Étienne Lucier facts for kids

Étienne Lucier (born June 9, 1786 – died March 8, 1853) was a French-Canadian fur trader. He worked mostly in the Pacific Northwest region. He was hired by the Pacific Fur Company to help build Fort Astoria. Later, he became one of the first settlers in the Willamette Valley.

Lucier took part in the Champoeg Meetings. He was one of the few French-Canadians who voted for the Provisional Government of Oregon. This government was a new authority for the valley. Étienne Lucier is known for being the first farmer of European descent in what is now the state of Oregon.

Étienne Lucier's Early Life

Étienne Lucier was born on June 9, 1786. His birthplace was Boucherville in Chambly County, Quebec. His parents were Michel Lussier and Marie Victoire Edeline Delisle. Records from the local church show his godparents were Etienne Lasourde and Marie Anne Laubeil. Other famous explorers from Boucherville include Jacques Denoyon and Toussaint Charbonneau.

Working in the Fur Trade

Lucier joined the Pacific Fur Company in 1810. This was a new company for trading furs. It was mostly funded by a German-American merchant named John Jacob Astor. The company had many different kinds of workers. Most were British subjects from various backgrounds. The company partners were either Scottish or American.

Voyageurs and Trappers

French-Canadians often worked as voyageurs (travelers) and trappers. Many Iroquois people also did these important jobs. Other employees came from America, Canada (English-speaking), Britain, or were Hawaiian Kanakas.

Journey to the Pacific Northwest

Lucier was chosen to travel overland to the Pacific Northwest. He was part of an expedition led by Wilson Price Hunt. The group arrived at the mouth of the Columbia River in February 1812. Work on Fort Astoria had already started there.

Changes in Companies

The Pacific Fur Company closed because of the War of 1812. Its property was sold to the North West Company (NWC). In October 1813, Lucier joined the NWC as a trader. That same year, he married an Indigenous woman and moved to the Willamette Valley.

Later, in 1821, the NWC joined with the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC). Lucier then became an employee of the HBC. Soon after, he claimed land in what is now Portland, Oregon.

Life on the French Prairie

By 1829, Lucier had a permanent land claim. It was next to the Willamette Fur Post near Champoeg. This area was known as the French Prairie.

Oregon's First Farmer

Chief Factor John McLoughlin of the HBC at Fort Vancouver helped Lucier. He gave him farming supplies, including animals. This help made Lucier Oregon's first Euro-Canadian farmer.

Lucier's farm was about 80 acres (32 ha) in size. He raised pigs, hogs, and cattle. He also grew peaches and wheat. His farm was surrounded by a split-rail fence. The farm had a 1½-story log home, a grist mill, a barn, and a warehouse for wheat. His farm was right next to Pierre Belleque's farm.

Community and Government

On March 22, 1836, Lucier and 15 other French-Canadian settlers signed a petition. They asked for a priest for their settlement. At that time, Lucier had six children.

In 1843, Lucier took part in the Champoeg Meetings. These meetings led to the creation of the Provisional Government of Oregon. On May 2, 1843, he was one of two French-Canadian settlers who voted with the American group to create this government.

Later, in 1851, Lucier became an American citizen. This helped him secure his land claim through the Donation Land Act. He died in 1853.

Lucier's Family Life

Étienne Lucier married a second time on the French Prairie. His first wife had passed away. He had eight children in total from both of his marriages.