William McLane Papers
Scope and Contents
The collection provides researchers with the compiler's research into the life and times of her great grandfather William McLane, a pioneer of Thurston County, Washington near the city of Olympia, Washington. The documentation accumulated includes materials on the origins of the McLane family (from Scotland); their stay in Butler County, Pennsylvania where the subject of this collection was born and lived the first 30 years of his life; his subsequent journey to the Pacific Northwest and time spent creating a homestead through the Donation Claim Act for Washington Territory; McLane's political activity and legal matters.
Also included is information on the family's genealogy, and information on the many philanthropic and other projects undertaken by the subject as well as the resultant heritage derived from the activities of this pioneer.
Dates
- Creation: 1819 - 1906
Restrictions on Access
Collection is open to the public. Use is available only in the Reading Room of the Malcolm Stilson Archives and Special Collections of The Evergreen State College.
Restrictions on Use
Copying other than page 2 (Brief Life Summary) and pages 75-76 (Highlights of His Political Life) is prohibited unless permission to copy is obtained from The Evergreen State College Archives based on the repositories policy and procedure and the donor agreement. The donor maintains the copyright. Full bibliographies for each section of the collection are provided from which users may obtain the information about content available in this collection.
Biographical Note
Born in Butler County, Pennsylvania in 1819, William McLane went west via the Oregon Trail in 1852 arriving in the vicinity of Olympia, Washington where through contacts with W.O. Thompson he acquired a homestead through a Donation Land Claim at the base of Eld Inlet west of Olympia.
After working his claim for the required two years in order to obtain ownership, he returned to Pennsylvania where he married Martha C. McLeod, bringing her back with him to his property by sailing ship (passing overland by the Isthmus of Panama) after a short stay in San Francisco.
During his remaining lifetime, McLane farmed, raised stock, was involved in the lumber trade, built roads, contributed money and labor to a multitude of projects (schools, churches, a cemetery, amongst others), served as an assemblyman in the Territorial Legislature (served twice as Territorial Council President), and was a respected liaison to the Native American population of the area.
McLane died in 1906 in his 87th year. The district he homesteaded is named after him as a tribute to his enterprise, political and philanthropic contributions and caring spirit.
Extent
1 Volumes (coil bound book)
Language of Materials
English
Summary
A collection to formally acquaint the reader with the person and legacy of William McLane, early pioneer in Thurston County, Washington Territory and State from 1852 to 1906. McLane homesteaded in what is now known as the McLane area west of the city of Olympia, Washington and in addition to farming contributed to the development of the area, also serving in the Washington Territorial Assembly and as a liaison with the Native American population. Included are historical resources, historic documents (copies) and family history/genealogy.
Arrangement
Chronological and in subject order divided into sections: General Introduction, Scotland, Pennsylvania, Western Migration-Oregon Trail, Land Claim, Political Life, Legal Matters, Family Genealogy, McLane Cemetery, Obituaries and Burials, McLane Schools and Reunions, McLane Grange, and Miscellaneous.
Location
Book shelf in the Archives and Special Collections Reading Room (Library "Underground" 0428).
Source of Acquisition
Grace Ruby (Swan) Austin of Kingsville, Ontario, Canada.
Originals
Originals of the documents found in this collection can be located using the bibliographical information at the beginning of each section.
Other copies
The donor has provided copies to other institutions. Contact the donor for locations.
Physical Description
A coil bound book 8.5" x 11" of 242+ pages.
Dimensions
8.5" x 11"
- Title
- Guide to the William McLane Collection William McLane Early Thurston County Pioneer, Olympia, Washington
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- W. Randolph Stilson
- Date
- 9/17/2014
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English
- Edition statement
- Revised
Repository Details
Part of the The Evergreen State College Archives and Special Collections Repository
http://www.evergreen.edu/archives
2700 Evergreen Parkway NW
Olympia WA 98505 USA
archives@evergreen.edu