Samuel T. Richardson
Encyclopedia
Samuel Thurston Richardson (July 8, 1857 – September 6, 1921) was an American attorney and educator in the state of Oregon
. A native of the state, he was the third dean of the Willamette University College of Law
, his alma mater. He also founded the Oregon Law School (not the University of Oregon School of Law
) that existed from 1902 until 1922.
in the Willamette Valley
, he was educated at the local public schools of Scio. Richardson enrolled at Willamette University
in Salem, Oregon
, in 1873 and graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in 1892. On November 19, 1879, he married Sarah I. Barnes, and they had a three sons and one daughter. While still in school, he was admitted to the Oregon bar in October 1884.
From 1882 to 1884 he was the county clerk for Crook County
in Central Oregon
. While in the county seat of Prineville
, he served as justice of the peace for that town. After earning his undergraduate degree he then continued at Willamette’s law school and earned a bachelor of laws degree two years after his bachelor’s degree. In 1889, he was hired by the Oregon Secretary of State
to examine the title for land the state was preparing to buy for a reform school, and also had worked as a special investigator for the legislature. In 1895, he received a master of arts degree from the university, followed by a doctorate of laws from the law school in 1898.
in 1887. In 1891, he became the third dean of the law school, succeeding George G. Bingham
. As dean, he continued to teach constitutional law and real property law and admitted the first women to the school that was founded in 1883. Richardson was given a lifetime certificate to allow him to teach in the state in 1898 by the Oregon State Board of Education. He left Willamette’s law school in 1902 and was succeeded by John W. Reynolds.
In 1902, he founded the Oregon Law School in Salem, later adding a branch in Portland
. Serving as dean of the new law school, he also was the editor of the school’s journal, the Oregon Law School Journal that began in 1902 as well. By 1908 the school had grown to two teachers and 27 students, and by 1910 to 47 students. While still operating the law school he also was in private legal practice, including with the Portland firm of Richardson, Dimick & Morehead starting in 1906.
and the Knights of Pythias
. He served as the chairman of a state commission that studied judicial reform in 1911. This commission made several recommendations to the State Assembly, including expanding the Oregon Supreme Court
from five to seven justices. The state did add two more seats to the court, and in 1914 Richardson ran for one of the new positions as a Republican, losing in the primary. He continued practicing law with clients such as the Wentworth Lumber Company into the 1920s. Samuel Thurston Richardson died on September 6, 1921, of a stroke at the age of 64 in Portland, and was buried in Salem. After his death, the Oregon Law School closed.
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...
. A native of the state, he was the third dean of the Willamette University College of Law
Willamette University College of Law
Willamette University College of Law is a private law school located in Salem, Oregon, United States. Founded in 1842, Willamette University is the oldest university in the Western United States...
, his alma mater. He also founded the Oregon Law School (not the University of Oregon School of Law
University of Oregon School of Law
The University of Oregon School of Law is a public law school in the U.S. state of Oregon. Housed in the Knight Law Center, it is Oregon's only state funded law school. The school, founded in 1884, is located on the University of Oregon campus in Eugene, on the corner of 15th and Agate streets,...
) that existed from 1902 until 1922.
Early life
Samuel Richardson was born on July 8, 1857, to Lewis Clarke and Eliza Ann (née Whitely) Richardson. Born on a farm near the community of ScioScio, Oregon
Scio is a city in Linn County, Oregon, United States. The population was 838 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.-History:...
in the Willamette Valley
Willamette Valley
The Willamette Valley is the most populated region in the state of Oregon of the United States. Located in the state's northwest, the region is surrounded by tall mountain ranges to the east, west and south and the valley's floor is broad, flat and fertile because of Ice Age conditions...
, he was educated at the local public schools of Scio. Richardson enrolled at Willamette University
Willamette University
Willamette University is an American private institution of higher learning located in Salem, Oregon. Founded in 1842, it is the oldest university in the Western United States. Willamette is a member of the Annapolis Group of colleges, and is made up of an undergraduate College of Liberal Arts and...
in Salem, Oregon
Salem, Oregon
Salem is the capital of the U.S. state of Oregon, and the county seat of Marion County. It is located in the center of the Willamette Valley alongside the Willamette River, which runs north through the city. The river forms the boundary between Marion and Polk counties, and the city neighborhood...
