John Whiteaker
John Whiteaker | |
---|---|
President of the Oregon State Senate | |
In office 1876–1879 | |
Preceded by | Robert B. Cochran |
Succeeded by | Solomon Hirsch |
Personal details | |
Born | Dearborn County, Indiana | May 4, 1820
Died | October 2, 1902 Eugene, Oregon | (aged 82)
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse | Nancy Jane Whiteaker |
Children | 6 |
Profession | Farmer |
Inaugurated in 1858, but did not assume office until statehood bill passed in February 1859. | |
John Whiteaker (May 4, 1820 – October 2, 1902) was an American politician, soldier, and judge. A native of
Early life
John Whiteaker was born in Dearborn County in the southeast corner of Indiana to farmers on May 4, 1820.[1] His parents were John and Nancy (née Smales), and he had four siblings.[1] Growing up he only received six months of formal schooling and as a result, was almost entirely self-educated. Before moving west, he had performed odd jobs, carpentry, and volunteered for military service during the Mexican War, although his unit was never called into battle.
Career
Gold Rush
In 1849, he joined the
Governor of Oregon
Oregon was preparing for statehood in 1857, as voters had just approved a
Once in office, the new governor set out to untangle the large amounts of land claims and counter claims on public lands. He also promoted economic policies favoring home industries, products that Oregonians could make self-sufficiently. Although nicknamed "Honest John", this did not deflect his controversial stands on issues of national importance. Whiteaker held pro-slavery views which did not sit well with a population that largely opposed slavery in Oregon. Opponents often used this to attack him as a traitor as the United States descended into the Civil War.
Prior to 1864, individual states were responsible for picking their own date to celebrate Thanksgiving. In 1859 Governor Whiteaker proclaimed the fourth Thursday of December as the Thanksgiving holiday for Oregon.[3]
During his final year as governor in 1861, Republican U.S. Senator Edward Baker was killed in the Battle of Ball's Bluff and Whiteaker appointed Democratic Party stalwart Benjamin Stark to fill the remainder of Baker's term.[4]
Whiteaker was not nominated again by the Democrats in the 1862 election, and thus left office. He stayed in local politics, winning three terms as a state representative (1866–1870), and election to the state senate in 1876.[1] During the 1868 session he served as Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives.[5] He also was president of the Oregon Senate during the 1876[6] and 1878 sessions.[7]
Election to Congress and "Whiteaker's Ride"
Whiteaker was elected to
The trip cost $1500 at the time, an expense widely criticized by the Democrat's political opposition and the media. Many referred to it as "Whiteaker's ride".[8]
In 1880, Whiteaker ran for re-election to Congress, but was defeated by Republican Melvin Clark George by 1,379 votes.[9] Following his defeat, he retired to his farm near Eugene.
Later life
John Whiteaker was called back into politics one more time, in 1885 when President Grover Cleveland appointed him as Oregon's Collector of Revenues at the U.S. Customs House in Portland. He moved back to Eugene after 1890, purchasing 10 city blocks in the central city. The plat, Whiteaker's Addition, is commonly known as the Whiteaker neighborhood.[10]
Personal life
On August 22, 1847, he married Nancy Jane Hargrave and they had six children.[1]
Whiteaker remained in Eugene, Oregon until his death on October 2, 1902. He is buried there in the Masonic Cemetery. Whiteaker Elementary School is named in his honor, as is Whiteaker, a neighborhood in downtown Eugene.
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h "John Whiteaker". Governors of Oregon. Oregon State Library. Archived from the original on September 23, 2006. Retrieved February 18, 2009.
- ^ Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide: 1857 Regular Session (9th Territorial). Oregon State Archives. Retrieved on February 18, 2009.
- ^ McCarthy, Linda."Pioneers Had No Time for Thanksgiving". The Oregonian. South Zoner; Pg. 01. November 25, 1993.
- ^ Terry, John. "OREGON'S TRAILS A STARK TALE OF ASCENDANCY, BITTERNESS, THENGOODBYE". The Oregonian. NORTHWEST; OREGON & THE WEST; Pg. A19. October 12, 2003
- ^ Elections Process and History. Oregon Blue Book. Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved on May 30, 2008.
- ^ Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide: 1876 Regular Session (9th). Oregon State Archives. Retrieved on February 18, 2009.
- ^ Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide: 1878 Regular Session (10th). Oregon State Archives. Retrieved on February 18, 2009.
- ^ "Whiteaker's Ride" (PDF). The New York Times. March 24, 1879. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
- ^ Kincaid, H. R. (1899). Biennial Report of the Secretary of State of the State of Oregon. Salem, Oregon: W. H. Leeds. p. 235.
- ^ Gaston, Joseph (1912). The Centennial History of Oregon, 1811-1912. Chicago, Il: S. J. Clarke. p. 250.
Further reading
- Klooster, Karl. Round the Roses II: More Past Portland Perspectives, pg. 98, 1992 ISBN 0-9619847-1-6