William H. Willson
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William Holden Willson (April 14, 1805 - April 17, 1856) was a pioneer of the U.S. state of Oregon and the founder of its capital city, Salem.
Born in New Hampshire,[1] Willson traveled to Oregon in 1837 on the ship Diana, having had a background as a ship's carpenter and whaler.[2] While on his trip west, he gained an informal medical education from Dr. Elijah White.[1] He worked as a Methodist lay worker for the Willamette Mission and was also sent with David Leslie to establish a new mission outpost in the Nisqually area of Puget Sound.[2][1] He returned to the Willamette Valley in 1839 and claimed land at the site of present-day Salem.[2] During the May 2, 1843 Champoeg Meeting, Willson served as secretary, and was elected treasurer of the Provisional Government of Oregon.[2] He platted and named Salem in 1846, choosing the name because it means "City of Peace".[2] He ran for territorial delegate to Congress in 1851, but lost to Joseph Lane.[2]
He died in Salem in 1856 and was interred in Salem Pioneer Cemetery.[3]
Willson Park next to the Oregon State Capitol is named for him.
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Salem Online History: William H. Willson
- ^ a b c d e f Cogswell, Philip Jr (1977). Capitol Names: Individuals Woven Into Oregon's History. Portland, Oregon: Oregon Historical Society, 41.
- ^ Salem Pioneer Cemetery: William Holden Willson
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