This oral history interview with L. Raphael Geisler was conducted by Charles Digregorio at the Oregon Historical Society in Portland, Oregon, on June 10, 1976. In this interview, Geisler discusses his family background and early life in the Portland Heights neighborhood of Portland. He also briefly shares his memories of the 1905 Lewis and Clark Exposition.

Geisler discusses his experience as vice-consul to Cologne, Germany, and to Zurich, Switzerland, during World War I. He then speaks briefly about his career in banking after the war until the Depression, and then working as a patent lawyer in Portland. He discusses his involvement with Trinity Episcopal Church, including his memories of the 1902 fire that destroyed its original building on SW Sixth Avenue and SW Oak Street in downtown Portland. He closes the interview by speaking briefly about his parents.

This oral history interview with Ruth B. Hollister was conducted by Charles Digregorio at the Oregon Historical Society in Portland, Oregon, on February 22, 1977, as part of the oral history program at the society's research library.

In this interview, Hollister discusses her family background and early life in the Northwest neighborhood of Portland. She describes the neighborhood and discusses everyday life. She talks about people who lived there, and about business in the area. She briefly discusses her marital history, and talks about how her life in Portland compared to her life in Vancouver, British Columbia, and in Dayton, Ohio. She describes her work with the Junior League of Portland in the 1930s and 1940s. She closes the interview by sharing her thoughts on how and why Portland changed over the 20th century.

This oral history interview with Sidney W. Isaacs was conducted by Mary M. Rosenberg on April 18, 1967.

In this interview, Isaacs discusses his early life in Portland, Oregon, and describes going to and working in theaters in the early 20th century. He talks about working as an usher and ticket seller at the Cordray Theater, and about John F. Cordray, the owner of the theater. He discusses the popularity of vaudeville shows in the early 20th century. He talks about leaving the Cordray to usher at the Baker Theater, and about the theater's owner, Portland Mayor George L. Baker. He describes the theaters in operation during the 1905 Lewis and Clark Exposition, talks about Portland actors in the Baker Stock Company, and speaks about the operations of touring theater companies. He speaks at length about his work as manager of the Portland Public Auditorium, now known as the Keller Auditorium, including working with Impresario Lois Steers, shows that were held at the venue, and the city's use of the auditorium as a temporary morgue during the 1918 flu pandemic. He also discusses the entertainment provided by the Chautauqua Association in Gladstone Park, Oregon. He talks about the history of the Portland Public Auditorium, about the different types of events held there, and about the auditorium's affiliation with the Oregon Historical Society. He closes the interview by discussing the auditorium's workforce, the political nature of the manager's job, and his retirement activities.

This oral history interview with Rhoda R. Madden was conducted by Charles Digregorio at the Oregon Historical Society in Portland, Oregon, on November 9, 1976, as part of the oral history program at the society's research library.

In this interview, Madden discusses her family background and early life in Portland. She talks about her recreational activities during her teens and 20s in the early 20th century, particularly camping. She discusses her involvement with the Portland Town Club, talks about running a dance school, and describes attending parties held by wealthy Portland residents.

This oral history interview with Emily N. Cameron was conducted by Charles Digregorio at the Oregon Historical Society in Portland, Oregon, on August 6, 1976, as part of the oral history program at the society's research library. A man identified only as Mr. Stevens was also present.

In this interview, Cameron discusses her family background and early life in the Portland Heights neighborhood of Portland, Oregon, including her family's role in the founding of the Waverley Country Club, and swimming in the Willamette River. She speaks at length about the lives of her grandparents and parents, describes the people and businesses in Portland Heights, and talks about traveling to the East Coast to visit family.

This oral history interview with Henry C. C. Stevens was conducted by Charles Digregorio on January 5, 1976, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program. An incomplete transcript is also available, and includes an addendum provided by Stevens after the interview.

In this interview, Stevens discusses his family background and early life in the Nob Hill neighborhood of Portland, Oregon. He talks about the people who lived in the neighborhood, about the businesses and schools in the area, and about his experience with childhood diseases. He speaks about his education at Portland Academy, including his teachers and classmates. He shares his memories of the 1905 Lewis and Clark Exposition. He talks about his service in the U.S. military during World War I, shares his reasons for not completing college, and speaks about his career in the insurance business.

This oral history interview with Shanna C. Wheeler was conducted by Charles Digregorio at the Oregon Historical Society in Portland, Oregon, on June 30, 1976, as part of the oral history program at the society's research library.

