John Minto (Oregon pioneer)
| John Minto | |
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| Member of the Oregon House of Representatives | |
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In office 1862, 1868, 1880, and 1890 |
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| Constituency | Marion County |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 10, 1822 Wylam, England |
| Died | February 25, 1915 (aged 92) Salem, Oregon, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Martha Ann Morrison |
| Occupation | sheep rancher |
John Minto IV (October 10, 1822 – February 25, 1915) was an American pioneer born in Wylam, England. He was a prominent sheep farmer in the U.S. state of Oregon and a four-time Republican representative in the state legislature. Minto also volunteered for the militia during the Cayuse War and years later helped locate Minto and Santiam passes through the Cascade Mountains east of Salem, Oregon.
His father, John Minto III, was a coal miner and a gunsmith in England, with family roots tracing back to Scotland. His siblings were Margaret, Mary, William, Jane, Annie, Robert, Isabell, and Sarah. The Minto family immigrated to the United States in 1840, sailing on the ship Rocious which arrived in New York City on June 26, 1840. In 1848 part of the family immigrated to Iowa, including the father. The father died in 1855 on a ship while traveling to Oregon to meet his son.
The younger Minto began working at age eight and until 22 worked in the coal mines. In 1844 Minto left Pittsburgh and moved to Oregon, crossing the plains with the Gilliam company. This was after deciding not to go to Iowa when he reached St. Louis. Instead he went to Saint Joseph, Missouri to head for Oregon Country. On this journey he would meet his future wife, and traveled with future Oregon politician Nathaniel Ford and later general during the Cayuse Wars Cornelius Gilliam in the same party.
Minto arrived in Oregon City on October 18, 1844. In early 1845 went to The Dalles to drive the cattle of Captain R.W. Morrison to the Willamette Valley, Morrison being part of the group that Minto had emigrated with. Prior to this journey, Minto had traveled to Fort Vancouver to get assistance from Doctor John McLoughlin of the Hudson's Bay Company. However, the doctor was out and they first dealt with James Douglas, McLoughlin’s later replacement as Chief Factor. Douglas put Minto and company up for the night, and the next day McLoughlin gave Minto some provisions for the journey to The Dalles and a boat to use. Once in The Dalles, Minto assisted the other travelers in his party who had been stranded there due to winter, and drove the cattle to the Willamette Valley.
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