West, Oswald, 1873-1960

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Oswald West served as Oregon's fourteenth governor. He was born in Guelph, Ontario, Canada, in 1873, and came to Oregon with his family in 1877. His father was a cattle dealer who took his son on many travels throughout the Willamette Valley and Central Oregon. Oswald worked as a clerk and teller for the Ladd and Bush bank of Salem, and later the First National Bank of Astoria. In 1897 he married Mabel Hutton of Salem, and the couple had three children. West served as a State Land Agent in Salem from 1903-1907, and he helped to recover hundreds of thousands of acres of property that had been illegally taken from the state. When Oregon created the State Railroad Commission in 1907, West was appointed to that body by Governor Chamberlain, and he served until 1910. In that year West was elected governor of Oregon, serving until 1915. He championed progressive legislation and gained nationwide notoriety for his efforts to close saloons and vice establishments in the town of Copperfield in 1913. After leaving office West conducted a private law practice and wrote extensively on Oregon politics and history.

From the guide to the Oswald West papers, 1856-1960, 1895-1960, (Oregon Historical Society)

Oregon's fourteenth governor, Oswald West, was born in Guelph, Ontario, Canada, in 1873, and came to Oregon with his family in 1877. In his youth he worked as a bank clerk and teller, and went on to serve as the State Land Agent and as a member of the first State Railroad Commission. He was elected to the governorship on the Democratic ticket in 1910 and served from 1911-1915. He later entered private law practice and wrote numerous articles on Oregon politics and history.

From the description of Oswald West papers, 1856-1960 (bulk 1895-1960). (Oregon Historical Society Research Library). WorldCat record id: 69433160

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf West, Oswald, 1873-1960. Oswald West papers, 1856-1960 (bulk 1895-1960). Oregon Historical Society Research Library
referencedIn Chamberlain, George Earle, 1854-1928. George Earle Chamberlain papers, 1900-1908. Oregon Historical Society Research Library
creatorOf Oswald West papers, 1856-1960, 1895-1960 Oregon Historical Society Research Library
referencedIn Smith, Joelle, 1958-2005,. Joelle Smith portraits of Oregon pioneers [manuscript], 1976. Oregon Historical Society Research Library
referencedIn Letters to Herbert Junkin [manuscript], 1919-1958. Oregon Historical Society Research Library
referencedIn Powers, Alfred. Alfred Powers collection [manuscript], 1834-1963. Oregon Historical Society Research Library
referencedIn Tom McCall photographs collection, 1905-1984, 1966-1975 Oregon Historical Society Research Library
referencedIn McCall, Tom, 1913-1983,. Tom Lawson McCall Photographs Collection [graphic] 1905-1984, 1966-1975. Oregon Historical Society Research Library
referencedIn Alfred Powers papers, 1834-1963 Oregon Historical Society Research Library
referencedIn George Earle Chamberlain papers, 1900-1928 Oregon Historical Society Research Library
referencedIn Oswald West resolution and diploma, 1910, 2005. Oregon Historical Society Research Library
referencedIn Loeb, Betty L. Collection on Joseph Gervais [manuscript], 1944-1958. Oregon Historical Society Research Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
correspondedWith Chamberlain, George Earle, 1854-1928. person
associatedWith Columbia Valley Authority. corporateBody
correspondedWith Farley, James Aloysius, 1888- person
correspondedWith Loeb, Betty L. person
associatedWith McCall, Tom, 1913-1983, person
correspondedWith Morse, Wayne L. (Wayne Lyman), 1900-1974 person
correspondedWith Neuberger, Richard L. (Richard Lewis), 1912-1950 person
associatedWith Oregon. Governor (1911-1915 : West) corporateBody
associatedWith Powers, Alfred. person
associatedWith Smith, Joelle, 1958-2005, person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Oregon
Oregon
Subject
Political campaigns
Governor
Governors
History
History
Oregon
Reclamation of land
Reclamation of land
Workers' compensation
Workers' compensation
Occupation
Activity

Person

Birth 1873-05-20

Death 1960-08-22

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