| The official records of the U.S. Postal Service
don't recognize the facts, but Salem at one time had a female
postmaster, Helen Dearborn. She was the widow of Richard H.
Dearborn, who had been appointed by President Grover Cleveland
just four days before Benjamin Harrison, a Republican, became
president. Dearborn was a Democrat.
Dearborn died at age 57, on August 29, 1889 after a long
affliction of "dropsical nature". The widow and
mother of five was appointed postmaster by seven "bondsmen"
who happened to be Republicans. Richard Dearborn had come
to Oregon from Indiana in 1853 and married Helen A. Funt in
1859 in Roseburg. he moved to Salem and became involved in
many community and state activities. It was not until December
20, 1889, that President Harrison appointed Andrew Gilbert
as Salem's postmaster. That meant Helen A. Dearborn held the
position for 113 days.
Written by Al Jones
Bibliography:
Marion County History, Salem's First Postmistress, Volume
XV, page 60.
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