George Law Curry facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George Law Curry
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George Law Curry (1860s)
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| Acting Governor of Oregon Territory | |
| In office May 19, 1853 – December 2, 1853 |
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| Preceded by | Joseph Lane as Acting Territorial Governor |
| Succeeded by | John Wesley Davis as Territorial Governor</ |
| 5th Governor of Oregon Territory | |
| In office August 1, 1854 – March 3, 1859 |
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| Preceded by | John Wesley Davis |
| Succeeded by | John Whiteaker as State Governor |
| Secretary of the Oregon Territory | |
| In office May 14, 1853 – January 27, 1855 |
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| Preceded by | Edward D. Hamilton |
| Succeeded by | Benjamin F. Harding |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 2, 1820 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | July 28, 1878 (aged 58) Portland, Oregon, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Chloe Boone |
| Occupation | Politician Newspaper Publisher Jeweler |
George Law Curry (born July 2, 1820 – died July 28, 1878) was an important leader in the area that became Oregon. He was born in Pennsylvania. Before moving west, he ran a newspaper in St. Louis, Missouri. He traveled the famous Oregon Trail to the Oregon Country. Curry was a member of the Democratic Party. He worked in the government of the new Oregon Territory. He was a representative, the Territorial Secretary, and finally the last Governor of the Oregon Territory. Curry County in Southern Oregon is named after him.
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Early Life and Career
Curry was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 2, 1820. Even though he did not go to school much, he learned a lot by reading on his own. He also spent some of his childhood in Caracas, Venezuela.
In 1831, he started working with newspapers. He became an apprentice printer in Boston. Later, Curry moved to Missouri. There, he published a newspaper called The Reveille in St. Louis from 1842 to 1845.
Moving to Oregon
In 1846, George Law Curry traveled overland to the Oregon Country. This area was not yet an organized territory. He settled in Oregon City.
Because of his experience, Curry got a job editing the Oregon Spectator. This was an early newspaper owned by George Abernethy. Abernethy believed that politics should not be in the newspaper. Curry disagreed with this idea, seeing it as censorship. After only a year and a half, he left the paper.
In 1848, Curry started his own newspaper, the Oregon Free Press. It was also in Oregon City. This was the same year the Oregon Territory was created. However, the newspaper soon failed. Many people left the territory for the California Gold Rush, which meant fewer readers and advertisers.
Serving the Oregon Territory
Curry became very involved in the government of the Oregon Territory. From 1850 to 1851, he worked as the chief clerk for the House of Representatives. This was the lower part of the Oregon Territorial Legislature.
Then, from 1851 to 1852, he served as a representative himself. He represented Clackamas County in the House. After that, Curry became the Secretary of the Oregon Territory. He held this job from 1853 to 1854. The Secretary was next in line to become Governor.
Becoming Governor
Curry served as Acting Territorial Governor twice. The first time was from May 19, 1853, to December 2, 1853. This happened when Acting Governor Joseph Lane returned to Congress. The second time was for six months in 1854. This was after John W. Davis resigned.
Later, U.S. President Franklin Pierce officially appointed Curry as Governor. He held this important position until Oregon became a state in 1859. People in Oregon liked Governor Curry a lot. He was from the area, unlike many past governors who were seen as outsiders.
During the Yakima War in 1855, Governor Curry took action. He gathered 2,500 volunteers. He led them into battle to help the federal troops.
Oregon Statehood
Under Governor Curry's leadership, Oregon prepared to become a state. In 1857, people approved a state constitution. They also elected John Whiteaker as the first Governor of the State of Oregon.
On February 14, 1859, Congress passed the Oregon Statehood Bill. President James Buchanan signed it. This made Oregon the thirty-third state in the United States. When Oregon became a state, Governor Curry's job as Territorial Governor ended.
Later Life and Legacy
In 1848, George Law Curry married Chloe Donnelly Boone. She was the daughter of Alphonso Boone, who operated Boones Ferry. Alphonso was also the grandson of the famous Daniel Boone. George and Chloe Curry had five children together.
After leaving office, Curry tried to become a U.S. Senator in 1860. He lost by just one vote in the State Legislature.
He continued working in the newspaper business. He was the editor of the Portland Advertiser from 1861 to 1862. Later, in 1876, he edited Portland's Evening Journal. He also went back to making jewelry. He settled in Boone's Landing, which is now Wilsonville.
George Law Curry passed away on July 28, 1878, at age 58. He was buried at Lone Fir Cemetery in Portland. Curry County in Southern Oregon was created in 1855 while he was Governor. It was named in his honor.
