James A. O'Neil facts for kids

James A. O’Neil (born January 26, 1800 – died September 1, 1874) was an important American businessman and politician. He lived in the Oregon Country, which later became the Oregon Territory.

Born in New York, he helped create the first government in Oregon. This was called the Provisional Government of Oregon. Before that, he was part of the Willamette Cattle Company. He also served as a judge in the new government.

Early Life and Adventures

James O’Neil was born in New York in the year 1800. He studied law there for some time.

In 1834, James joined a fur trading company. This company was led by Nathaniel Jarvis Wyeth. It was called the Columbia River Fishing and Trading Company. Its goal was to trade furs along the west coast of North America.

Life in Oregon

Wyeth’s group arrived in 1834. They came to where the Columbia River and Willamette River meet. This spot is now Portland, Oregon. O’Neil helped build Fort William for Wyeth. This fort was on what is now Sauvie Island.

The fur trading business did not do well. So, O’Neil moved up the Willamette Valley. In 1835, he claimed land near what is now Wheatland, Oregon.

The Willamette Cattle Company

In 1837, settlers in the area formed the Willamette Cattle Company. It was led by Ewing Young. O’Neil joined this company. He sailed to California on a ship called the Loriot. From California, he helped drive cattle all the way back to Oregon.

Helping Form a Government

In 1838, James O’Neil signed a special letter. This letter was sent to the United States Congress. It asked the U.S. to take control of the Oregon Country. The U.S. did not do this until 1848. That's when the Oregon Territory was created. This happened after the U.S. settled a border disagreement with Great Britain.

In 1841, a settler named Ewing Young died. He had no family to inherit his property. This led to a series of important meetings. These were called the Champoeg Meetings. They took place at Champoeg, Oregon.

At a meeting in 1843, settlers voted on forming a government. The vote was very close: 52 to 50. They decided to create the Provisional Government of Oregon. James O’Neil voted for forming the government.

After this vote, O’Neil helped set up the new government. He was on the first legislative committee. This committee wrote the Organic laws of Oregon, which were like the first laws for Oregon. He was also chosen as a justice of the peace for the Yamhill District. He even sold some of his law books to the committee to help them write the laws. In 1845, he became a judge for the district. That same year, O’Neil built a grist mill. This was the first one in what became Polk County.

Later Years

Later, O’Neil moved to Benton County. He lived in a place called Tampico and ran a store there.

In 1853, he joined a group planning a railroad. This railroad would connect Oregon to California. He worked on this project until 1854. The next year, he married Tabitha C. Bowman.

James A. O’Neil passed away in September 1874. He died at his farm in Polk County. This farm was near the community of Lewisville. He was first buried there. Later, his remains were moved to the Hart Cemetery.