In this interview, Wheeler discusses her family background and early life in various neighborhoods around Portland, including her involvement in the Junior League of Portland. She talks about her marriage to Lawrence R. Wheeler, publisher of the Portland Telegram, and describes the houses they lived in. She closes the interview by talking about her involvement with the Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Portland.

This oral history interview with Stanton W. Allison was conducted by Charles Digregorio at the Oregon Historical Society in Portland, Oregon, on August 11, 1976, as part of the oral history program at the society's research library. A transcript is available.

In this interview, Allison discusses his family background and early life in the Portland Heights neighborhood of Portland. He speaks at length about his relatives, their families, and their careers. He then talks about the family background of his wife, Winifred Allison, and particularly talks about her uncle, James Carlyle "Carl" Denton, conductor of the Portland Symphony Orchestra (now known as the Oregon Symphony) from 1918 to 1925. He closes the interview by discussing his career as a lawyer in Portland and talking about cases he worked on.

This oral history interview with Forrest E. Balliet was conducted by Roberta Watts in Portland, Oregon, on March 2, 1978, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program. An unidentified woman was also present.

In this interview, Balliet discusses his family background and early life with his grandmother near Talent, Oregon, and in Ashland, Oregon. He describes his work history in Montana, Missouri, Washington, Utah, Oregon, and California, including sheep ranching, mule driving, and seasonal farm work. He discusses living in rooming houses in downtown Portland and describes the city in the late 1910s, and also talks about staying in shelters run by the Salvation Army. He shares his experiences in the U.S. Army in France during World War I.

This oral history interview with Agnes Barchus was conducted by Karen A. Reyes at Barchus' home in Portland, Oregon, on March 3, 1980. In this interview, Barchus discusses the art career of her mother, Eliza R. Barchus, including her exhibits at the Portland Hotel and the 1905 Lewis and Clark Exposition in Portland, as well as her innovation of selling prints of her paintings on postcards. Barchus also shares her memories of the 1905 Lewis and Clark Exposition, describing many of the buildings and exhibits in detail. She describes some of the houses that her mother built in Portland, her mother's practice of paying her bills in trade, and her mother's efforts to save several boxwood trees from a construction project. She talks about the renewed interest in her mother's artwork after Eliza Barchus' death in 1959, exhibitions of her mother's work in the 1960s and 1970s, and the passage of a resolution naming Eliza Barchus "The Oregon Artist."

This oral history interview with David E. Becker was conducted by Charles Digregorio on August 11, 1976, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program.

In this interview, Becker discusses his family background, and particularly talks about the life and career of his father, Ray F. Becker. He discusses the family steel fabrication business, the Ray F. Becker Company, and talks about how the business changed over the 20th century.

This oral history interview with Robert A. Benz was conducted by Jacob Cohen in Portland, Oregon, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program. The interview was conducted in two sessions, on February 27 and May 30, 1980. An unidentified woman was also present. On the original cassettes, the recording speed increases throughout the first interview session. In this digitized version of the recording, the audio has been edited to adjust the speed.

In the first interview session, conducted on February 27, 1980, Benz describes how Benz Spring got its name and gives directions to the spring. He speaks about the history of his family's spring-manufacturing company, the Benz Spring Company. He talks about the uses for the company's springs, about the manufacturing process, and about the company's other products and patents. He also talks about a spring he donated to the Oregon Historical Society. He then discusses his family background. He talks about the Benz Spring Company's competition with the Laher Company, which also manufactured springs.

In the second interview session, conducted on May 30, 1980, Benz speaks further about Benz Spring, and continues to discuss the history of the Benz Spring Company. He talks about the company's products, including logging trailer springs and leaf springs; speaks again about a spring he donated to the Oregon Historical Society; and describes the power sources the company used for its manufacturing processes. He then speaks further about his family background and talks about his service in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. He closes the interview by discussing the growth of the Benz Spring Company.

This oral history interview with Forrest T. Berg was conducted by Charles Digregorio on November 6, 1978, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program.

