The Conser Story
A Brief Family History
The Conser's Great-great-great Grandfather, Jacob Conser, was an
Oregon Pioneer. Jacob, with his wife Nancy and two children
(Manuel and Phoebe), arrived in Oregon via the Oregon Trail, in
1847.
Jacob was quite industrious. (As a child, he had been sold as
an indentured servant where he learned the carpentry trade.)
After the family arrived in Oregon, he started a ferry across the
Santiam River. Jacob helped to start three towns in Oregon.
Syracuse and Santiam City were located along the banks of the
Santiam River. Both towns were washed away in a flood; the
only thing left today is a small cemetery located along the bank of
the river. Jacob was the Post Master of one of the towns.
Jacob also founded the town of Jefferson, Oregon. Originally
known as "Conser's Ferry", the town's name was changed to Jefferson
in honor of the third President.
In addition to his ferry, Jacob owned a hotel, a grist (flour) mill,
a lumber mill, and a couple of general stores. Jacob was a
member of the Territorial Legislature and was quite politically
active. His home is now the Jefferson City Hall and Library.
Conser Trivia #1:
The Conser's have been in the Willamette
Valley so long that they have a type of soil
named in their honor. Ironically, it is a wetlands soil that
cannot be built upon!
Conser Trivia #2:
It is rumored that at one time, Jacob
Conser owned ALL of the brick buildings in
Eugene, Oregon! (Unfortunately, at that time, there was only one!)
Conser Trivia #3:
A Monster was sighted
at Conser Lake in Millersburg in August of 1960. Some
people thought it was an alien, others thought it was Bigfoot. (We
think someone
was making moonshine out there and didn't want anyone around!)
Conser Trivia #3:
Jacob Conser was said to have won the
first bid from the newly formed Linn County
to construct a bridge over the Calapooia River.
Conser Trivia #4:
Jacob Conser's Plat for the City of
Jefferson was for lots that were 55' wide and 150'
deep. Not much different than Cole's Crossing!
Left: Jacob Conser
Right: Jacob & Nancy Conser
The Jacob Conser Bridge
in Jefferson,
Oregon
The Jacob Conser House in Jefferson, Oregon.
Currently used
as the City Hall and Library
Main Street
in the City
of Jefferson
Jacob Conser's Grist (Flour) Mill
(Bldg. in distance)
