Leabo Family Papers

This collection of papers concerns the family history of the Leabo Family of Oregon and California, including accounts of multuple crossings of the Oregon Trail between 1847 to 1862, as well as details concerning early settler life in Forest Grove, Oregon.

The "Leabo Family History" in this collection is especialy significant for its biographical information about multiple generations of the family. Its primary author, Alonzo Reas Leabo, personally knew most of the family members he describes, and he includes many details about their individual personalities, politics, and major life events. Alonzo was present as a child during the family's last crossing of the Oregon Trail as well as many other events that he describes, and so much of his account is based on first-hand knowledge. Family members covered include Alonzo's grandfather Jacob Leabo; maternal ancestors William S. and Lucy Newton; father Oredon James Leabo; mother Amanda Melvina Newton Leabo; his siblings; himself and his wife; and their children. There is also some mention of Hinman Family in-laws.

Alonzo Reas Leabo's text describes: the family members' personalities, their daily life and professions as farmers, miners and merchants; his grandfather’s experiences on multiple crossings of the Oregon Trail beginning in 1847 and as a prospector during the California Gold Rush of 1849; the family’s emigration on the Oregon Trail circa 1862 and encounters with Native Americans while traveling via wagon train; living in Auburn, Portland, Forest Grove and Yamhill County, Oregon in the 19th century; several family members’ attendance at Tualatin Academy and Pacific University; how women in the family contributed to its support; illnesses and deaths of family members; the family’s ownership of various properties in Oregon and California; Alonzo working at the Hoxter, Hinman, and Haines & Bailey general stores and the First National Bank in Forest Grove; Alonzo’s brief ownership of the Forest Grove Hotel; Alonzo working for a shipyard during World War I; Alonzo and his family moving to Monrovia in Southern California in 1919 where many family members eventually joined them; his sisters’ studies, art, and business concerns; and the lives of Alonzo’s children. A family tree diagram is laid into the back of the volume.

The photographs includes approximately 50 images of the Leabo Family and their relatives and friends, mostly dating from the 1880s-1950s. A few copies of earlier photographs from the 1860s-1870s and a few color photographs from the 1960s-1980s are also present. About half of the photographs have handwritten labels identifying their subjects. The photographs from the 1880s-1910s were likely taken in Forest Grove and nearby areas. Those from the 1920s and later were mostly taken in Monrovia, California.

The other material in the collection includes several letters relating to family history; a set of news clippings, which are mostly obituaries of family members; and some memorial cards from family funerals.