education in Oregon. He had acquainted himself with the newest ideas in education, and brought with him many of the most advanced text-books then in use. He was a friend of education in every form, and his influence was not greater in the development of religious schools than in furthering the introduction of the public school system when this was accomplished in Portland a few years later.
Mr. Atkinson was a man of great activity and at once set out to accomplish his purposes. He first established a school for girls at Oregon City, and then learning of the start already made on the Tualatin Plain, went there by horseback, determined to utilize everything that had already been done. From papers left by Mr. Atkinson we learn that in July of 1848 a conference was held at the log cabin of Mr. Clark, at which the following were present: Rev. George H. Atkinson, Rev. Harvey Clark, Rev. Lewis Thompson, Rev. H. H. Spalding, and Rev. Elkanah Walker. Various subjects of mutual interest were discussed, and it was resolved to establish an association of the ministers and churches of the Congregational and Presbyterian denominations, and also to "found an Academy which should grow into a College." In September of the same year the first meeting of the association thus formed met at Oregon City, and among other items of business was the resolution passed expressing the belief "that it is expedient to found an Academy under our patronage." At the same meeting a board of trustees was selected, consisting of the following ministers and laymen: Rev. Harvey Clark, Rev. George H. Atkinson, Rev. Lewis Thompson, Hiram Clark, Peter Hatch, William H. Gray, Alvin T. Smith, James Moore, and 0. Russell. Mr. Clark was chosen president of the board, and Rev. George H. Atkinson secretary. The members of this original board were all prominent settlers at Oregon City, Clatsop Plain, and Tualatin Plain.
