Absalom J. Hembree facts for kids

Absalom Jefferson Hembree (born December 14, 1813 – died April 10, 1856) was an important person in the early history of what is now Oregon. He was a soldier and a politician. Absalom was born in Tennessee. He helped make laws in the Provisional Legislature of Oregon and later in the Oregon Territorial Legislature. Sadly, he died while fighting in the Yakima War.

Absalom J. Hembree's Story

Early Life and Family

Absalom Hembree was born on December 14, 1813, in Warren County, Tennessee. His parents were James and Nancy Hembree. On January 14, 1835, he married Nancy Dodson in White County, Tennessee. They would have ten children together.

In 1843, Absalom and his family decided to move west. They had three children at the time: William, Ann, and Nancy. His older brother, Joel, also joined them. They traveled to the Oregon Country using the famous Oregon Trail. Sadly, Absalom's infant son died during the journey. The family first arrived in Oregon City and stayed there until the spring of 1844.

Moving to Oregon

In 1844, the Hembree family moved again. They settled in the new Yamhill District. Their land claim was near where the town of Carlton is today. This was one of the first land claims in Yamhill County.

On their farm, the family raised animals. Absalom also ran a store in nearby Lafayette. While living in Oregon, Absalom and Nancy had seven more children. Absalom was also involved in building new roads. He was a director for the Portland & Valley Plank Road Company. This company started building Canyon Road in 1849. He also helped create the Pacific Telegraph Company in 1855.

A Leader in Oregon Politics

Absalom Hembree became a leader in Oregon's government. In 1846, he was chosen to be part of the Provisional Legislature of Oregon. This was the government that ran Oregon before it officially became a U.S. territory. He represented the Yamhill District. He was re-elected the next year.

He served in the final session of this government in 1848 and early 1849. Then, the U.S. federal government took over. This created the Oregon Territory. In 1849, Absalom was elected to the first session of the Oregon Territorial Legislature. He represented Yamhill County. He served again in 1851 and 1854 in the Oregon House of Representatives. He was a member of the Democratic Party. He also ran to become the U.S. Marshall for the territory but lost to Joseph Meek.

His Final Years and Legacy

In 1855, a conflict called the Yakima War began. This war was between the United States government and Native American tribes in the eastern part of what is now the Washington Territory. After a battle on October 5, 1855, Absalom Hembree and many others from the Willamette Valley volunteered to fight.

Absalom became a captain and led a group of soldiers. On April 10, 1856, he and a small group were exploring near Satus Creek. They were suddenly attacked. Captain Hembree was killed during this ambush. He was the only American soldier to die in that specific fight. His body was brought back to Oregon. He was buried with a special ceremony at the Hembree Cemetery in Yamhill County. On June 20, 1920, the Washington State Historical Society placed a monument where he died to remember him.