Lucien Heath facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lucien Heath
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| Member of the California State Assembly from the 50th district |
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| In office January 5, 1885 – January 3, 1887 |
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| Preceded by | district created |
| Succeeded by | Jesse Cope |
| Member of the California State Assembly from the Santa Cruz district |
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| In office January 8, 1883 – January 5, 1885 |
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| Mayor of Salem, Oregon | |
| In office 1861 |
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| Preceded by | Wiley Kenyon |
| Succeeded by | E. N. Cooke |
| Secretary of State of Oregon | |
| In office March 3, 1859 – September 8, 1862 |
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| Governor | John Whiteaker |
| Preceded by | Benjamin F. Harding (territorial) |
| Succeeded by | Samuel E. May |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 10, 1819 near Buffalo, New York, U.S. |
| Died | December 19, 1888 (aged 69) |
| Political party | Democratic Republican |
| Spouse | Jane Edwards |
| Occupation | Farmer, merchant |
Lucien Heath (born May 10, 1819 – died December 19, 1888) was an American who worked as a farmer and merchant. He was also an important politician in both Oregon and California. He was born in New York and grew up there and in Michigan. Later, he moved to the Oregon Territory.
Heath was a member of the Democratic Party. He became the very first Oregon Secretary of State after Oregon officially became a state in 1859. He also served as the mayor of Salem. After some time, he moved to Santa Cruz County, California. There, he joined the Republican Party and was elected to the California Assembly for two terms.
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Early Life and Family
Lucien Heath was born on May 10, 1819. His birthplace was near Buffalo, in the state of New York. His father was a merchant.
When Lucien was young, his family moved to Michigan. There, he learned to farm. In 1849, he married Jane Edwards, who was from Ohio. They had two sons and one daughter.
In 1852, Lucien, Jane, and their son Henry moved to the Oregon Territory. Their daughter Lina had sadly passed away earlier. They traveled west on the famous Oregon Trail.
Public Service and Career
The Heath family settled in Polk County, which is in the Willamette Valley. Lucien started a farm there. In 1854, he was chosen to be the clerk for the local court.
He also became a trustee for the La Creole Academy. This school was started in 1856 in Dallas. Later, Heath worked as the clerk for Polk County. After moving to Salem, he became a merchant.
Heath also served as the recording secretary for the State Agricultural Society. This group was in Marion County, where Salem is located. In this role, Heath became the first financial secretary for the Oregon State Fair. The first fair was held in Oregon City.
Becoming Oregon's Secretary of State
In 1858, Lucien Heath was elected as a Democrat. He was chosen to be the Oregon Secretary of State. This was a very important job, as Oregon was about to become a state.
Oregon officially joined the United States on February 14, 1859. News of this big event reached Oregon a few weeks later. Heath took office on March 3, 1859. He replaced Benjamin F. Harding, who was the territorial secretary.
Heath moved to Salem, which is the state capital. He served as Secretary of State until September 8, 1862. During this time, in 1861, he also served as the mayor of Salem. From 1862 to 1864, he worked as the clerk for the Oregon Supreme Court.
Moving to California
In 1866, Heath moved south to Santa Cruz County, California. He continued to farm there. He also owned a hardware store on Pacific Avenue in Santa Cruz. Later, he became the president of the Santa Cruz County Bank. He also worked in the real estate business.
Heath later served as a Republican lawmaker in the California State Assembly. He was elected twice. He won his first election in November 1882. He was re-elected in 1884 to represent District 50.
Later Life
Lucien Heath passed away on December 19, 1888. He was 69 years old. He died while on a trip to the East Coast. He was buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Santa Cruz.
Lucien's brother, Albert, was a captain in the Union Army during the American Civil War. His son, Frank, became a landscape artist. His other son, Henry, followed in his father's footsteps and became a merchant.
