Page:Pen Pictures of Representative Men of Oregon.djvu/186



UC

good English education and laid the foundation for a classical course, which has been steadily built upon ever since, until his acquaintance with the dead languages will favorably compare with that of any man in Oregon. He was admitted to the bar in 1870 and has practiced law in Oregon ever since, with the exception of two years, which were spent in the same profes- sion in Utah. He was the first Republican every elected to the Legislature from Columbia county, and that in the face of a large Democratic majority. He owed his election solely to his great personal popularity, not only among Republicans but also Democrats. In that Legislature Mr. McBride made quite a reputation as a debater, and his speeches and witty repartees are often referred to by those who heard them. In 1881 he removed from St. Helens to Oregon City, where he has practiced law to the satisfaction of his clients and remuneratively to himself. He has recently been appointed by the Governor Prosecuting Attorney of the Fifth Judicial District, a po- sition he is well qualified to fill. He is studious and is destined to take a position in the front ranks of the members of the profession. Mr. McBride has a pleasing address, a great deal of magnetism and makes friends of all with whom he comes in contact. As a companion, he is both entertaining and instructive, and as a friend, one whose fidelity is beyond question. Few men possess as many good qualities as are to be found in. the person of Mr. Thos. McBride.

HON. JOHN H. MITCHELL.

It is not possible to give a full biographical history of the man whose name is the title of this sketch in the limits within which the writer is cir- cumscribed in this work. Though but 47 years of age, his history would fill a volume as large as that in which he is given this brief mention. Mr. Mitchell was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, June 22, 1835. Af- ter acquiring the rudiments of an English education at the public schools of his native county, he attended for some time the Washington Institute, of Butler, Pa. He then entered the law office of Hon. Samuel A. Purvi- ance, of the firm of Purviance & Thompson, of Butler, under whose instruc- tion he remained for two years. After passing a most satisfactory examin- ation, he was admitted to the bar of Butler county in 1858. There he im- mediately commenced the practice of his profession, but remained only for a short time. His mind was filled with the love of adventure and the' Pa- cific Coast offered the most promising field for his young and energetic spirit. Leaving his native State, under circumstances so sad in their char- acter that a weaker nature would have sank under their weight, he came to California. After remaining a short time in San Francisco he removed to San Louis Obispo, where he remained a few months. The fame of Ore- gon, as a young and growing commonwealth, had, in the meantime, attracted his attention, and in July, 1860, he took passage at San Francisco for Port- land, and arrived in this city by due course of steamer. He at once turned his attention to building up a legal practice and at the same time engaged actively in local politics. So quickly did he make his iulJuence felt that in the year 1861, he was elected Corporation Attorney of Portland. T