Aaron E. Waite

Aaron E. Waite (December 26, 1813 – December 12, 1898) was an American judge and politician. He was the 4th Chief Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court serving from 1859 to 1862. He was the first chief justice after Oregon became a state on February 14, 1859. A Massachusetts native, Waite also served in the Oregon Territorial Legislature.

Early life Aaron Waite (sometimes spelled "Wait") was born on December 26, 1813, in Franklin County, Massachusetts, where he was raised by his grandfather and an uncle. His father had died as a soldier in the War of 1812. At the age of 14 he became an apprentice broom maker, working for four years until also enrolling in school for two years. Following an absence from the legislature he returned as a member of the upper chamber Council in 1857 and 1858 serving as a Democrat.

In 1858 he ran and was elected to the Oregon Supreme Court. Prior to this the judges were appointed by the U.S. President as Oregon was still a territory. Wait's term began in 1859 and he served on the state's highest court until resigning on May 1, 1862. Waite declined the nomination due to ill health and J. A. Chapman was elected instead.

Later years Waite married twice and had a total of six children, of which both of his wives and four of the children died before him. After serving on the court he retired to his farm that was located in Clackamas County. In 1891 he moved to Portland, Oregon, with most of his time in retirement spent managing his land holdings in the Pacific Northwest. Aaron E. Waite died on his farm near Canby on December 12, 1898, at the age of 84.