Does any of our Oregon Surveyors, history buffs, or anyone else for that matter; have any information on John B. Preston?
I'm putting together a report on early surveying in Pierce County and felt it would be important to involve the inception of the Willamette Meridian and Baseline.
All I've been able to find, so far, is that Preston was appointed Surveyor General, by Millard Fillmore in 1851, and "lost" that position in 1853; then drifted into obscurity......
Does this mean you will be driven crazy, if you survey in the Pacific Northwest?
:excruciating:
Further reading finds that his surveyors continued untill 1855. I'm curious as to what happened in the time between 1853 and 1855.
Anyway, I'm sure there are losts of Beerleggers, with lots of inciteful information on Mr. Preston and his "Obscurity"
TIA for all of your help.
Have a GREAT Day; I know I will.
Dugger
Have you seen Chaining Oregon, by Kay Atwood? Came out from a small publisher in Blacksburg, VA in 2008.
It seems that Preston was "purged," but not in the first round, by Franklin Pierce and those he installed as governor etc. He seems to have gone into private business--a canal investment and a mercantile outfit in Oregon City. Eventually he returned to Illinois.
Shall I scan some pages and e-mail them to you?
Cheers,
Henry
> Shall I scan some pages and e-mail them to you?
>
> Cheers,
> Henry
Thank you Henry; that would be awesome!
Others I've talked to, mention that book. Thanks for the offer.
Doug