List of members of the Oregon Territorial Legislature

First Speaker of the House of the Oregon Territorial Legislature Asa Lovejoy (1808-1882)

The Oregon Territorial Legislature was the legislative branch of the government of the Oregon Territory of the United States, from 1849 to 1858. The legislature was a bicameral body, including a larger "House of Representatives," headed by a Speaker of the House, and a 9-member "Council," headed by the President of the Council. With the coming of Oregon statehood in 1859, the Oregon Territorial Legislature was supplanted by a new body, the Oregon Legislative Assembly.

This list includes all members of the Oregon Territorial Legislature, divided first by year of the annual session, secondarily divided alphabetically by legislative body. Political parties are indicated when known (D-Democratic, W-Whig, FS-Free Soil Party, R-Republican).

1849

The 1st Oregon Territorial Legislative Session was held from July 16 to September 29, 1849.[1] Although there were 18 legislative districts for the House, only 17 names appear in archival records of the session, no representative for District 5 being indicated.[2]

1850

The 2nd Oregon Territorial Legislative Session was held from December 2, 1850 to February 8, 1851.[3]

1851

The 3rd Oregon Territorial Legislative Session was held from December 1, 1851 to January 21, 1852.[5] The size of the House of Representatives expanded from its original 18 to 22 members effective with this session.

1852

The 4th Oregon Territorial Legislative Session was held from December 6, 1852 to February 3, 1853.[7] The size of the House of Representatives expanded once again, this time from 22 to 25 members effective with this session.[8]

1853

The 5th Oregon Territorial Legislative Session was held from December 5, 1853 to February 2, 1854.[9] A 26th member was added to the House of Representatives effective with this session.[10]

1854

The 6th Oregon Territorial Legislative Session was held from December 4, 1854 to February 1, 1855.[11]

1855

The 7th Oregon Territorial Legislative Session was held from December 1, 1855 to January 31, 1856.[13]

1856

The 8th Oregon Territorial Legislative Session was held from December 1, 1856 to January 29, 1857.[15]

1857

The 9th Oregon Territorial Legislative Session was held from December 7, 1857 to February 5, 1858.[17] There were also Special Pre-Admission Sessions held from July 5 to 9, 1858 and from September 13 to 14, 1858.[18]

1858

The 10th (and final) Oregon Territorial Legislative Session was held from December 6, 1858 to January 22, 1859.[20] Oregon was admitted to the Union on February 14, 1859, becoming the 33rd American state.

Footnotes

  1. ^ "Territorial Government Legislators and Staff: 1849 Regular Session (1st Territorial): July 16-September 29," Oregon State Archives, office of the Oregon Secretary of State, https://sos.oregon.gov
  2. ^ Oregon Legislative Assembly (1st Territorial) 1849 Regular Session
  3. ^ "Territorial Government Legislators and Staff: 1850 Regular Session (2nd Territorial): December 2, 1850-February 8, 1851," Oregon State Archives, office of the Oregon Secretary of State, https://sos.oregon.gov
  4. ^ Oregon Legislative Assembly (2nd Territorial) 1850 Regular Session
  5. ^ "Territorial Government Legislators and Staff: 1851 Regular Session (3rd Territorial): December 1, 1851-January 21, 1852," Oregon State Archives, office of the Oregon Secretary of State, https://sos.oregon.gov
  6. ^ Oregon Legislative Assembly (3rd Territorial) 1851 Regular Session
  7. ^ "Territorial Government Legislators and Staff: 1852 Regular Session (4th Territorial): December 6, 1852-February 3, 1853," Oregon State Archives, office of the Oregon Secretary of State, https://sos.oregon.gov
  8. ^ a b Oregon Legislative Assembly (4th Territorial) 1852 Regular Session
  9. ^ "Territorial Government Legislators and Staff: 1853 Regular Session (5th Territorial): December 5, 1853-February 2, 1854," Oregon State Archives, office of the Oregon Secretary of State, https://sos.oregon.gov
  10. ^ a b Oregon Legislative Assembly (5th Territorial) 1853 Regular Session
  11. ^ "Territorial Government Legislators and Staff: 1854 Regular Session (6th Territorial): December 4, 1854-February 1, 1855," Oregon State Archives, office of the Oregon Secretary of State, https://sos.oregon.gov
  12. ^ Oregon Legislative Assembly (6th Territorial) 1854 Regular Session
  13. ^ "Territorial Government Legislators and Staff: 1855 Regular Session (7th Territorial): December 1, 1855-January 31, 1856," Oregon State Archives, office of the Oregon Secretary of State, https://sos.oregon.gov
  14. ^ Oregon Legislative Assembly (7th Territorial) 1855 Regular Session
  15. ^ "Territorial Government Legislators and Staff: 1856 Regular Session (8th Territorial): December 1, 1856-January 29, 1857," Oregon State Archives, office of the Oregon Secretary of State, https://sos.oregon.gov
  16. ^ Oregon Legislative Assembly (8th Territorial) 1856 Regular Session
  17. ^ "Territorial Government Legislators and Staff: 1857 Regular Session (9th Territorial): December 7, 1857-February 5, 1858," Oregon State Archives, office of the Oregon Secretary of State, https://sos.oregon.gov
  18. ^ "State Government Legislators and Staff: 1858 Regular Session (1st Pre-Admission): July 5-9, September 13-14," Oregon State Archives, office of the Oregon Secretary of State, https://sos.oregon.gov
  19. ^ Oregon Legislative Assembly (9th Territorial) 1857 Regular Session
  20. ^ "Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide: Territorial Government Legislators and Staff," Oregon State Archives, office of the Oregon Secretary of State, https://sos.oregon.gov
  21. ^ Oregon Legislative Assembly (1st Pre-Admission) 1858 Regular Session