John B. Waldo
Encyclopedia
John Breckenridge Waldo (October 6, 1844 – September 2, 1907) was an American politician and jurist from the state of Oregon
. A native of Oregon, he grew up near Salem
as part of a prominent pioneer political family that included father Daniel and brother William
. A trained lawyer, he was elected to the Oregon Supreme Court
and served for one term from 1880 to 1886, including as the 13th Chief Justice from 1884 to 1886. He also served one term in the Oregon House of Representatives
. Waldo spent many summers in the Cascade Range
fostering an appreciation for the natural environment, which led to conservation efforts to preserve the range and later to the naming of several natural features after Waldo, notably Waldo Lake
.
from Missouri
via the Oregon Trail
in 1843. The family settled near Salem
in an area now known as the Waldo Hills in the Willamette Valley
. John’s father Daniel Waldo, was also the father of William Waldo (1832–1911). Daniel Waldo was a politician in the early days of Oregon, while John’s brother William
was a lawyer, judge, and state legislator, serving as President of the Oregon Senate in 1885.
John B. Waldo’s education was at Willamette University
in Salem, graduating in 1866. He then passed the bar
in 1870 and began practicing law in Salem. On October 8, 1877, he married Clara Humason of The Dalles, Oregon
. They would have one daughter named Edith.
in 1880 to a six-year term. He was not re-elected in 1886. During his time on the state's highest court, he served as Chief Justice from 1884 to 1886.
John Waldo was also elected and served one term in the Oregon State House
in 1888, representing Marion County
.
, Crescent Lake, Odell Lake, Black Butte and many others before his death in 1907. His brother would often accompany him on these vacations, as would John Minto
. In 1888, Waldo and four others traveled from Waldo Lake
south to Mount Shasta
along what is now the Pacific Crest Trail
. This is believed to be the first recorded journey of this route.
These trips helped foster his appreciation for the natural world and spark a campaign for conservation of the Cascades.
He was consulted by William Gladstone Steel
when the later was attempting to get federal protection for Crater Lake
. Waldo dreamed of a larger goal of preserving the entire Cascade range.
in the Salem, Oregon, where other family members such as his father, brother, and wife were also buried. Waldo Lake
in the Cascades and Waldo Glacier on Mount Jefferson
are named in his honor. However, Waldo Hall at Oregon State University
is not named for him, and Waldo Park
in Salem is named for his brother William, while Waldo Middle School in Salem is named for his father Daniel.
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 Oregon, he grew up near 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...
as part of a prominent pioneer political family that included father Daniel and brother William
William Waldo (Oregon politician)
William Waldo was an American politician and attorney in Oregon. Born in Missouri, he came to the Oregon Country with his family that included father Daniel Waldo. He would serve in the Oregon State Senate, including as president of the body in 1885. Waldo was also a county judge, while his...
. A trained lawyer, he was elected to 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...
and served for one term from 1880 to 1886, including as the 13th Chief Justice from 1884 to 1886. He also served one term in the Oregon House of Representatives
Oregon House of Representatives
The Oregon House of Representatives is the lower house of the Oregon Legislative Assembly. There are 60 members of the House, representing 60 districts across the state, each with a population of 57,000. The House meets at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem....
. Waldo spent many summers in the Cascade Range
Cascade Range
The Cascade Range is a major mountain range of western North America, extending from southern British Columbia through Washington and Oregon to Northern California. It includes both non-volcanic mountains, such as the North Cascades, and the notable volcanoes known as the High Cascades...
fostering an appreciation for the natural environment, which led to conservation efforts to preserve the range and later to the naming of several natural features after Waldo, notably Waldo Lake
Waldo Lake
Waldo Lake is a lake in the Cascade Mountains of the U.S. state of Oregon. It is the second largest natural non-alkali lake in Oregon with more than 10 square miles of water and a maximum depth of . The lake is named after Oregon politician, judge, and conservationist John B....
.
Early life
Waldo was born in 1844 in Oregon to parents who immigrated to Oregon CountryOregon Country
The Oregon Country was a predominantly American term referring to a disputed ownership region of the Pacific Northwest of North America. The region was occupied by British and French Canadian fur traders from before 1810, and American settlers from the mid-1830s, with its coastal areas north from...
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...
via the Oregon Trail
Oregon Trail
The Oregon Trail is a historic east-west wagon route that connected the Missouri River to valleys in Oregon and locations in between.After 1840 steam-powered riverboats and steamboats traversing up and down the Ohio, Mississippi and Missouri rivers sped settlement and development in the flat...
in 1843. The family settled near 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 an area now known as the Waldo Hills in the Willamette Valley
Willamette Valley
The Willamette Valley is the most populated region in the state of Oregon of the United States. Located in the state's northwest, the region is surrounded by tall mountain ranges to the east, west and south and the valley's floor is broad, flat and fertile because of Ice Age conditions...
. John’s father Daniel Waldo, was also the father of William Waldo (1832–1911). Daniel Waldo was a politician in the early days of Oregon, while John’s brother William
William Waldo (Oregon politician)
William Waldo was an American politician and attorney in Oregon. Born in Missouri, he came to the Oregon Country with his family that included father Daniel Waldo. He would serve in the Oregon State Senate, including as president of the body in 1885. Waldo was also a county judge, while his...
was a lawyer, judge, and state legislator, serving as President of the Oregon Senate in 1885.
