Representative Obadiah Benton McFadden

Obadiah Benton McFadden (November 18, 1815 – June 25, 1875) was an American attorney, jurist, and Democratic politician whose career was closely associated with the development of the Pacific Northwest. A native of Pennsylvania, he became one of the early legal and political figures in the Oregon and Washington territories, serving as the eighth justice of the Oregon Supreme Court and later as a delegate to the United States Congress representing Washington Territory.

McFadden was born on November 18, 1815, in West Middletown, Washington County, Pennsylvania. He grew up in that region and pursued a classical education in local schools. After deciding on a legal career, he studied law in Pennsylvania, following the customary practice of reading law under established attorneys rather than attending a formal law school, which was typical of the era. Upon completion of his legal studies, he was admitted to the bar and began practicing law in Pennsylvania, gaining experience that would later support his judicial and political work on the western frontier.

Seeking opportunity in the expanding American West, McFadden moved to the Pacific Northwest in the mid-nineteenth century. He settled first in the Oregon Territory, where his legal training and political alignment with the Democratic Party brought him to the attention of territorial leaders. In this developing region, he became involved in public affairs and the organization of territorial institutions, contributing to the establishment of a functioning legal system in a frontier environment.

McFadden’s most prominent early public role in the Northwest came with his appointment to the Oregon Supreme Court. He became the eighth justice of that court, temporarily serving to replace Matthew Deady, a leading jurist who had been elevated to the federal bench. In this capacity, McFadden participated in shaping early territorial jurisprudence, hearing cases that involved land claims, commercial disputes, and questions arising from the rapid growth and settlement of the region. His service on the court reflected both his legal acumen and the trust placed in him to help stabilize the rule of law in Oregon during a formative period.

After his judicial service in Oregon, McFadden relocated north to the Washington Territory, where he continued his legal practice and entered territorial politics. As a member of the Democratic Party, he was elected to the Washington Territorial Legislature, participating in the legislative process as the territory developed its institutions, addressed issues of land, transportation, and governance, and sought to represent the interests of settlers and emerging communities. His legislative work helped lay the groundwork for Washington’s eventual transition from territorial status toward statehood.

McFadden’s territorial political career culminated in his election as a delegate to the United States Congress from Washington Territory. As a member of the Democratic Party representing Washington, he contributed to the legislative process during one term in office, serving as the territory’s non-voting delegate in the U.S. House of Representatives. His service in Congress occurred during a significant period in American history, when questions of expansion, governance of the territories, and national political realignments were prominent. In this role, he participated in the democratic process and represented the interests of his constituents in Washington Territory, advocating for federal attention to the region’s needs and development.

Following his congressional service, McFadden returned to the Pacific Northwest, where he remained engaged in legal and civic affairs. He continued to be recognized as an experienced attorney and public figure whose career had spanned both judicial and legislative responsibilities in two territories. Obadiah Benton McFadden died on June 25, 1875, leaving a legacy as one of the early legal and political leaders who helped shape the institutions of Oregon and Washington during their territorial years.