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Needham (James Carson) papers
M0069
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Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
Department of Special Collections and University Archives
Title: James Carson Needham papers
Identifier/Call Number: M0069
Identifier/Call Number: 285
Physical Description:
5 Linear Feet
(11 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1893-1936
Abstract: Correspondence, papers, speeches, and photographs relating to Needham's congressional career, his connections with the Newman
Oil Company in the 1920's, and the Covered Wagon Babies Club (of which Needham was a founder).
The James Carson Needham papers cover a span of years from 1893 to 1936, the bulk of the material being between 1898 and 1908,
in the 1920s and early 1930s. The subject matter contains very little of any personal nature.
The Congressional correspondence reflects his committee work and his interest in conservation, forestry and irrigation. There
also seems to be quite a number of letters regarding California Indians and reservations. Campaign lists, election returns,
political advice and requests for patronage are frequent. The correspondence also reveals the groups that opposed him, particularly
the Catholics, the "Whiskey vote" and the veterans.
There are some papers relating to his law practice and judgeship, but these are very sparse. The Newman Oil Company seems
to figure quite prominently, and legal papers as well as business correspondence are contained in this material.
The Covered Wagon Babies and their Club are probably the second most important group in the Needham papers. There are clippings
and photographs as well as correspondence, and the letters describe experiences and quote from diaries. Needham is probably
best known as a founder of this organization.
Many of the folders contain handwritten lists of correspondents and descriptive notes on the contents of the letters. Folders
have been numbered consecutively regardless of box number.
James Carson Needham was born on September 17, 1864, in an emigrant wagon along the Carson River in Nevada. His parents were
on their way to California. He spent his early life on a farm and in Santa Clara where he attended the public schools. In
1886, Needham graduated from the University of the Pacific, and in 1889, from the Law Department of the University of Michigan.
He took a year away from law school, from September 1887 to September 1888, to work as a clerk in the Adjutant General's office
of the War Department in Washington, D. C.
Needham was admitted to the bar in 1889 and practiced in Modesto, California. The following year he was an unsuccessful candidate
for the California Senate. In 1894, he married Dora Dietta Parsons. In 1899, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives
and remained in that body until he was defeated for re-election in 1913. His Congressional career was not particularly outstanding;
he was one of a majority whose names were known to colleagues and local constituents, but not nationally. Needham served on
the Public Lands Committee and, in his campaign, was given credit for securing National Irrigation legislation. He also served
on the Committee for Insular Possessions. One correspondent writes that Needham obtained the new Federal Building for Fresno
"almost as easily as the people buy postage stamps in the building after it is finished."
After being defeated for the Congress in 1913, he resumed the practice of law in San Diego until 1916. In 1919 he was appointed
judge of the Superior Court in Modesto and held this position until 1935. From 1922-1928, he also served as president of the
Newman Oil Company.
For the Diamond Jubilee of September 9, 1925, Judge Needham and Justice Elijah Carson Hart organized a search for Californians
who had been born in covered wagons. (Hart was born in a covered wagon somewhere along the Carson River in Nevada just two
days after Needham). They found 75 names (not all Californians) and formed the Covered Wagon Babies Club which met each year
in a different California town on September 9. Needham died in Modesto in 1942.
[Identification of item] James Carson Needham Papers, M069, Dept. of Special Collections, Stanford Libraries, Stanford, Calif.
Gift of Mrs. J. C. Needham
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an authorization to publish. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. Any transmission
or reproduction beyond that allowed by fair use requires permission from the owners of rights, heir(s) or assigns.
Open for research. Note that material must be requested at least 36 hours in advance of intended use.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Needham, James Carson