Samuel Brown

Samuel Brown (1821–1886) was an American pioneer and politician. He was a member of the Oregon State Senate from 1866 to 1872.

Early life He was born in Pennsylvania and moved to Indiana and then Missouri, where he was married. He worked as a carpenter and cabinet maker.

Migration to Oregon In 1846, he and his family went by wagon train to the American West Coast. They accompanied Jesse Applegate on what became known as the Applegate Trail.

He built a mill on the Feather River in California, and made $20,000 prospecting for gold.

The family then moved to Oregon, and had the Sam Brown House built near present-day Gervais in 1857; the house is thought to be the first architect-designed house built in the state.

Brown's son, Sam H. Brown, also served in the Oregon Senate, and ran for governor of Oregon in 1934 and 1938.