Harry H. Belt
Encyclopedia
Harry Hackleman Belt was an American
educator, lawyer, and judge in the state of Oregon
. He was the 28th Chief Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court
starting in 1945. He served as chief justice for two years. Belt served on the bench for twenty-five years overall.
from Missouri
in 1853, settling in Salem
. There John married Nellie Hackleman, who gave birth to Harry in 1883. As a child the family moved to nearby Dallas
where Harry Belt attended the local schools. Later he attended Dallas Academy before starting college at the state normal school in Monmouth
. There he graduated in 1903, from what is now Western Oregon University
. After college he taught school for three years and was then elected as superintendent of schools for Yamhill County, Oregon
in 1906. On July 3, 1905, Harry married Martha Paldanius. They had three children, George L., Barbara, and Myra.
While serving in that position he studied law for four years. He was taught by his uncle George H. Burnett
who later served as chief justice on the Oregon Supreme Court. Belt then passed the bar in 1910. After passing the bar he joined Oscar Hayter’s firm in Dallas. Belt was a member of several fraternal organizations including the Freemasons, Odd Fellows, and the Elks.
who had been serving out the remainder of John McCourt
’s term as McCourt had died in office. He served briefly with his uncle Burnett, until Burnett died in office in 1927. Belt was re-elected in 1930, 1936, 1942 and 1948. From 1945 to 1947 he was selected by the other members of the supreme court to serve as chief justice. Belt died in office on August 6, 1950.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
educator, lawyer, and judge in the state of Oregon
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...
. He was the 28th Chief Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court
Oregon Supreme Court
The Oregon Supreme Court is the highest state court in the U.S. state of Oregon. The only court that may reverse or modify a decision of the Oregon Supreme Court is the Supreme Court of the United States. The OSC holds court at the Oregon Supreme Court Building in Salem, Oregon, near the capitol...
starting in 1945. He served as chief justice for two years. Belt served on the bench for twenty-five years overall.
Early life
Belt’s father John D. Belt traveled to OregonOregon
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...
from Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
in 1853, settling in 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...
. There John married Nellie Hackleman, who gave birth to Harry in 1883. As a child the family moved to nearby Dallas
Dallas, Oregon
The city of Dallas is the county seat of Polk County, Oregon, United States. The population was 14,583 at the 2010 census.Dallas is located on Rickreall Creek, approximately 15 miles west of Salem, at an altitude of 325 feet above sea level...
where Harry Belt attended the local schools. Later he attended Dallas Academy before starting college at the state normal school in Monmouth
Monmouth, Oregon
- History :Monmouth was settled in 1853 by a group of pioneers who made a point of allocating to build both a city and a "college under the auspices of the Christian Church" and proceeds from the sale of these lands were used to found Monmouth University. By the early 1880s the college fell on...
. There he graduated in 1903, from what is now Western Oregon University
Western Oregon University
Western Oregon University is a public liberal arts college located in Monmouth, Oregon, United States. It was originally established in 1856 by Oregon pioneers as Monmouth University. Subsequent names include Oregon Normal School, Oregon College of Education, and Western Oregon State College...
. After college he taught school for three years and was then elected as superintendent of schools for Yamhill County, Oregon
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...
in 1906. On July 3, 1905, Harry married Martha Paldanius. They had three children, George L., Barbara, and Myra.
While serving in that position he studied law for four years. He was taught by his uncle George H. Burnett
George H. Burnett
George Henry Burnett was an American attorney and judge in the state of Oregon. He was the 21st Chief Justice on the Oregon Supreme Court serving twice as chief first in 1921 to 1923, and then in 1927 when he died in office...
who later served as chief justice on the Oregon Supreme Court. Belt then passed the bar in 1910. After passing the bar he joined Oscar Hayter’s firm in Dallas. Belt was a member of several fraternal organizations including the Freemasons, Odd Fellows, and the Elks.
Judicial career
In 1914, Harry Belt was elected as a county circuit court judge and maintained that position until 1924. He was the youngest person ever elected to the circuit court in Oregon and won re-election unopposed in 1920. His district included Yamhill and Polk Counties. Then in the fall of 1924 he was elected to Oregon’s high court to replace Martin L. PipesMartin L. Pipes
Martin Luther Pipes was the an American attorney and judge in Oregon. He was the 54th Associate Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court...
who had been serving out the remainder of John McCourt
John McCourt
John McCourt was an American attorney and jurist in the state of Oregon. He served as the 51st Associate Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court. Prior to joinng the court, McCourt had worked as United States District Attorney for the District of Oregon...
’s term as McCourt had died in office. He served briefly with his uncle Burnett, until Burnett died in office in 1927. Belt was re-elected in 1930, 1936, 1942 and 1948. From 1945 to 1947 he was selected by the other members of the supreme court to serve as chief justice. Belt died in office on August 6, 1950.
Opinions authored
- Luscher v. Reynolds, 153 OR 625, 56 P.2d 1158 (1936) (public ownership of land)
- State ex rel. Van Winkle v. Gilmore, 122 OR 19, 257 P. 21 (1927) (municipal corporations)