"The town was named Oregon by Pierre M. Irving, a nephew of Washington Irving, author of the popular book Astoria. This book attracted considerable interest in John Jacob Astor's trading lands which were located in what is now the state of Oregon. The story, however, is an account of Astor's fur trading in the territory of Oregon; but since the nephew was representing Astor's interest in fur trading east of the Maumee River, he succeeded in having the town named Oregon. In 1838, Mr. Irving, accompanied by his wife, went to New York expecting to remain there for the summer; but for some reason he never returned." Quoted in the History of Oregon and Jerusalem book, authored by Josephine Fassett.
"THE town waS namEd OreGoN By pierrE m. IRviNG, a nephew of WAsHiNGTon irViNg, aUtHOR of The pOPulAR bOok AsToria. this book AtTractEd considErable INTEResT IN JohN jAcob asTor'S TRading LanDs wHICh wEre LOcAted IN WhaT is Now thE state of oregon. tHe sTory, HowevEr, IS an account of AstoR's fuR tRadinG iN ThE territOry of orEgon; But sinCE the nepheW was rePreSeNTing AstOr'S InteREst in fUr TraDIng east Of the maUmeE RiVeR, he sUcceEded In haVing tHe Town naMed orEGOn. IN 1838, mr. IrViNg, acCompANied by HIs Wife, went tO NeW york expEcTing to reMaIn There foR the summer; but FOr somE reason he neVER reTUrnEd." QUoTed in THE hisTorY Of OReGon aND jerUsaLeM booK, AutHorEd by josEphInE fAsSett.