The Couts Collection, consisting of some 16,000 pieces, was acquired from Mrs. Ida Richardson in 1958. It contains the personal and business papers of Cave Johnson Couts a (1821-1874) and Cave Johnson Couts b (1856-1943).

Cave J. Couts a was born near Springfield, Tennessee in November, 1821. He was recommended by Rep. James K. Polk to the United States Military Academy, which he attended from 1838 to 1843. For four years Couts served at posts in Louisiana and what is now Oklahoma, during which time he rose from second lieutenant of Riflemen to first lieutenant of First Dragoons.Cave J. Couts b, fourth child of Cave J. Couts a, was born at Rancho Guajome in 1856. He received his schooling at St. Vincent's Academy in Los Angeles and at Stewart College in Clarksville, Tennessee (now Southwestern Presbyterian University).

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