de8e
box 28, folder data_value_missing_ede225756f976c04a24c5bb8c744ef4c
box 28, folder data_value_missing_8ad46780999d954f8a48d97f27bb1af1
box 28, folder data_value_missing_2c2755281b1e6419b68474e98bc820f5
box 28, folder data_value_missing_eb13186a304d0df629c38a13fead259a
McPherson, William (b. 1797)
Scope and Content Note
This is Stephen McPherson's father, not his son William.
box 28, folder data_value_missing_02a77dae9fccbb82c57c0642185d6833
McPherson, William (1885-1964)
box 28, folder data_value_missing_f4ade89c8263de41fc963ccec93d94ee
Vierregg, Lulu (McPherson)
box 28, folder data_value_missing_e7b4115a7b485a300cbffb0afeb0b736
William and Vincent McPherson standing in an avocado grove on the McPherson family ranch
1935
Scope and Content Note
Includes a letter from their cousin Robert Knapf (?).
box 28, folder data_value_missing_8c4a3f9482e3ccea7b3b3e61e37622f8
Lulu, Vincent, and William McPherson
1890
box 28, folder data_value_missing_b70c1978c94dcf0d1673c4d50dbc6570
Jennie McPherson, Lulu (McPherson) Vieregg, and others
before 1935
box 28, folder data_value_missing_5fd8faed182854162a0ac4414a916e1d
Men and women in military uniforms in Oakland, California
1918 August 4
Scope and Content Note
Consists of 6 black-and-white photographic prints showing informal group portraits. Some of the people are identified.
Parsons and Reardon families
box 29, folder data_value_missing_1c7eb314f785f1cf7091b23522a39032
Parsons, Elvira (McPherson)
undated
box 29, folder data_value_missing_7644ffdcc040cac1e3be7c27ff8455f5
Parsons, Eugene W.
undated
box 29, folder data_value_missing_f9f746310cc35fc4fc0a64341cc24e70
Parsons, Eva Persie
1892 and undated
Biographical Note
Married name, Mrs. Steven Reardon.
box 29, folder data_value_missing_fcba438997f10359a337278d7fb03c9e
Parsons, James (Captain)
circa 1907-1915
Scope and Content Note
Includes six black-and-white mounted photographic prints showing Captain James Parsons on the deck of the steamboat Charles
Hubbard. One of the photos show his wife, Elvira ("Vira"), and their dog, Watch. Some of the photos include handwritten notes
on the versos.
box 29, folder data_value_missing_20f54267866b0fe48b8ceacec3ab45c8
Parsons, Louise McPherson
undated
box 29, folder data_value_missing_1581f8570931433741986d3fe2709461
Perez family (?)
1929-1932 and undated
box 29, folder data_value_missing_7e6c750343bd7561556c88ee2d7eaf45
Sanaker, Otto
1918 and undated
box 29, folder data_value_missing_2c2970eb3351d825dce742a9bcebb058
Smiley, Florence Flipper, wearing Jennie McPherson's wedding dress
1933 March 3
box 29, folder data_value_missing_255d5f3334c2f482b7808368a65ec8fa
Swarthout family
1906-1915 and undated
Scope and Content Note
Most of the photographs were taken in Lodi, New York, circa 1906 to 1915, and include portraits and group portraits showing
Benjamin, Cora, Joseph Vincent, Cornelia Elizabeth Swarthout, among others. Many of the photographs are informal portraits
of Cornelia and include handwritten notes on the verso. A few of these are addressed to Vincent McPherson.
box 29, folder data_value_missing_f6e99561bbfab17d620002b7ebc3781c
Vincent family
1914-1931 and undated
box 29, folder data_value_missing_e9de71f367a59f3ca024b5cae235987d
box 29, folder data_value_missing_30cf265e9d4b2a22594babaaa4a5c67e
General, Cartes-de-visite
undated
box 29, folder data_value_missing_98603c56c09f18f711939b61d8329727
"Revival Brigade at Orange" (musical band)
1904-1905
box 29, folder data_value_missing_fbc990b632bca41464d5551a4689e940
Two women at Neptune Beach, California
1918 June
box 29, folder data_value_missing_3e5c277fefd1ce089b601909e13f6350
Stamp photographs
1906-1913 and undated
Scope and Content Note
Consists of six black-and-white strips of photographic prints showing a series of 1 x 1 inch head shots of William McPherson
(1885-1964) and an unknown sitter. All but one of the photographic strips show william McPherson. The photos showing William
McPherson were taken at least a year apart between 1906-1913. Also included are photograph envelopes from Empire Studio and
Mitchell Studio located in Los Angeles, California.
