François X. Matthieu
American politician
Died when: 95 years 308 days (1150 months)Star Sign: Aries
François "Francis" Xavier Matthieu (April 2, 1818 – February 4, 1914) was a French Canadian pioneer settler of the Oregon Country. He was educated in American values by a radical schoolteacher.
Matthieu became involved in the 1837–1838 armed rebellion against British rule in Canada, for which he was forced to flee his native Quebec for safety in the United States, where he worked as a carpenter and a fur trader.
Matthieu was among those who attended the Champoeg Meetings of May 1843, which voted to establish a Provisional Government of Oregon with a view to eventually joining the United States.
He gained lasting fame for being one of two individuals who broke a 51–51 tie, tipping the result in favor of the United States against British rule.
Matthieu was the founder of the small community of Butteville, Oregon, formed the first Masonic lodge in Oregon in 1855, and was elected the first President of the reorganized Oregon Pioneer Association in 1873.
He additionally twice served in the Oregon legislature, gaining election for two-year terms in November 1874 and 1878. In his 90s, Matthieu returned to the public eye as an icon of Oregon's pioneer history, not only for his pivotal vote in 1843 but as the last surviving participant of the 102 men who attended the 1843 Champoeg Meetings.
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