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McLoughlin,  «muhk LAWF lihn», John (1784-1857), a Canadian-born trader, is sometimes called the father of Oregon. He played a leading part in settling Oregon Territory. He became a partner in the North West Company, a fur-trading company, in 1814 and took charge of Fort William in 1815. After the North West and Hudson's Bay companies merged in 1821, he directed their business in the Oregon country from 1824 to 1846. He developed trading posts and friendly relations with the Indians, whose cultures he found interesting. He had to resign for helping new settlers at his company's expense. McLoughlin was born at La Riviere du Loup, Quebec. Oregon placed his statue in the United States Capitol in 1953.