Crawford, Medorem, 1819-1891

Oregon legislator (1847-1849; 1860); federal collector of internal revenue (1864-1869) and appraiser of customs (1871-1875). Settled early in Oregon (1842) and operated one of first mercantile stores there. His eldest son, also named Medorem, was first white child born west of Willamette River.

From the description of Account book of Medorem Crawford, 1845 [microform]. [1953] (University of Oregon Libraries). WorldCat record id: 41638656

From the description of Medorem Crawford business ledgers, 1843-1846; 1864-1865. (University of the Pacific). WorldCat record id: 34919032

Medorem Crawford came to Oregon in 1842 from Havana, New York. He was a provisional government legislator, 1847-1849, a state legislator, 1860, and farmed near Dayton. In 1861, 1862, and 1863 he was in command of emigrant trains overland to the Pacific Northwest, the last two years as an Army captain. From 1864 to 1869 he was Oregon collector of internal revenue, and from 1871 to 1875 he served as appraiser of customs.

From the guide to the Medorem Crawford papers, 1842-1891, (Special Collections and University Archives, University of Oregon Libraries)

Crawford was born 1819 in Orange County, New York. He traveled to Oregon with Elijah White in 1845. He farmed in Yamhill County and was a member of the Oregon provisional legislature 1847-1849. Crawford was elected to the Oregon House of Representatives in 1860. In 1861, 1862, and 1863 he was in command of an escort that provided protection to wagon trains that traveled overland to the Pacific Northwest, the last two years as an Army captain. Thereafter he was a collector of internal revenue and appraiser of customs in Portland. He died in 1891.

From the description of Medorem Crawford papers, 1842-1891. (University of Oregon Libraries). WorldCat record id: 49408227

Captain Medorem Crawford commanded the emigrant escort to Oregon and Washington Territory in 1862-1864; also served as Assistant Quartermaster in the United States Army.

From the description of Medorem Crawford papers [manuscripts], 1861-1862. (Oregon Historical Society Research Library). WorldCat record id: 31326261

United States Emigrant Escort Service was a government service to accompany emigrants to Oregon during the summers 1861-1864. Capt. Maynadier commanded the unit in 1861, with Capt. Crawford second in command. Crawford commanded the unit from 1862-1864.

From the description of Journals of the United States Emigrant Escort Service, 1861-1864. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 702125759