The collection includes copies of the diaries of Charles Dalton (1810-1891) and John Luther Dalton (1843- ). Charles was an early convert to the Mormon Church, lived in Nauvoo, Illinois, and was an early pioneer to Utah. His diary is a fifteen-page typescript covering the years 1855 to 1858 during which he served a Mormon Church mission to the Indians of Idaho. He describes some contact with the Bannock and Nez Perce Indians, but most of the entries are short and relate to the repairs and other work he performed.

John Dalton's diary is a photocopy of the original with the inclusive dates of 8 Aug. 1892 - 6 Feb. 1893. It is about 50 leaves in length. John was quickly called as the president of the California Mission for the Mormon church when it was rumored he was to be charged with adultery by federal officials because he was a polygamist. He describes his journey to California and gives details of his activities as a mission president. The collection also includes miscellaneous items relating to the Dalton family including the typescript of a two-page biography of Charles Dalton.