He has labored earnestly to master the intricate details of his profession,
and, while none of us are supposed to be too old to learn, still we feel
justified in saying that Judge Stott's knowledge of law is unsurpassed by
any member of the bench in Oregon at the present time, and in compar-
ison with the number of decisions he is called upon to render annually,
and the limited time he has to prepare them, owing to the vast amount of
work he is compelled to perform— taking into consideration all these facts—
his decisions are very far above the average for accuracy and precision,
and are as unfrequently reversed by the courts above. His opinions are
rendered as the result of earnest research, careful study and an evident
desire to dispense justice while obeying the strict letter of the law. Judge
Stott was born in Indiana in 1845, and in 1851 came across the plains to
Oregon and settled in Washington coiinty, where his mother still resides,
his father having died in 1880. The family was a large one, consisting
of four girls and four boys. Judge Stott attended school at Forest Grove
and o-raduated from the Pacific University in the class of '69, and at once
commenced the study of law under Hon. John W. WhaUey, of Portland,
and was admitted to the bar in 1870. He commenced practice in Yamhill
countv, and shortly afterwards associated himself with James McCain, whom
be terms " the Logan of Yamhill." There he remained until 1873, when he
came to Portland and associated himself with the late Charles A. Ball, Esq.
In 1874 he was elected a member of the Legislative Assembly from Mult-
nomah county as a Republican on the " People's Ticket." He was appoint-
ed Chairman of the Judiciary Committee. In 1876 he was elected Prose-
cuting Attorney for the Fourth Judicial District. At the end of his offi-
cial term in that capacity the firm of Ball & Stott was dissolved and Judge
Stott then associated himself with Hon. John M. Gearin, under the firm
name of Stott & Gearin. Their practice proved lucrative, and the firm
was not dissolved until 1880, when Judge Stott was elected to the position
he now so ably fills. Judge Stott was married in 1876 to Mrs. Susan C.
Stout, widow of the late Lansing Stout, of Oregon, their family consisting of
two children. He is a gentleman of tall, commanding appearance, with
pleasant features, expressive of more than ordinary intelligence and fore-
thought. He dresses plainly, although with neatness, and is one of those plain,
every-day, sensible sort of men one dehghts to meet in the upper walks of
life. There is nothing distant about him. He has always the same pleas-
ant smile for the rich and poor alike, and is therefore honored and respected
by all classes of society. His friendships are strong, and his enemies, if he
has any, are among those who are least acquainted with him, for those who
know him most intimately are his warmest and most enthusiastic friends.
HON. A. S. BENNETT, At present Circuit Judge of the Fifth Judicial District, with his residence at The Dalles, was born in Dubuque county, Iowa, on the lOth day of June, 1854, and came to Oregon when he was but eleven years of age, crossing the plains in the footsteps of the thousands who had preceded him, and he has resided in this State or Washington Territory continuously since 1865. He received a common school education, but that he made the best use of his
