Chambreau, Edward, 1821-1902.

Eduoard Chambreau was born in 1821 in Froeshville, France, and emigrated to Canada at age 4. He attended the Sisters School in Montreal, was a member of the Society of Patriots for which he was arrested and briefly imprisoned in 1837. Apprenticed to a tailor, he left Montreal to join the circus, traveling for several years. In 1843 he enlisted in the United States Army and fought in the Mexican American War in 1846 and had duty in California. He lived for a time in Oregon City, worked briefly at Fort Vancouver, moved back to California, returned to Oregon where he ran a saloon and married Barbara Ann McBee in 1852. He fought in the early Indian wars of the Pacific Northwest prior to 1859 and was then General O.O. Howard's scout from 1876 to 1880. He settled in Portland and ran various establishments until his death in 1902.

From the description of Edward Chambreau papers, 1845-1902. 1845-1902. (CORVALLIS BENTON COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY). WorldCat record id: 55142847

Edward Chambreau was born in France on January 12, 1821 and migrated to Canada with his family in 1825. In 1837 he took part in the French-Canadian Fils de la libertés rebellion. He left home in 1838 and in 1846 enlisted with the U.S. Army in St. Louis. During the Mexican-American War, he crossed the continent to California with General Kearney's Army of the West. In 1847 he moved to Oregon City, Oregon and joined the Hudson's Bay Company. He left for California when the Gold Rush began in 1849 and remained there until 1852, mining and gambling in Sacramento. Chambreau returned to Oregon in 1852 and met and married Barbara Ann McBee. From 1853 through 1875 Chambreau moved between Portland, Tygh Valley, and Vancouver, running saloons, gambling parlors, general stores, and a restaurant. He worked for the U.S. Army for three months in 1853 and briefly joined Captain Kelly's Ranger Company in 1856. In 1875 Chambreau converted to Christianity, sold his saloon, and gave up gambling. He opened a grocery store in 1875 and became a U.S. Government scout in 1877. In 1880 he surveyed the conditions of nine Northwest Indian nations. Chambreau died in Portland on February 20, 1902.

From the description of Edward Chambreau collection, 1847-1880. (University of Oregon Libraries). WorldCat record id: 52061140

Edward Chambreau was born in France on January 12, 1821, and migrated to Canada with his family in 1825, where he attended school in Montreal until he was sixteen. In 1837 he took part in the French-Canadian Fils de la Libertes rebellion. He left home in 1838, and in 1846 enlisted with the U.S. Army at St. Louis. During the Mexican-American War, he crossed the continent to California with General Kearney’s Army of the West. In 1847 he moved north to Oregon City, Oregon and joined the Hudson’s Bay Company. When the Gold Rush began in 1849 Chambreau left for California and stayed until 1852, mining and gambling in Sacramento. Chambreau returned to Oregon in 1852 and took a job as a ticket seller and bouncer for the state’s first circus. That year he met and married Barbara Ann McBee.

From 1853 through 1875 Chambreau moved between Portland, Tygh Valley and Vancouver, running saloons, gambling parlors, general stores and a restaurant . He worked for the US Army for three months under the indirect command of Captain Ulysses S. Grant in 1853, and joined Captain Kelly’s ranger company in 1856 for another brief stint. In 1873 Chambreau toured the major cities of the US by train on his way to visit his ninety-three year old father in Montreal. Chambreau’s saloon burned in the great Portland fire of August 2, 1873; losses were heavy. Another fire in 1874 burned down his liquor store.

In 1875 Chambreau became an ardent convert to Christianity, sold his saloon to his partner and gave up gambling. His life, however, did not become any less adventurous. He opened a grocery store in 1875, and became a scout for the US government and traveled between Oregon, Washington and Idaho in 1877. In 1880, just before retiring from government work permanently, he surveyed the conditions of nine Northwest Indian nations. Edward Chambreau died in Portland on February 20, 1902.

From the guide to the Edward Chambreau collection, 1847-1880, (Special Collections and University Archives, University of Oregon Libraries)