Multnomah-Linn County OR Archives Biographies.....Thompson, W. Lair January 1, 1880 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Ila L. Wakley iwakley@msn.com May 25, 2007, 6:48 pm

Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company

     W. LAIR THOMPSON.  An attorney of state-wide repute, W. Lair Thompson has 
practiced in Portland for a period of eleven years and has also aided in 
framing the laws of the commonwealth. He was born January 1, 1880, in Linn 
county and in both the paternal and maternal lines represents old and honored 
families of Oregon. His parents were Rufus and Adeline M. (Hill) Thompson, the 
former a son of Jonathan Thompson, who died in Tennessee. In 1858 Rufus 
Thompson made the overland journey to Oregon, locating in Linn county, and 
afterward moved to Crook county. Later he returned to Linn county and became 
one of its prosperous agriculturists. In politics he was a stalwart democrat 
and during the Cleveland administration was appointed postmaster of Albany, 
Oregon. His wife’s father, Reuben Coleman Hill, was a native of Kentucky and 
migrated to Missouri. In 1847 he traveled across the plains to Oregon and 
afterward brought his family to this state. For a time he lived in Benton 
county and finally located in Albany. As one of the early circuit readers of 
Oregon he aided in planting the seeds of civilization in this region and 
founded the Baptist church in Albany, continuing as its pastor until his 
retirement. An eloquent preacher, he influenced many to choose the higher path 
in life and was also numbered among the pioneer physicians of Linn county. Dr. 
Hill was one of the founders of McMinnville College, of which he was made a 
trustee, and he contributed liberally toward its support. A man of generous 
impulses and high ideals, he influenced Oregon’s progress to a notable extent 
and was admired and respected by all with whom he was associated.
     In the acquirement of an education W. Lair Thompson attended the public 
schools of Albany, graduated from McMinnville College and afterward read law 
in the office of his cousin, Gale S. Hill, a well known attorney of that town. 
Mr. Thompson was admitted to the bar in 1904 and followed his profession for 
three years in Albany. In May, 1907, he moved to Lakeview, Oregon, where he 
practiced until April 1, 1917, and then located in Portland, becoming a member 
of the firm of McCamant & Thompson. On the law governing the use of water Mr. 
Thompson is an acknowledged authority and has successfully handled much 
important litigation of this character. To the preparation of his eases he 
devotes much time and thought and in their presentation he is forceful, 
logical and convincing.
     Mr. Thompson was married September 19, 1906, to Miss Elsie Hobbs, a 
native of Indiana and a daughter of J. W. Hobbs, who settled on a ranch in 
Yamhill county, Oregon, in 1882. For a number of years Mr. Hobbs engaged in 
farming, later becoming clerk of Yamhill county, and is now living retired. 
Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have two children: Donald H., who was born January 8, 
1915; and Kathryn Charlotte, born July 23, 1921.
     Mr. Thompson is an adherent of the republican party and in 1911 took his 
seat in the lower house of the general assembly of Oregon. From 1913 until 
1915 he was a member of the state senate and in 1915 was chosen its president, 
thoroughly demonstrating his qualifications for that important office. He is 
one of the trustees of the Multnomah Athletic Club and also belongs to the 
Waverly and Arlington Clubs of Portland. In Masonry he has attained the thirty-
second degree and is also identified with the Knights of Pythias and the 
Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. From October, 1926, until October, 1927, 
he was president of the Oregon State Bar Association and is likewise a member 
of the Multnomah County and American Bar Associations. Throughout his career 
as a lawyer Mr. Thompson has been an earnest student as well as a tireless 
worker and his achievements have brought additional prestige to the Portland 
bar.


Additional Comments:
History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Pages 318-319

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