box 29, folder data_value_missing_225938f71fff218a8ae3189acc1c5803
Tintypes
circa 1860-1880
Scope and Content Note
Consists of 30 tintypes showing portraits of unidentified men, women, and children. The tintypes vary in sizes and include
gems (approximately .5 x 1 inch or postage stamp size), cartes-de-visite (roughly 2.25 x 3. 5 inches), and one half-plate
(4.5 x 5.5 inches). Some are mounted on cardboard or are sleeved in envelopes.
William McPherson writings and research Series 4.
1923-1944 and undated
Physical Description: 0.4 Linear Feet(one document box)
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series contains manuscripts and published writings of William McPherson, circa 1923-1944. Subjects include the history
of Southern California, historical figures of Southern California, and festivals and ceremonies of Native Americans in the
western United States, some of which he attended in person. Also included are related materials such as research notes, correspondence,
and maps.
Series Arrangement
Alphabetical by title or subject.
box 30, folder 1
"Admission of California"
1925 November 30
box 30, folder 2
Biography of John Trumbull Warner
1931 December 1
box 30, folder 3
Biography of Stephen McPherson
circa 1931
box 30, folder 4
"The Butterfield Stage"
1925 January 26
box 30, folder 5
"The diary of Lieutenant Couts: San Diego to Yuma, 1849," notes, galley proofs, and other material
1930, 1935 and undated
box 30, folder 6
"Driving horses to Utah," manuscript and notes from the Juan Forster diary (1876)
1923 October 28
box 30, folder 7
"Fiesta de Monos"
undated
box 30, folder 8
"La Fiesta de Monos"
undated
box 30, folder 9
"Fiesta de Pala"
1933 March 12
box 30, folder 10
"The Indians of Southern California" (speech)
1931 December 27
box 30, folder 11
Notes and clippings, miscellaneous
1923-1944
box 30, folder 12
Notes from the
Santa Ana Herald, 1886-1889
1928-1931
Scope and Content Note
Transcription of notes by Jim Sleeper, July 20, 1968.
box 30, folder 13
Notes from the
Santa Ana Herald, 1886-1889, (mostly on railroads)
1943 November
box 30, folder 14
"The old Spanish and Mexican ranchos of Orange County," by W. W. Robinson
undated
box 30, folder 15
"The rise and fall of the grape industry," rewrites
undated
box 30, folder 16
San Juan Capistrano baseball
undated
box 30, folder 17
Songs: "La Paloma," "La Golondrina," and other songs, translated by C. E. Roberts
undated
Language of Material: In Spanish and English.
box 30, folder 18
"The western fur trade"
1926 November 29
box 30, folder 19
Writings on the orange industry in Orange County, Indian relics, and Joseph Edward Pleasants, with photographs and ephemera
1928, 1934 and undated
Financial and business records Series 5.
1848-1958 and undated
Physical Description: 3 Linear Feet(three document boxes and one oversize box)
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series contains material relating to the McPherson Bros. agricultural business activities, the McPherson family ranch,
and to various McPherson family members' financial transactions. The series documents Stephen and Robert McPherson's business
activities as land owners and farmers, Jennie McPherson's business and financial activities pertaining to the McPherson ranch
following Stephen's death in 1917, and the business and financial activities pertaining to the McPherson ranch when Vincent
and William took over running it, 1935 through 1964. Included are ledgers, account books, checks and checkbooks, deeds, legal
papers, and receipts, land indentures and deeds, labor time books, road overseer labor reports, and tax receipts.