In this interview, Berg discusses his family background and early life in the San Francisco Bay Area, including his experiences working in department stores in San Francisco. He talks about moving to Portland, Oregon, in the 1920s to work for his father's clothing store, the Charles F. Berg Company. He also briefly talks about the career of his half-sister, Caroline Berg. He describes building the Chumley clothing line for women, talks about marketing the Charles F. Berg clothing store, and discusses how the clothing retail industry changed over the 20th century. He talks about his involvement with several civic organizations, including the Portland Chamber of Commerce and the Boys Club of America. He closes the interview by discussing the construction of the Timberline Lodge.

This oral history interview with Margaret Biddle Parker was conducted by Charles Digregorio and Terence O'Donnell in Portland, Oregon, on March 28, 1978, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program.

In this interview, Parker looks at and describes photographs of her mother, Margaret Burrell Biddle, and talks about her mother's life. She talks about their relationship, about their travels, and about her mother's talent for gardening. She describes the places her mother lived after her divorce in 1925, talks about her mother's antisemitism, and discusses her mother's recreational activities.

This oral history interview with Don G. Berry was conducted by Linda S. Dodds at Berry's home on Vashon Island, Washington, on February 11, 1980, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program. At the time of the interview, Dodds' name was Linda S. Brody.

In this interview, Berry discusses and plays Zimbabwean music on an mbira, also known as a thumb piano. He speaks about his spirituality and shares thoughts on Eastern philosophies. He also discusses his experiences at Reed College from 1949 to 1951. He speaks about writing historical novels, as well as the reasons why he stopped writing fiction. He discusses writing as an art form, and talks about his other work as an artist, including film and bronze sculpture. He talks about the benefits and drawbacks of life in individualistic and communal societies; shares his thoughts about the future of computers, particularly for use in writing and music; and speaks at length about his feminism and support for the women's movement. He closes the interview by talking about how he developed his interests.

This oral history interview with Mary E. Blossom was conducted by Charles Digregorio at the Oregon Historical Society in Portland, Oregon, on May 10, 1977, as part of the oral history program at the society's research library.

In this interview, Blossom discusses her family background and early life in the Nob Hill neighborhood of Portland, Oregon. She describes the use and appearance of calling cards and speaks at length about prominent people and families who lived in Portland during the early 20th century. She also talks about her career as a librarian for the Multnomah County Public Library.

This oral history interview with Edward T. Brounstein was conducted by Linda S. Dodds at Brounstein's home in Portland, Oregon, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program. The interview was conducted in two sessions, on May 25 and June 9, 1982. At the time of the interview, Dodds' name was Linda S. Brody.

In the first interview session, conducted on May 25, 1982, Brounstein discusses his family background and early life in Portland, Oregon. He talks about his family's wool trade company, J. Brounstein and Sons, and also describes some of his father's wagoneering experiences. He discusses his Jewish heritage and his family's observation of Judaism. He then talks about his career as a patternmaker and clothing designer, including his experiences at White Stag and the Columbia Garment Company in Portland and at the Del Mode Company in Seattle, Washington. He discusses the changes in women's fashion over the 20th century, and talks about sizing of women's clothing.

In the second interview session, conducted on June 9, 1982, Brounstein continues to discuss his career as a patternmaker and clothing designer. He talks about his design process, about working with different fabrics, and about how mass production of clothing changed the industry. He closes the interview by discussing his retirement activities, particularly teaching classes on patternmaking at Bassist College, now the Portland Art Institute.

This oral history interview with Harold H. Cake was conducted by Linda S. Dodds in Portland, Oregon, in two sessions on September 2 and September 14, 1982, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program. At the time of the interview, Dodds' name was Linda S. Brody.

In the first interview session, conducted on September 2, 1982, Cake discusses his family background and early life in the Goose Hollow neighborhood of Portland, Oregon, then talks about his college experiences at the University of Oregon and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He discusses his work as an electrical engineer for GE in Los Angeles, California, during the Depression, then talks about his return to Portland in 1935 to work for the Haseltine Company. He briefly speaks about his marriage history and his children. He shares his reasons for leaving the Haseltine Company to join Equitable Savings and Loan as a director. He talks about the careers of his brothers, Ralph Cake and William Cake. He speaks at length about the history of Equitable Savings and Loan and about its business practices, including its activities during the Depression, the buildings it occupied, and its operations in other states. He discusses how the inflation of the 1970s affected savings and loan institutions.

In the second interview session, conducted on September 14, 1982, Cake discusses how Equitable survived the financial crisis triggered by the high inflation of the 1970s.

