Helen Dearborn: Salem’s Only Female Postmaster

Man in three-piece suit with a beard and woman in a long skirt and light blouse with tie at neck stand in front of wall. Photo taken from book. Identified as Richard and Helen Dearborn. WHC Collections 2013.013.0082

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

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Bibliography:

Marion County History, Salem’s First Postmistress, Volume XV, page 60.

This article originally appeared on the original Salem Online History site and has not been updated since 2006.