Pleasant Hill, Oregon, 97455

34. Pleasant Hill Pioneer Cemetery

Elijah Bristow (1788-1872) from Virginia; Kentucky; and Macomb, Illinois is credited with founding the congregation. Bristow was the first non-Indian settler in Lane County. He acquired three trades - that of hatter, blacksmith and gunsmith. When he arrived in the area in 1846, he is quoted as saying, "There I will take my claim; and I am going to name it Pleasant Hill. That ridge with the mountains in the background reminds me of my boyhood home in old Virginia." While Elijah had arrived earlier, his family came overland in 1848. He and Susanna had 15 children. He was affectionally called "Uncle Bristow." This was common among pioneer church leaders.