Series Arrangement
This series is arranged in two subseries:
- Subseries 5.1 Chronological files, 1848-1958 and undated, .65 linear foot
- Subseries 5.2 Subject files, 1865-1956 and undated, 2.35 linear feet
Chronological files Subseries 5.1
1848-1958 and undated
Physical Description: 0.65 Linear Feet
Subject files Subseries 5.2
1865-1956 and undated
Physical Description: 2.35 Linear Feet
Subseries Arrangement
Alphabetical.
folder XOS 1
Article of agreement between Jennie E. McPherson, S. V. McPherson, and the Orange County Rock Company to operate railroad
tracks on McPherson land, with accompanying blueprint
1926 April 1
Scope and Content Note
The tract of land is "lot 9 of the A. B. Chapman Tract in the County of Orange." Blueprint information includes "Los Angeles
Division, Drawing F-8882, Sheet 1 of 1, Form 30 L.A." and shows the tract of land and railroad tracks.
box 31, folder 9
Article of agreement for labor between Quong Wah and the McPherson Bros.
undated
box 31, folder 10
J. M. Griffith & Co., receipt for building materials
1882
box 32, folder 1
Legal documents, miscellaneous
1881-1946 and undated
box 32, folder 2
McPherson Bros., checkbook
1888
box 32, folder 3
McPherson Bros., checks
1884
box 32, folder 4
McPherson Bros., checks and balance sheet
1885
box 42, folder 6
McPherson Bros., ledger, "Raisin Weights," 1886
1886-1891
McPherson Bros., ledgers
1886, 1891
box 32, folder 5
McPherson Bros., miscellaneous records
1884, 1886 and undated
box 32, folder 6, box OS
McPherson Bros., receipts
1883-1884
box 32, folder 7-9
McPherson, George W., account books
circa 1860-1880
box 32, folder 10
McPherson, Lulu, account book
1920-1924
box 33, folder 1
McPherson Ranch time books
1882-1892 and undated
box 33, folder 2
McPherson, Robert, account book
1888
box 42, folder 6
McPherson, Robert, account book
1869
box 33, folder 3
McPherson, Stephen, account book
1896-1897
box 33, folder 4
McPherson, Stephen, receipt book - labor receipt, road poll tax
1891
box 42, folder 5
McPherson, Stephen, ledger, Buffalo
1859
box 42, folder 3
McPherson, Stephen, ledger, Buffalo
1859
box 42, folder 1
McPherson, Stephen, ledger, Buffalo
1859
box 42, folder 1
McPherson, Stephen, ledger, Buffalo
1860
box 42, folder 2
McPherson, Stephen, ledger, Ontonagon Lake Superior
1859
box 42, folder 5
McPherson, Stephen, ledger - cash, bills payable, interest, etc.
1859
box 42, folder 4
McPherson, Stephen, ledger - cash, merchandise, bills receivable, etc.
1859-1860
box 33, folder 5
McPherson, Vincent, account book
1917-1918
box 33, folder 7
Orange Belt Oil Refining Co., transfer and pumping records
1924-1926
box 34, folder 1
Road overseer of the Orange Road District reports to the Board of Supervisors of Orange County, California
1889-1892
box 34, folder 2
Roads - correspondence, labor receipts, and other material
1890-1891 and undated
box 34, folder 4
Shipping receipts to Spokane, Washington
1937-1940
Subject files Series 6.
1858-1966 and undated
Physical Description: 1 Linear Feet(two documents boxes and one oversize folder)
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series documents the educational and professional activities, as well as the general interests of various McPherson family
members. Included are material relating to Stephen and Jennie McPherson's education and work as teachers,as well as material
pertaining to their son William's education and work as a teacher in San Juan Capistrano. Materials include legal documents,
school records, certificates, address books, correspondence, writings, notes, and genealogies, among other material.
Series Arrangement
Alphabetical by subject or material type.
box 34, folder 5
Address books and ephemera
1922 and undated
box 34, folder 6
Agreement to establish a school in the northeastern part of the Santiago district
undated
box 34, folder 7
Almeria grape, letter to W. G. McPherson from Newton B. Pierce regarding the coulure of the Almeria grape compared to the
Malaga grape
1893 December 15
Biographical Note
Newton B. Pierce served as Special Agent for the United States Department of Agriculture, Division of Vegetable Pathology.
