John W. Reynolds (Oregon attorney)
Encyclopedia
John W. Reynolds 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.
, to John and Sallie A. (née Truesdell) Reynolds on January 27, 1875. His father was a physician originally from Ohio
. The younger Reynolds earned his education at the public schools in Salem before enrolling at Willamette University
, also in Salem. 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. Reynolds continued his education at the University of Michigan
where he earned a bachelor of laws degree from their law school
in 1899. On May 6, 1908, he married Nettie Beckner.
in June 1897 in Salem. He started practicing law in Salem in September 1899 after law school, and continued there in private practice until June 1907. While still in private practice he became the dean of the Willamette University College of Law
in June 1903. He succeeded Samuel T. Richardson
as the dean and also served on the board of trustees of the larger institution.
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. Reynolds was the fourth dean of the school, and served until 1908 when Charles L. McNary
became the new dean. In June 1907, he left Willamette and moved to Portland to continue practicing, and continued in practice there until his death. Reynolds left the Willamette University Board of Trustees in June 1908. Starting in June 1909 he was in a partnership with A. F. Flegel with the law firm
name of Flegel & Reynolds. He was a member of the Republican Party, but did not hold public office.
. 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.
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 fourth 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...
, the law school of his alma mater.
Early life
John Reynolds was born in Salem, OregonSalem, 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...
, to John and Sallie A. (née Truesdell) Reynolds on January 27, 1875. His father was a physician originally from 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...
. The younger Reynolds earned his education at the public schools in Salem before enrolling 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...
, also in Salem. 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. Reynolds continued his education at the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
where he earned a bachelor of laws degree from their law school
University of Michigan Law School
The University of Michigan Law School is the law school of the University of Michigan, in Ann Arbor. Founded in 1859, the school has an enrollment of about 1,200 students, most of whom are seeking Juris Doctor or Master of Laws degrees, although the school also offers a Doctor of Juridical...
in 1899. On May 6, 1908, he married Nettie Beckner.
Legal career
Reynolds was admitted to the Oregon barBar (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:...
in June 1897 in Salem. He started practicing law in Salem in September 1899 after law school, and continued there in private practice until June 1907. While still in private practice he became the 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...
in June 1903. He succeeded Samuel T. Richardson
Samuel T. Richardson
Samuel Thurston Richardson 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...
as the dean and also served on the board of trustees of the larger institution.
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. Reynolds was the fourth dean of the school, and served until 1908 when Charles L. McNary
Charles L. McNary
Charles Linza McNary was a United States Republican politician from Oregon. He served in the Senate from 1917 to 1944, and was Senate Minority Leader from 1933 to 1944. In the Senate, McNary helped to pass legislation that led to the construction of Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River, and worked...
became the new dean. In June 1907, he left Willamette and moved to Portland to continue practicing, and continued in practice there until his death. Reynolds left the Willamette University Board of Trustees in June 1908. Starting in June 1909 he was in a partnership with A. F. Flegel with the law firm
Law firm
A law firm is a business entity formed by one or more lawyers to engage in the practice of law. The primary service rendered by a law firm is to advise clients about their legal rights and responsibilities, and to represent clients in civil or criminal cases, business transactions, and other...
name of Flegel & Reynolds. He was a member of the Republican Party, but did not hold public office.
Later years
Reynolds was a partner in the firm Reynolds, Flegel, and Smith in the 1940s. 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 RevolutionSons of the American Revolution
The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution is a Louisville, Kentucky-based fraternal organization in the United States...
. John Reynolds died of pneumonia
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs —associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes...
on Sunday, April 5, 1942, in Portland at the age of 67 and was entombed at Riverview 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.