, in 1873 and graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in 1892. On November 19, 1879, he married Sarah I. Barnes, and they had a three sons and one daughter. While still in school, he was admitted to the Oregon bar in October 1884.
From 1882 to 1884 he was the county clerk for Crook County
Crook County, Oregon
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 19,182 people, 7,354 households, and 5,427 families residing in the county. The population density was 6 people per square mile . There were 8,264 housing units at an average density of 3 per square mile...
in Central Oregon
Central Oregon
Central Oregon is a geographic region in the U.S. state of Oregon and is traditionally considered to be made up of Deschutes, Jefferson, and Crook counties. Other definitions include larger areas, often encompassing areas to the north towards the Columbia River, eastward towards Burns, or south...
. While in the county seat of Prineville
Prineville, Oregon
Prineville is a city in and the county seat of Crook County, Oregon, United States. It was named for the first merchant located in the present location, Barney Prine. The population was 9,253 at the 2010 census.- History :...
, he served as justice of the peace for that town. After earning his undergraduate degree he then continued at Willamette’s law school and earned a bachelor of laws degree two years after his bachelor’s degree. In 1889, he was hired by the Oregon Secretary of State
Oregon Secretary of State
The Secretary of State of Oregon, an elected constitutional officer within the executive branch of government of the U.S. state of Oregon, is first in line of succession to the Governor. The duties of office are: auditor of public accounts, chief elections officer, and administrator of public...
to examine the title for land the state was preparing to buy for a reform school, and also had worked as a special investigator for the legislature. In 1895, he received a master of arts degree from the university, followed by a doctorate of laws from the law school in 1898.
Legal career
Richardson joined the faculty at the Willamette University College of LawWillamette University College of Law
Willamette University College of Law is a private law school located in Salem, Oregon, United States. Founded in 1842, Willamette University is the oldest university in the Western United States...
in 1887. In 1891, he became the third dean of the law school, succeeding George G. Bingham
George G. Bingham
George Greenwood Bingham was an American judge and legal educator in the state of Oregon. A native of Wisconsin, his family immigrated to Oregon in his teens, though he returned to the Midwest for his legal education...
. As dean, he continued to teach constitutional law and real property law and admitted the first women to the school that was founded in 1883. Richardson was given a lifetime certificate to allow him to teach in the state in 1898 by the Oregon State Board of Education. He left Willamette’s law school in 1902 and was succeeded by John W. Reynolds.
In 1902, he founded the Oregon Law School in Salem, later adding a branch in 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...
. Serving as dean of the new law school, he also was the editor of the school’s journal, the Oregon Law School Journal that began in 1902 as well. By 1908 the school had grown to two teachers and 27 students, and by 1910 to 47 students. While still operating the law school he also was in private legal practice, including with the Portland firm of Richardson, Dimick & Morehead starting in 1906.
Later years
A Republican, he was also a member of the Independent Order of Odd FellowsIndependent Order of Odd Fellows
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows , also known as the Three Link Fraternity, is an altruistic and benevolent fraternal organization derived from the similar British Oddfellows service organizations which came into being during the 18th century, at a time when altruistic and charitable acts were...
and the Knights of Pythias
Knights of Pythias
The Knights of Pythias is a fraternal organization and secret society founded at Washington, DC, on 19 February 1864.The Knights of Pythias was the first fraternal organization to receive a charter under an act of the United States Congress. It was founded by Justus H. Rathbone, who had been...
. He served as the chairman of a state commission that studied judicial reform in 1911. This commission made several recommendations to the State Assembly, including expanding 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...
from five to seven justices. The state did add two more seats to the court, and in 1914 Richardson ran for one of the new positions as a Republican, losing in the primary. He continued practicing law with clients such as the Wentworth Lumber Company into the 1920s. Samuel Thurston Richardson died on September 6, 1921, of a stroke at the age of 64 in Portland, and was buried in Salem. After his death, the Oregon Law School closed.