Renfrew, Alexander

From Lane Co Oregon

Dr. Alexander Renfrew was born in Ohio in 1816 and came to Oregon in 1852. He and his wife Catherine established a Donation Land Claim #3627 near Brownsville, then abandoned their claim in 1855 and moved to Eugene where they constructed the St. Charles Hotel on the corner of Broadway and Willamette. In 1871, he and others formed the McKenzie Salt Springs and Des Chutes Wagon Road Company, which helped lead to development of a toll road across McKenzie Pass. Renfrew was committed to the East Portland Asylum in 1872 and later released. He died while prospecting for gold and was buried on Gold Hill on August 5, 1876. A stone marker at the site says: 'August 5, 1876, Pased 60.'

There are no records of his ever practicing medicine.

Grave site is located at North 44:12.415 West 122:21.636 at 4466 feet elevation.

See article by John H. McClung