He was long engaged in the mercantile business in Oregon City. His biography appears in OPA Transactions for 1886. See also Scott's History of the Oregon Country. George Abernethy once owned the island in the Willamette River at the edge of Willamette Falls at Oregon City. It was formerly known as Governors Island but is now known as Abernethy Island. In 1924 Professor Edwin T. Hodge of the University of Oregon applied the name Abernethy Island to a geographic feature in the lava fields near McKenzie Pass. This was also in commemoration of Governor Abernethy. The Southern Pacific Company has selected the name Abernethy for a station in Lane County on the Cascade line in honor of Governor George Abernethy.
Abert Rim, Lake County. Abert Rim is one of the impressive fault scarps of Oregon, and is said to have a height of 2000 feet above Lake Abert. The upper 600 feet is practically vertical cliff. This rim is named for Lake Abert, which lies at its western foot. For the origin of the name Lake Abert, see under that heading. Captain John C. Fremont visited the lake and rim on December 20, 1843, and wrote quite accurately of this rim, as well as of others in south central Oregon. Abert Rim and surrounding country are well described in USGS WSP 220. The highest part of the rim is just east of the south end of Lake Abert.
Abiqua Creek, Marion County. Abiqua Creek rises in the west slope of the Cascade Range, and joins Pudding River about three miles northwest of Silverton. It was on the Abiqua Creek that a skirmish or battle was fought in March, 1848, and several Indians were killed. For a discussion of this battle by John Minto, see the Oregonian, March 12, 1877; by James W. Nesmith, ibid, March 15, 1877; by John Minto, March 20, 1877; by A. F. Johnson, March 22, 1877. The most extensive research on the subject is contained in Down's A History of the Silverton Country, page 47. The compiler of these notes has been unable to learn the meaning of the Indian name Abiqua. It may have referred to a small tribe or to a camping place along the stream. The USBGN has decided on the spelling of Abiqua. The accent is on the first syllable.
Acton, Morrow County. Acton was a post office on Butter Creek in the east part of the county and about 16 miles north-northeast of Heppner. This post office was established July 11, 1879, with John Barker first postmaster. With one exception it remained in service until June 19, 1888. It was not far from the place called Pine City and was probably in the east or northeast part of township 1 north, range 27 east. It may have been named for a family but the compiler has not been able to get further information about it. However, it should be noted that there are a good many places elsewhere named Acton and the locality in Morrow County may have received its name by transfer.
Ada, Lane County. The post office of Ada was named for Miss Ada Wilkes, a daughter of an old-time resident. Ada Wilkes was subsequently Mrs. Ada Cleveland. Ada post office was established in 1892 on the Douglas County list.
Adair Village, Benton County. The post office at Adair Village owes its name to Camp Adair. At the conclusion of World War II the status of Camp Adair changed and the name was no longer suited for a post office. Adair Village post office was established September 1, 1947.
Adams, Umatilla County. This town is about 13 miles northeast of Pendleton on Wildhorse Creek. It was named for John F. Adams, part
