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.21 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.
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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