Biography of Hon. William Wallace Thayer
William Wallace Thayer, born on July 15, 1827, in New York, became chief justice of the Oregon Supreme Court after a distinguished legal career. He emigrated to Oregon in 1862, gaining recognition as a lawyer in Lewiston, Idaho, before settling in Portland. Thayer served as governor from 1878 to 1882, implementing significant reforms in public institutions. He was elected to the Supreme Court in 1884 and became chief justice in 1888, noted for his diligent study and impactful judicial opinions. Thayer has one son, Claude.