Multnomah County OR Archives Biographies.....Mears, Hon. John A. November 15, 1875 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Ila L. Wakley iwakley@msn.com October 26, 2008, 1:42 pm

Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company

     HON JOHN A. MEARS.  John A. Mears needs no introduction to the people of 
Portland, for his record as senior judge of the district court of Multnomah 
county has stamped him as a jurist of outstanding ability and tireless energy. 
He is not only expeditious in the handling of cases, but his decisions are 
models of logic, sound law, brevity and clearness, and he has gained the 
uniform respect and confidence of his fellowmen. Judge Mears was born in 
Waterloo, Iowa, on the 15th of November, 1875, and is a son of Robert A. and 
Marie (Holdiman) Mears, both of whom are deceased. His father was a farmer 
and, after living in Iowa for many years, moved to Nebraska, where he spent 
his last days.

     Judge Mears obtained a good public school education and learned the trade 
of a plasterer. Subsequently he took up the study of law, was admitted to the 
bar on May 12, 1897 and was elected justice of the peace and municipal judge 
of Waterloo, in which capacity he served for five years. In 1902 he came to 
Oregon and was with D. R. N. Blackburn, at that time attorney-general of the 
state, who died in 1903. In the following year Judge Mears came to Portland 
and worked for a while as a plasterer, but subsequently returned to Waterloo, 
Iowa, and later to Des Moines, that state, where he engaged in the practice of 
law. In 1913 he returned to Portland and was engaged in the private practice 
of his profession, with marked success, until 1924, when he was elected judge 
of district court No. 2, the bench of which he has occupied to the present 
time. He has handled a tremendous amount of work, having heard over six 
thousand cases during 1927, his third of nineteen thousand two hundred and 
forty-four cases tried in the three district courts during that year. During 
the same period the circuit court, with eight judges, heard a total of seven 
thousand seven hundred and eighty-five eases, nine hundred and twenty of which 
were criminal cases. The district courts heard two thousand and fifty criminal 
cases. The three district courts took in fifty-seven thousand eight hundred 
and sixty-eight dollars and ten cents, at a cost of forty-five thousand five 
hundred and fifty-five dollars, turning twelve thousand three hundred and 
thirteen dollars and ten cents into the county treasurer's office. The eight 
circuit courts took in forty-nine thousand six hundred and seventy-two dollars 
and twenty-eight cents. These statements plainly show the excess of work 
thrown on the district courts, which, according to those acquainted with the 
situation, should have three more judges at increased salaries.

     Judge Mears was united in marriage to Miss Charlotte L. Gardner, of Ohio, 
and they have a son, Richard, now thirteen years of age. By a former marriage, 
Judge Mears also has a son, Robert, now thirty-one years of age. He is a 
graduate of the Northwestern College of Law, at Portland, and is practicing 
his profession in this city. He is a veteran of the World war, having served 
overseas with the One Hundred and Sixty-second United States Infantry, and is 
a past commander of Over the Top Post, V. F. W. The Judge also has a daughter, 
Mrs. William Bust, residing in Portland.

     Judge Mears is a member of Lents Lodge, No. 156, F. & A. M.; Sunnyside 
Chapter, No. 4, R. A. M.; Gail-Reazee Grotto, No. 165, and Camelia Chapter, 
No. 27, 0. E. S. He has worked his way through the chairs of the Grotto and is 
at present holding the office of Master of Ceremonies. He also belongs to the 
Fraternal Order of Eagles. In his political views he is an independent 
republican. A man of sterling integrity of character, possessing a high sense 
of justice and well founded in the law, he has dignified the bench by his 
notable services and is an honor to his profession and to the city in which he 
lives.


Additional Comments:
History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Vol. II, 
Pages 525-526

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