Carson Boren facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Carson D. Boren
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| Born | December 12, 1824 |
| Died | August 19, 1912 (aged 87) |
| Resting place | Lake View Cemetery |
| Nationality | United States |
| Occupation | King County Sheriff |
| Known for | Early Founder of Seattle |
| Spouse(s) | Mary Ann Kays |
| Children | Sarah E., Gertrude Livonia |
Carson Dobbins Boren (born December 12, 1824 – died August 19, 1912) was one of the first people to help found the city of Seattle, Washington. He was part of a group known as the Denny Party. His sister Mary Ann was married to Arthur Denny, and his sister Louisa married David Denny. Carson Boren was also the very first King County Sheriff. Today, Boren Avenue in Seattle is named after him.
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Even though he was very important in Seattle's early days, historian Junius Rochester noted that Carson Boren's main contributions to founding Alki (which is now part of West Seattle) and Seattle happened within a short time of six years.
Who Was Carson Boren?
Carson Boren was born in Nashville, Tennessee. He married Mary Ann Kays on February 18, 1849, in Abingdon, Illinois. Their first daughter, Sarah E., was born in December 1849 but sadly passed away soon after.
Early Life and Family
Their second daughter, Gertrude Livonia, was born in December 1850. She was just a baby when she traveled with her parents and the Denny Party across the country to the West in 1851. This was a very long and difficult journey!
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Helping Build Seattle
In 1852, Carson Boren gave a part of his land claim to Henry Yesler. This land was used to build Yesler's important mill.
Carson and Mary Ann built the first home in what would become downtown Seattle. Before this, homes were mostly at Alki Point. The couple was very involved in the early life of Seattle. They had two more children: William Richard (born 1854) and Mary Louise (born 1857).
In 1855, they sold their property and a large piece of land that stretched from the waterfront. Carson and Mary Ann later separated. Their children were then raised by the Denny family. Carson Boren is buried in Lake View Cemetery in Seattle, along with his daughter Livonia.
Images for kids
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The Denny Family plot, where Carson Boren is buried.
