Ainsworth worked the Mississippi steamboat that had young Mark Twain as its pilot. Later, Ainsworth traveled to California during the California Gold Rush of 1849. Rather than doing actual prospecting, Ainsworth, a steamboat captain, planned to haul miners from San Francisco Bay up the Sacramento River. While in California, Ainsworth met Lot Whitcomb, who was proprietor of Milwaukie, Oregon. Whitcomb convinced Ainsworth to be the captain of his steamboat (the modestly named Lot Whitcomb). Ainsworth moved to Oregon and later founded the Oregon Steam Navigation Company, which quickly became one of the most important businesses in Portland's development. His former home, in Oregon City, is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Ainsworth worked the Mississippi steamboat that had young Mark Twain as its pilot. Later, Ainsworth traveled to California during the California Gold Rush of 1849. Rather than doing actual prospecting, Ainsworth, a steamboat captain, planned to haul miners from San Francisco Bay up the Sacramento River. While in California, Ainsworth met Lot Whitcomb, who was proprietor of Milwaukie, Oregon. Whitcomb convinced Ainsworth to be the captain of his steamboat (the modestly named Lot Whitcomb). Ainsworth moved to Oregon and later founded the Oregon Steam Navigation Company, which quickly became one of the most important businesses in Portland's development. His former home, in Oregon City, is on the National Register of Historic Places.
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