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
Born1810
DiedAugust 24, 1853(1853-08-24) (aged 42–43)
Occupation(s)ship builder, soldier
Known forEarly Oregon Trail Pioneer; Voted for the Oregon Provisional Government at Champoeg
SpouseJane 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

  1. Corning, Howard M. Dictionary of Oregon History. Binfords & Mort Publishing, 1956.
  2. Collins, Dean (1943). Stars of Oregon. Binford & Mort.
  3. "Jackson County Place Names Database". Jackson County Genealogy Library. Archived from the original on 4 October 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
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