Carter, Oliver J. (Oliver Jesse), 1911-1976

Brief Biographical Sketch

Jesse Washington Carter was born in Carrville, California on December 19, 1888. He grew up on a ranch in Trinity County and in 1905 went to San Francisco. After graduating from the Golden Gate Law College, 1913, he was admitted to the state bar and practiced in the city. In 1914 he moved to Redding, opening a law office there on February 5. Although a relative newcomer, he ran for office of district attorney, losing the election by only twenty-three votes. He was successful in his second try in 1918, and he held the position until 1927. The major portion of his private practice was devoted to water litigation, in which he invariably represented the farmers' side. He served also as city attorney for Mt. Shasta, 1927 to 1939, and for Redding, 1937 to 1939. When he ceased law practice in 1939, he had seven lawyers associated with him, and had two offices, one in Redding and one in Yreka.

Although he described himself as an independent voter, Carter usually found himself aligned with the Democratic Party. In 1932 he was a California delegate to the national convention and in 1938 he was active in Culbert L. Olson's gubernatorial campaign. In 1939 he became state senator and in July of that same year Governor Olson appointed him to the state supreme court. His twenty years on the bench, until his death on March 15, 1959, were often marked by controversy, and he become known for the frequency and vigor of his dissenting opinions.

From the guide to the Jesse Washington Carter papers, circa 1912-1948, (The Bancroft Library.)