George Abernethy, 1st Provisional Governor of Oregon

From Wikipedia George Abernethy

FIRST PROVISIONAL GOVERNOR OF OREGON

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From 1845 to 1849, George Abernethy was the first provisional governer of the Oregon Country, which extended from the Pacific Ocean to the Rocky Mountains and from California to Northern British Columbia.

After arriving in Oregon in 1840 as part of the Methodist Mission at Champoeg, he was involved in a series of meetings that ended in the celebrated May 2, 1843 vote to organize a provisional government under the United States rather than Great Britain. After Abernethy served two terms as governor, the provisional government ceased to exist when Oregon became a territory in 1849. Governor Abernethy's pioneer home was located on the east bank of the Willamette River near the Interstate 205 bridge.

The bridge across the Willamette one-half mile east from this location (see photo) has been designated by the 1979 Oregon Legislature as the "George Abernethy Memorial Bridge" in fitting tribute to Oregon's first pioneer governor.

Birth: Oct. 6, 1807

Death: Mar. 2, 1877

Oregon Provisional Governor. A lay minister of the Methodist faith, in 1845 the Oregon pioneers determined their form of government, and elected him as Oregon's first (and last) provisional Governor, which he served as from 1845 to 1849. During his time in office he promoted road building and repair, which provided easier access to the rivers - the main avenue of commerce. The beginnings of Oregon's tax laws came into effect during his tenure. In 1848 a bill signed by President James K. Polk made Oregon a territory of the United States, and President Polk appointed Joseph Laneto become the Oregon's first Territorial Governor. Originally interred in Vancouver, Washington, his body was moved to Portland, Oregon in 1883. (bio by: RB)

Family links:

Children:

• Wm. Abernethy (1831 - 1916)*
• Annie Abernethy Hodges (1837 - 1911)*

Burial (reinterrment) River View Cemetery Portland Multnomah County Oregon, USA