Waldo, John B. (John Breckenridge), 1844-1907

Judge John Breckenridge Waldo (1844-1907) was born in Oregon on October 6, 1844 to Malinda Lunsford Waldo and Daniel Waldo, a pioneer of the 1843 wagaon train over the Oregon Trail with the Applegate party. John Waldo studied law at Willamette University in Salem and graduated in 1866. He was admitted to the Oregon state bar in 1870 and married Clara A. Humason in 1877. Beginning in 1880, Waldo served six years on the Oregon Supreme Court, the last two as Chief Justice. A member of the Republican Party, Waldo also served one term in the Oregon State Legislature. During his term, Waldo introduced House Joint Memorial No. 8, which asked Congress to set aside as a public reserve a portion of Oregon's Cascade Range. Waldo explored the area on summer backcountry trips to alleviate an asthma condition and indulge his love of the outdoors. Bowing to sheep grazing interests, the Senate tabled the bill. Following the passage of what became known as the Forest Reserve Act of 1891, William Gladstone Steel of Jacksonville, Oregon revived Waldo's idea for a large forest reserve along the crest of the Cascade Range. On September 28, 1893, President Grover Cleveland created the Cascade Forest Range. Judge Waldo continued to support the Cascade Range until his death in 1907 and his name is reflected in several geographic names in the region, including Waldo Lake.

From the guide to the John Breckenridge Waldo papers, 1880-1989, (Special Collections and University Archives, University of Oregon Libraries)

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