14 Facts About Hugh O'Bryant

Hugh Donaldson O'Bryant was an American politician who served as the first mayor of Portland, Oregon, from 1851 to 1852.

Hugh O'Bryant later served as the President of the Oregon Territory Council, and as a member of the Washington Territorial Legislature.

Hugh O'Bryant was born on December 5,1813 in Franklin County, Georgia, to Duncan O'Bryant and Martha Whitehead.

Hugh O'Bryant's father was a Methodist missionary, and O'Bryant was raised among the Cherokee Indians due to his father's missionary work to them beginning in 1821.

In early 1843, Hugh O'Bryant set out for the Oregon Country, arriving in Oregon City in October 1843.

In Portland, Hugh O'Bryant used his own money to fund the city's first library, located in one room of a business block.

Hugh O'Bryant paid for the rent and donated his own materials.

Hugh O'Bryant solicited interested citizens to help donate materials as well.

Funds for the fire engine were authorized by citywide vote on May 26,1851, but it was only a week before his term ended, the following March, that Hugh O'Bryant notified the council that the bills authorizing this purchase were sitting on his desk, unsigned.

In 1852, Hugh O'Bryant moved to Salem, and then to Roseburg.

In 1855, Hugh O'Bryant began serving in the Oregon Territorial Council, the upper house of the legislature, as a Democrat.

Hugh O'Bryant represented district 8, which covered Umpqua, Douglas, and Coos Counties.

Hugh O'Bryant served until Oregon's statehood in 1859, serving as president of the council after 1857.

In 1860, Hugh O'Bryant moved to Walla Walla, Washington Territory, where he served in the territorial legislature representing Walla Walla County.