From Cincinnati by boat to St. Joseph, where I met Joseph C. Geer, for whom I had agreed to drive an ox-team across the plains that summer. On May 7, 1847, we crossed the Missouri River and then made up our emigrant train, Gen. Joel Palmer being chosen captain. On November 7, 1847, I arrived in Oregon City, being just six months in making the trip. I immediately opened a tailor shop in Oregon City, and in the mean time, with two others, Albion Post and Heman Geer, late of Cove, Oregon, and father of T. T. Geer, built a shop, Post being a harnessmaker and Geer a shoemaker.
On the 19th day of February, 1848, I married Mary Geer, a sister of Heman Geer. On March 2, 1849, I started for the California gold mines, meeting Joseph Lane, appointed governor for Oregon Territory, with others in a chinook canoe on Clackamas rapids. Went on board a sailing vessel in the mouth of the Willamette River, and landed in San Francisco March 14. Thence by rowboat to Sacramento City which had then but one wooden building in it. On March 29, 1849, paid $200 for an Indian pony and started for the gold fields. Reached Spanish Bar April 4 and mined there until the 8th of July, at which time I left for home. Arrived at San Francisco July 13, remaining there eight days. Helped to organize the first vigilance committee on the Pacific Coast, electing old Mr. Priest captain.
Returned to Oregon, arriving at Astoria August 7 on the brig Mary Ellen, being out fifteen days. In July, 1850, I surveyed the town of Portland and made the first plat of the same that was put on record, and from which two copies were made by Brady of San Francisco, known as the Brady maps. Bought a lot 50 x 100 on the southwest corner of Third and Washington streets, where the Dekum building now stands, and built a one-story frame house with brick chimney, and moved down from Oregon
