Jesse Edwards (businessman)


Jesse Edwards ) was an American businessman. He is referred to as "the founder of Newberg, Oregon".
Edwards arrived to the area to be later known as Newberg in 1881, and purchased a farm on the Rogers Donation Land Claim, on which he would plat the city of Newberg.
He also founded the First U.S. National Bank of Newberg, Newberg's first university-preparatory school, was one of the founders of George Fox University, acted as the first mayor of Newberg, and was a member of the local school board. He also owned a brick-making company, a sawmill, a drain-tile factory, a mercantile store, and a warehouse for handling wheat.
Newberg was incorporated in 1889. The same year, Edwards built a house for his family. Today it is the second-oldest residence still standing in the city. Later, he was a founder of Friends Pacific Academy. He died in 1924. In 1998, his family gave his house to George Fox University.
Edwards and his wife Mary had three sons: Oren, Walter and Clarence. Clarence went into the brick-making business with Jesse and later established the first electric company in the area. Clarence would become the city major on several occasions in the 1900s.