This oral history interview with Frederick Clausen was conducted by Linda S. Dodds at Clausen's home in Beaverton, Oregon, in two sessions from October 27-29, 1981, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program. At the time of the interview, Dodds' name was Linda S. Brody.

In the first interview session, conducted on October 27, 1981, Clausen discusses how he came to the United States from Sweden in 1903, and talks about working on his uncle's farm in the Pomme de Terre River Valley in Minnesota, and on another relative's dairy farm in Silvana, Washington. He describes life in Portland, Oregon, in the early 20th century and talks about working in the grocery trade. He describes making deliveries and talks about how the Depression affected the grocery trade. He then talks about owning a grocery store in Southeast Portland during World War II and about how rationing affected his business.

In the second interview session, conducted on October 29, 1981, Clausen continues to discuss how rationing during World War II affected the grocery trade. He then talks about his service in the U.S. Army in France during World War I, and also about becoming a U.S. citizen in 1920. He shares his reasons for leaving the grocery business after the end of World War II, and talks about his activities since. He closes the interview by discussing his photography hobby.

This oral history interview with Scotty Cohen was conducted by Charles Digregorio on August 31, 1976, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program. Mary Ann Cohen was also present, and occasionally contributed to the interview.

In this interview, Cohen briefly discusses his family background and early life in Glasgow, Scotland, and his experience immigrating to the United States. He describes how he became a public address announcer at Vaughn Street Park for Portland Beavers baseball games in the early 20th century, and talks about his business as a news vendor in downtown Portland. He discusses Portland's night life in the early 20th century and talks about how the city changed.

This oral history interview with Edith I. A. Dailey was conducted by Linda S. Dodds at Dailey's home in Portland, Oregon, on April 21, 1982, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program. At the time of the interview, Dodds' name was Linda S. Brody.

In this interview, Dailey briefly discusses her family background and early life in Chicago, Illinois, and talks about working as a secretary in Portland, Oregon, and as manager of the Portland Chamber of Commerce building. She speaks about her involvement in the Business and Professional Women's group, particularly regarding fundraising for the creation of the Portland Rose Festival queen's crown in the 1920s. She then shares her experience as the 1924 Rose Festival queen. She closes the interview by talking about the jobs she held during the Depression and during World War II, and about her career as executive manager of the Oregon Funeral Directors Association.

This oral history interview with Samuel L. Diack was conducted by Charles Digregorio at Diack's home in Portland, Oregon, on May 6, 1976, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program.

In this interview, Diack discusses his family background and shares his reasons for pursuing a career as a physician. He shares his experiences as a medical student, discusses his reasons for moving to Portland, Oregon, in 1932, and talks about how the medical field has changed since he began practicing. He speaks at length about his service as president of the board of the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry and about the construction of the museum building in Southeast Portland. He then discusses his retirement activities, including traveling the world by ship and serving on the board of the Oregon Graduate Center. He closes the interview by talking about prominent Portlanders he was acquainted with.

This oral history interview with Elizabeth C. Ducey was conducted by Roberta Watts in Portland, Oregon, on April 24, 1978, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program.

In this interview, Ducey discusses her family background and early life in San Francisco, California, and Portland, Oregon, including her education. She speaks about her involvement with the Junior League of Portland. She talks about her work with the Oregon Roadside Council to lobby the Oregon Legislature regarding billboards, and speaks at length about the political career of U.S. Senator Richard L. Neuberger. She closes the interview by discussing a trip she took to Iran.

This oral history interview with David C. Duniway was conducted by Linda S. Dodds in Salem, Oregon, and at the Oregon Historical Society in Portland, Oregon, from January 9 to June 11, 1981, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program. At the time of the interview, Dodds' name was Linda S. Brody. The interview was conducted in three sessions.

In the first interview session, conducted on January 9, 1981, Duniway speaks at length about his family background, including the education and career of his father, Clyde Augustus Duniway. He discusses his early life in Montana, Colorado, Minnesota, and England. He talks about traveling with his family, about his childhood reading habits, and about his decision to pursue a career as an archivist. He describes visiting several archives in North America.

