François X. Matthieu facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
François Xavier Matthieu
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F.X. Matthieu, circa 1900
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| Member of the Oregon House of Representatives | |
| In office 1874–1875 |
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| Constituency | Marion County |
| Member of the Oregon House of Representatives | |
| In office 1878–1879 |
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| Constituency | Marion County |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 2, 1818  Terrebonne, Quebec, British Empire |
| Died | February 4, 1914 (aged 95)  Butteville, Oregon, United States of America |
| Political party | Democrat |
| Spouse | Rosalie Aussant |
| Parents | François Matthieu, Louise Daufin |
| Occupation | merchant, politician |
François "Francis" Xavier Matthieu (born April 2, 1818 – died February 4, 1914) was an important early settler in the Oregon Country. He grew up in Canada but learned about American ideas of freedom from his teacher.
Matthieu became involved in a fight for more freedom against British rule in Canada. Because of this, he had to leave his home in Quebec and move to the United States. There, he worked as a carpenter and a fur trader.
In May 1843, Matthieu attended the Champoeg Meetings. At these meetings, settlers voted to create a government for Oregon. This government hoped that Oregon would eventually join the United States. Matthieu became famous for casting one of the two votes that broke a tie. His vote helped decide that Oregon would lean towards joining the United States.
Matthieu later founded the small town of Butteville, Oregon. He also helped start the first Masonic lodge in Oregon in 1855. In 1873, he was elected the first President of the Oregon Pioneer Association. He also served two terms in the Oregon legislature.
When he was in his 90s, Matthieu was seen as a hero of Oregon's history. This was not only because of his important vote in 1843. He was also the last person still alive from the 102 men who attended the 1843 Champoeg Meetings.
Contents
Biography
Early Life and Adventures
François Xavier Matthieu was born on April 2, 1818. His hometown was Terrebonne, Quebec, in Canada. His parents, François and Louise Matthieu, were French immigrants. They were independent farmers in Canada.
Matthieu's teacher, Mr. Velade, greatly admired the American Revolution. He taught Matthieu and other students about the values of this fight for freedom. The school even held elections and sometimes displayed American flags.
When he was young, Matthieu moved to Montreal. He worked there as a clerk for a trading company.
In 1835, Matthieu joined a group called the Société des Fils de la Liberté. This group was part of an uprising against British rule in Canada. It was known as Papineau's Rebellion. Matthieu helped by preparing supplies for the fight. When his involvement was discovered, he had to leave Canada for his safety. He used a special passport to cross into the United States.
Once in the United States, Matthieu worked as a carpenter in Albany, New York. He then moved to Chicago in 1839, and later to St. Louis. In St. Louis, he met Jean Pierre Chouteau. Chouteau worked for the American Fur Company. He hired Matthieu to manage trappers and traders. Matthieu spent three years working in the fur trade. After this, he decided to move to Oregon.
The Champoeg Decision
Matthieu arrived in the Oregon Country on September 25, 1842. He spent his first winter with another pioneer, Étienne Lucier. They often talked about politics and how to govern. In Oregon, Matthieu returned to working as a carpenter.
On May 2, 1843, a very important meeting took place. It was held at Champoeg, Oregon, on French Prairie. The settlers needed to decide if they would form their own government. About 102 people were there. This was most of the European population in Oregon at that time.
At first, the vote was tied, 51 to 51. Some wanted British rule, others wanted to form an American-leaning government. As everyone waited, Matthieu was one of two people who changed their vote. He voted for forming an independent Provisional Government of Oregon. His vote was the deciding one. Because of this, he was later celebrated as the man "whose vote saved Oregon" for the United States.
However, the actual borders between American and British control were decided later. This happened through international talks, like the Oregon Treaty of 1846. These treaties were more important than the settlers' vote.
Life as an Oregon Pioneer
Matthieu settled on French Prairie. He owned a general merchandising business in Butteville, Oregon. He actually founded this small town in Marion County. On April 12, 1844, he married Rosalie Aussant. They had 15 children together.
In 1846, Matthieu claimed 640 acres of land nearby. He later officially filed this as a Donation Land Claim in 1850. The Butteville post office opened in 1850. It was first called Champoeg, and Matthieu was its first postmaster.
During the California Gold Rush, Matthieu tried to make money. He planned to transport supplies to the gold mines. But he got sick on the way. He lost all 14 of his mules and the goods they carried. This was a big financial setback for him.
In 1873, Matthieu was elected the first president of the Oregon Pioneer Association. He remained a dedicated member. He attended almost all of their yearly meetings until he died. He also became a Mason in 1855. He helped start the first Masonic lodge in Oregon.
Political Service
In 1874, Matthieu was elected to the Oregon House of Representatives. He represented Marion County as a Democrat. He returned to the legislature in 1878, again representing Marion County.
Later Years and Legacy
In his later years, Matthieu lived in Portland, Oregon. His house was on NE Eugene Street.
François Xavier Matthieu passed away on February 4, 1914. He died at his daughter's home in Butteville. He was the last surviving person from the 102 participants at the 1843 Champoeg Meetings.