John B. Waldo’s education was at Willamette University
Willamette University
Willamette University is an American private institution of higher learning located in Salem, Oregon. Founded in 1842, it is the oldest university in the Western United States. Willamette is a member of the Annapolis Group of colleges, and is made up of an undergraduate College of Liberal Arts and...
in Salem, graduating in 1866. He then passed the bar
Bar (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:...
in 1870 and began practicing law in Salem. On October 8, 1877, he married Clara Humason of The Dalles, Oregon
The Dalles, Oregon
The Dalles is the largest city and county seat of Wasco County, Oregon, United States. The name of the city comes from the French word dalle The Dalles is the largest city and county seat of Wasco County, Oregon, United States. The name of the city comes from the French word dalle The Dalles is...
. They would have one daughter named Edith.
Political career
Waldo was elected to the Oregon Supreme CourtOregon 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...
in 1880 to a six-year term. He was not re-elected in 1886. During his time on the state's highest court, he served as Chief Justice from 1884 to 1886.
John Waldo was also elected and served one term in the Oregon State House
Oregon House of Representatives
The Oregon House of Representatives is the lower house of the Oregon Legislative Assembly. There are 60 members of the House, representing 60 districts across the state, each with a population of 57,000. The House meets at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem....
in 1888, representing Marion County
Marion County, Oregon
Marion County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. It was originally named the Champooick District, after Champoeg, a meeting place on the Willamette River. On September 3, 1849, the territorial legislature renamed it in honor of Francis Marion, a Continental Army general of the...
.
Conservation
Beginning in 1880, Waldo took annual horseback trips into the Cascade Mountains. Stops included Elk and Davis Lakes, climbing the Middle and South SistersThree Sisters (Oregon)
The Three Sisters are three volcanic peaks of the Cascade Volcanic Arc and the Cascade Range in Oregon, each of which exceeds in elevation. They are the third, fourth, and fifth highest peaks in the state of Oregon and are located in the Three Sisters Wilderness, about southwest from the nearest...
, Crescent Lake, Odell Lake, Black Butte and many others before his death in 1907. His brother would often accompany him on these vacations, as would John Minto
John Minto (Oregon pioneer)
-External links:* from salemhistory.net...
. In 1888, Waldo and four others traveled from Waldo Lake
Waldo Lake
Waldo Lake is a lake in the Cascade Mountains of the U.S. state of Oregon. It is the second largest natural non-alkali lake in Oregon with more than 10 square miles of water and a maximum depth of . The lake is named after Oregon politician, judge, and conservationist John B....
south to Mount Shasta
Mount Shasta
Mount Shasta is located at the southern end of the Cascade Range in Siskiyou County, California and at is the second highest peak in the Cascades and the fifth highest in California...
along what is now the Pacific Crest Trail
Pacific Crest Trail
The Pacific Crest Trail is a long-distance mountain hiking and equestrian trail on the Western Seaboard of the United States. The southern terminus is at the California border with Mexico...
. This is believed to be the first recorded journey of this route.
These trips helped foster his appreciation for the natural world and spark a campaign for conservation of the Cascades.
He was consulted by William Gladstone Steel
William Gladstone Steel
William Gladstone Steel , called the "father of Crater Lake", referring to the creation of Crater Lake National Park in Oregon, United States. A native of Ohio, he worked in the newspaper business before becoming a mail carrier...
when the later was attempting to get federal protection for Crater Lake
Crater Lake National Park
Crater Lake National Park is a United States National Park located in southern Oregon. Established in 1902, Crater Lake National Park is the sixth oldest national park in the United States and the only one in the state of Oregon...
. Waldo dreamed of a larger goal of preserving the entire Cascade range.
Legacy
John B. Waldo died on September 2, 1907, at the age of 62. He was buried at the Pioneer CemeterySalem Pioneer Cemetery
Salem Pioneer Cemetery is a cemetery in Salem, Oregon, United States.-Overview:...
in the Salem, Oregon, where other family members such as his father, brother, and wife were also buried. Waldo Lake
Waldo Lake
Waldo Lake is a lake in the Cascade Mountains of the U.S. state of Oregon. It is the second largest natural non-alkali lake in Oregon with more than 10 square miles of water and a maximum depth of . The lake is named after Oregon politician, judge, and conservationist John B....
in the Cascades and Waldo Glacier on Mount Jefferson
Mount Jefferson (Oregon)
Mount Jefferson is a stratovolcano in the Cascade Volcanic Arc, part of the Cascade Range, and is the second highest mountain in Oregon. Situated in the far northeastern corner of Linn County on the Jefferson County line, about east of Corvallis, Mount Jefferson is in a rugged wilderness and is...
are named in his honor. However, Waldo Hall at Oregon State University
Oregon State University
Oregon State University is a coeducational, public research university located in Corvallis, Oregon, United States. The university offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees and a multitude of research opportunities. There are more than 200 academic degree programs offered through the...
is not named for him, and Waldo Park
Waldo Park
Waldo Park is a municipal park, located in downtown Salem, Oregon, United States. It is one of the smallest city parks in the world, measuring...
in Salem is named for his brother William, while Waldo Middle School in Salem is named for his father Daniel.