Paine Page Prim
Encyclopedia
Paine Page Prim (May 2, 1822 – August 8, 1899) was an American
attorney and judge in the state of Oregon
. He was the 6th Chief Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court
serving in that role from three times between 1864 and 1878. Prim served on Oregon’s highest court for 21 years. Prim was the first graduate of Cumberland Law School, and a participant at the Oregon Constitutional Convention
.
in Lebanon, Tennessee
. At Cumberland Law School Prim received his legal education and was the school's first graduate. Then in 1851 he traveled to Oregon via the Oregon Trail
. There he settled in Linn County
where he set up a law practice. Next, in 1857 he represented Jackson County
at Oregon’s constitutional convention
.
by Governor John Whiteaker
to fill the seat of Matthew P. Deady who had resigned. Then in 1860 he was elected to a full six year term on the bench. Prim won re-election in 1866, and 1872. He term then ended in 1878, but was appointed on a temporary basis and served until 1880. While on the court he was chief justice three times: 1864 to 1866, 1870 to 1872, and 1876 to 1878.
. Then in 1882 he returned to politics when he was elected to the Oregon State Senate
as a Democrat from Jackson County. He served again at the next session in 1885 in both the regular and special sessions that year. Paine Page Prim then died in Oakland, California
, on August 8, 1899, at the age of 77 and is buried in Jacksonville, Oregon.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
attorney and judge in the state of 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...
. He was the 6th Chief Justice 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 in that role from three times between 1864 and 1878. Prim served on Oregon’s highest court for 21 years. Prim was the first graduate of Cumberland Law School, and a participant at the Oregon Constitutional Convention
Oregon Constitutional Convention
The Oregon Constitutional Convention in 1857 drafted the Oregon Constitution in preparation for the Oregon Territory to become a U.S. state. Held from mid-August through September, 60 men met in Salem, Oregon, and created the foundation for Oregon's law. The proposal passed with a vote of 35 for...
.
Early life
On May 2, 1822, Paine P. Prim was born in Wilson County, Tennessee. He grew up on his father’s farm before enrolling at Cumberland CollegeCumberland University
Cumberland University is a private university in Lebanon, Tennessee, United States. It was founded in 1842, though the current campus buildings were constructed between 1892 and 1896.-History:...
in Lebanon, Tennessee
Lebanon, Tennessee
Lebanon is a city in Wilson County, Tennessee, in the United States. The population was 20,235 at the 2000 census. It serves as the county seat of Wilson County. Lebanon is located in middle Tennessee, approximately 25 miles east of downtown Nashville. Local residents have also called it...
. At Cumberland Law School Prim received his legal education and was the school's first graduate. Then in 1851 he traveled to Oregon 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...
. There he settled in Linn County
Linn County, Oregon
Linn County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. It is named in honor of Lewis F. Linn, a U.S. Senator from Missouri who advocated the American occupation of the Oregon Country. By the 2010 US census the population of Linn county was 116,672 showing a 13.2% growth since the 2000 census...
where he set up a law practice. Next, in 1857 he represented Jackson County
Jackson County, Oregon
-National protected areas:* Cascade–Siskiyou National Monument* Crater Lake National Park * Klamath National Forest * Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest * Umpqua National Forest -Demographics:...
at Oregon’s constitutional convention
Oregon Constitutional Convention
The Oregon Constitutional Convention in 1857 drafted the Oregon Constitution in preparation for the Oregon Territory to become a U.S. state. Held from mid-August through September, 60 men met in Salem, Oregon, and created the foundation for Oregon's law. The proposal passed with a vote of 35 for...
.
Judicial career
In 1859, Prim was appointed 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...
by Governor John Whiteaker
John Whiteaker
John Whiteaker was an American politician, soldier, and judge primarily in Oregon. A native of Indiana, he joined the Army during the Mexican-American War and then prospected during the California Gold Rush. After moving to the Oregon Territory he served as a judge and member of the legislature...
to fill the seat of Matthew P. Deady who had resigned. Then in 1860 he was elected to a full six year term on the bench. Prim won re-election in 1866, and 1872. He term then ended in 1878, but was appointed on a temporary basis and served until 1880. While on the court he was chief justice three times: 1864 to 1866, 1870 to 1872, and 1876 to 1878.
Later life
Prior to serving on the bench, he married Teresa M. Stearns in 1857. The couple produced three children. In 1880, after his term on the court ended, Prim returned to private practice in Jacksonville, OregonJacksonville, Oregon
Jacksonville is a city in Jackson County, Oregon, United States, a few miles west of Medford. It was named for Jackson Creek, which runs through the community and was the site of one of the first placer gold claims in the area. It includes Jacksonville Historic District which was designated a U.S....
. Then in 1882 he returned to politics when he was elected to 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,...
as a Democrat from Jackson County. He served again at the next session in 1885 in both the regular and special sessions that year. Paine Page Prim then died in Oakland, California
Oakland, California
Oakland is a major West Coast port city on San Francisco Bay in the U.S. state of California. It is the eighth-largest city in the state with a 2010 population of 390,724...
, on August 8, 1899, at the age of 77 and is buried in Jacksonville, Oregon.