Uriah Franklin "Bill" Corkrum Papers

Collection

Identifier: WCMss-045

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Uriah Franklin "Bill" Corkrum Papers houses family papers and letters from the Corkrum, Frazier, Gwin and Chew families. Also included is Bill Corkrum’s college memorabilia from his time at Washington State College circa 1938 to 1941, as well as Corkrum’s flight logs and military memorabilia from 1941 to 1945. Additionally, it contains farm records from 1947 to 1989 and business records of Ag-Data Inc. circa 1960s. Corkrum’s personal photographs and album scrapbooks are also included.

Dates

Creation: circa 1880s-2000
Creation: Majority of material found within 1941-1989

Creator

Corkrum, Uriah Franklin "Bill" (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Biographical Note

Uriah Franklin “Bill” Corkrum was born in Dixie, Washington on March 1, 1917 to a family of early settlers of Walla Walla County, dating back to the 1850s. He attended Washington State College in Pullman for two years before being accepted as a pilot into the Army Air Corps in 1941. Corkrum flew in the Pacific theatre during World War II and was highly decorated, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal. He was discharged in 1947 having attained the rank of lieutenant colonel.

Corkrum owned and operated one of the largest wheat and green pea operations in Walla Walla County. He was an early innovator and entrepreneur, creating Ag-Data Inc., a local computer company, in the early 1960s. Corkrum died in 2007.

Extent

8.9 Linear Feet (6 records cartons, 2 flat boxes, 1 small flat box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Bill Corkrum was a longtime Walla Walla farmer, businessman, and aviator. The Uriah Franklin "Bill" Corkrum Papers includes his college records, military records, business records, personal records, and photographs of the Corkrum family, one of the earliest families to settle in Walla Walla.