François Xavier Matthieu

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.

Biography

Early life

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 ancestors were early immigrants to Canada, where they established themselves as independent farmers. Velade's school provocatively held class elections every term, with some boys going so far as to display American flags. Matthieu's participation was discovered and the youth was forced to flee Canada for refuge in the United States, He moved to Chicago in 1839 and then to St. Louis.

Matthieu subsequently spent three years in the fur trade on the Platte River and its tributaries. In Oregon he once again returned to practice the carpenter's trade.

On May 2, 1843, a meeting of the settlers in the region was held on French Prairie at Champoeg, and a decision was to be made as to whether the pioneers would form a government to rule over themselves. — a majority of the European population of the Oregon Territory at that time. These were initially evenly divided, 51-51, over the question.

As tension over the standoff mounted, Matthieu was one of two individuals to break ranks with backers of British rule, voting instead for formation of an independent Provisional Government of Oregon. and he would be celebrated in his twilight years as the man "whose vote saved Oregon" for the United States.

Oregon pioneer

Matthieu settled on French Prairie and owned a general merchandising business in Butteville, a small town which he founded located in rural Marion County.

During the California Gold Rush Matthieu attempted to make his fortune transporting provisions and mercantile goods to the mines.

Political career

In 1874, he was elected as a Democrat to the Oregon House of Representatives to represent Marion County. Matthieu returned to the legislature in 1878, again representing Marion County.

Death and legacy

In his later years, Matthieu made his home in Portland in a house located at 351 NE Eugene Street on the city's East side.

Matthieu died on February 4, 1914, at a daughter's home in Butteville. He was the longest-surviving member of the 102 participants at the 1843 Champoeg Meetings.

Footnotes