Manuscripts Record
Metadata
Catalog Number |
296.001 |
Title |
Dillard, Walter B. |
Date |
1889-1954 |
Scope & Content |
DILLARD, WALTER B. (1878-1952) Records and correspondence, 1898-1952. 12 folders Walter B. Dillard was born between Goshen and Creswell in 1878 to Luther and Samantha Dillard. They had arrived earlier via the Oregon Trail, in 1856 and 1866, respectively. Dillard had three brothers: Earle, born in 1876; Frank, born in 1880; and John, born in 1884. Dillard was educated in Goshen and Eugene public schools. He received a BA degree in 1900 and an MA in 1901 from the University of Oregon. In 1913, Dillard was awarded a LLB from Willamette University. He also pursued post-graduate work at Stanford in 1924. His early work experience revolved around education. From 1904 to 1911 Dillard served as superintendent of Lane County schools. He later taught school in Chehalis, Washington and Sterling, California and was school principal in Cambridge, Idaho and Wilson Creek, and Toledo, Washington. Dillard served in the Oregon legislature in 1915. He was instrumental in changing many election laws and laws governing public procedure. In 1935 he wrote a bill which passed the state legislature enabling counties to establish and maintain museums such as Lane County's Pioneer Museum. Dillard was secretary-treasurer of Title Abstract Company, a firm operated by his brother, in 1926. In late 1927 he was apponted to the position of Lane County Clerk, when the elected clerk retired before the end of his term. Dillard served as county clerk until 1949. The last three years he ran the clerk's office by telephone from his home after suffering paralysis from a stroke. Dillard was a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Woodsmen of the World, the Elks, the Republican Party, and the Episcopalian Church. He died December 26, 1952 and was survived by his wife, Edith Danstrom Dillard. This collection consists mainly of materials related to his 22 years as Lane County Clerk. Some items relate to pioneer history, including his mother's memoirs from her 1866 Oregon Trail journey. INVENTORY, description, inventory of photographs, notes, copy of a portrait of Walter B. Dillard and an announcement for his candidacy for re-election as County Clerk. (L85-65) |