George G. Bingham
Encyclopedia
George Greenwood Bingham (November 25, 1855 – October 4, 1924) was an American judge and legal educator in the state of Oregon
. A native of Wisconsin
, his family immigrated to Oregon in his teens, though he returned to the Midwest for his legal education. Bingham served as the second dean at the Willamette University College of Law
and was also a judge for Multnomah County
after previously serving as a district attorney for Salem
and the state. His former home in Salem, the Dr. Luke A. Port House
, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
.
, on November 25, 1855, to William Henry Bingham and Maria Bingham (née Kentner) as the first of four children. The family moved to neighboring Barre
by 1860 and to Carrollton, Missouri
, by 1870. In 1872, the family moved to Oregon and settled in Yamhill County
. After receiving his education in the public schools of Yamhill County, he attended what became Linfield College
in McMinnville. Bingham attended the University of Michigan Law School
in Ann Arbor
where he graduated with a bachelor of laws degree in 1880.
, setting up legal practice in Lafayette
back in Yamhill County with James McCain. After a year he moved to the county’s seat, McMinnville
, and practiced law there until 1885. In 1883, he formed a legal partnership with William Marion Ramsey
, which lasted until 1887. He was elected as the county coroner in 1884.
Bingham moved to Salem
in 1885, following Ramsey. Ramsey was named the first Dean of Willamette University College of Law
, which Bingham became the second in 1888, serving until 1891. Bingham then continued to teach at the school for thirty years. He was the chief of Salem’s fire department in 1889. In 1890, he formed a new partnership with P. H. D’Arcy, lasting until 1894. Bingham also worked as the city attorney for Salem.
Also in 1890, he was elected to serve as the district attorney for Oregon’s Third Judicial District. He had previously been the district attorney for the city. In January 1908, he was considered the top candidate to be appointed as the United States Attorney for Oregon, as he was the favorite of three out of the four members of Oregon's Congressional delegation. However, President Theodore Roosevelt
had made it clear to the delegation that he would not appoint anyone with any connections to the defendants in the Oregon land fraud scandal
or ties to corporations. Bingham had been the attorney for the Southern Pacific railroad in Salem, and thus was dropped for consideration the next month, with Thomas J. Cleeton appointed to the position.
A Republican, he was elected to serve as a judge on the Circuit Court
for Marion and Linn
counties on November 7, 1916, and began service in 1917. While on the court in 1921, he ruled with judge Percy R. Kelly
that Oregon’s compulsory sterilization law was unconstitutional. In 1922, he gained national attention while presiding over the Richard Brumfield murder trial in Roseburg
. He also suffered a stroke and temporary paralysis prior to the start of that trial. Also that year he was re-elected to a second term on the court. In 1924, he temporarily moved to Portland
where he served on the Multnomah County Circuit Court to assist that court. He was known as an expert on corporation law and immigration law.
on Mission Street, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places
. The Queen Anne style home is part of the Deepwood Estate next to Bush's Pasture Park
. Bingham added gardens and an orchard to the estate.
Bingham was a member of both the Masonic Order and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks
. He also served as president of the Bank of Woodburn. On September 25, 1924, he suffered a stroke while in court in Portland and was hospitalized at the Portland Medical Hospital. George Greenwood Bingham died on October 4, 1924, at the age of 68 at the hospital of a heart attack. The family sold the Port home after both George and Willie died in 1924.
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
. A native of Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
, his family immigrated to Oregon in his teens, though he returned to the Midwest for his legal education. Bingham served as the second dean at the Willamette University College of Law
Willamette University College of Law
Willamette University College of Law is a private law school located in Salem, Oregon, United States. Founded in 1842, Willamette University is the oldest university in the Western United States...
and was also a judge for Multnomah County
Multnomah County, Oregon
Multnomah County is one of 36 counties in the U.S. state of Oregon. Though smallest in area, it is the most populous as its county seat, Portland, is the state's largest city...
after previously serving as a district attorney for Salem
Salem, Oregon
Salem is the capital of the U.S. state of Oregon, and the county seat of Marion County. It is located in the center of the Willamette Valley alongside the Willamette River, which runs north through the city. The river forms the boundary between Marion and Polk counties, and the city neighborhood...
and the state. His former home in Salem, the Dr. Luke A. Port House
Dr. Luke A. Port House
The Dr. Luke A. Porthouse, also known as Historic Deepwood Estate, or simply Deepwood, is a historic house in Salem, Oregon, United States. It was designed by William C. Knighton as his first residential commission and the landscape design was done by the Salem firm of Lord & Schryver. It contains...
, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.
Early life
George Bingham was born in West Salem, WisconsinWest Salem, Wisconsin
West Salem is a village in La Crosse County, Wisconsin, United States, along the La Crosse River. It is part of the La Crosse Metropolitan Area. The population was 4,799 at the 2010 census.-History:...
, on November 25, 1855, to William Henry Bingham and Maria Bingham (née Kentner) as the first of four children. The family moved to neighboring Barre
Barre, Wisconsin
Barre is a town in La Crosse County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,014 at the 2000 census. It is part of the La Crosse, Wisconsin Metropolitan Statistical Area...
by 1860 and to Carrollton, Missouri
Carrollton, Missouri
Carrollton is a city in Carroll County, Missouri, United States. Carrollton won the 2005 All-America City Award given out annually by the National Civic League. The population was 4,122 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Carroll County. It has several restaurants including JB's...
, by 1870. In 1872, the family moved to Oregon and settled in Yamhill County
Yamhill County, Oregon
-National protected areas:*Siuslaw National Forest *Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 84,992 people, 28,732 households, and 21,376 families residing in the county. The population density was 119 people per square mile . There were 30,270...
. After receiving his education in the public schools of Yamhill County, he attended what became Linfield College
Linfield College
Linfield College is an American private institution of higher learning located in McMinnville, Oregon, United States. As a four-year, undergraduate, liberal arts and sciences college with a campus in Portland, Oregon, it also has an adult degree program located in eight communities throughout the...
in McMinnville. Bingham attended the University of Michigan Law School
University of Michigan Law School
The University of Michigan Law School is the law school of the University of Michigan, in Ann Arbor. Founded in 1859, the school has an enrollment of about 1,200 students, most of whom are seeking Juris Doctor or Master of Laws degrees, although the school also offers a Doctor of Juridical...
in Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Ann Arbor is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Washtenaw County. The 2010 census places the population at 113,934, making it the sixth largest city in Michigan. The Ann Arbor Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 344,791 as of 2010...
where he graduated with a bachelor of laws degree in 1880.
Legal career
In 1880, he returned to Oregon and passed the barBar (law)
Bar in a legal context has three possible meanings: the division of a courtroom between its working and public areas; the process of qualifying to practice law; and the legal profession.-Courtroom division:...
, setting up legal practice in Lafayette
Lafayette, Oregon
Lafayette is a city in Yamhill County, Oregon, United States on the Yamhill River and Oregon Route 99W. It was founded in 1846 and incorporated in 1878...
back in Yamhill County with James McCain. After a year he moved to the county’s seat, McMinnville
McMinnville, Oregon
McMinnville is the county seat and largest city of Yamhill County, Oregon, United States. According to Oregon Geographic Names, it was named by its founder, William T. Newby , an early immigrant on the Oregon Trail, for his hometown of McMinnville, Tennessee...
, and practiced law there until 1885. In 1883, he formed a legal partnership with William Marion Ramsey
William Marion Ramsey
William Marion Ramsay was an American politician and judge in Oregon. He was the 43rd Associate Justice on the Oregon Supreme Court serving from 1913 to 1915...
, which lasted until 1887. He was elected as the county coroner in 1884.
Bingham moved to Salem
Salem, Oregon
Salem is the capital of the U.S. state of Oregon, and the county seat of Marion County. It is located in the center of the Willamette Valley alongside the Willamette River, which runs north through the city. The river forms the boundary between Marion and Polk counties, and the city neighborhood...
in 1885, following Ramsey. Ramsey was named the first Dean of Willamette University College of Law
Willamette University College of Law
Willamette University College of Law is a private law school located in Salem, Oregon, United States. Founded in 1842, Willamette University is the oldest university in the Western United States...
