David Leslie (Oregon politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
David Leslie
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| Born | 1797 |
| Died | March 1, 1869 (aged 71–72) |
| Occupation | reverend |
| Spouse(s) | Mary A. Kinney d. 1842, Adelia Judson Olley |
David Leslie (1797 – March 1, 1869) was an important American missionary and pioneer. He helped shape the early history of what is now the state of Oregon. Born in New Hampshire, he joined Jason Lee at the Methodist Mission in the Oregon Country in 1836. Leslie was involved in starting the first government in the region. His home was even used for some of these important meetings. After the mission closed, he helped found the city of Salem, Oregon. He also became a leader at the Oregon Institute, which later grew into Willamette University.
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Discovering David Leslie's Early Life
David Leslie was born in 1797 in Washington, New Hampshire. He lost his parents when he was young. His father, George Leslie, was a minister. David received his education first in Salem, Massachusetts. Later, he attended the Wilbraham Academy, where another missionary, Jason Lee, would also study. At the academy, David Leslie focused on learning languages, especially French. He became a licensed preacher at the age of 23 in 1820.
David Leslie's Journey to Oregon
While still living in New England, David Leslie began working with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Here, he formed a strong connection with Jason Lee. Lee then asked Leslie to join the Methodist Mission in the Oregon Country. Lee had started this mission in 1834. In 1836, Leslie agreed to go to the Willamette Valley as one of the first new helpers for the mission.
Leslie, his wife Mary A. Kinney, and their three daughters sailed around Cape Horn. They arrived in Oregon on the ship Sumatra on September 7, 1837.
Life and Work at the Oregon Mission
Once in Oregon, Jason Lee gave Leslie the job of being a magistrate. This meant he was like a judge for the area south of the Columbia River. In March 1838, Leslie was put in charge of the mission. This happened when Lee traveled back east to find more people for the mission. These new people arrived in 1839.
After Lee returned, Leslie helped start a new branch of the mission. This was with William H. Willson at Nisqually. Nisqually is located on the Puget Sound in what is now Washington state. From August to September 1840, David Leslie led a small group. They explored further north, almost reaching Russian-America. They were looking for other places to build future mission branches.
At this time, the Methodist Mission moved from Mission Bottom to Mission Mill. This was because of flooding at the old location. Leslie helped build the new sawmill and dam. He also helped create the Methodist Episcopal Church of Salem. He then served as its first pastor in 1841. Sadly, in 1841, the Leslie family home burned down, and they lost all their belongings.
David Leslie and Early Oregon Politics
On February 18, 1841, an important meeting took place. People gathered to talk about creating a government in the Oregon Country. This meeting was held at David Leslie’s home. It happened partly because a pioneer named Ewing Young had died. Young had no will or known family. So, settlers needed a way to handle his property. His business dealings were connected to many other settlers.
David Leslie not only hosted this meeting but also joined in the talks about forming a government. Only a few decisions were made that day. For example, Dr. Ira L. Babcock was chosen as a judge to deal with Young's property. But this meeting was the first of the Champoeg Meetings. These meetings later led to the creation of the Provisional Government of Oregon two years later.
Voting for a New Government
More meetings began in the spring of 1843. Then, on May 2, 1843, a vote was held. The settlers voted to create a government in the region. The vote was 52 in favor and 50 against. David Leslie took part in these meetings. He voted in favor of creating the government at the May vote at Champoeg.
David Leslie's Family Life
During his time in Oregon, Leslie and his wife had two more daughters. But sadly, Mary, his first wife, died in February 1842. She was buried at the Pioneer Cemetery. This cemetery was part of the Leslie family's land. Mary was the first person buried there.
After his wife passed away, Leslie decided to take his children to a mission in Hawaii. There was a school for them there. As they waited to leave Astoria on the Columbia River, one of his daughters, Satira (age 15), left the ship. She married Cornelius Rogers. Leslie accepted the marriage. He then left two other daughters, Helen and Aurelia, in the care of the new couple. Leslie continued to Hawaii, where he left his two remaining daughters, Mary and Sarah, at a boarding school. Sadly, Sarah died a year later in Hawaii. Also, Cornelius, Satira, and Aurelia died that same year in Oregon when their canoe had an accident at Willamette Falls. Several people died in that accident in February 1843.
By the spring of 1843, David Leslie had returned from Hawaii to the mission. Around this time, the mission in Salem began to close. This was because many native people had passed away due to disease. The missionary board sent Reverend George Gary from New York to reorganize the mission. He stayed in Leslie’s home.
Leslie remained in Oregon and married Adelia Judson Olley on January 7, 1844. Adelia brought her two-year-old son, Robert Thomas, from her previous marriage. Her first husband, James Olley, had passed away. Adelia was the daughter of Reverend Lewis H. Judson. David and Adelia had two children together, Emma and Sarah. Sadly, both of them passed away before they were seven years old. The only child to live longer than David Leslie was Helen.
David Leslie's Later Life and Contributions
After the Methodist Mission in Salem closed, David Leslie received land. This land is now between Bush's Pasture Park and the Willamette River, and McGilchrist and Mission streets in Salem. On this land, he grew apples and pears. He also built only the fourth house in the city.
In 1845, he was chosen as the president of the board of trustees at the Oregon Institute. He continued in this important role until his death. During this time, the Oregon Institute became Willamette University. Leslie even helped lay the first stone for Waller Hall. This building still stands today as the oldest building on Willamette’s campus.
In 1860, he sold 100 acres of his farm to Asahel Bush II. In his community, he helped start the local Masonic Order chapter. He also helped create the local Grand Lodge of A. F. and A. M. He served as the first chaplain for the territory’s legislature. Reverend David Leslie passed away on May 1, 1869, in Salem. He was buried at the I.O.O.F. cemetery in Salem. This is the same cemetery where his first wife is buried.
David Leslie's Legacy
- Leslie Middle School in Salem, Oregon is named in his honor.
