Robert S. Bean
Encyclopedia
Robert Sharp Bean was an American
attorney and judge in the state of Oregon
. He was the 16th Chief Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court
, serving as chief justice three different times. Bean was on the state’ highest court from 1890 to 1909 when he was appointed as a judge for the United States District Court for the District of Oregon
. An Oregon native, he was part of the first graduating class of the University of Oregon
.
. He was educated first at Monmouth Christian College
before attending the University of Oregon
in Eugene
where he was part of the first graduating class in 1878 with a Bachelor of Science
degree. Bean then read the law and entered private practice in Eugene from 1878-1882.
, serving until 1890. Then in 1890 he won election to the Oregon Supreme Court in the November election. In 1895, the University of Oregon
conferred an honorary doctorate of laws degree on the Bean. Bean won additional six year terms in 1896, 1902, and 1908. He then served as chief justice on three occasions, 1894-1896, 1900-1902, and 1905-1909. While chief justice in 1906, Justice Bean wrote the opinion for the Oregon court in State v. Muller
(48 Or. 252, 85 P. 855) that would then go to the U.S. Supreme Court, where the opinion was affirmed. He also wrote the opinion in Kadderly v. City of Portland, 44 Or 118, 74 P. 710 (1903) on the constitutionality of the initiative and referendum
system in Oregon.
On April 15, 1909, United States President William H. Taft nominated Bean for a new position on the United States District Court for the District of Oregon
. Bean received Senate
confirmation on April 28 and received his federal commission that same day. On May 1, 1909, he resigned from the Oregon Supreme Court. Judge Bean served the federal bench until his death on January 7, 1931 in Portland, Oregon
.
. In 1880 Robert married Ina E. Condon, daughter of geologist Thomas Condon
, and the two had five sons. Later Bean served as a regent at the University of Oregon in 1882 to 1895, and again from 1898 to 1921.
Bean was the director of the Oregon Historical Society
in 1926.
Bean 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...
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 16th 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 as chief justice three different times. Bean was on the state’ highest court from 1890 to 1909 when he was appointed as a judge for the United States District Court for the District of Oregon
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...
. An Oregon native, he was part of the first graduating class of 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 :...
.
Early life
Robert Bean was born on November 28, 1854, in Yamhill County, OregonYamhill County, Oregon
-National protected areas:*Siuslaw National Forest *Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 84,992 people, 28,732 households, and 21,376 families residing in the county. The population density was 119 people per square mile . There were 30,270...
. He was educated first at Monmouth Christian College
Western Oregon University
Western Oregon University is a public liberal arts college located in Monmouth, Oregon, United States. It was originally established in 1856 by Oregon pioneers as Monmouth University. Subsequent names include Oregon Normal School, Oregon College of Education, and Western Oregon State College...
before attending 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 :...
in Eugene
Eugene, Oregon
Eugene is the second largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon and the seat of Lane County. It is located at the south end of the Willamette Valley, at the confluence of the McKenzie and Willamette rivers, about east of the Oregon Coast.As of the 2010 U.S...
where he was part of the first graduating class in 1878 with a Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree. Bean then read the law and entered private practice in Eugene from 1878-1882.
Judicial career
In 1882, Bean became a circuit judge for the state of OregonOregon
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...
, serving until 1890. Then in 1890 he won election to the Oregon Supreme Court in the November election. In 1895, 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 :...
conferred an honorary doctorate of laws degree on the Bean. Bean won additional six year terms in 1896, 1902, and 1908. He then served as chief justice on three occasions, 1894-1896, 1900-1902, and 1905-1909. While chief justice in 1906, Justice Bean wrote the opinion for the Oregon court in State v. Muller
Muller v. Oregon
Muller v. Oregon, , was a landmark decision in United States Supreme Court history, as it justifies both sex discrimination and usage of labor laws during the time period...
(48 Or. 252, 85 P. 855) that would then go to the U.S. Supreme Court, where the opinion was affirmed. He also wrote the opinion in Kadderly v. City of Portland, 44 Or 118, 74 P. 710 (1903) on the constitutionality of the initiative and referendum
Referendum
A referendum is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal. This may result in the adoption of a new constitution, a constitutional amendment, a law, the recall of an elected official or simply a specific government policy. It is a form of...
system in Oregon.
On April 15, 1909, United States President William H. Taft nominated Bean for a new position on the United States District Court for the District of Oregon
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...
. Bean received Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
confirmation on April 28 and received his federal commission that same day. On May 1, 1909, he resigned from the Oregon Supreme Court. Judge Bean served the federal bench until his death on January 7, 1931 in Portland, Oregon
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...
.
Later life and family
Bean’s parent’s, Obadiah Roberts Bean and Julia Sharp Bean, immigrated to Oregon in 1851 and settled in MapletonMapleton, Oregon
Mapleton is an unincorporated community in Lane County, Oregon, United States. It is located on Oregon Route 126 and the Siuslaw River, 45 miles west of Eugene and 15 miles east of Florence. It is also the western terminus of Oregon Route 36...
. In 1880 Robert married Ina E. Condon, daughter of geologist Thomas Condon
Thomas Condon
Thomas Condon was an Irish Congregational minister, geologist, and paleontologist who gained recognition for his work in the U.S. state of Oregon....
, and the two had five sons. Later Bean served as a regent at the University of Oregon in 1882 to 1895, and again from 1898 to 1921.
Bean was the director of the Oregon Historical Society
Oregon 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...
in 1926.
Bean 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.