George Abernethy
George Abernethy | |
---|---|
Second Executive Committee | |
Succeeded by | Position dissolved (Joseph Lane as territorial governor) |
Constituency | Oregon Country |
Personal details | |
Born | New York City, U.S. | October 7, 1807
Died | March 2, 1877 Portland, Oregon, U.S. | (aged 69)
Spouse | Anne Pope |
Occupation | Merchant, politician |
George Abernethy (October 7, 1807 – March 2, 1877) was an American politician, pioneer, notable entrepreneur, and first
Early life
Abernethy was born on October 7, 1807, in New York City to
Oregon
Arriving on June 1, 1840, Abernethy was placed in charge as Steward of the Oregon Mission,[3] focusing on the Mission's mercantile business in Oregon City.[1] His specific instructions from the Methodist board requested an annual
account of all the goods, merchandise, clothing, farming and mechanical utensils, the produce of the farms, and the mechanical shops, the stock on the farm at a fair valuation, together with the worth of the houses, barns, mills, and shops, or whatever else may belong to the Mission, and likewise charge to each member of the Mission family the article or articles he or she may take from the store or farms for his or her use ...[3]
Among his early accomplishments were establishing the first newspaper (the Oregon Spectator) in the Oregon Territory and establishing good business relations with the British Hudson's Bay Company. Abernethy was also a member of the Oregon Lyceum in Oregon City.[4] In 1842 he introduced a resolution there to hold off forming an independent country.[4] This was adopted and counter-acted a resolution introduced by Dr. John McLoughlin of the HBC that had earlier been adopted by the Lyceum.[4]
Governor
On June 3, 1845, Abernethy was elected to serve as
As provisional governor, Abernethy worked to build roads, levied the first property taxes, and sent representatives of the Provisional Government to Washington, D.C., to lobby for official U.S. territorial status. He was reelected in 1847 with the endorsement of the influential Dr. John McLoughlin over Asa Lovejoy, co-founder of Portland.
Among the more interesting prerogatives of Abernethy was his solution to the shortage of U.S. currency throughout the territory. He and eight other leading citizens established the
The Abernethy administration technically ended when efforts to gain territorial status came to fruition on August 14, 1848. President James K. Polk signed the Oregon Territory Act, and appointed General Joseph Lane as the first official territorial governor. Abernethy continued to carry out his duties until Governor Lane arrived at Oregon City March 3, 1849.
Later life and legacy
After leaving office, Abernethy continued doing well in his business. Among other things he served as the Oregon City agent for the pioneer steamer Lot Whitcomb, the first steam-powered vessel built on the Willamette River and the second one built in the entire Oregon Country. Abernethy's assets were destroyed during the flood of 1861. He moved to Portland shortly after. He died in 1877 at 70 years of age. Abernethy was buried at River View Cemetery.
Today, the Abernethy Bridge in Oregon City is named in his honor. The end of the Oregon Trail, also in Oregon City, lies near an area known as Abernethy Green. Several other public works (and natural features such as streams) in Oregon are also named in his honor; though several are given the variant spelling of Abernathy.
See also
References
- Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607-1896. Chicago: Marquis Who's Who, 1963.
- ^ a b c d e f Corning, Howard M. Dictionary of Oregon History. Binfords & Mort Publishing, 1956.
- . Retrieved August 22, 2022.
- ^ a b Gatke, Robert M. A Document of Mission History, 1833-43. Oregon Historical Quarterly 36, No. 1 (1935), pp. 71-94.
- ^ a b c Hines, Joseph Wilkinson. "CHAPTER VIII. The Provisional Government". Touching incidents in the life and labors of a pioneer on the Pacific coast since 1853. Library of Congress. Retrieved 2007-02-11.
Further reading
- Klooster, Karl. Round the Roses II: More Past Portland Perspectives, pg. 95, 1992 ISBN 0-9619847-1-6
External links
- Oregon State Library: Governors of Oregon - Photograph and biography.
- Life of George Abernethy - Biography on personal family genealogy site, extensively sourced.
- "George Abernethy". The Oregon Encyclopedia.