Lang, H. O., ed.  "The History of the Willamette Valley, Being A Description 
of the Valley and its Resources, with an account of its Discovery and 
Settlement by White Men, and its Subsequent History; Together with Personal 
Reminiscences of its Early Pioneers."  Portland, OR, Geo. H. Himes, Book and 
Job Printer, 1885.  p. 642.

JOEL PALMER

     Born in Canada, in 1810, of parents who were residents of New York; moved
in early life to Indiana, and resided there for many years, becoming in 1844 a
member of the State Legislature.  In the spring of 1845 he set out for Oregon,
arriving in the fall of the year.  His errand was to view the country; and so
well was he pleased, that in the following year he returned home, proposing to
bring out his family.  In 1847 the Palmer emigration took place accordingly,
which derives its name from his leadership, which he attained from his knowledge
of the way.  A large number of people constituted the party, among whom were
Messrs. Greer and Grim, of Marion County, the Grahams and Collards, and
Christopher Taylor, of Yamhill, and others.  Arriving again in Oregon, General
Palmer took up a donation claim upon the Yamhill River, and laid out the town of
Dayton.  When the Whitman massacre occurred he joined the volunteer forces and
was chosen quartermaster and commissary general, and served throughout the
Cayuse war, thus earning the title of general.  Subsequently he held the
position of superintendent of Indian Affairs.  For several terms he was a member
of the Legislature, and in 1870 was Republican candidate for Governor of Oregon,
but was defeated.  He was twice married, and his second wife and seven of their
children survived him.  Gen. Palmer died June 9, 1881.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in June 2005 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.