Portland, Oregon: Its History and Builders/Volume 2/Charlotte Moffett Cartwright

2481299Portland, Oregon: Its History and Builders, Volume 2 — Charlotte Moffett CartwrightJoseph Gaston

Ask any of Oregon's pioneers concerning Mrs. Charlotte Moffett Cartwright and they will tell you of one who from the period of Portland's early development has taken an active and helpful part in the promotion of the civilization of the northwest; ask any connected with benevolent work and they will tell you that Mrs. Cartwright has been a leading factor along many lines of charity, yet she modestly disclaims any recognition for what she has done in these directions. Her good deeds have been the outpouring of a generous spirit and the expression of a nature that in its interests reaches out to all humanity.

Mrs. Cartwright was born in Chicago, Illinois, only five years after the city had been incorporated, her natal day being December 21, 1842. Her parents were James and Sophronia (Kurd) Terwilliger, the former a native of Holland and the latter of Scotch descent. They continued their residence in Chicago until May, 1845, when they started with their four children on a long trip across the plains to Oregon, being members of the party that took the Stephen Meeks "Cut-Off," thinking thus to find a shorter and more speedy route through to the northwest. The company became lost in the mountain wilderness, however, and death and destruction threatened them before they found their way again to the beaten path. Like many others, Mrs. Terwilliger was prostrated by the perils and hardships of the westward journey and survived only a few days after they reached The Dalles. The father with his little family continued on his way down the Columbia and up the Willamette until he arrived at the present site of Portland in November, 1845, and erected the first dwelling—a log cabin—on the immediate site of the city, which was founded in 1847.

The name of Charlotte Terwilliger is found on the roll of the first pupils of the first school taught in Portland. Her girlhood was passed amid the wild scenes and environment of pioneer life here in the little city that was built along the river front and was extending, as the population increased, across the lower levels and on to the surrounding hills. The most farsighted would not have dreamed during the period of her girlhood that Portland Heights and other heavily timbered regions would one day become the most beautiful residence district of the little city. Even at the time of her marriage Portland gave little evidence of the growth to which it has since attained.

It was on the 12th of April, 1860, that Charlotte Terwilliger became the wife of Walter Moffett, a young Englishman, who had prepared a home for his bride on Seventh street, where he later erected the house since owned and occupied by his family. The home has ever been open to all who sought its portals, especially to young men and young women, by whom its kind mistress was affectionately called "Mother Moffett." Even children, too, found shelter here and at the same time the most loving care and attention was given to the rearing of her own children—a daughter and five sons—of whom but two are now living, James and William. In 1862 the Moffett family went abroad and traveled for two years in France and the British Isles, spending much of the time, however, at Mr. Moffett's childhood home on the merrie isle, where his mother still lived. Mr. Moffett was a shipmaster and much of his life was passed on the sea. While away from home on a long voyage in 1878, he embarked upon the longer voyage to "that undiscovered country from whose bourne no traveler returns." His remains were brought back to his Portland home for interment and now rest in Lone Fir cemetery beside his three sons and one daughter.
CHARLOTTE MOFFETT CARTWRIGHT
On the 8th of March, 1887, Mrs. Moffet was again happily married, becoming the wife of C. M. Cartwright of eastern Oregon. In his beautiful mountain home a new field opened to her. Her impulses for doing good to others were directed into different channels for out here near her abode lived the many ranch hands and employes of Mr. Cartwright, who assisted him in conducting his extensive stock business. They were largely men without families, knowing little of the pleasures of home life, and to their comfort Mrs. Cartwright ministered. They held her in the highest esteem, fully appreciating her motherly kindness and care. The entire community was to her an object of interest and she had at heart the welfare of all movements which tend to uplift humanity. She was a frequent and encouraging visitor at the schools in the neighborhood but the Sunday school received her most earnest efforts. In connection with this she established at her own expense a circulating library of standard works. These would be carried into homes one hundred miles distant but were always returned and the good reading which she thus provided lightened the labors of many a shepherd who thus found entertainment for his evening hours. It has ever been Mrs. Cartwright's delight to promote the well being and happiness of others and her entire life has been characterized by unselfish kindness and benevolence. Her gifts to charity have been quietly made and ofttimes have been unknown save to the recipient. Her heart responds readily to the call of the needy and the cry of the distressed, and her friends of fifty years ago are still her friends. She has labored earnestly and effectively in connection with various organizations which are factors in the world's progress and upbuilding. Living in Oregon from the period of its early development, she is now serving as chairman of the woman's auxiliary of the State Pioneers Association, acceptably serving in that office for many years and, moreover, she is the first vice president of the State Equal Suffrage Association, of the Forestry Club and of the Sacajawea Statue Association. She is a charter member of the Portland Woman's Club and is chairman of the Oregon history department in the club. Her work as president of the ladies auxiliary of the Pioneer Society is notable. In this connection she has instituted and promoted arrangements for holding an annual banquet which is one of the most attractive features of the annual Pioneers meeting. On these occasions the great hall of the Armory is set with long tables beautifully decorated with flowers and in gala array. Entertainment is furnished to a thousand or more guests. Mrs. Cartwright is a lady of excellent executive ability as well as social charm, and her innate culture and refinement make her most tactful, placing all who appear in her presence at ease. Her sterling characteristics as outlined in this review have, all unconscious to her, given her a hold upon the affections not only of the people of Portland but of Oregon as well that naught can sever.