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John McCourtJohn McCourt, whose record as lawyer and lawmaker has gained him promi-nence as a representative of the legal fraternity of Portland, is now filling the position of United States attorney for Oregon, to which position he was ap-pointed in March, 1908. He is yet a young man, his birth having occurred Feb-ruary 26, 1874, in Listowel, Canada. His parents were James and Emma Mc-Court, who resided in Canada until July, 1874. when they removed to California. The father had engaged in teaching both in Canada and in this country, but in 1882 his sight failed and he turned his attention to other business pursuits. Brought to the United States in his infancy. John McCourt was educated in the public schools of California and in the Willamette University at Salem, Oregon, spending a year in the literary department. He was also for two years a law student in that institution, from which he was graduated in June, 1896. The family had removed from California to Oregon in 1890, and following his graduation Mr. McCourt entered at once upon the active practice of law in Salem, where he remained until May. 1900, when he removed to Pendleton, Oregon. There he followed his chosen profession until March. 1908, when he was appointed United States attorney for Oregon and removed to Portland to enter upon the performance of his official duties here. While advancement at the bar is proverbially slow, Mr. McCourt has made substantial progress, readily mastering the intricacies of the law and preparing his cases with great thoroughness, precision and skill. His study and research are so thorough that he is never surprised by some unexpected attack, being always fortified for defense, while at the same time he reaches for the most vulnerable points in his opponent's armor and has come up victor in many a most notable forensic combat. The public offices which Mr. McCourt has filled have all been in the line of his profession. In June, 1898, he was elected to the state legislature and repre-sented his district in the special session of that year and the regular session of 1899. Thus he took part in framing the laws of the state and in office has also aided in their interpretation. In April, 1899, he was appointed assistant attor-ney general, from 1905 until 1908 deputy prosecuting attorney for the sixth judicial district and in March, 1908, as previously stated, was appointed United States attorney for Oregon. On the 28th of June, 1898, Mr. McCourt was married in Salem to Miss Veva Boothby, and to them were born two sons, John Boothby, now ten years of age; and Wilbur Edwin, died July to, 191o, at the age of three years. Mrs. McCourt is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. F. Boothby, of Salem, who are numbered among Oregon's pioneers. Mr. McCourt is justly accorded a place among the prominent and representa-tive citizens of Portland, for he belongs to that class of men whose enterpris-ing spirit is used not alone for their own benefit ; he also advances the general good and promotes public prosperity by his ably managed individual interests, thus placing this section of the country on a par with the older east. As legis-lator, attorney general and United States attorney he has won high encomiums from his fellowmen by reason of the fidelity and ability which he has manifested in the discharge of his duties. |