John B. Waldo

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John B. Waldo
John B. Waldo
13th Chief Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court
In office
1884 – 1886
Preceded by Edward B. Watson
Succeeded by William Paine Lord
29th Associate Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court
In office
1880 – 1886
Preceded by James K. Kelly
Succeeded by Reuben S. Strahan
Born October 6, 1844(1844-10-06)
Salem, Oregon Flag of Oregon
Died September 2, 1907 (aged 62)
Spouse Clara Humason

John Breckenridge Waldo (October 6, 1844-September 2, 1907) was an American politician and jurist from the state of Oregon. He was the 13th Chief Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court from 1884-1886.[1] Part of a prominent pioneer political family, John also served in the state legislature and later was an important figure in Oregon's conservation movement.

Contents

[edit] Early life

Waldo was born in 1844 in Oregon to parents who immigrated to Oregon Country from Missouri via the Oregon Trail in 1843.[1] The family settled near Salem in an area now known as the Waldo Hills in the Willamette Valley.[1] John’s father Daniel Waldo, was also the father of William Waldo (1832-1911) and an illegitimate daughter America Waldo.[1] America’s mother was a slave of the Waldo family who the Waldos brought with them to the Willamette Valley.[2] These slaves were some of the first Blacks in Oregon where slavery was later prohibited, and where “Negros” were also banned.[2] Daniel Waldo was also 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.[1][3]

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.[4] On October 8, 1877, he married Clara Humason of The Dalles, Oregon.[5] They would have one daughter named Edith.[4]

[edit] Political career

Waldo was elected to the Oregon Supreme Court 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.[6] John Waldo was also elected and served one term in the Oregon State House in 1888, representing Marion County.[7]

[edit] Conservation

Beginning in 1880, Waldo took annual horseback trips into the Cascade Mountains.[8] Stops included Elk and Davis Lakes, climbing the Middle and South Sisters, Crescent Lake, Odell Lake, Black Butte and many others before his death in 1907.[8] His brother would often accompany him on these vacations, as would John Minto.[4] In 1888, Waldo and four others traveled from Waldo Lake south to Mt. Shasta along what is now the Pacific Crest Trail.[9] This is believed to be the first recorded journey of this route.[9]

These trips helped foster his appreciation for the natural world and spark a campaign for conservation of the Cascades.[10] He was consulted by William Gladstone Steel when the later was attempting to get federal protection for Crater Lake.[10] Waldo dreamed of a larger goal of preserving the entire Cascade range.[10]

[edit] Legacy

John B. Waldo died on September 2, 1907, at the age of 62.[4] He was buried at the Pioneer Cemetery in the Salem, Oregon, where other family members such as his father, brother, and wife were also buried.[5] Waldo Lake in the Cascades and Waldo Glacier on Mount Jefferson are named in his honor.[11] However, Waldo Hall at Oregon State University is not named for him,[12] and Waldo Park in Salem is named for his brother William,[13] while Waldo Middle School in Salem is named for his father Daniel.[14]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e Salem's Historic Figures. People. Salem Online History. Retrieved on 2006-12-21.
  2. ^ a b Biographical Sketches of Black Pioneers and Settlers of the Pacific Northwest. End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center. Retrieved on 2006-12-21.
  3. ^ Oregon Legislative Assembly (13th). Oregon State Archives. Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved on 2006-12-21.
  4. ^ a b c d Corning, Howard M. Dictionary of Oregon History. Binfords & Mort Publishing, 1956.
  5. ^ a b John Breckenridge Waldo. Salem Pioneer Cemetery. Retrieved December 2, 2007.
  6. ^ Oregon Supreme Court Justices. Oregon Blue Book. Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved on 2006-12-21.
  7. ^ Oregon Legislative Assembly (15th). Oregon State Archives. Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved on 2006-12-21.
  8. ^ a b History - 1800 to 1899. Deschutes & Ochoco National Forests: About Us. USDA Forest Service. Retrieved on 2006-12-21.
  9. ^ a b Sky Lakes in Southern Oregon. SouthernOregon.com. Retrieved on 2006-12-21.
  10. ^ a b c Mark, Steve. The Campaign to Establish a National Park in Oregon. Crater Lake. National Park Service. Retrieved on 2006-12-21.
  11. ^ Snowshoe Routes: Oregon, Shea Andersen, 2001, The Mountaineers Books ISBN 0-89886-833-5
  12. ^ Chronological history: 1900-1909. Oregon State University Archives. Retrieved December 2, 2007.
  13. ^ Salem Oregon Heritage Trees. OregonLink. Retrieved December 2, 2007.
  14. ^ Waldo History. Waldo Middle School. Retrieved December 2, 2007.

[edit] External links