Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 6.djvu/117

Rh dians and of mixed blood, of whom there were coming to be many on account of the policy of intermarriage with the natives, encouraged during the period of the fur trade. Admission to this school was free, and it seems to have been notable on that account. In 1845 Mr. Clark removed to the present site of Forest Grove, where he had received a call to become pastor of the Congregational Church, 1 one of the earliest churches in Oregon and on the Pacific Coast. A log church was erected and he secured a tract of land on which a log cabin was built for his residence, which 'was standing until about ten years ago. The sites of this church and of his residence are correctly identified, and are historic spots to be cherished by those interested in Oregon history. Here he engaged in the occupations of farming, preaching, and teaching as in his previous home. He seems from an early date to have entertained a purpose of founding a school and was continually, on the watch for a favorable opportunity. Mr. Clark was one of those men who belong to pioneer life. He had come to set in motion forces and build institutions where there had been none before. The idea of a school was incarnated in him and came into being from his very presence.

The second personality that should be mentioned in connection with the establishment of a school on the Tualatin Plain was Mrs. Tabitha M. Brown, who first came to Oregon in 1846. Mrs. Brown was of New England descent, the daughter of Doctor Moffett, a physician of Brimfield, Massachusetts. Her husband, Rev. Clark Brown, had died early in life, leaving to her care three sons. For some years she taught school in Maryland and Virginia to earn a livelihood and then removed to Missouri, where she believed the opportunities were better. Here she engaged in teaching the children of the settlers, although no school was the outcome of her work so far as known. Her thoughts were turned to Oregon in 1846 and in company with a son who