*Dr. John McLoughlin spent the last eleven years of his life at his home in Oregon City. He quietly passed away in 1857 at the age of 73. His elegant home has been moved from it's original location and is now located at, 713 Center Street, where daily tours can be taken throughout the year, with exception to January. For further information regarding the McLoughlin House, please see the links provided following this page.





He stood larger than life itself, 6'4" with a booming voice that could render the dauntless fir to shudder. With piercing gray-blue eyes and a frisky tassle of light sandy hair, Dr. John McLoughlin, by virtue and deed became the Father and Portrait of Oregon.

Of parentage, John was born October 19th, 1784 in Parish La Reviere du Loup, about 120 miles south of Quebec, Canada. Many of his youthful days were spent at his uncles home in Mount Murry. It would be there, that John would first begin to hear the exciting chatter and stories filtering down about the, which had now spread across the Rocky Mountains.

It was in 1798 that John McLoughlin, casting aside his curiosities, made the mature decision to become a medical apprentice. Crossing the Atlantic to Scotland, he entered the University of Edinburgh. In 1803, at the youthful age of 19, John was granted his license to and Upon returning from abroad, instead of seeking opportunity in the capacity of which he had just sacrificed some three years of learning, John took a position in the service of the "Northwest Fur Company of Montreal." In 1821, the merged with the Hudson Bay Company. Thusly, would begin the chain of circumstances which would lead Dr. McLoughlin away from Quebec and to the far off regions of the western world.

Having signed an elaborate contract, promising that for the next five years he would obey the country officers and go where duty called, John McLoughlin was well on his way to carving his niche in history. Traveling by large canoe navigated by voyagers en route to the west, they rode the day after day, week after week, never succumbing to the perils of element or the fallible wit of man. It was not until they had reached the western shore of Lake Superior, that they would once again find pleasure in the solidity of the earth.

In the first few years with the company, Dr. McLoughlin was a physician at Ft. Williams during the summer gatherings of the posts. In the winter months he would take charge of his own smaller post, usually in a nearby wooded area where fur was plentiful. Though he would purchase all types of fur, beaver was always his favorite. It's soft underhairs could be removed and made into the finest felt of the world. were an expensive attire of the times, often handed down from father to son.

Marguerite Mckay, daughter of a Swiss fur trader and a Chippewa squaw, was soon to win the heart and hand of the handsome doctor. Married about 1812, it would later be written by an Oregon pioneer, of the kindness he so graciously bestowed upon his loving wife, Marguerite.

Sent to the Oregon Country as a "Chief Factor" for the Hudson Bay Company -- John, Marguerite, daughter Eloise, and son David, traveled west by ship, horse, and canoe. By the time they had reached the northern area of the Columbia River, John McLoughlin had celebrated his 40th birthday. It took three and a half months to reach located on the wide Columbia River.

Dr. McLoughlin was in charge of Ft. Vancouver and other posts throughout the Oregon Country. This of course, brought him face-to-face in the dealings with the many Indians of the area. It can be found written that John told the Indians, "You must never rage war on the Hudson Bay Company or that of the Americans ever again." It is also written, "they fought no more." In 1829 a ship arrived from Boston, bringing with it a horrible fever which broke out amongst the Indians. Dr. McLoughlin, still in the employment of the Hudson Bay Company, spent much of his own time tending to the ills of the stricken. Within four years over 30,000 Indians had parished, but not for the want of compassion from the dear doctor.

Sent to the falls on the Willamette River to claim the land on behalf of the Hudson Bay Company, John would eventually purchase Oregon City back from the company for the sum of $20,000. He struggled tiredlessly to provide employment and food to the many needy emigrants who began flooding into the new Oregon country. "He is always on the lookout for an opportunity to bestow his charity, and bestows it with no sparing hand." Dr. John McLoughlin was forced to retire his position at Ft. Vancouver after offering aid to the American settlers.

He came to the great Northwest to promote the Hudson Bay Company but he became,
"The Father of Oregon."



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