James F. Watson
Encyclopedia
James Finley Watson was an American
judge and politician in Oregon
. A native of Iowa
, he was the 25th Associate Justice
of the Oregon Supreme Court
serving from 1876 until 1878. Previously he served in the state legislature and later served as United States Attorney for the District of Oregon.
, to James and Emily Watson. In 1853, the family relocated to Douglas County
in Oregon Territory
. Watson then was educated in Eugene, Oregon
at Columbia College
before it closed after two major fires. After attempting gold mining he would learn the law under Rufus Mallory
in Roseburg, Oregon
, with admittance to the legal bar in 1863. He then served as a prosecutor for Oregon’s Second Judicial District from 1864 to 1872.
as a Republican from Douglas County. He won re-election in 1874 to the same seat in the senate. Next, in 1876 Watson won election to the Oregon Supreme Court to replace John Burnett
. His term ended in 1878 and he left the bench, however his younger brother Edward B. Watson
would join the court in 1880.
In 1878, the circuit court functions of the Oregon Supreme Court were split off and a separate circuit court was created with the number of judges on the high court reduced from five to three. The following year Watson was appointed to the circuit court where he won re-election in 1880 and served until 1882.
. In 1883, he married his second wife, Virginia Kinney. He was previously married to Isabella Flint in 1872, and they had two children. James Finley Watson died on June 12, 1897.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
judge and politician in 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...
. A native of Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
, he was the 25th Associate Justice
Associate Justice
Associate Justice or Associate Judge is the title for a member of a judicial panel who is not the Chief Justice in some jurisdictions. The title "Associate Justice" is used for members of the United States Supreme Court and some state supreme courts, and for some other courts in Commonwealth...
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...
serving from 1876 until 1878. Previously he served in the state legislature and later served as United States Attorney for the District of Oregon.
Early life
James Finley Watson was born on March 15, 1840, in Dubuque, IowaDubuque, Iowa
Dubuque is a city in and the county seat of Dubuque County, Iowa, United States, located along the Mississippi River. In 2010 its population was 57,637, making it the ninth-largest city in the state and the county's population was 93,653....
, to James and Emily Watson. In 1853, the family relocated to Douglas County
Douglas County, Oregon
-National protected areas:* Crater Lake National Park * Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest * Siuslaw National Forest * Umpqua National Forest * Willamette National Forest -Adjacent counties:* Lane County, Oregon -...
in Oregon Territory
Oregon Territory
The Territory of Oregon was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from August 14, 1848, until February 14, 1859, when the southwestern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Oregon. Originally claimed by several countries , the region was...
. Watson then was educated in Eugene, Oregon
Eugene, Oregon
Eugene is the second largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon and the seat of Lane County. It is located at the south end of the Willamette Valley, at the confluence of the McKenzie and Willamette rivers, about east of the Oregon Coast.As of the 2010 U.S...
at Columbia College
Columbia College (Oregon)
Columbia College was a college in Eugene in the U.S. state of Oregon. Founded in 1856, the school was part of a system of churches established by the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The school's building burned down twice before the school closed in 1860...
before it closed after two major fires. After attempting gold mining he would learn the law under Rufus Mallory
Rufus Mallory
Rufus Mallory was an American educator, lawyer, and politician in the state of Oregon. A native of New York, he was a teacher in Iowa before moving to Oregon where he became an attorney. He was a district attorney before he served in the Oregon House of Representatives in the early 1860s. A...
in Roseburg, Oregon
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:...
, with admittance to the legal bar in 1863. He then served as a prosecutor for Oregon’s Second Judicial District from 1864 to 1872.
Political career
In 1872, Watson was elected to the Oregon State SenateOregon State Senate
The Oregon State Senate is the upper house of the state-wide legislature for the U.S. state of Oregon. Along with the lower chamber Oregon House of Representatives it makes up the Oregon Legislative Assembly. There are 30 members of the State Senate, representing 30 districts across the state,...
as a Republican from Douglas County. He won re-election in 1874 to the same seat in the senate. Next, in 1876 Watson won election to the Oregon Supreme Court to replace John Burnett
John Burnett (judge)
John Burnett was an American judge in the state of Oregon. He was the 24th Associate Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court. A native of Missouri, he also served as a county and circuit court judge in Oregon, and was elected to the Oregon State Senate.-Early life:Burnett was born on July 4, 1831 in...
. His term ended in 1878 and he left the bench, however his younger brother Edward B. Watson
Edward B. Watson
Edward Byers Watson was an American jurist in the state of Oregon. He was the 12th Chief Justice on the Oregon Supreme Court...
would join the court in 1880.
In 1878, the circuit court functions of the Oregon Supreme Court were split off and a separate circuit court was created with the number of judges on the high court reduced from five to three. The following year Watson was appointed to the circuit court where he won re-election in 1880 and served until 1882.
Later life
In 1882, Watson was appointed by the United States President to the position of U.S. District Attorney for the District of Oregon. He kept that position until 1886 when he returned to private practice in Portland, OregonPortland, 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...
. In 1883, he married his second wife, Virginia Kinney. He was previously married to Isabella Flint in 1872, and they had two children. James Finley Watson died on June 12, 1897.