Philip Foster
| Philip Foster | |
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| Treasurer for the Provisional Government of Oregon | |
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In office 1844–1845 |
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| Preceded by | William H. Willson |
| Succeeded by | Francis Ermatinger |
| Constituency | Oregon Country |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 29, 1805 Argyle, Maine, U.S. |
| Died | March 17, 1884 (aged 79) Eagle Creek, Oregon, U.S. |
| Spouse(s) | Mary Charlotte |
| Relations | Francis Pettygrove |
Philip Foster (January 29, 1805 – March 17, 1884) was one of the first settlers in modern Oregon, United States. The farmstead he established in Eagle Creek in 1847 became a stopping post for pioneers heading west along the Oregon Trail. Approximately 10,000 emigrants are believed to have passed through. The farm was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
Foster was a successful businessman from Argyle, Maine. In the early 19th century he, like many others, headed west, recognizing the prospects of business in the Oregon Country. In 1842, the Fosters and Francis William Pettygrove's family (Foster's wife, Mary Charlotte, was Pettygrove's sister) sailed from New York for Oregon on the ship Victoria, an A.G. & A.W. Benson vessel via the Sandwich Islands (Hawaii). They were delayed on the Sandwich Islands for six months before heading on to the Willamette Valley, arriving in Oregon City in 1843.
In Oregon City on the Willamette River Pettygrove and Philip Foster established a general store. The two-story building served both as a store and a home for the Foster family. Foster subsequently formed many partnerships, including establishing a flour mill with Dr. John McLoughlin. In 1844, Foster became the second Treasurer of the provisional government in the Oregon Country.
In 1845, Sam Barlow was unwilling to pay the Hudson's Bay Company bateaux to float down the dangerous Columbia River, so he, his family, and the rest of their wagon train searched for another route around Mount Hood. Joined by subsequent wagon trains, Barlow, Joel Palmer and emigrant Lock scouted for routes around the mountain. Palmer spotted possible passage from the heights of Mount Hood. Barlow with fellow traveler William H. Rector set out to blaze a trail, but they became lost on the mountain. After being rescued by local Indians and cattle drovers, Barlow met Foster at his Oregon City store where Barlow bought provisions and hired oxen to rescue his snowbound party.
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Wikipedia