Obadiah B. McFadden
Encyclopedia
Obadiah Benton McFadden (November 14, 1814-June 25, 1878) was an American
attorney and politician in the Pacific Northwest. He was the 8th Associate Justice
of the Oregon Supreme Court
, temporarily serving on the court to replace Matthew Deady
. A Pennsylvania
native, he later was a legislator in the Washington Territory
, and he served in Congress representing that territory.
at the public schools and at McKeever Academy. Then in 1837 he married Margaret Caldwell. By 1843 he had been admitted to the bar allowing him to practice law.
as associate justice on the Oregon Supreme Court during the territorial period on a temporary assignment to replace Matthew Deady. His term ended in 1854 and he left the Oregon court. At the time he was one of three justices on the bench of the court. Then in 1854 he was appointed to the Washington Supreme Court
when Washington Territory was created out of Oregon Territory
. While on that court he served as Chief Justice
from 1858 to 1861. In 1861, he would become the president of the Washington Legislature’s Council Chamber and would serve on that body until 1864 representing Thurston, Lewis and Chehalis counties. Also from 1855 to 1856 he fought in the Yakima War
against the Native Americans.
. Then in 1872 he was elected as a Democrat to represent the territory in the 43rd United States Congress
. He served as a delegate from March 4, 1873 to March 3, 1875, and was not a candidate for renomination to the position. McFadden died in Olympia on June 25, 1878 and was buried at the Masonic Cemetery.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
attorney and politician in the Pacific Northwest. He was the 8th 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...
, temporarily serving on the court to replace Matthew Deady
Matthew Deady
Matthew Paul Deady was a politician and jurist in the Oregon Territory and the state of Oregon of the United States. He served on the Oregon Supreme Court from 1853 to 1859, at which time he was appointed to the newly created federal court of the state...
. A Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
native, he later was a legislator in the Washington Territory
Washington Territory
The Territory of Washington was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from February 8, 1853, until November 11, 1889, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Washington....
, and he served in Congress representing that territory.
Early life
Obadiah McFadden was born in West Middleton, Pennsylvania on November 14, 1814. He was then educated locally in Washington County, PennsylvaniaWashington County, Pennsylvania
-Government and politics:As of November 2008, there are 152,534 registered voters in Washington County .* Democratic: 89,027 * Republican: 49,025 * Other Parties: 14,482...
at the public schools and at McKeever Academy. Then in 1837 he married Margaret Caldwell. By 1843 he had been admitted to the bar allowing him to practice law.
Politics
In 1853, McFadden was appointed the United States President Franklin PierceFranklin Pierce
Franklin Pierce was the 14th President of the United States and is the only President from New Hampshire. Pierce was a Democrat and a "doughface" who served in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate. Pierce took part in the Mexican-American War and became a brigadier general in the Army...
as associate justice on the Oregon Supreme Court during the territorial period on a temporary assignment to replace Matthew Deady. His term ended in 1854 and he left the Oregon court. At the time he was one of three justices on the bench of the court. Then in 1854 he was appointed to the Washington Supreme Court
Washington Supreme Court
The Washington Supreme Court is the highest court in the judiciary of the U.S. state of Washington. The Court is composed of a Chief Justice and eight Justices. of the Court are elected to six-year terms...
when Washington Territory was created out of 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...
. While on that court he served as Chief Justice
Chief Justice
The Chief Justice in many countries is the name for the presiding member of a Supreme Court in Commonwealth or other countries with an Anglo-Saxon justice system based on English common law, such as the Supreme Court of Canada, the Constitutional Court of South Africa, the Court of Final Appeal of...
from 1858 to 1861. In 1861, he would become the president of the Washington Legislature’s Council Chamber and would serve on that body until 1864 representing Thurston, Lewis and Chehalis counties. Also from 1855 to 1856 he fought in the Yakima War
Yakima War
The Yakima War was a conflict between the United States and the Yakama, a Sahaptian-speaking people on the Northwest Plateau, then Washington Territory and now the southern interior of Eastern Washington, from 1855 to 1858.- Naming :...
against the Native Americans.
Later years
McFadden then returned to private law practice, setting up office in Olympia, WashingtonOlympia, Washington
Olympia is the capital city of the U.S. state of Washington and the county seat of Thurston County. It was incorporated on January 28, 1859. The population was 46,478 at the 2010 census...
. Then in 1872 he was elected as a Democrat to represent the territory in the 43rd United States Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
. He served as a delegate from March 4, 1873 to March 3, 1875, and was not a candidate for renomination to the position. McFadden died in Olympia on June 25, 1878 and was buried at the Masonic Cemetery.