Curry, Geo. L. (George Law), 1820-1878

George Law Curry (July 2, 1820 – July 28, 1878)served as a representative to the legislature and as Territorial Secretary before appointment as the last Governor of the Oregon Territory.

A native of Philadelphia, George Law Curry (1820-1878) lived on his parents' farm near Harrisburg, Pa., until the death of his father in 1829. In 1831 he moved to Boston to live with his uncle and later apprenticed as a jeweler. In 1838 he was elected president of the Mechanic Apprentices Library Association. After moving to St. Louis in 1843 he travelled overland to Oregon in 1846, settling in Oregon City and becoming the editor of the Oregon Spectator and founding the weekly Oregon Free Press in 1848. In 1853 he was appointed Secretary of the Oregon Territory, and he became Acting Governor on the resignation of Joseph Lane. After the brief governorship of John W. Davis, Curry was appointed Territorial Governor in 1854, holding the office until statehood in 1859 -- a period of warfare with the Native Americans of the region. After leaving office he lived for a time near Oregon City, then moved to Portland, where he worked in land development. He was appointed State Land Commissioner and member of the State Board of Equalization.