The grape disease that decimated grape crops in Southern California (including the McPherson's) in the late 1880s was later
named "Pierce's Disease" after Pierce.
box 34, folder 8
Baseball scorebook, Santa Ana High School
1903
box 39
Bibles
1872, 1908
Scope and Content Note
Consists of the 1872 bible of Stephen McPherson and the 1908 bible of William McPherson.
Photographs and ephemera from William McPherson's bible
1906-1922 and undated
Scope and Content Note
Consists of eight black-and-white photographic prints showing studio and informal portraits on an unidentified woman. Some
of the portraits have handwritten notes on their versos. The woman may have been a silent film actress as one photograph shows
her dressed at Little Red Riding Hood and one of the handwritten notes mentions the Mission Film Co. Also included are one
transparency showing an interior view of an unidentified building and several pieces of ephemera.
box 34, folder 9
Bowers Museum
1936-1961 and undated
box 34, folder 11
El Modena School, autograph book
1889
box 34, folder 12
Hewes, David, agreement of employment between David Hewes (employer) and Ira Herrington
1901
Note
The document was "bought at Hewes Auction, 1916."
folder XOS 1
"The official map of Orange County, California and portions of adjoining counties"
1924
Scope and Content Note
Compiled from official and private surveys by S. H. Finley, Civil Engineer, Santa Ana, and J. C. McBride, County Engineer,
Orange County. Portions of the map have been hand colored by the owner of the map.
folder XOS 1
Topographic map, Southern California, Sheet No. 1, U.S. Geological Survey
1904
Scope and Content Note
Compiled by J. E. Rockhold. Handwritten note on verso indicates hike locations and dates of hikes, 1910, 1911, and 1918.
folder XOS 1
Topographic map, Southern California, Sheet No. 2, U.S. Geological Survey
1904
Scope and Content Note
Reduced from the nine atlas sheets covering this area; survey 1891 and 1898-1902. Handwritten notes on recto indicate hike
locations, names of hikers, and dates of hikes, 1919, 1927, and 1933. Signatures or initials listed include William McPherson,
Don Meadows, Roch Bradshaw, and A. E. C.
box 34, folder 13
Judd, A. Grosvenor, "mark book"
1873
box 34, folder 14
McPherson, Bessie, recipes and other material
1892-1915 and undated
box 35, folder 1
McPherson, Esther, writings and fabric cuttings
undated
box 35, folder 2
McPherson family genealogy
1870-1951 and undated
box 35, folder 3
McPherson family history, written by Stephen McPherson
1882
box 35, folder 4
McPherson, Lulu, school records and other material
1894-1951 and undated
box 35, folder 5
McPherson, Robert, county election materials
1892
box 35, folder 6
Agreement to teach public school in Santa Clara, California
1868 July 1
box 35, folder 7
Autograph album
1858-1866
box 35, folder 8
California state educational diploma and school records
1859-1881
box 35, folder 9
Champions of the Red Cross clearance card
1871 December 30
box 35, folder 10
School compositions
circa 1858
box 35, folder 11
McPherson, Vincent, school records and other material
1892-1952 and undated
box 35, folder 12
Address book and ephemera
1942
box 35, folder 13
Estate records and will
1962-1966 and undated
box FB-066, folder 7
Diploma of graduation, Grammar School of Orange District
1900 June 9
box 37, folder 1
School records and other material
1892-1900 and undated
box 35, folder 14
San Francisco Examiner contest and trip
1900 and undated
box 35, folder 15
San Juan Capistrano, "class book, question book," grades 6-8
1905-1918
box 36, folder 1
San Juan Capistrano, miscellaneous material
1905-1918 and undated
box 36, folder 2
San Juan Capistrano, school notes (handwritten)
1916-1917 and undated
box 36, folder 3
San Juan Capistrano, school notes and correspondence (handwritten)
1915-1917 and udated
box 36, folder 4
San Juan Capistrano School, group portraits and letter
1905-1909
box 36, folder 6
Graduation studio portraits
1904 June
Scope and Content Note
Three 3.5 x 5 inch oval black-and-white studio portraits of William McPherson, 1904. The photographs were taken by J. C. Lamb,
Santa Ana, California.
