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, serving one term in Congress from 1859 to 1861.

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 byLa Fayette Grover
Succeeded byAndrew J. Thayer
Personal details
Born(1828-03-27)March 27, 1828
New York
DiedMarch 4, 1871(1871-03-04) (aged 42)
Portland, Oregon
Resting placeRiver View Cemetery
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseSusan Plowden Stout

A New York native, he also served in both the California State Assembly and the Oregon State Senate.

Early life

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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]

Early career

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He was admitted to the bar in New York, but in 1851 he left for California, arriving in 1852.[1] He settled in Placer County, California, where he practiced law.[2] In 1855, he 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

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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

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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

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  1. ^ a b c d The Politicians: Lansing Stout. Archived 2007-09-27 at the Wayback Machine Documents on Wheels. Retrieved on February 26, 2008.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Lansing Stout. Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved on February 26, 2008.
  3. ^ a b c d 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. ^ a b c Carey, Charles Henry (1922). History of Oregon. Vol. 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.
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U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Oregon's at-large congressional district

March 4, 1859–March 3, 1861
Succeeded by