Morton M. McCarver facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Morton Matthew McCarver
Speaker of the Provisional Legislature of Oregon
In office June 18, 1844 – August 20, 1845
Preceded by	Position created
Succeeded by	Robert Newell
Constituency	Tuality District
Personal details
Born	January 14, 1807 Lexington, Kentucky
Died	April 17, 1875(1875-04-17) (aged 68) Tacoma, Washington
Resting place	Tacoma Cemetery
Political party	Democrat
Spouses	Mary Ann Jennings Julia Backalow

Morton Matthew McCarver (born January 14, 1807 – died April 17, 1875) was an important American pioneer and politician. He was known as "General" McCarver. He helped start several cities in the western United States. These cities include places in Iowa, Oregon, and Washington. He also played a role in the early government of California.

Early Life and Adventures

Morton Matthew McCarver was born in Lexington, Kentucky, on January 14, 1807. His parents were Joseph and Betsy McCarver. When Morton was young, his father passed away. At just 14 years old, Morton left home to explore.

He spent a few years in Texas and Louisiana. Later, he returned to Kentucky. In 1829, he moved to Illinois. There, he married Mary Ann Jennings on May 6, 1830. They had two children together. Sadly, Mary Ann died in 1846. In 1832, McCarver fought in the Black Hawk War with the Illinois militia.

Starting Cities in Iowa

After Illinois, McCarver moved to what is now Iowa. He helped found the city of Burlington, Iowa, in 1833 and 1834. In 1833, he started a ferry service across the Mississippi River. However, his settlement was burned down twice. This happened because he was building on land that belonged to Native Americans.

Once the land was officially purchased in June 1833, he rebuilt his cabin. This area was then called the Iowa Territory. While in Iowa, he served as a "commissary general." This job meant he was in charge of supplies. This role earned him the nickname "General."

Journey to Oregon

In 1843, McCarver joined the Great Migration. This was a large movement of people heading west. He traveled along the Oregon Trail to the Oregon Country. He arrived in the Willamette Valley in November of that year.

Life in the West

Once in Oregon, McCarver settled near the Columbia River. This area is now part of Portland, Oregon. He claimed land and founded a settlement called Linnton in 1843. Linnton is now part of Portland.

Political Role in Oregon

McCarver quickly became involved in Oregon's early government. On June 18, 1844, he was chosen as the speaker of the Legislative Committee. This group was the first version of the Oregon House of Representatives. In 1845, he was elected again to the Provisional Legislature of Oregon. He represented the Tuality District. He was then chosen as the first speaker of the newly named House of Representatives.

The next year, he started an orchard near Oregon City. He bought land next to the city for his farm. In 1848, he married Julia Backalow. They had five children: Thomas J., Jennie, Mary A., Naomi, Julia, Elizabeth, and Dollie.

California Gold Rush and Return

In August 1848, McCarver left Oregon for the California Gold Rush. He left his family in Oregon City to keep their land. In 1849, he claimed to have helped found Sacramento. There, he built houses to rent out. He was elected to a group that governed Sacramento on April 30, 1849. He was also chosen to be part of the Constitutional Convention of 1849. This meeting was held in Monterey. He was one of eight people representing the Sacramento area.

Also in 1849, McCarver and others bought three passenger ships. One of these ships was called the Ocean Bird. This ship traveled between San Francisco Bay and Milwaukie, Oregon. Due to floods and fires, McCarver decided to return to Oregon. He sailed back on the Ocean Bird. He even brought a house with him that had been cut in Boston.

This special house, known as the Aladdin House, was built in 1849. It was put up on his farm near Oregon City. His farm became known as the Locust Farm. During the Rogue River Wars from 1855 to 1856, McCarver served as a commissary general. He set up his base in Roseburg in Southern Oregon. In 1862, McCarver also took part in a gold rush in Idaho. He started a company in what became Idaho City.

Founding Tacoma, Washington

In March 1868, McCarver moved north. He played a key role in founding Tacoma, Washington. First, he went to Olympia, the capital of the Washington Territory. He got a map to study the area. He wanted to find the best spot for the planned transcontinental railroad to end.

On April 1, 1868, McCarver arrived at Commencement Bay. This bay on Puget Sound seemed like a good place for the railroad. It was close to Snoqualmie Pass. He then bought land from Job Carr. He kept buying more land around Commencement Bay. He believed the railroad would come there. McCarver also convinced a company to build a sawmill in the area. He also planned out a town site and sold land lots.

McCarver wanted to call the city Commencement City. But a man from the Northern Pacific Railroad suggested a different name. McCarver changed his mind. Job Carr's son, Anthony Carr, had already named his nearby land "Tacoma." So, McCarver decided to call his own planned area "Tacoma City." He officially filed his map on December 3, 1869. The name "Tacoma" might be a Native American name for nearby Mount Rainier. Or, it might have been used by Native Americans to describe all snow-topped mountains in the region.

Tacoma City was officially recognized by Pierce County on May 21, 1874. It became an official city by the territorial government on November 12, 1875.

Death and Legacy

Morton Matthew McCarver passed away on April 17, 1875. He was 68 years old. He was buried at Tacoma Cemetery. He was the first adult to be buried there. McCarver himself had chosen that spot for a cemetery not long before he died.

In November 1926, a school in Tacoma was named in his honor. His old home in Oregon City was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. A Liberty Ship, built during World War II, was also named after him.

In 1877, McCarver's daughter Virginia married a newspaper owner and historian named Thomas W. Prosch [Wikidata]. He later wrote a book about McCarver called McCarver and Tacoma (1906).