Jesse Applegate facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jesse Applegate
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| Member of the Provisional Legislature of Oregon | |
| In office 1845–1845 |
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| Preceded by | none |
| Constituency | Yamhill District |
| Member of the Provisional Legislature of Oregon | |
| In office 1848–1849 |
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| Succeeded by | position dissolved |
| Constituency | Polk District |
| Member of the Oregon Constitutional Convention | |
| In office 1857 |
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| Constituency | Umpqua County |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 5, 1811 Henry County, Kentucky |
| Died | April 22, 1888 (aged 76) Yoncalla, Oregon |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Cynthia Ann Parker |
| Relations | Lindsay Applegate (brother) Oliver Cromwell Applegate (nephew) |
| Occupation | farmer |
Jesse Applegate (born July 5, 1811 – died April 22, 1888) was an American pioneer. He helped many people travel west on the Oregon Trail. Jesse was also important in the early government of Oregon. He even helped create a new path called the Applegate Trail. This trail offered a safer way for settlers to reach Oregon.
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Jesse Applegate's Early Life
Jesse Applegate was born in Henry County, Kentucky, on July 5, 1811. In 1821, he moved with his family to Missouri. There, he worked in a law office. He also went to a special school in Illinois.
Jesse worked as a schoolteacher and a clerk. He also helped survey land. During this time, he met famous explorers. These men helped create the Oregon Trail. Jesse married Cynthia Ann Parker in 1831. They settled near Osceola, Missouri, the next year.
The Big Journey West: The Great Migration
In 1843, Jesse and his brothers, Charles and Lindsay, joined a huge journey. This journey was called the "Great Migration of 1843". They traveled along the Oregon Trail.
Jesse became a leader of the group. The group split into two parties. One party had many farm animals, like cows. Jesse's group was called the "cow column." The other group was called the "light column." Jesse wrote an essay about this trip. It was called "A Day with the Cow Column in 1843." This essay became very famous.
After their guide, Marcus Whitman, left them, the Applegate brothers built boats. They traveled down the Columbia River. Near The Dalles, a boat tipped over. Jesse and Lindsay each lost a son in the river. Lindsay later wrote that they wanted to find a better way for people to travel.
Settling Down and Getting Involved in Government
In 1844, Jesse Applegate started a farm in what is now Polk County. He also built a mill. He worked as a surveyor, mapping out places like Oregon City.
In 1845, Jesse was chosen to represent Yamhill County. This was for the Provisional Government of Oregon. He helped write new laws for the area. These laws were then approved by the settlers.
The Provisional Government had some problems with the Hudson's Bay Company. This company was based across the Columbia River. Jesse helped solve these problems. He created a new promise for government members. This promise included both British and American people.
Jesse met with leaders from the Hudson's Bay Company. He convinced them to join the Provisional Government. This helped bring peace between the groups. The government agreed to only tax the company on certain deals. Jesse also helped ban dueling, which was fighting between two people.
Jesse was also involved in the Cayuse War. After a sad event called the Whitman massacre, Jesse asked for help. He tried to get money from the Hudson's Bay Company. This money would help fund a military group. The company couldn't give a loan. But they did send someone to help make peace.
Jesse, along with others, raised money. They collected almost $1,000 to help. Jesse and Joseph Meek were asked to get help from other parts of the United States. Joseph Meek went to Washington, D.C.. He asked for military support. Jesse tried to go to California, but the mountains were too hard to cross in winter.
The Applegate Trail: A Safer Path West
People still needed a safer way to reach the Willamette Valley. Traveling by boat on the Columbia River was dangerous. The Barlow Road was an option, but it was very difficult. Another path, the Meek Cutoff, caused many deaths.
Jesse Applegate wrote a law to find a new southern route. This route would avoid the Columbia River. Daniel Waldo, who traveled with Jesse in 1843, helped prepare for the trip.
This new path was called the Applegate Trail, or the South Road. It started at Fort Hall in Idaho. It followed the Humboldt River and crossed the Klamath Basin. In 1846, Jesse Thornton traveled this trail. He later accused Applegate of not providing enough food. However, others who surveyed the road defended Jesse.
Later Years and Important Ideas
In 1849, Jesse Applegate settled on a piece of land in the Umpqua Valley. He named his home Yoncalla. This name came from a local Native American tribe.
In 1857, he represented Umpqua County. This was at the Oregon Constitutional Convention. He left before the meeting was finished.
In 1865, Jesse gave a speech. He said that everyone should have the right to vote. This included people of all genders and colors. He believed they should vote if they were smart and good enough. Jesse Applegate died on April 22, 1888. He is buried near Yoncalla, Oregon, with his wife.
