John M. Gearin | |
|---|---|
 | |
| United States Senator fromOregon | |
| In office December 13, 1905 – January 23, 1907 | |
| Appointed by | George Earle Chamberlain |
| Preceded by | John H. Mitchell |
| Succeeded by | Frederick W. Mulkey |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1851-08-15)August 15, 1851 |
| Died | November 12, 1930(1930-11-12) (aged 79) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Matilda Raleigh |
| Profession | attorney |
John McDermeid Gearin (August 15, 1851 – November 12, 1930) was an American politician and attorney from the state ofOregon. A native of the eastern portion of the state, he representedPortland on the western side of the state in theOregon House of Representatives. Originally anindependent politician, he later became a Democrat and lost an election to serve in theUnited States Congress before winning appointment to theSenate in 1905. He also was Portland's city attorney and a district attorney.
John Gearin was born on August 15, 1851, nearPendleton inEastern Oregon.[1] His parents, John and Ellen Burns Gearin, were fromIreland.[2] After attending the local public schools, Gearin enrolled atSt. Mary's College inSan Francisco from 1863 to 1867.[3] In 1871, he graduated with a bachelor of laws degree from theUniversity of Notre Dame Law School.[3] In 1873, he was admitted to the Oregonbar after studying law, and then entered private legal practice inPortland at what is nowMiller Nash Graham & Dunn LLP.[1] On June 28, 1878, Gearin married Matilda Raleigh. They had three children together.[3]
In 1874, he was elected to theOregon House of Representatives and served in the 1874 legislative session.[4] Gearin was elected as an independent to represent District 43 inMultnomah County.[4] The next year he wascity attorney of Portland.[1] He was an unsuccessfulDemocratic candidate for election in 1878 to the Forty-sixth Congress, and wasdistrict attorney forMultnomah County from 1884 to 1886.[2]
Gearin was appointed by U.S. PresidentGrover Cleveland in 1893 asspecial prosecutor for the government concerning cases ofopium fraud.[1] He was then appointed to theUnited States Senate by Oregon GovernorGeorge Earle Chamberlain to fill the vacancy caused by the death of sitting SenatorJohn H. Mitchell in 1905.[1] Gearin served from December 13, 1905, until January 23, 1907, and was not a candidate for election in 1907 to fill the vacancy.[1]
After leaving the Senate he returned to his law practice in Portland.[2] John Gearin died on November 12, 1930, at the age of 79 in Portland. He was buried in that city at theMount Calvary Cemetery.[1] He had been a member of theKnights of Columbus.[3]
| U.S. Senate | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | U.S. senator (Class 2) from Oregon 1905–1907 Served alongside:Charles W. Fulton | Succeeded by |
| Class 2 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 3 | ||
