Lansing Stout

Lansing Stout (March 27, 1828 – March 4, 1871) was an American politician and lawyer. He was the second person elected to the United States House of Representatives from the state of Oregon. A New York native, he also served in both the California State Assembly and the Oregon State Senate.

Lansing Stout
1857 carte de visite photo. The Oregon Historical Society.
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Oregon's At-large district
In office March 4, 1859  – March 3, 1861
Preceded by	La Fayette Grover
Succeeded by	Andrew J. Thayer
Personal details
Born	March 27, 1828 New York
Died	March 4, 1871 (aged 42) Portland, Oregon
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Susan Plowden Stout

Early life

Stout was born in the state of New York on March 27, 1828 (either in Pamelia[1] or Watertown) and educated in public schools.[2] He then studied law in Albany, New York under Ira Harris.[3] He was admitted to the bar, and moved to California in 1851.[1] He arrived in 1852 at resided in Placer County, California where he practiced law[2] and served in the State Assembly.[4] In 1857 he moved to Portland, Oregon, where he continued practicing law.[2] In Oregon, Stout formed a law partnership with the U.S. Attorney for the Oregon Territory, William H. Farrar.[3]

Politics

Stout was elected to the California Assembly in 1855.[2]

His first foray into Oregon politics came in 1858, when he was elected as a judge in Multnomah County, Oregon.[1] Later that year Stout was elected to the U.S. House in 1858 after Oregon had submitted to become a state, but months before statehood on February 14, 1859.[5] In this bid, he was supported by pro-slavery factions led by Joseph Lane.[6] After breaking ties with Lane, Stout was not re-nominated in 1860 by the state Democrats.[6] While in serving in the 36th Congress, he served on the Committee on Expenses in the State Department and a committee on the rebellious states.[1] In 1868 he was elected to the Oregon State Senate as a Republican, representing Multnomah County.[7] He did not win re-election.[8]

Later life

Stout married Susan Plowden in 1861 while back east serving in Congress. The two were married in Leonardtown, Maryland,[3] and had two sons.[9] The two moved to Oregon in 1863.[3] During his time in Oregon Stout was admitted to the Oregon Supreme Court bar during the territorial period.[6] After serving in Congress, Stout resumed his private practice in Oregon.[2] He died in Portland on March 4, 1871, and was buried at River View Cemetery.[2] After his death, Susan married Clatsop County Circuit Judge Raleigh Stott.[10]

References

1. The Politicians: Lansing Stout. Archived 2007-09-27 at the Wayback Machine Documents on Wheels. Retrieved on February 26, 2008.
2. Lansing Stout. Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved on February 26, 2008.
3. Hines, H.K. (1893). An Illustrated History of the State of Oregon. The Lewis Publishing Co.: Chicago.
4. Scott, Harvey (1890). History of Portland Oregon. D. Mason & Co., Syracuse. pp. 555.
5. Oregon Blue Book: Earliest Authorities in Oregon - U.S. Representatives from Oregon. Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved on February 26, 2008.
6. Carey, Charles Henry (1922). History of Oregon. 1. Pioneer Historical Publishing Co.
7. Oregon Legislative Assembly (5th). Oregon State Archives. Retrieved on February 26, 2008.
8. Oregon Legislative Assembly (6th). Oregon State Archives. Retrieved on February 26, 2008.
9. Corning, Howard M. (1989) Dictionary of Oregon History. Binfords & Mort Publishing. p. 235.
10. Clatsop County District Court Judges. Archived 2008-08-22 at the Wayback Machine Oregon Department of Justice. Retrieved on February 26, 2008.

External links

• Lansing Stout at Find a Grave