Medorem Crawford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Medorem Crawford
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| Member of the Provisional Legislature of Oregon | |
| In office 1847–1849 |
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| Succeeded by | position dissolved |
| Constituency | Clackamas District |
| Member of the Oregon House of Representatives | |
| In office 1860–1862 |
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| Constituency | Yamhill County |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 24, 1819 Orange County, New York, US |
| Died | December 26, 1891 (aged 72) Dayton, Oregon, US |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouses | Adalene Brown (1843–1879) Eunice Burrows (1880–1893) |
Medorem Crawford (born June 24, 1819 – died December 26, 1891) was an important American pioneer and leader. He was born in New York and moved to the Oregon Country in 1842. This area later became the state of Oregon.
Medorem Crawford helped create the first government in Oregon. He was a lawmaker and later served in the state's government. During the American Civil War, he even helped protect people traveling on the famous Oregon Trail.
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Early Life and Journey West
Medorem Crawford was born in Orange County, New York, on June 24, 1819. When he was 13, he started working on a farm. He stayed there until he was 16 years old.
In 1842, at age 22, Medorem began a big adventure. He started his journey to the Oregon Country. He traveled through many cities like Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and St. Louis. His long trip ended at Independence, Missouri, which was the starting point of the Oregon Trail.
Life in Oregon
Medorem Crawford traveled across the Great Plains with a group of wagons. He arrived in the Willamette Valley of Oregon in late 1842. He first settled in Salem. There, he taught at a school for nine months.
In 1843, he married Adalene Brown, whom he had met on the journey to Oregon. They had five children together. Their son, Medorem Jr., was the first white American boy born on the west side of the Willamette River.
Settling Down in Oregon
Also in 1843, Medorem Crawford bought land near Wheatland. His family lived on this farm for about a year. In 1845, he moved to Oregon City. For seven years, he worked moving goods around the Willamette Falls.
In 1852, he moved to a farm near the Yamhill River. He officially claimed this land under a law called the Donation Land Claim Act. Medorem Crawford kept his farm near Dayton in Yamhill County until he passed away.
Protecting Travelers on the Oregon Trail
In 1861, Medorem Crawford visited his father in New York. On his way back to Oregon, the United States Army asked for his help. He was asked to assist in escorting people traveling to Oregon on the Oregon Trail.
In 1862, President Abraham Lincoln made him a captain in the Army. He led a group of 100 men. Their job was to protect settlers crossing the Great Plains. After completing this important task, his unit disbanded in October. He did this one more time in 1863.
Working for the Government
After his last escort duty, Crawford left the Army. President Lincoln then appointed him as a tax collector for Oregon. He held this job from 1864 to 1869.
Later, President Ulysses S. Grant appointed him to another role. In 1871, he became an appraiser of merchandise in Portland. He worked in this position until 1876.
Political Career
In early 1843, Medorem Crawford attended the Champoeg Meetings. These meetings were held to decide if settlers in Oregon should form their own government. On May 2, 1843, a vote was taken. Medorem Crawford voted to create the Provisional Government of Oregon.
In 1847, he was chosen to be a member of the Provisional Legislature of Oregon. He represented the Clackamas District. He served again in the next session, from 1848 to 1849. This was the final session of the Provisional Government.
In 1848, the United States created the Oregon Territory. This meant the Provisional Government was no longer needed. In 1859, Oregon officially became the 33rd state in the United States.
In 1860, Medorem Crawford was elected to the Oregon House of Representatives. He represented Yamhill County as a Republican. This was his last elected position. While in the legislature, he helped elect Edward Dickinson Baker to the United States Senate.
Later Years and Family
Medorem Crawford retired to his farm near Dayton in 1876. His first wife, Adalene, passed away in 1879. The next year, he married Mrs. Eunice Burrows.
His son, Medorem Jr., also had an impressive career. He graduated from West Point in 1867. He became a brigadier general in the Army. Medorem Jr. is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. His son, Lawrence Carter Crawford, an Army Colonel, is also buried there.
Medorem Crawford was involved with the Oregon Pioneer Association in his retirement. He served as the organization's president from 1878 to 1881. Medorem Crawford passed away at his home near Dayton on December 26, 1891, at 72 years old.
