Charles A. Johns

Charles A. Johns
Johns circa 1914
47th Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court
In office
1918–1921
Preceded byWallace McCamant
Succeeded byJohn McCourt
23rd Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines
In office
October 7, 1921 – January 11, 1932
Appointed byWarren G. Harding
Preceded byPercy Moir
Succeeded byJohn A. Hull
Personal details
BornJune 25, 1857
Jackson County, Missouri
DiedJanuary 11, 1932(1932-01-11) (aged 74)
Philippine Islands
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Mabel Ellis
Elizabeth Busch

Charles A. Johns (June 25, 1857 – January 11, 1932) was an American lawyer, jurist and politician who served as the 47th justice of the Oregon Supreme Court. Johns also served as mayor of Baker City in Eastern Oregon and as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines while that archipelago was under U.S. jurisdiction.

Early life

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Charles Johns was born to James McClellan Johns and Elizabeth Ann Darby Johns in Jackson County, Missouri.[1][2][3] In 1858, the family immigrated to the Oregon Territory and settled in the Willamette Valley.[1] Charles was then educated in the local schools of Marion and Linn counties.[1] For college he attended Willamette University in Salem, where he graduated in 1878 with his Bachelor of Arts.[1][3] He was admitted to the bar in 1881.[1] The following year Johns married Mabel Ellis with whom he fathered three children.[1] He would also have three children by his second wife Elizabeth Busch.[1]

Political career

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After being accepted to practice law, Johns then became a judge in Polk County, Oregon, in the Willamette Valley from 1883 to 1885[2] and served as mayor of Baker City in Eastern Oregon from 1900 to 1908.[1][3] He was also a lieutenant colonel on the staff of Oregon Governor Theodore Thurston Geer.[1] In 1912, Charles Johns moved to Portland, Oregon, where he practiced law.[1]

On June 4, 1918, Johns was appointed to the Oregon Supreme Court to replace Wallace McCamant by Governor James Withycombe after McCamant resigned.[4][5] Johns then won election to a full six-year term that same year, but resigned on October 7, 1921,[4] following his appointment to the Supreme Court of the Philippines[1] by U.S. President Warren G. Harding.[3] In 1924, he served as a delegate to the Republican National Convention from Philippines.[2] Johns served on the Philippine court until dying in office on January 11, 1932, at the age of 74.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Corning, Howard M. Dictionary of Oregon History. Binfords & Mort Publishing, 1956.
  2. ^ a b c Index to Politicians: Johnathan to Johnsen. The Political Graveyard. Retrieved on February 1, 2008.
  3. ^ a b c d Memorabilia Room, Associate Justices' List.[permanent dead link] Supreme Court E-Library. Retrieved on February 1, 2008.
  4. ^ a b Oregon Blue Book: Earliest Authorities in Oregon - Supreme Court Justices of Oregon. Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved on February 1, 2008.
  5. ^ Oregon State Archives: Oregon Governor's Records Guides. Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved on February 1, 2008.
Preceded by Associate Justice of the Supreme Court
1921–1932
Succeeded by