Oscar L. Shafter facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Oscar Lovell Shafter
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| Associate Justice of the California Supreme Court | |
| In office January 2, 1864 – December 11, 1867 |
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| Appointed by | Direct election |
| Preceded by | Elections under 1862 amendment to California constitution and 1863 enabling law |
| Succeeded by | Joseph B. Crockett |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 19, 1812 Athens, Vermont, U.S. |
| Died | January 22, 1873 (aged 60) Florence, Italy |
| Spouse |
Sarah Riddle
(m. 1841) |
| Relations | James McMillan Shafter, brother; William Rufus Shafter, nephew |
| Alma mater | Wesleyan University (BA) Harvard Law School |
| Signature |  |
Oscar Lovell Shafter (born October 19, 1812 – died January 22, 1873) was an American lawyer and a judge on the Supreme Court of California. He served on the court from 1864 to 1867.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Oscar Shafter was born in Athens, Vermont. His father, William R. Shafter, was also a lawyer and a judge. His grandfather, James Shafter, fought in the American Revolution.
Oscar went to Wilbraham Wesleyan Academy in Massachusetts. He then graduated from Wesleyan University in 1834. After college, he studied law and earned a law degree (LL.B.) from Harvard Law School in 1836.
Starting His Law Career
After finishing his studies, Shafter returned to Wilmington, Vermont. He worked as a private lawyer for 18 years. He was also elected to the state Legislature. He ran for different political roles, like a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, and even for Governor of Vermont. He ran as a candidate for the Free Soil Party and the Liberty Party.
Moving to California
In 1854, Oscar Shafter moved to California. A friend from Vermont, Trevor Park, invited him. Oscar started a law practice in San Francisco. His brother, James McMillan Shafter, also became a lawyer. James graduated from Yale Law School.
A Family Law Firm
In 1855, James joined Oscar in San Francisco. They formed a law firm called Shafter, Shafter, Park and Heydenfeldt. Their partners included Trevor Park and Solomon Heydenfeldt. Solomon Heydenfeldt was the first Jewish person elected to the California Supreme Court. Oscar Shafter became well-known as a real estate lawyer. He was very good at helping people prove they owned their land.
The Point Reyes Land Deal
In 1857, Oscar Shafter won a big case for his client, Dr. Robert McMillan. This case was about a large piece of land called Point Reyes in Marin County. The land was about 75,000 acres.
Dr. McMillan sold this huge property to the Shafter brothers for about $85,000. The Shafters then leased parts of the land to dairy farmers. These farmers produced milk and butter for the growing city of San Francisco. This made the Shafter families very successful. Oscar and James Shafter's families owned large parts of Point Reyes from 1857 until 1919.
Serving as a Judge
In 1863, the way judges were chosen for the Supreme Court of California changed. All the seats on the court were open for election. In October 1863, Oscar Shafter was elected as a judge. He was part of the Republican Party.
Time on the Supreme Court
Shafter started his term as an Associate Justice in January 1864. The judges drew lots to decide how long each would serve. Shafter got the longest term, which was 10 years. However, in December 1867, he had to resign because he was not well. Governor Henry Huntly Haight then appointed Joseph B. Crockett to take his place.
To try and get better, Shafter traveled to Europe. He passed away in Florence, Italy, on January 22, 1873.
Personal Life
On September 30, 1841, Oscar Shafter married Sarah Riddle in Wilmington, Vermont. They had eight children together. Sadly, two of their children died young. Their six daughters lived to adulthood.
Oscar Shafter's nephew was William Rufus Shafter. William Rufus Shafter became a general in the American Civil War. He also received the Medal of Honor for his bravery.
