James Michael Rabdau papers

Collection

Identifier: MS 0687

Staff Only

Summary

These diaries provide a daily description of work done by his crews, including planting trees, clearing brush, building structures, and conservation efforts, as well as weather reports and occasional personal entries. During his years as supervisor, Rabdau was required to keep a log of his daily activities for his superiors. Though the first few diaries have many personal entries, the majority of the logs are devoted to the official activities of his position. He includes a description of the weather almost everyday for various blocks of time over a twenty-year period.

Dates

Creation: 1933 - 1953

General Note

James "Jim" Michael Rabdau grew up in Northern Idaho and attended Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. After graduating in 1932, he began work with the Forest Service and the CCC camps in Troy and Worley, Idaho and Pomeroy, Washington. He later served as District Soil Conservationist for Genesee, Idaho from 1942-1953, which led to his position as Area Soil Conservationist for all of Northern Idaho. He also served in the same field in the Idaho Falls and Boise areas. He retired in 1970 to Boise, Idaho with his wife, Millie. James Rabdau passed away on October 11, 1993, at the age of 84, of natural causes.