, which Bingham became the second in 1888, serving until 1891. Bingham then continued to teach at the school for thirty years. He was the chief of Salem’s fire department in 1889. In 1890, he formed a new partnership with P. H. D’Arcy, lasting until 1894. Bingham also worked as the city attorney for Salem.
Also in 1890, he was elected to serve as the district attorney for Oregon’s Third Judicial District. He had previously been the district attorney for the city. In January 1908, he was considered the top candidate to be appointed as the United States Attorney for Oregon, as he was the favorite of three out of the four members of Oregon's Congressional delegation. However, President Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States . He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity...
had made it clear to the delegation that he would not appoint anyone with any connections to the defendants in the Oregon land fraud scandal
Oregon land fraud scandal
The Oregon land fraud scandal of the early 20th century involved U.S. government land grants in the U.S. state of Oregon being illegally obtained with the assistance of public officials. Most of Oregon's U.S. congressional delegation received indictments in the case: U.S. Senator John H....
or ties to corporations. Bingham had been the attorney for the Southern Pacific railroad in Salem, and thus was dropped for consideration the next month, with Thomas J. Cleeton appointed to the position.
A Republican, he was elected to serve as a judge on the Circuit Court
Oregon circuit courts
Oregon's circuit courts are general jurisdiction trial courts of the U.S. state of Oregon. These courts hear civil and criminal court cases.The state has 27 circuit court districts, most of which correspond to the boundaries of the Oregon's 36 counties...
for Marion and Linn
Linn County, Oregon
Linn County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. It is named in honor of Lewis F. Linn, a U.S. Senator from Missouri who advocated the American occupation of the Oregon Country. By the 2010 US census the population of Linn county was 116,672 showing a 13.2% growth since the 2000 census...
counties on November 7, 1916, and began service in 1917. While on the court in 1921, he ruled with judge Percy R. Kelly
Percy R. Kelly
Percy R. Kelly was an American attorney and jurist in the state of Oregon. He was the 26th Chief Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court, serving on Oregon’s highest court from 1930 to 1949...
that Oregon’s compulsory sterilization law was unconstitutional. In 1922, he gained national attention while presiding over the Richard Brumfield murder trial in Roseburg
Roseburg, Oregon
Roseburg is a city in the U.S. state of Oregon. It is the county seat of Douglas County. The population was 21,181 at the 2010 census.-History:...
. He also suffered a stroke and temporary paralysis prior to the start of that trial. Also that year he was re-elected to a second term on the court. In 1924, he temporarily moved to Portland
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
where he served on the Multnomah County Circuit Court to assist that court. He was known as an expert on corporation law and immigration law.
Later years and family
On November 6, 1882, Bingham married Willie E. Harris in McMinnville, and they had one daughter. In 1895, Bingham purchased the Dr. Luke A. Port HouseDr. Luke A. Port House
The Dr. Luke A. Porthouse, also known as Historic Deepwood Estate, or simply Deepwood, is a historic house in Salem, Oregon, United States. It was designed by William C. Knighton as his first residential commission and the landscape design was done by the Salem firm of Lord & Schryver. It contains...
on Mission Street, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
. The Queen Anne style home is part of the Deepwood Estate next to Bush's Pasture Park
Bush's Pasture Park
Bush's Pasture Park is a public park and botanical garden in Salem, Oregon, United States. It is also the site of the Asahel Bush House, which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974, and is now operated as the Bush House Museum.-Bush House Museum:The park and Italianate...
. Bingham added gardens and an orchard to the estate.
Bingham was a member of both the Masonic Order and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks
The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is an American fraternal order and social club founded in 1868...
. He also served as president of the Bank of Woodburn. On September 25, 1924, he suffered a stroke while in court in Portland and was hospitalized at the Portland Medical Hospital. George Greenwood Bingham died on October 4, 1924, at the age of 68 at the hospital of a heart attack. The family sold the Port home after both George and Willie died in 1924.