Jacobs, Orange, 1827-1914

Orange Jacobs (May 2, 1827-May 21, 1914) was a delegate from the Territory of Washington. He was born near Genesee Valley, New York. He moved with his parents to Michigan Territory in 1831. He attended the common schools, Albion (Michigan) College and the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. By 1851 he had studied law, been admitted to the Bar and established a practice in Sturgis, MI. In 1852 he crossed the Plains and settled in Jacksonville, Jackson County, OR where he continued to practice law. In Jacksonville he edited and published a newspaper until 1859, when he moved to Washington Territory. He took the oath of office as a justice of the peace in Jackson County, OR on Mar. 17, 1859. Mr. Jacobs served as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the Territory of Washington in 1869 and as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court from 1871-1875. Mr. Jacobs was elected as a Republican to Territorial Congress in 1875 and 1879. In 1879, he resumed his law practice in Seattle. He served as mayor of Seattle in 1880. He served as member of the Territorial Council 1855 through 1887. He served as member of the Seattle Charter Revision Commission in 1889. In 1890 he was the corporation counsel for the city of Seattle. From 1896-1900 he served as Superior Court Judge in King County, WA. Mr. Jacobs passed away in Seattle, WA on May 21, 1914.