Thomas R. Cornelius facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas R. Cornelius
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| Member of the Oregon Territory Council | |
| In office 1856–1858 |
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| Preceded by | A. P. Dennison |
| Succeeded by | position dissolved |
| Constituency | Washington, Multnomah, & Columbia counties |
| Member of the Oregon State Senate | |
| In office 1859 – 1876 (except 1862) |
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| Preceded by | position created |
| Succeeded by | A. B. Wait |
| Constituency | Washington, Clatsop, Columbia, Tillamook |
| President of the Oregon State Senate | |
| In office 1866–1867 |
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| Preceded by | John H. Mitchell |
| Succeeded by | Benjamin Franklin Burch |
| Constituency | Oregon |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 16, 1827 Missouri |
| Died | June 24, 1899 (aged 71) Oregon |
| Political party | Whig, Republican |
| Spouses | Florentine Wilkes (m. 1849) Missouri Smith (m. 1866) |
Thomas Ramsey Cornelius (November 16, 1827 – June 24, 1899) was an important American politician and soldier. He played a big role in the early history of Oregon. Born in Missouri, he moved to the Oregon Country with his family when he was young. There, he fought in the Cayuse War and Yakima Indian War against Native Americans. He settled in Washington County. A town called Cornelius was later named in his honor.
Thomas Cornelius was a member of the Whig party and later the Republican party. He served in the Oregon Territorial Legislature. After Oregon became a state, he served in the Oregon State Senate. He even became the president of the Senate for one term. He also helped build the Cornelius Pass Road, which is still named after him today. His son, Benjamin P. Cornelius, also became a well-known politician in Oregon.
Early Life and Military Service
Thomas Cornelius was born in Missouri on November 16, 1827. His parents were Elizabeth and Benjamin Cornelius. In 1845, Thomas and his family traveled west on the famous Oregon Trail. They settled on a farm in the Tualatin Plains, north of where the town of Cornelius is now.
After an event called the Whitman Massacre in 1847, Thomas joined the militia. This was a group of citizens who acted as soldiers. The militia fought in the Cayuse War. Their goal was to find those responsible for the killings at the Whitman Mission.
After gold was found in California, Cornelius went there for a short time. He returned to the Oregon Territory in 1849. The next year, he married Florentine Wilkes. They had six children together, including their son Benjamin. Florentine passed away in 1864. The family lived on a large farm near what became Cornelius.
In 1855, another conflict began against Native Americans east of the Cascade Mountains. This was the Yakima War. Cornelius volunteered for the militia again. He led a company as a captain for three months. Then, he was chosen to be a colonel. He continued as a colonel until the war ended in 1856.
Political Career in Oregon
In 1856, Cornelius was elected to the Council. This was the upper part of the Oregon Territorial Legislature. He was a Whig and represented Washington, Columbia, and Multnomah counties. He was re-elected to the Council in 1857 and again in 1858. This was the last session before Oregon became a state.
In 1859, Oregon officially joined the United States. Thomas Cornelius continued his public service in the new Oregon State Senate. He was a Republican and represented Washington County and other areas until 1874. His time in the Senate was paused during the American Civil War. In 1862, President Abraham Lincoln asked him to form a group of cavalry soldiers. Cornelius became the colonel of these troops. They went to a military post in Walla Walla, Washington. He resigned later in 1862 and returned home.
During the 1866 legislative session, Cornelius was chosen for an important role. He became the President of the Oregon Senate. In 1886, he was nominated by the Republican party to run for Governor of Oregon. However, he lost that election to Sylvester Pennoyer.
Later Life and Family
After his first wife died in 1864, Thomas Cornelius married Missouri A. Smith in 1866. In 1872, he moved to the town of Cornelius. The town was later renamed in his honor. There, he opened a store.
Besides his store, Cornelius owned a lot of land. He had three farms, a warehouse, and a sawmill. He also built the Cornelius Pass Road. This road connected the Tualatin Valley to the Columbia River. Thomas Cornelius passed away on June 24, 1899, at 71 years old. He was buried at the Cornelius Methodist Church Cemetery.
