Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-07-23
POrtland's Founder.


the eighth annual reunion Of the
Pioneer Association, were several
whose prominence in the affairs Of
provincial and territorial days rem
der them specially objects of respect
and gratitude. Prominent among
these early leaders was Frank w.
Pettygrove, the founder Of Portland.
1t was his sagacity which saw at this
site opportunities for future COM
mercial greatness.
Mr.. Pettygrove is a spare, erect
man of medium height, 68 years Of
age-betraysd by his silver-white
hair and beard-but has the activity
of middle life. His address and ap-
pearance indicate the prosperous
man Of business.
His recitals Of the story Of Port
lands settlement, derive a peculiar
interest from his animated and al
most declamatory style. 81 am
proud" he said, "it fills my heart
with joy to see great city, where I
once saw dense woods"
While Mr.. Pettygrove and Gen A.
L. Lovejow were engaged in "mer-
chandizing" at Oregon City in 1843,
they received an offer from John p.
Overton, to sell his claim of GAO
acres, "twelve miles down the
river" Overton's title in the prem
ISIS consisted simply in his having
!" stahed off" the claim, and his
slender righ. he offered to sell for
$50, TO be :" traded out" The mer-
chants held Overton's offer in refusal
for q few days until they could learn
whether or not his claim could be
reached by ships, all of which then
discharged their cargoes at Van
couver. Overton's proposition came
at the time this matter was under
discussion by them, and the location
of the land in question Twelve
miles down the river" suggested it
as site for a city. Pettygrove en-
barked at Oregon Oity in q canoe
manned by Ind ms, and proceeded
to the mouth If tho Willamette,
carefully sounded its channel up to
a point opposite Overton's claim,
which he found to be eligible in
every way. 1t was demonstrated by
soundings that ships of the class
used in the Oregon trade could cas-
lily ascend, and further examination
of the character of the bars con-
vinced Pettygrove that they could
easily be dredged or removed when
the era of deep ships should come.
And so Overton's offer was accepted,
and for fifty dollars in store plum.
der, the ground where Portland
stands, or that part of it extending
one mile above Stark street, and
one mile back from the river, was
sold to Pettygrove and Lovejey.
A point adjacent to the William
cite valley where goods could be
landed from ocean vessels had
been obtained, and the next consid-
Grafton, q necessity to the new en-
terprise, was to make road connect
ing that point with the Tualitan
plains, then the most populous Sec
ton in the valley and state. Thom-
as Brown, q surveyor just arrived
was engaged by Pettygrove to ex-
anime the route between the objec-
tive points, and after several weeks
reported that road could be built
to Walkers prairie for $4,000. Un-
daunted by this estimate, Petty
grove engaged Brown to prosecute
the work which was completed in
October. It's cost was 81 800 and
Pettygrove paid for it.
He then established store near
where the Esmond hotel now stands,
and the following year unloaded
three ships from the Sandwich
Islands. The settlers on Tualatin
plains and the country beyond,
found it to their advantage to trans
fer their patronage from The Falls to
the new town. 1t became village,
then a goodly town and then a great
commercial city, the pride of the
northwest.
As native of Maine, he naturally
thought of complimenting the me-
tropolis of that state by giving it
namesake. The man who founded
Portland understood that he was
establishing a city for the future.
His careful inquiries as to the situa-
ton illustrates the penetration of the
man. In opening road to Walk ,r's
prairie, he showed his enterprising
spirit and excellent judgment.
Many incidents in the early history
of the city are related by Mr.. Petty
grove, who lived here about twelve
years after his first settlement.
The declining health Of his family
finally caused his removal to Wash.
ington Territory, where he founded
the city of Port Townsend. His
hope now is to see these cities con-
nec:ed by railroad. He says:
" Mark o,d Franks words: you'll
see it in five years"