Levi Branson Reeder

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Levi Branson Reeder
Levi Branson Reeder

Reeder circa 1910
In office
1901 – 1903
Preceded by E. V. Carter
Succeeded by Lawrence T. Harris
Born September 7, 1865
Eureka, Illinois
Political party Republican
Spouse Laura L. Zeigler

Levi Branson Reeder (September 7, 1865-?) was an attorney and Republican politician from Pendleton in the U.S. state of Oregon. A native of Illinois, he served as Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives from 1901–1903.

[edit] Early life

Levi Reeder was born in Eureka, Woodford County, Illinois, to Daniel A. and Eliza Reeder (nee Kelsay) on September 7, 1865.[1] At the age of nine the family immigrated to Oregon, settling in Eastern Oregon.[1] Reeder attended school in Athena and Weston before enrolling in college at Christian College (now Western Oregon University) in Monmouth.[1] He graduated with a bachelor's of science degree in 1887, and then earned a B.S.D. degree at the institution.[1] On July 3, 1890, he married Laura L. Zeigler.[1] After a year of course work and the University of Michigan, Reeder then earned a Bachelor of Laws degree from the school in 1891.[1] He was admitted to the bar in Washington on August 1, 1891.[1]

[edit] Career

After passing the bar, Reeder entered private legal practice in Stevens County, Washington, remaining there until 1895.[1] From 1893 to 1895 he served as a prosecuting attorney in the county.[1] In 1895, he returned to Oregon where he passed the bar and began practicing in Pendleton until 1904.[1] In 1898, Reeder was elected as a Republican to the Oregon House of Representatives from Umatilla County.[2] He was re-elected in 1900, and served as the Speaker of the Oregon House during the 1901 legislative session.[3] In 1904, Reeder relocated to Portland.[1]

Reeder advocated for opening a shipping channel on the Columbia River from Pendleton to the Pacific Ocean.[4]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Colmer, Montagu, and Charles Erskine Scott Wood. 1910. History of the Bench and Bar of Oregon. Portland, Or: Historical Pub. Co. p. 209-210.
  2. ^ 1899 Regular Session (20th). Oregon State Archives. Retrieved on June 9, 2008.
  3. ^ Oregon Blue Book: Speakers of the House of Representatives of Oregon. Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved on June 9, 2008.
  4. ^ Reeder, Lee B.. "Open the Columbia to the sea", Pendleton Daily Tribune, E. P. Dodd, 1902.