David Leslie (Oregon politician)

Born in New Hampshire in the town of Washington, Leslie lost his parents while he was young. Born in 1797, Leslie was the son of a minister (George Leslie) and received an education first in Salem, Massachusetts, and later at the Wilbraham Academy where fellow missionary Jason Lee would later attend. There David Leslie studied languages, especially French. He then received a license to preach at the age of 23 in 1820. ==Oregon==

While still in New England, Leslie began work with the Methodist Episcopal Church. After Lee returned Leslie helped to start a branch mission with William H. Willson at Nisqually on the Puget Sound in modern Washington state. Then in 1840 from August through September David Leslie was in charge of a small group that explored further north, nearly reaching Russian-America to look for other locations for future branches of the mission. At this time the Methodist Mission began moving from Mission Bottom to Mission Mill due to flooding at the former. Here Leslie helped construct the new sawmill and dam. He also helped organize the Methodist Episcopal Church of Salem, and then serving as its first pastor in 1841. Also in 1841 the Leslie home burned with all their possessions. ==Politics==

On February 18, 1841, a meeting was held to discuss the idea of creating a government in Oregon Country. This meeting was held at Leslie’s home, and was in part a response to the death of pioneer Ewing Young. Not only did David Leslie host this meeting, but he also participated in the discussions about forming a government. Although only a few decisions were ultimately made (election of Dr. Ira L. Babcock as a supreme judge to deal with the Young estate), this was the first of the Champoeg Meetings that two years later would lead to the creation of the Provisional Government of Oregon. Then on May 2, 1843, a vote was held and the settlers voted in favor of creating a government in the region by a vote of 52 to 50. ==Family==

During this time in Oregon, Leslie and his wife had two more daughters, but Mary died in February 1842. Leslie accepted the marriage and then left two other daughters, Helen and Aurelia, in the new couples’ care. of the region. The missionary board had sent the Reverend George Gary from New York to reorganize the mission. He was housed in Leslie’s home. Still Leslie remained and married Adelia Judson Olley on January 7, 1844. Adelia brought two-year-old Robert Thomas to the marriage from her prior marriage to the deceased James Olley. She was the sister of Reverend Lewis H. Judson. The new couple had two children, Emma and Sarah, both of whom died before the age of seven. The only child to outlive Leslie was Helen. ==Later life==

After the closing of the Methodist Mission in Salem, David Leslie received the land in what is now between Bush's Pasture Park and the Willamette River, and McGilchrist and Mission streets in Salem. ==Legacy==

Leslie Middle School in Salem, Oregon is named in his honor. ==References==