![Oral history interview with Otto J. Frohnmayer [Sound Recording 01]](/images/generic-icons/audio.png){kind=icon}
Identity elements
Reference code
SR 1215
Name and location of repository
Level of description
Series
Title
Oral history interview with Otto J. Frohnmayer
Date(s)
- 1989-11-28 - 1989-12-01 (Creation)
Extent
.1 cubic feet; 5 audiocassettes (4 hr., 43 min., 52 sec.) + 2 photographs (color ; 4 x 6 in.)
Name of creator
Biographical history
Otto J. Frohnmayer was born in Germany in 1905. His family immigrated to Portland, Oregon, in 1906. He attended the University of Oregon, earning his bachelor's degree in 1929, and then a law degree in 1933. After graduation, he practiced law in Medford, Oregon, with Frohnmayer, Deatherage, Pratt, Jamieson & Turner. He met MarAbel Fisher Braden on a blind date, and they were married in 1936; they later had four children. He was active in many civic organizations in Medford, and was part of the creation of the Rogue Valley Medical Center, Mercy Flights, and the first Medford Arts Council. He died in 2000.
Name of creator
Biographical history
Content and structure elements
Scope and content
This oral history interview with Otto J. Frohnmayer was conducted by Clark Hansen at Frohnmayer's office in Medford, Oregon, from November 28 to December 1, 1989. In this interview, Frohnmayer discusses his family background and early life in Portland, Oregon, including facing anti-German sentiment during World War I, his education, and vacations to Seaside. He discusses working in hotels and attending the University of Oregon, including his social life and studying law. He then talks about his early law practice in Medford. He also talks about the effects of the Depression and World War II on the Medford area. He briefly describes some of the judges he argued before. He speaks at length about notable cases he worked on, as well as changes in laws over the 20th century. He then talks about his wife, MarAbel Fisher Braden, and their family life. He talks about the politics involved in judicial appointments; jury trials; and the profession of law. He closes the interview by talking about his plans for the future.
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use elements
Conditions governing access
Collection is open for research.
Physical access
Technical access
Conditions governing reproduction
Joint copyright for this interview is held by the Oregon Historical Society and the U.S. District Court of Oregon Historical Society. Use is allowed according to the following license: In Copyright – Educational Use Permitted, http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-EDU/1.0/
Languages of the material
- English
Scripts of the material
Language and script notes
Finding aids
Acquisition and appraisal elements
Custodial history
Immediate source of acquisition
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information
Accruals
Related materials elements
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related archival materials
Related descriptions
Notes element
General note
Preferred citation: Oral history interview with Otto J. Frohnmayer, by Clark Hansen, SR 1215, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.
General note
Forms part of the United States District Court Oral History Project.
General note
Handwritten index (12 pages) is available for in-person use at the Oregon Historical Society Research Library.
Specialized notes
Alternative identifier(s)
Description control element
Rules or conventions
Finding aid based on DACS (Describing Archives: A Content Standard), 2nd Edition.
Sources used
Archivist's note
Sarah Stroman