ABRAHAM LINCOLN’S FRIENDS IN OREGON
DAVID LOGAN (1824-1874). Logan was the son of Lincoln’s second law partner. Moving from Illinois to Oregon in 1849, he quickly became active in Whig and Republican politics. He lost two closely contested elections to the U. S. Congress in Oregon. A brilliant man and an excellent lawyer, he also gained a reputation as erratic person. He served as mayor of Portland in the 1860s.
David Logan photo, Oregon Historical Society, OrHi#86816
Dr. ANSON G. HENRY (1804-1865). A medical doctor, Henry helped Lincoln with his depression and courting difficulties in Illinois. He came to Lafayette, Oregon, in 1852. He immediately became active in Oregon politics as a Whig and Republican. Lincoln later named him surveyor-general of Washington Territory. One scholar calls Henry “Lincoln’s Junkyard Dog,” barking and snarling at the president’s opponents.
SIMEON FRANCIS (1796-1872). Francis was a leading Whig journalist in Illinois. Lincoln sometimes contributed to his newspaper. Francis moved to Oregon in 1859 and quickly wrote about Lincoln’s strengths as a presidential candidate. He served as an editor of the Portland Daily Oregonian and the Oregon Farmer. Lincoln appointed him paymaster at Ft. Vancouver.
EDWARD D. BAKER (1811-1861). Baker was the best-known and most important of Lincoln’s friends in Oregon. Elected to Congress from Illinois, Baker then moved to California and on to Oregon in 1859-60. In 1860 he was elected to the U.S. Senate from Oregon. He was the first Republican in Congress from the West Coast. He introduced Lincoln at his first inauguration in March 1861.
