Simon, Joseph, 1851-1935

<p>Joseph Simon (February 7, 1851 – February 14, 1935) was a German-born politician and attorney in the U.S. state of Oregon. He was born in Bechtheim, Hesse, and his family immigrated to the United States when he was one year old, settling in Portland, Oregon. A Republican, Simon served on the city council before election to the Oregon State Senate. He was later elected to the United States Senate for one partial term, 1898 to 1903. He later served as mayor of Portland for one term, 1909 to 1911. He was also the first Jewish Republican senator.</p>

<p>Joseph Simon was born in Bechtheim, today a part of Germany, on February 7, 1851, to David Simon (1819-1901) and Elise née Leopold (1829-1890). He immigrated to the United States in 1852 with his parents, and in 1857 the family settled in Portland, Oregon. In Portland, Simon attended the local Portland Public Schools before studying law. He read law at the Portland law firm owned by Joseph N. Dolph and John H. Mitchell, and passed the bar in 1872. After passing the bar he entered private legal practice at Mitchell and Dolph’s firm. In 1873, he formed a partnership with Dolph and Dolph's brother Cyrus.</p>

<p>He entered politics as a member of the Portland City Council serving from 1877 to 1880. In 1880, he was elected to and served in the Oregon State Senate as a Republican. Simon represented Multnomah County in several districts during his tenure due to reapportionment, and served through the 1891 legislative session. During both the 1889 and 1891 sessions he served as the President of the Senate. Simon did not serve in the 1893 session, but returned to the state senate in 1895 and was again the President.</p>

<p>Joseph Simon was born in 1851 in Bechtheim, Hesse, Germany.</p>

<p>His parents were Mr. and Mrs. David Simon, who emigrated to America and settled in Portland Oregon in 1852, when Joseph was one year old.</p>

<p>Joseph Simon was educated in Portland public Schools.</p>

<p>Simon read for the law and passed the Bar in 1872.</p>

SIMON, Joseph, a Senator from Oregon; born in Bechtheim, Germany, February 7, 1851; immigrated to the United States with his parents, who settled in Portland, Oreg., in 1857; attended the public schools; studied law; admitted to the bar in 1872 and commenced practice in Portland, Oreg.; member of the city council 1877-1880; member, State senate 1880-1898, frequently serving as president; member of the National Republican Committee 1892-1896; elected as a Republican to the United States Senate on October 8, 1898, to fill the vacancy in the term commencing March 4, 1897, and served until March 3, 1903; was not a candidate for reelection; chairman, Committee on Irrigation and Reclamation of Arid Lands (Fifty-sixth and Fifty-seventh Congresses); mayor of Portland 1909-1911; resumed the practice of law; died in Portland, February 14, 1935; interment in Beth Israel Cemetery.