François X. Matthieu

François Xavier Matthieu
F.X. Matthieu, circa 1900
Member of the Oregon House of Representatives
In office 1874–1875
Constituency	Marion County
Member of the Oregon House of Representatives
In office 1878–1879
Constituency	Marion County
Personal details
Born	April 2, 1818 Terrebonne, Quebec, British Empire
Died	February 4, 1914(1914-02-04) (aged 95) Butteville, Oregon, United States of America
Political party	Democrat
Spouse(s)	Rosalie Aussant
Occupation	merchant, politician

François "Francis" Xavier Matthieu (April 2, 1818 – February 4, 1914) was a French Canadian pioneer settler of the Oregon Country. He was educated in American values by a radical schoolteacher. Matthieu became involved in the 1837-1838 armed rebellion against British rule in Canada, for which he was forced to flee his native Quebec for safety in the United States, where he worked as a carpenter and a fur trader.

Matthieu was among those who attended the Champoeg Meetings of May 1843, which voted to establish a Provisional Government of Oregon with a view to eventually joining the United States. He gained lasting fame for being one of two individuals who broke a 51-51 tie, tipping the result in favor of the United States against British rule.

Matthieu was the founder of the small community of Butteville, Oregon, formed the first Masonic lodge in Oregon in 1855, and was elected the first President of the reorganized Oregon Pioneer Association in 1873. He additionally twice served in the Oregon legislature, gaining election for two-year terms in November 1874 and 1878.

In his 90s, Matthieu returned to the public eye as an icon of Oregon's pioneer history, not only for his pivotal vote in 1843 but as the last surviving participant of the 102 men who attended the 1843 Champoeg Meetings.

François Xavier Matthieu was born on April 2, 1818 in Terrebonne, Quebec, Canada, to François and Louise Matthieu (née Daufin). Both of his parents were French, with his mother's family originating in Brittany and his father's in Normandy. Both parents were early immigrants to Canada, where they established themselves as independent farmers.

Matthieu was educated by a schoolmaster named Velade, who was a great admirer of the American Revolution, instilling in Matthieu and his other pupils an appreciation for the values of this popular revolt against monarchy. Velade's school provocatively held class elections every term, with some boys going so far as to display American flags.