Paine Page Prim facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Paine Page Prim
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| 6th Chief Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court | |
| In office 1864-1866, 1870-1872 – 1876-1878 |
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| Preceded by | Reuben P. Boise, Erasmus D. Shattuck, Benjamin F. Bonham |
| Succeeded by | Erasmus D. Shattuck, William W. Upton, James K. Kelly |
| 12th Associate Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court | |
| In office 1859–1880 |
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| Appointed by | John Whiteaker |
| Preceded by | Matthew P. Deady |
| Succeeded by | Edward B. Watson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 2, 1822 Wilson County, Tennessee |
| Died | August 8, 1899 (aged 77) Oakland, California |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Teresa M. Stearns |
Paine Page Prim (born May 2, 1822 – died August 8, 1899) was an important American lawyer and judge in the state of Oregon. He served as the main judge, called the Chief Justice, of the Oregon Supreme Court three different times between 1864 and 1878. Judge Prim worked on Oregon’s highest court for a long time, 21 years in total. He was also the very first person to graduate from Cumberland University's law school. Plus, he helped write Oregon's constitution at the Oregon Constitutional Convention.
Early Life and Education
Paine P. Prim was born on May 2, 1822, in Wilson County, Tennessee. He grew up helping on his father’s farm. Later, he went to Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tennessee. There, he studied law and became the first law graduate from that school.
In 1851, he traveled a long way to Oregon using the famous Oregon Trail. He decided to live in Linn County and started his own law business. A few years later, in 1857, he represented Jackson County at a big meeting. This meeting was called Oregon’s constitutional convention, where they wrote the rules for the new state.
Serving as a Judge
In 1859, Oregon's Governor, John Whiteaker, chose Prim to join the Oregon Supreme Court. He filled a spot left by another judge. Then, in 1860, people voted for him to serve a full six-year term as a judge.
Prim was re-elected (chosen again by voters) in 1866 and 1872. His time as a judge officially ended in 1878. However, he was asked to serve temporarily and stayed on the court until 1880. During his time on the court, he was the Chief Justice three times: from 1864 to 1866, from 1870 to 1872, and from 1876 to 1878.
Later Life and Legacy
Paine Prim married Teresa M. Stearns in 1857, before he became a judge. They had three children together. After his time on the court ended in 1880, Prim went back to being a private lawyer in Jacksonville, Oregon.
In 1882, he decided to get involved in politics again. He was elected to the Oregon State Senate, which is part of the state's government, representing Jackson County. He served again in 1885. Paine Page Prim passed away in Oakland, California, on August 8, 1899, when he was 77 years old. He is buried in Jacksonville, Oregon.
In 1961, an actor named Arthur Franz played Paine Prim in a TV show episode. The episode was called "Justice at Jackson Creek" and was part of the series Death Valley Days.
