This collection is comprised mostly of correspondence. The first series consists of Josiah L. Parrish's correspondence, documents, and records. These records and letters cover several topics, including biographical and family information, information regarding business affairs and history. The biographical information deals with Josiah L. Parrish's family. There is limited information regarding his children from his first wife, Elizabeth Winn Parrish, his second wife Jennie Litchenthaler Parrish, and their daughters (Josie and Grace), and his third wife Mattie A. Pierce and her son LaRonda Pierce.

Parrish, being important in the history of Oregon, has a great deal of historical information in his collection. Also included in the history section is a copy of the general instructions to missionaries. Included in the business affairs materials are correspondences and records related to prospecting, agriculture, and real estate, as well as personal business records. Parrish's papers also include three oversized documents - one making him a member of the New York State Militia, one making him an Indian Agent, and one signed by President Andrew Johnson granting him land in Oregon.

The second series contains Mattie A. Parrish's papers, mostly letters. The biographical and family information contains correspondence between Mattie and her relatives - including her husband and his children, as well as her own child LaRonda.

The business affairs material is divided into financial records, legal records, and solicitations. The financial records cover banking, loans, notes, groceries, dry goods, livestock, clothiers, hardware, insurance, furniture, appliances and lumber.

The legal documents consist of letters from lawyers, court cases, and deeds. The collection also contains several clippings. These clippings cover multiple women's rights, socialism, the history of Oregon and its first Methodist pioneers, articles on Oregon and its politics, obituaries of relatives and neighbors, birthday announcements, Arbor Day, editorials, Helen Keller and the blind, and labor disputes.

The papers contains file folders on various places, organizations, and people Ralph T. Templin associated with during his missions. There are five files while he was at Central State University. Eight files directly related with missionary work in India but there are a number of others also pertaining to the India Missions. Eight files on the Puerto Rican independence nationalist movement which Ralph Templin strongly supported. There are various amounts on information pertaining to the Peacemaker movement and a number of files on personal correspondence. The other folders are manuscripts and published works. Some files contain photographs and newspaper clippings. The last box of the collection contains three large copies of Templin's, "Farewell Address" at Clancey High School. Two of the copies are in English and the final copy is in Sanskrit.