Thomas H. Brents Collection

Collection

Identifier: WCMss-570

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Thomas Hurley Brents Collection, which dates from 1860 through 1970, consists of an autograph book, correspondence, and newspaper clippings. This collection documents Brents’s career as a judge, and and sheds light on his personal life.

Dates

1860-1970

Creator

Brents, Thos. H. (Thomas Hurley), 1840-1916 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Biographical Note

Thomas Hurley Brents was born on December 24, 1840 in Pike County, Illinois. He attended school in Portland, Oregon, and moved to Canyon City, Colorado, where he worked as a justice of the peace in 1862 and the postmaster from 1863 to 1864. He was a clerk of Grant County from 1864 to 1866, and a member of the Oregon State House of Representatives in 1866. He took the bar exam in 1866, and moved to San Francisco, California in 1867 to practice law. Brents then moved to Walla Walla, Washington, where he was the city attorney from 1871 to 1872. From 1879 to 1885 he served in Congress. Finally, he served as judge of the Superior Court of Walla Walla from 1896 until 1913. He died on October 23, 1916, at the age of 75, in Walla Walla. He had eight children.

Extent

0.4 Linear Feet (1 manuscript box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Thomas Hurley Brents, born on December 24, 1840 in Pike County, Illinois, had a career in politics and the law. The Thomas H. Brents Collection, which dates from 1869 through 1970, consists of an autograph book, correspondence, newspaper clippings, and a biography on Brents.