Pleasant M. Armstrong
Pleasant M. Armstrong (1810-August 24, 1853) was an American pioneer in Oregon Country in an area that would become the state of Oregon, United States. He helped build a ship that was sailed to California to exchange for cattle, and voted at the May 2, 1843, Champoeg Meeting.
Pleasant M. Armstrong | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1810 |
| Died | August 24, 1853 (aged 42–43) |
| Occupation(s) | ship builder, soldier |
| Known for | Early Oregon Trail Pioneer; Voted for the Oregon Provisional Government at Champoeg |
| Spouse | Jane Smith |
Oregon Country
Armstrong immigrated to the Oregon Country in 1840.[1] In 1842, he settled a farm in the Yamhill Valley, in what is now Yamhill County, Oregon.[1] During this time he helped build the Star of Oregon along with Felix Hathaway, John Canan, Ralph Kilbourne, Henry Woods, George Davis, Jacob Green, and later Joseph Gale.[2] The ship was then sailed to California where it was sold in a three-way deal where the Oregon pioneers received cattle.[2] Armstrong and the others then drove 1,250 head of cattle, 600 horses and mules, and 3,000 sheep overland back to Oregon, arriving in early 1843.[2]
On May 2, 1843, Pleasant Armstrong attended the meetings held at Champoeg, Oregon, where the pioneer settlers voted on whether to form a government.[1] Armstrong voted for the creation of a government, and that faction won with a vote of 52-50, creating the Provisional Government of Oregon.[1] Then in 1845 he married fellow Champoeg participant Alvin T. Smith’s daughter, Jane Smith.[1]
When troubles in Southern Oregon led to the Rogue River Wars, Armstrong volunteered.[1] On August 24, 1853, he was killed in action at Pleasant Creek in Jackson County, which now is named in his memory.[3] His body was never recovered.[1]
References
- Corning, Howard M. Dictionary of Oregon History. Binfords & Mort Publishing, 1956.
- Collins, Dean (1943). Stars of Oregon. Binford & Mort.
- "Jackson County Place Names Database". Jackson County Genealogy Library. Archived from the original on 4 October 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