In the second interview session, conducted on January 22, 1981, Duniway discusses his relationship with his father, talks about traveling to Europe with his family, and speaks about teachers at Stanford University, Carleton College, and the University of California at Berkeley who influenced him. He describes how he became an archivist at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. He talks about collections he processed, and discusses his work as a reference librarian there during World War II. He speaks about his transfer to the West Coast as a field representative for the National Archives at the Office of Price Administration. He also talks about his involvement with the American Association for State and Local History. He describes the creation of the Oregon State Archives, and how he became Oregon's first state archivist in 1946. He talks about collecting government records for the archives, about the archives' storage space, and about how advances in technology changed the field of records management over the 20th century. He then discusses his involvement with the historic preservation of several buildings in Salem, particularly the Asahel Bush house.

Partway through Tape 5, Side 1, through Tape 6, Side 2. In the third and final interview session, conducted on June 11, 1981, Duniway continues to discuss his involvement with the historic preservation of several buildings in Salem, particularly the Deepwood historic house museum. He speaks further about his work as state archivist, and speaks at length about his relationship with Oregon governors, including Charles Sprague, Mark Hatfield, and Earl Snell. He closes the interview by sharing anecdotes about his grandmother, Oregon suffragist Abigail Scott Duniway.

This oral history interview with Cecil L. Edwards was conducted by Linda S. Dodds at the Oregon Historical Society in Portland, Oregon, on May 14, 1982. At the time of the interview, Dodds' name was Linda S. Brody.

In this interview, Edwards discusses his duties regarding the selection of horses as a civilian agent for the Remount Service during World War II. He talks about the history of the American Remount Service and how the horses were used during both war and peacetime. He also discusses his duties selecting dogs for military use. He then talks about serving on the Oregon Racing Commission under Governor Douglas O. McKay after the war. He briefly describes lobbying for the Oregon State Cattlemen's Association and working as chief clerk of the Oregon House of Representatives. He then speaks at length about his experiences as secretary of the Senate. He talks about the changes in the Legislature during the 20th century, including salaries, staff sizes, and session length. He tells the story of discovering that the federal government owed a debt to Oregon dating back to the Civil War. Edwards talks about the fire that destroyed the Capitol building in 1935, the places where the Legislature convened afterwards, and the construction of the new Capitol. He closes the interview by talking a little about some of the governors he served under.

This oral history interview with Cecil L. Edwards was conducted by Charles Digregorio in Edwards' office in the Capitol Building in Salem, Oregon, on January 31, 1978. Roberta Watts was also present. In this interview, Edwards discusses his career as secretary and law clerk in the Oregon Legislature. He describes the changes in the Legislature during his career; his opinion on capital punishment; the 1935 fire that destroyed the Capitol building, and the construction of the new building. He discusses working as secretary for Otto Paulus, Governor Charles Sprague, and Richard Neuberger, as well as being fired by Governor Mark Hatfield. He also talks about legislation he had some hand in, including retirement benefits for legislative staff. He talks about the difficulty of recordkeeping when more and more legislative business is conducted via telephone. He also discusses the history of deficit spending and budgeting in Oregon. He closes the interview by talking about his staff.

This oral history interview with Mira H. Ehrman was conducted by Charles Digregorio at Ehrman's home in Portland, Oregon, on January 20, 1976, as part of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's oral history program.

In this interview, Ehrman discusses her involvement with the Oregon Social Hygiene Society, the Mental Hygiene Society, the Fruit and Flower Mission, the Portland Symphony, Catlin Gabel School, and other organizations. She also talks about her early life in the San Francisco Bay Area, including her education at the University of California at Berkeley, her experience during the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, and her work at a medical clinic. She discusses fundraising for the various civic organizations she was involved in, talks about awards she received, and shares her knowledge about Portland Mayor William Spencer Mason. She speaks at length about her involvement with the USO and also describes her work organizing 500 women volunteers during World War II.

This oral history interview with Carl Hillmer Francis was conducted by Linda S. Dodds in Dayton, Oregon, on June 2, 1982. At the time of the interview, Dodds' name was Linda S. Brody.

In this interview, Francis discusses his family background and early life in Woodburn, Oregon, including his early education and childhood activities. He then talks about studying law at Willamette University and Northwestern College of Law, practicing law in Dayton, and serving as Dayton's mayor from 1941 to 1942. He also discusses his involvement with the Republican Party and Young Republicans.

Francis speaks about his service in the Oregon House of Representatives from 1943 to 1954, and in the Oregon Senate from 1955 to 1962. He describes some of his fellow legislators, working with lobbyists, and his decision to retire from the Legislature. He speaks about his interest in history and shares tales of some of his favorite historical figures. He closes the interview by talking about Dr. Lewis Alderman.