The collection of scrapbooks appears to be Etta Balch Finch's collection of newspaper articles about the history of the area where her family and her friends' families were pioneers. Augustus Balch, Etta's father, was born in Trescott, Maine on Sept. 13, 1836. About 1857, he came to Washington State and stayed about two years before returning to Maine. In 1860, he returned to Washington State and decided to remain in the State. On the 25 March 1866 Augustus married Catherene Ruddle [sic] of Olympia, WA. She had been born in Missouri on March 25, 1847. She and her family came west and settled at Chambers Prairie, near Olympia, WA. Mr. and Mrs. Augustus Balch lived in the Chambers Prairie area until about 1881 when they moved to the Balch homestead near Garrard Creek in Grays Harbor, WA. The area became known as Balch's prairie. The families that were pioneers in this area were the Garrards, Lemons and Balchs. Etta, who's formal name was Harriet, was born June 4, 1877 in Grays Harbor County, WA. Her first husband was Donald M. McIntyre. They were married about 1902 and had two children. Donald McIntyre passed away before 1923. Etta's older sister, Winifred, had three husbands. James M. Finch was Winifred's third husband. After Winifred passed away, Etta married James M. Finch on 30 April 1923. Mrs. Etta Finch was affiliated with the Daughters of Pioneers of Washington, Oakville Grange and the 40-year club of the Oakville area. She passed away Dec. 9, 1953 in a Tacoma hospital.
From the description of Etta Balch Finch's collection of newspaper clippings about Washington State history, with an emphasis on Grays Harbor, Lewis and Thurston Counties, circa 1937-1951 1937-1940. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 173483929
