Edward B. Watson

Edward Byers Watson (October 7, 1844 – February 1, 1915) was an American jurist in the state of Oregon. He was the 12th Chief Justice on the Oregon Supreme Court. Watson served for four years on the state’s highest court, and his brother served for two years on the court.

Edward B. Watson
Watson circa 1910
12th Chief Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court
In office
1882–1884
Preceded byWilliam Paine Lord
Succeeded byJohn B. Waldo
28th Associate Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court
In office
1880–1884
Preceded byPaine Page Prim
Succeeded byW. W. Thayer
Personal details
BornOctober 7, 1844
Garnavillo, Iowa
DiedFebruary 1, 1915(1915-02-01) (aged 70)
Portland, Oregon
Spouse(s)Eleanor Kubli

Early life

Watson was born on October 7, 1844, in Garnavillo, Iowa, as the child of James Watson and Emily Adams Franklin Watson.[1] His older brother James Watson who would also serve on the Oregon Supreme Court was born in 1840.[1] The family moved to Oregon Territory in 1853 and settled in Douglas County.[1] In Oregon Edward Watson received an education in the public schools and at Wilbur Academy.[1] Then, in June 1866, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon.[1] He then studied law and began practicing in 1868 in Jacksonville, Oregon.[1] Watson studied the law under the supervision of his brother.[2]

While in Southern Oregon Watson served as a county judge for Jackson County from 1872 to 1876.[1] Next he served as county clerk from 1878 to 1880.[1] Then in 1880 Watson was elected to the Oregon Supreme Court to Paine Page Prim.[3] His four-year term expired in 1884 and he left the court.[3] During his tenure he served as chief justice from 1882 to 1884.[3]

Later life

After leaving the bench Edward Watson returned to private practice, but moved to Portland, Oregon.[1] He had married Eleanor Kubli in Jacksonville, and the two had two daughters.[1] Edward B. Watson died in Portland on February 1, 1915.[1]

References
  1. Corning, Howard M. Dictionary of Oregon History. Binfords & Mort Publishing, 1956.
  2. Ralph James Mooney; Raymond H. Warns, Jr. Governing a New State: Public Law Decisions by the Early Oregon Supreme Court. Law and History Review, Vol. 6, No. 1. (Spring, 1988), pp. 25-93.
  3. Oregon Blue Book: Earliest Authorities in Oregon - Supreme Court Justices of Oregon. Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved January 10, 2008.
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