Willson House Namesake - Chloe Clarke Willson
Chloe Clarke Willson, for whom Willson House is named, was a pioneer woman of strong religious beliefs, who had a lifelong devotion to knowledge and to the education of others. Born in 1818 in Windsor, Connecticut, Chloe had the advantages of social position, a keen mind, and a good education, so it seemed inconceivable to some that she should want to go to the vast wilderness area of the west. But Chloe felt a call to the mission field and in 1839 left New York for Fort Vancouver on board the Lausanne.
The long trip was a time of intense introspection for the 21 year old Chole. Away from family and friends, she spent the long months aboard ship, (in between bouts of seasickness) in prayer, searching her soul for greater dedication to God and His work. At one point near Cape Horn, a huge storm buffeted the ship for nearly a month, and when over, had blown the group of 34 adults and 18 children 300 miles of course. Chloe's diary reports that the group "feared a watery grave."
The missionaries finally arrived at Fort Vancouver on June 1, 1840. There they held a conference and received their new work assignments. Chloe was sent to the Nisqually Mission to develop an educational program among the Indian children. Also sent to Nisqually was a young man who practiced carpentry and medicine, named William Holden Willson. Two months later, he and Chloe were married, sharing the distinction of being the first Americans married on Puget Sound.
Teaching brought much happiness to Chloe, but her days were by no means carefree. In 1841, she gave birth to a premature infant who died three days later. Within a month of their baby's death, Chloe and William were called to Oregon City to the Oregon Mission. This rigorous 10-day trip involved horseback riding, canoeing and the ever present threat of Indian violence. Upon arrival in Oregon City, Chloe again took up teaching Indian children. She believed everyone deserved the chance at an education.
Following the closure of the Oregon Mission, Chloe and William moved to Salem. William became active in the provisional government and was elected its first treasurer during organizational meetings at Champoeg. He was also elected to the Board of Trustees of the Oregon Institute, later to be named Willamette University. Chloe was named the first teacher of Oregon Institute, where she taught until 1847 when her daughter Frances was born. Two more daughters, Kate and Laura Belle followed.
In 1856, Chloe's beloved William died, leaving her at age 38 a widow with three young children under the age of nine. Chloe decided to return east to family and friends and to send her daughters to school. While there she rented rooms in her home to students, one of whom, Mr. Joseph K. Gill, became engaged to her oldest daughter Frances.
Soon Chloe felt homesick for the West and by 1863 she had moved back to Oregon. In 1864, she was asked to serve as Preceptress (Dean of Women) of Willamette University. Chloe continued her association with the university until 1871 when she moved to Portland. During this time she also served as president of the Ladies Centenary Association of the Methodist-Episcopal Church.
Expanding on her interest in education, Chloe co-owned a drug, book and stationary store which she didn't have time to make profitable. She asked Joseph, who had come west and married Frances, to run the store. The following spring, Joseph purchased half of her stock and by 1868 was ready for expansion. It was the beginning of what, in later years, would become the J.K. Gill Book Company. In 1871, Chloe and the Gills moved to Portland where Chloe died in 1874.
Chloe Clarke Willson continues to make her presence felt in Oregon through her legacy of promoting education for all, and through donations of land to Willamette University and the State of Oregon.
We are proud to carry the name and continuing legacy of Chloe Clarke Willson. Like her, we have remained strong through difficult times and we feel a solid commitment to the northwest. As we pioneer a new concept in health care, we keep in mind the spirit and dedication of this one-of-kind individual.
The long trip was a time of intense introspection for the 21 year old Chole. Away from family and friends, she spent the long months aboard ship, (in between bouts of seasickness) in prayer, searching her soul for greater dedication to God and His work. At one point near Cape Horn, a huge storm buffeted the ship for nearly a month, and when over, had blown the group of 34 adults and 18 children 300 miles of course. Chloe's diary reports that the group "feared a watery grave."
The missionaries finally arrived at Fort Vancouver on June 1, 1840. There they held a conference and received their new work assignments. Chloe was sent to the Nisqually Mission to develop an educational program among the Indian children. Also sent to Nisqually was a young man who practiced carpentry and medicine, named William Holden Willson. Two months later, he and Chloe were married, sharing the distinction of being the first Americans married on Puget Sound.
Teaching brought much happiness to Chloe, but her days were by no means carefree. In 1841, she gave birth to a premature infant who died three days later. Within a month of their baby's death, Chloe and William were called to Oregon City to the Oregon Mission. This rigorous 10-day trip involved horseback riding, canoeing and the ever present threat of Indian violence. Upon arrival in Oregon City, Chloe again took up teaching Indian children. She believed everyone deserved the chance at an education.
Following the closure of the Oregon Mission, Chloe and William moved to Salem. William became active in the provisional government and was elected its first treasurer during organizational meetings at Champoeg. He was also elected to the Board of Trustees of the Oregon Institute, later to be named Willamette University. Chloe was named the first teacher of Oregon Institute, where she taught until 1847 when her daughter Frances was born. Two more daughters, Kate and Laura Belle followed.
In 1856, Chloe's beloved William died, leaving her at age 38 a widow with three young children under the age of nine. Chloe decided to return east to family and friends and to send her daughters to school. While there she rented rooms in her home to students, one of whom, Mr. Joseph K. Gill, became engaged to her oldest daughter Frances.
Soon Chloe felt homesick for the West and by 1863 she had moved back to Oregon. In 1864, she was asked to serve as Preceptress (Dean of Women) of Willamette University. Chloe continued her association with the university until 1871 when she moved to Portland. During this time she also served as president of the Ladies Centenary Association of the Methodist-Episcopal Church.
Expanding on her interest in education, Chloe co-owned a drug, book and stationary store which she didn't have time to make profitable. She asked Joseph, who had come west and married Frances, to run the store. The following spring, Joseph purchased half of her stock and by 1868 was ready for expansion. It was the beginning of what, in later years, would become the J.K. Gill Book Company. In 1871, Chloe and the Gills moved to Portland where Chloe died in 1874.
Chloe Clarke Willson continues to make her presence felt in Oregon through her legacy of promoting education for all, and through donations of land to Willamette University and the State of Oregon.
We are proud to carry the name and continuing legacy of Chloe Clarke Willson. Like her, we have remained strong through difficult times and we feel a solid commitment to the northwest. As we pioneer a new concept in health care, we keep in mind the spirit and dedication of this one-of-kind individual.
