John W. Reynolds (Oregon attorney)
John W. Reynolds | |
|---|---|
 Reynolds in 1903 | |
| 4th Dean of Willamette Law School | |
| In office 1903–1908 | |
| Preceded by | Samuel T. Richardson |
| Succeeded by | Charles L. McNary |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 27, 1875 Salem, Oregon, U.S. |
| Died | April 5, 1942 (aged 67) Portland, Oregon, U.S. |
| Spouse | Nettie Beckner |
| Alma mater | Willamette University University of Michigan Law School |
| Profession | professor of law attorney |
John W. Reynolds (January 27, 1875 – April 5, 1942) was an American attorney and educator in the U.S. state of Oregon. A native of the state, he was the fourth dean of the Willamette University College of Law, the law school of his alma mater.
Early life
[edit]John Reynolds was born in Salem, Oregon, to John and Sallie A. (née Truesdell) Reynolds on January 27, 1875.[1] His father was a physician originally from Ohio.[2] The younger Reynolds earned his education at the public schools in Salem before enrolling at Willamette University, also in Salem.[1] He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the university in 1895, and then earned a masters of arts degree from Willamette in 1897.[1] Reynolds continued his education at the University of Michigan where he earned a bachelor of laws degree from their law school in 1899.[1] On May 6, 1908, he married Nettie Beckner.[1]
Legal career
[edit]Reynolds was admitted to the Oregon bar in June 1897 in Salem.[1] He started practicing law in Salem in September 1899 after law school, and continued there in private practice until June 1907.[1] While still in private practice he became the dean of the Willamette University College of Law in June 1903.[1] He succeeded Samuel T. Richardson as the dean and also served on the board of trustees of the larger institution.[1][3]
During his tenure the university's administration questioned whether the law school should continue to exist, as only four students earned degrees in a four-year period.[3] Reynolds was the fourth dean of the school, and served until 1908 when Charles L. McNary became the new dean.[3] In June 1907, he left Willamette and moved to Portland to continue practicing,[2] and continued in practice there until his death.[4][5] Reynolds left the Willamette University Board of Trustees in June 1908.[1] Starting in June 1909 he was in a partnership with A. F. Flegel with the law firm name of Flegel & Reynolds.[1] He was a member of the Republican Party, but did not hold public office.[1]
Later years
[edit]Reynolds was a partner in the firm Reynolds, Flegel, and Smith in the 1940s.[5] He was a member of the board of trustees for the Centenary-Wilbur Methodist Church in Portland as well as a member of the Sons of the American Revolution.[5] John Reynolds died of pneumonia on Sunday, April 5, 1942, in Portland at the age of 67 and was entombed at Riverview Cemetery in Portland.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Colmer, Montagu, and Charles Erskine Scott Wood. (1910). History of the Bench and Bar of Oregon. Portland, Or: Historical Pub. Co. p. 210.
- ^ a b Gaston, Joseph; George H. Himes (1912). The Centennial History of Oregon, 1811-1912. Vol. 1. S.J. Clarke Publishing Co. pp. 80–83.
- ^ a b c Celebrating 125 Years of Outstanding Legal Education and Bar Leadership. Editor Anne Marie Becka, Willamette University College of Law, 2008. pp. 6-7, 16.
- ^ "News Notes from the Capitol". The Oregonian. November 22, 1919. p. 6.
- ^ a b c d "Death Comes For Attorney". The Oregonian. April 8, 1942. p. 13.