Samuel B. Huston
Encyclopedia
Samuel Bruce Huston was an American
politician and lawyer in Oregon
. Originally a Democrat
and later a Republican
, he served in both chambers of the Oregon Legislative Assembly
and was twice the mayor of Hillsboro, Oregon
. A native of Indiana
, he served in the state senate
as a Democrat from one county his first term, but moved and changed parties by his second term 20 years later.
on March 16, 1858, to Oliver Wolcott Huston and Lucretia Pearson Huston (née Naugle). His father died while Samuel was young, with his mother remarrying in 1866. The family moved from the southern Indiana
town to Illinois
, where Samuel received his education at a private school and the public schools in Grand Glade.
Huston earned his college education at Northern Indiana University (now Valparaiso University
) in Valparaiso
. Afterwords he moved to Chicago
where he attended a law school
before reading law
with George M. Parker in Robinson, Illinois
, and at the law offices of Heffron & Zaring in Salem, Indiana
. He was admitted to the Indiana bar
in December 1879 before entering private legal practice in that state. Huston then briefly practiced law in Illinois before working for the Santa Fe Railroad Company in New Mexico
, remaining until the Spring of 1883. He then moved to Oregon
, arriving on May 7, 1883, in Portland.
Settling for a short time in Forest Grove
where he worked in a flour mill and on a farm, he moved to neighboring Hillsboro in January 1884 and set up a law practice. On June 28, 1884 in Forest Grove, he married Ella Geiger, the daughter of Dr. William Geiger, Jr. of pioneer stock. He was admitted to Oregon's bar in October 1884. In 1894, they had a son, Grover Clay, who died five months after birth. Another son, Oliver, attended the University of Oregon
and Yale University
. The couple had two other children, Samuel Carl and Blanche. In Hillsboro he served for 12 years as a school director.
In 1906, he moved to Portland
, where he continued to practice law and served as a member of the city's commercial club. In 1906, Huston and Martin L. Pipes
represented a defendant in the Oregon land fraud scandal
with Francis J. Heney
as the prosecutor and Charles E. Wolverton
presiding in Oregon's federal court
. Huston was involved with other cases of the land fraud as well as more than ten murder trials, primarily as a defense attorney.
city council, serving until 1888. In 1889, he won the election for mayor of the city, the eleventh person to serve as mayor of Washington County's seat, he was in office from December 2, 1889 until December 5, 1890. In 1892, Huston was elected to a four-year term in the Oregon State Senate
. A Democrat at the time, he represented District 29 and Washington County, serving through the 1895 session. During this time he also served as mayor of Hillsboro a second term from December 4, 1894 until December 5, 1895. He then served on the city council from 1901 to 1902.
In 1914, he was elected to the Oregon House
, representing Multnomah County
, now as a Republican. He left the Democratic Party due to the party's views on the silver question and how U.S. currency was backed
. Huston then returned to the Oregon Senate after election in 1916. He represented District 13 and Multnomah County, and served in the 1919 regular session and 1920 special session as a Republican.
. On November 30, 1920, Samuel Huston died of a heart attack while in the Federal Courthouse in Portland in Judge Charles E. Wolverton
's courtroom while waiting for a trial to resume from the lunch recess. Age 62 when he died, Huston was buried at River View Cemetery
in Portland.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician and lawyer 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...
. Originally a Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
and later a Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
, he served in both chambers of the Oregon Legislative Assembly
Oregon Legislative Assembly
The Oregon Legislative Assembly is the state legislature for the U.S. state of Oregon. The Legislative Assembly is bicameral, consisting of an upper and lower house: the Senate, whose 30 members are elected to serve four-year terms; and the House of Representatives, with 60 members elected to...
and was twice the mayor of Hillsboro, Oregon
Hillsboro, Oregon
Hillsboro is the fifth-largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon and is the county seat of Washington County. Lying in the Tualatin Valley on the west side of the Portland metropolitan area, the city is home to many high-technology companies, such as Intel, that compose what has become known as the...
. A native of Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
, he served in the state senate
Oregon 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 Democrat from one county his first term, but moved and changed parties by his second term 20 years later.
Early life
Samuel Huston was born in New Philadelphia, Washington County, IndianaWashington County, Indiana
Washington County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2010, the population was 28,262. The county seat is Salem.Washington County is part of the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY–IN Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Early settlers:...
on March 16, 1858, to Oliver Wolcott Huston and Lucretia Pearson Huston (née Naugle). His father died while Samuel was young, with his mother remarrying in 1866. The family moved from the southern Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
town to Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, where Samuel received his education at a private school and the public schools in Grand Glade.
Huston earned his college education at Northern Indiana University (now Valparaiso University
Valparaiso University
Valparaiso University, known colloquially as Valpo, is a regionally accredited private university located in the city of Valparaiso in the U.S. state of Indiana. Founded in 1859, it consists of five undergraduate colleges, a graduate school, a nursing school and a law school...
) in Valparaiso
Valparaiso, Indiana
Valparaiso is a city in and the county seat of Porter County, Indiana, United States. The population was 31,730 at the 2010 census, making it the 2nd largest city in Porter County.-History:...
