Page:Portland, Oregon, its History and Builders volume 2.djvu/433

Rh here for many years, having an extensive patronage and at all times rendering service of great value for he kept in touch with the trend of progress along professional lines, carrying his research and investigation far and wide into the realm of medical science. He was not only one of the pioneers but also one of the most capable and honored physicians throughout his connection with professional ranks in Portland.

His political allegiance was given to the democracy and he exercised considerable influence among the party leaders here. Both he and his wife were members of the first Presbyterian church and the weight of their influence was ever on the side of right, justice and truth. Dr. McKinnell passed away in San Francisco, California, September 29, 1893, and on the 9th of October following his remains were interred in the Portland cemetery. He had reached the venerable age of eighty-eight years, four months and thirteen days. A long life of great usefulness was thus closed but his memory is enshrined in the hearts of many who knew him and who honored him no less for his personal worth than his professional ability.

When, at the age of eighty-six years, Judge Reuben Patrick Boise retired from the bench he thus terminated the longest period ever served by any judge in Oregon and eight years more in public office made his active official career cover a period of forty-three years. The record of no Oregon official has been more faultless in honor, fearless in conduct or stainless in reputation. The history of the judiciary of the state would be incomplete without mention of him, for his name is written high on the keystone of the legal arch.

From the date of his birth in Blandford, Massachusetts, June 9, 1818, until his death in Salem, Oregon, on the 10th of April, 1907, his life was one of untiring activity and usefulness. Following his graduation from Williams College with the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1843 he prepared for and was admitted to the Massachusetts bar in 1847. He then practiced law in his native state until 1850, but the west, with its broadening opportunity, called him and by way of the Isthmus of Panama he made his way to Oregon. The year following his arrival—1831—he was appointed by Judge Pratt to the position of district attorney and the following year was elected to the office by the territorial legislature. In 1854, in connection with James K. Kelly and D. R. Bigelow, he prepared the first code of Oregon laws and in many ways was closely associated with shaping the policy and molding the destiny of Oregon during its territorial days and in the opening years of statehood. He was a member of the territorial legislature and represented Polk county in the constitutional convention, his knowledge of law enabling him to aid largely in framing the organic law of the state.

In 1857 he was appointed by President Buchanan one of the justices of the supreme court for the Oregon territory and continued in the office until the admission of the state to the Union. He was then elected one of the first supreme judges, serving until 1870, when he was reelected but resigned on account of a threatened contest of election. He resumed the private practice of law but the value of his service was too widely recognized to permit him to remain long in private life and in 1874 he was elected one of the capitol building commissioners. In 1876 he was again elected supreme judge, serving until 1878, when the legislature divided the supreme and circuit judges into distinct classes. He was then appointed by Governor Thayer one of the supreme judges and served until 1880. His preference, however, was for circuit court work and in that year he was elected judge of the third judicial district, comprising the counties of Marion, Linn, Polk, Yamhill and Tillamook, continuing in that