Jesse Edwards (businessman)
Jesse Edwards (February 18, 1849 – December 16, 1924)[1]) was an American businessman. He is referred to as "the founder of Newberg, Oregon".
Jesse Edwards | |
---|---|
Born | February 18, 1849 |
Died | December 16, 1924 75) | (aged
Known for | Founding Newberg, Oregon |
Spouse | Mary Edwards |
Edwards arrived to the area to be later known as Newberg in 1881, and purchased a farm on the Rogers Donation Land Claim, on which he would plat the city of Newberg.[2]
He also founded the First U.S. National Bank of Newberg, Newberg's first university-preparatory school, was one of the founders of George Fox University, acted as the first mayor of Newberg, and was a member of the local school board. He also owned a brick-making company, a sawmill, a drain-tile factory, a mercantile store, and a warehouse for handling wheat.[3][4]
Newberg was incorporated in 1889.[5] The same year, Edwards built a house for his family. Today it is the second-oldest residence still standing in the city. Later, he was a founder of Friends Pacific Academy (now George Fox University). He died in 1924. In 1998, his family gave his house to George Fox University.[6]
Edwards and his wife Mary had three sons: Oren, Walter and Clarence.[2] Clarence went into the brick-making business with Jesse and later established the first electric company in the area.[4][2] Clarence would become the city major on several occasions in the 1900s.[7]
References
- "Jessie Edwards (1849-1924)". Find A Grave. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
- Tom Fuller; Christy Van Heukelem (2010). Newberg. Arcadia Publishing. pp. 114–. ISBN 978-0-7385-8139-2.
- "Ghost Level- Data - "The Tinkerer"". osughost.imodules.com. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
- "History of Downtown Newberg". Newberg Downtown. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
- "Newberg History | Newberg Oregon". www.newbergoregon.gov. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
- "Historical Buildings". George Fox University. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
- "Newsberg's Past Mayors" (PDF). NewbergOregon.gov.