Cyrus Olney
Encyclopedia
Cyrus Olney was an American
politician and lawyer in what would become the state of Oregon
. He was the 6th Associate Justice
of the Oregon Supreme Court
serving while the region was still the Oregon Territory
. A native of Ohio
, Olney later was a member of the 1857 Oregon Constitutional Convention
, and later served in the Oregon legislature.
. After passing the bar
he practiced law for a time in Ohio before moving to Iowa
, where he was a judge for four years.
in 1851. He continued in this endeavor until 1853, when United States President Franklin Pierce
appointed him to the Oregon Supreme Court. Olney remained on the court until 1858 when he resigned, though he had attempted to resign in 1853 and 1854. During this time, he also served as a delegate to the Oregon Constitutional Convention
in 1857 representing Clatsop County
. At the Convention he excused himself and did not vote on the final resolution. In 1866 he was elected to the Oregon House of Representatives
from Clatsop, Columbia
, and Tillamook
counties. Serving as a Republican he was elected after a one session absence in 1870.
was named for him.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician and lawyer in what would become 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 Associate Justice
Associate Justice
Associate Justice or Associate Judge is the title for a member of a judicial panel who is not the Chief Justice in some jurisdictions. The title "Associate Justice" is used for members of the United States Supreme Court and some state supreme courts, and for some other courts in Commonwealth...
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 while the region was still the Oregon Territory
Oregon Territory
The Territory of Oregon was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from August 14, 1848, until February 14, 1859, when the southwestern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Oregon. Originally claimed by several countries , the region was...
. A native of Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, Olney later was a member of the 1857 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...
, and later served in the Oregon legislature.
Early life
Cyrus Olney was born in the state of Ohio. In that state he was educated in the public schools and later law school in CincinnatiCincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
. After passing the bar
Bar (law)
Bar in a legal context has three possible meanings: the division of a courtroom between its working and public areas; the process of qualifying to practice law; and the legal profession.-Courtroom division:...
he practiced law for a time in Ohio before moving to Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
, where he was a judge for four years.
Oregon
Olney moved to Oregon and began law practice in PortlandPortland, 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...
in 1851. He continued in this endeavor until 1853, when United States President Franklin Pierce
Franklin Pierce
Franklin Pierce was the 14th President of the United States and is the only President from New Hampshire. Pierce was a Democrat and a "doughface" who served in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate. Pierce took part in the Mexican-American War and became a brigadier general in the Army...
appointed him to the Oregon Supreme Court. Olney remained on the court until 1858 when he resigned, though he had attempted to resign in 1853 and 1854. During this time, he also served as a delegate to 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...
in 1857 representing Clatsop County
Clatsop County, Oregon
Clatsop County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. The county is named for the Clatsop tribe of Native Americans, who lived along the coast of the Pacific Ocean prior to European settlement. As of 2010, the population was 37,039. The county seat is Astoria.-Economy:The principal...
. At the Convention he excused himself and did not vote on the final resolution. In 1866 he was elected to the Oregon House of Representatives
Oregon House of Representatives
The Oregon House of Representatives is the lower house of the Oregon Legislative Assembly. There are 60 members of the House, representing 60 districts across the state, each with a population of 57,000. The House meets at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem....
from Clatsop, Columbia
Columbia County, Oregon
Columbia County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. It was named for the Columbia River, which forms its eastern and northern borders. As of 2010, its population was 49,351. The county seat is St. Helens.-Economy:...
, and Tillamook
Tillamook County, Oregon
Tillamook County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. The county is named for the Tillamook, a Native American tribe who were living in the area in the early 19th century at the time of European American settlement. In 2010, the county's population was 25,250...
counties. Serving as a Republican he was elected after a one session absence in 1870.
Later life and family
Olney married twice in his lifetime. He had a total of seven children from the two marriages. Olney died on December 21, 1870 in Astoria at the age of 55. He had been addicted to opium and chloroform up to his death. Olney, OregonOlney, Oregon
Olney is an unincorporated community and former company town in Clatsop County, Oregon, United States, on Oregon Route 202 about eight miles south of Astoria....
was named for him.