box 36, folder 5
School records, correspondence, and other material
1902-1904 and undated
box 36, folder 7
Theatrical productions, photographs and programs
1903-1904
box 37, folder 2
Sponsorship letter for the entrance of Alfredo Gonzalez of Santa Maria, Jalisco, Mexico into the United States
1951 November 15
box 37, folder 3
Teachers examination material
1904
box 37, folder 4
Teaching certificates and related material
1904-1916 and undated
box FB-066, folder 5
Diploma of graduation [in Latin]
1914 May 12
box 37, folder 5-6
School records, ephemera, and other material
1910-1914
box 37, folder 7
Sailing race wager agreement
1883 September 17
box 37, folder 8
South Gila Canal, pamphlet and documents
circa 1880
box 37, folder 9
Teachers examination questions (printed)
1865-1874 and undated
box 37, folder 10
Teachers examination material and questions (handwritten)
1868 and undated
box 37, folder 11
Vincent, Jennie (McPherson), teacher's certifcates
1878, 1881
box 37, folder 12
Water - "filing on waters of Owens River in Mono County by Robert McPherson"
1898 April 27
box 37, folder 13
Weather records, Southern California
1887, 1937
box 37, folder 14
Writings, miscellaneous (unknown authors)
undated
Ephemera and artifacts Series 7.
1872-1961 and undated
Physical Description: 1.5 Linear Feet(two document boxes, one artifact box, and one print box)
Series Scope and Content Summary
This series contains ephemera and artifacts collected or used by various members of the McPherson family. The ephemera includes
business cards, visiting cards, memorial cards, Orange County Fair award ribbons, railroad tickets, membership cards, McPherson
Bros. grape labels, and bibles, among other items. The artifacts consist of two rubber stamps, fabric cuttings, a lock of
hair (labelled "my father's hair when he died"), a small wooden souvenir of Memorial Hall, and a metal hand tool.
Series Arrangement
Alphabetical by subject or material type.
box 38, folder 3
Adams Female Academy, East Derry, New Hampshire, brochure
undated
box 38, folder 4
Alfred University, sheet music, "Hail to thee, Alfred"
1921
box 38, folder 5
Application forms (blank)
1931 and undated
box 40
Artifacts
undated
Scope and Content Note
Includes two rubber stamps, one for the McPherson Bros. and the other for William McPherson. The fabric is labelled (handwritten)
"lined spun by Aunt-Sally McPherson year not-known." The lock of hair is labelled (handwritten) "my father's hair after he
died [Wm?] McPherson.
box 38, folder 6
Award ribbons
1923-1931 and undated
Scope and Content Note
Award ribbons are from the Orange County Fair, California Avocado Show, and Garden Clubs of Orange County.
box 38, folder 7
Catecismo de Ripalda con un apendice
1910
Note
Inscribed "Copy of William McPherson, May 30, 1917."
box FB-066, folder 6
Decorative labels (pink flowers amid leafy branches)
undated
box 38, folder 9
Drivers' licences
1919, 1925
box 38, folder 1-2
Ephemera, general
circa 1860-1960
box 38, folder 10
Farmers pocket companion, 26th annual edition, Deere & Co.
1892
box 38, folder 11
Gaskell's Complete Compendium of Elegant Writing
circa 1870
box 38, folder 13
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Lodge No. 52, receipts
1902-1911
box 38, folder 16
Marriage certificate, George W. McPherson and Margaret A. Kirkpatrick
1872 April 23
box 38, folder 14
McPherson Bros. raisin labels
circa 1887
box 38, folder 15
McPherson, Horton, and Co., Real Estate Agents, advertising cards
undated
box 38, folder 17
Membership cards
1899-1946
box 38, folder 19
Merit reward tickets
undated
Miscellaneous ephemera
undated
box 38, folder 20
Postcards (blank)
undated
box 38, folder 21
Railway tickets and Central Pacific Railroad badge (?)
1919-1933 and undated
box 43, folder 1
Shell road map, California
circa 1939
box 43, folder 2
Sunkist (oranges) stickers
undated
box 43, folder 3
Visiting cards and business cards (McPherson family)
undated
box 43, folder 4
Visiting cards and business cards (non-McPherson family)
undated
box 43, folder 5
The Westminster Senior Quarterly, first quarter and fourth quarter
1895
box 43, folder 6
William George's Sons, "Americana" catalog and letter
1908, 1928