Eugene Skinner

Eugene Franklin Skinner (September 13, 1809 – December 15, 1864) was an early American settler in Oregon and the founder of Eugene, Oregon, which is named for him.

Skinner was born in Essex, New York. His father was Major John Joseph Skinner. His mother died while Skinner was young. At age 14, Skinner moved with his family to Green County, Wisconsin. As an adult, Skinner lived in Plattsburg, New York briefly before settling in Hennepin, Illinois as county sheriff. He married Mary Cook in November 1839.

In May 1845, he and his wife travelled overland to California, wintering at Sutter's Fort. In 1846, the Skinners headed north to the Oregon Country, joining the party of Elijah Bristow in exploring the Willamette Valley south of present-day Polk County, Oregon. Skinner took a claim downriver of Bristow's claim, but was advised by the local Kalapuyas to build high up due to floods. Following this advice he built his first hut on the hill known as Skinner Butte.

The Skinners raised a family at the homestead, farmed, and operated a ferry service. In 1852, they laid out the then Eugene City, with the help of Judge D.M. Risdon. Skinner donated a portion of his property for county buildings, and took up practicing law, serving as the county clerk and postmaster for Eugene.

Skinner took ill after trying to save his cattle during a flood in 1861, and suffered ill health for the last few years of his life before dying in Eugene on December 15 1864. He is buried in the Masonic Cemetery in Eugene.

References