Felix Hathaway

Felix Hathaway (1798 – March 6, 1856) was an American carpenter and pioneer in what became the state of Oregon. A native of New England, he settled in the Oregon Country where he helped construct the first American-built ship in what became the state of Oregon. His home was used for the first meeting of the Provisional Legislature of Oregon in 1844.

Early life Felix Hathaway was born in 1798 in Massachusetts. This fur-trading vessel arrived at the mouth of the Columbia River in March 1829, at the same time as the William and Ann, which sunk after running aground. The plan was to build a schooner to be used for a venture to buy cattle in California and then to drive the cattle back overland after selling the ship. Joseph Gale and Kilbourne successfully finished the vessel and completed the cattle-buying enterprise. He soon had to stop due to a dispute between the mission and John McLoughlin of the Hudson's Bay Company.

Later life In 1845, Hathaway petitioned the Provisional Government of Oregon for divorce from his wife, which was granted. She had apparently often run away from Hathaway, and had only given consent to the marriage under duress from those whom controlled her at the time of the marriage. He died on March 6, 1856, in Vancouver, California, at the age of 58. During World War II a Liberty Ship built by the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation was named in his honor.