When George Abernethy and Alason Beers drove pilings at the edge of the river and laid out a simple town, they had big ideas of a metropolis that would outshine the rival Champoeg. For instance they planned to handle the buying and shipping of the squatters—almost to a man retired French-Canadian trappers of the Hudson’s Bay Company—and later they would sell real estate, establish stores and saloons. Since there was little or no gold and business was done in trade, the rancher would get his pay in groceries and spend the rest of what he had coming for liquor or wine, Abernethy and Beers making a profit at every turn.

However this was not to come about. Abernethy became involved in the simple politics of the day and was so dedicated to seeing the Provisional Government get off on the right foot he was elected first governor of Oregon in 1845 and had no time to promote his interests in Butteville.

Governor George Abernethy

An election was held June 3, 1845, for governor and other officers, at which time George Abernethy (1845-1849). a former mission employee, and Amos L. Lovejoy were candidates for governor.

Abernethy, who was a native of New York, came to Oregon in 1840 as a lay member of the Methodist mission. He kept a store for a time in Oregon City. On election day, he received a majority of 98 votes out of a total of 504.

On August 3, 1845, Abernethy was inaugurated. Two years later he was reelected. His term of office was from July 14, 1845 through March 3, 1849.

The Provisional Government Executive Committee, elected by the inhabitants of the Oregon Territory were David Hill,337 Joseph Gale, and Alanson Beers. Their term of office was July 5, 1843-May 25, 1844. 

Source: Oregon History Online

US Census records of 1860 show that Abernethy was a successful merchant in Portland OR.