. Afterwords he moved to Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
where he attended a law school
Law school
A law school is an institution specializing in legal education.- Law degrees :- Canada :...
before reading law
Reading law
Reading law is the method by which persons in common law countries, particularly the United States, entered the legal profession before the advent of law schools. This usage specifically refers to a means of entering the profession . A small number of U.S...
with George M. Parker in Robinson, Illinois
Robinson, Illinois
Robinson is a city in Crawford County, Illinois, United States. The population was 6,822 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Crawford County.-Geography:Robinson is located at ....
, and at the law offices of Heffron & Zaring in Salem, Indiana
Salem, Indiana
Salem is a city in Washington Township, Washington County, Indiana, United States. Salem serves as the county seat, and its downtown area is on the National Register of Historic Places...
. He was admitted to the Indiana 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 December 1879 before entering private legal practice in that state. Huston then briefly practiced law in Illinois before working for the Santa Fe Railroad Company in New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
, remaining until the Spring of 1883. He then moved to 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...
, arriving on May 7, 1883, in Portland.
Settling for a short time in Forest Grove
Forest Grove, Oregon
Forest Grove is a city in Washington County, Oregon, United States, west of Portland. Originally a small farm town, it is now primarily a bedroom suburb of Portland. Settled in the 1840s, the town was platted in 1850 and then incorporated in 1872 and was the first city in Washington County...
where he worked in a flour mill and on a farm, he moved to neighboring Hillsboro in January 1884 and set up a law practice. On June 28, 1884 in Forest Grove, he married Ella Geiger, the daughter of Dr. William Geiger, Jr. of pioneer stock. He was admitted to Oregon's bar in October 1884. In 1894, they had a son, Grover Clay, who died five months after birth. Another son, Oliver, attended the University of Oregon
University of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
and Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
. The couple had two other children, Samuel Carl and Blanche. In Hillsboro he served for 12 years as a school director.
In 1906, he 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 continued to practice law and served as a member of the city's commercial club. In 1906, Huston and Martin L. Pipes
Martin 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...
represented a defendant 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....
with Francis J. Heney
Francis J. Heney
Francis Joseph Heney was an American lawyer who served as Attorney General of the Arizona Territory between 1893 and 1895.- Early years :...
as the prosecutor and Charles E. Wolverton
Charles E. Wolverton
Charles Edwin Wolverton was an American state and federal judge in the state of Oregon. He was the 18th Chief Justice on the Oregon Supreme Court...
presiding in Oregon's federal court
United States District Court for the District of Oregon
The United States District Court for the District of Oregon is the Federal district court whose jurisdiction comprises the state of Oregon. It was created in 1859 when the state was admitted to the Union...
. Huston was involved with other cases of the land fraud as well as more than ten murder trials, primarily as a defense attorney.
Political career
Huston entered politics in 1887 when he was elected to the HillsboroHillsboro, Oregon
Hillsboro is the fifth-largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon and is the county seat of Washington County. Lying in the Tualatin Valley on the west side of the Portland metropolitan area, the city is home to many high-technology companies, such as Intel, that compose what has become known as the...
city council, serving until 1888. In 1889, he won the election for mayor of the city, the eleventh person to serve as mayor of Washington County's seat, he was in office from December 2, 1889 until December 5, 1890. In 1892, Huston was elected to a four-year term in the Oregon State Senate
Oregon 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,...
. A Democrat at the time, he represented District 29 and Washington County, serving through the 1895 session. During this time he also served as mayor of Hillsboro a second term from December 4, 1894 until December 5, 1895. He then served on the city council from 1901 to 1902.
In 1914, he was elected to the Oregon 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....
, representing 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...
, now as a Republican. He left the Democratic Party due to the party's views on the silver question and how U.S. currency was backed
Bland-Allison Act
The Bland–Allison Act was an 1878 act of Congress requiring the U.S. Treasury to buy a certain amount of silver and put it into circulation as silver dollars. Though the bill was vetoed by President Rutherford B...
. Huston then returned to the Oregon Senate after election in 1916. He represented District 13 and Multnomah County, and served in the 1919 regular session and 1920 special session as a Republican.
Later years
During his later life, Huston served as a director at the Oregon Historical SocietyOregon Historical Society
The Oregon Historical Society is an organization that encourages and promotes the study and understanding of the history of the Oregon Country, within the broader context of U.S. history. Incorporated in 1898, the Society collects, preserves, and makes available materials of historical character...
. On November 30, 1920, Samuel Huston died of a heart attack while in the Federal Courthouse in Portland in Judge Charles E. Wolverton
Charles E. Wolverton
Charles Edwin Wolverton was an American state and federal judge in the state of Oregon. He was the 18th Chief Justice on the Oregon Supreme Court...
's courtroom while waiting for a trial to resume from the lunch recess. Age 62 when he died, Huston was buried at River View Cemetery
River View Cemetery (Portland, Oregon)
River View Cemetery in the southwest section of Portland, Oregon, United States, is a non-profit cemetery founded in 1882. It is the final resting place of many prominent and notable citizens of Oregon, including many governors and United States Senators...
in Portland.