Henry J. Bean

Henry J. Bean (November 13, 1853 – May 8, 1941) was an American politician and judge in Oregon. He was the 24th Chief Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court. He served in that role twice during the 1930s. At his death on the bench, he was the longest-serving justice in the state’s history. A native of Maine, he also served in the Oregon House of Representatives.

Early life Henry Bean was born in Bethel, Maine, on November 13, 1853, to Elizabeth E. Bean (née Swift) and Timothy Bean.

There he attended Gould, Hebron, and North Yarmouth Academies for his primary education. He represented Umatilla County in the lower chamber as a Republican. Bean married Mattie Magahey in Pendleton in 1896. He won re-election in 1914, 1920, 1926, 1932, and 1938. His thirty years on the bench made him the longest-serving justice on the court until co-worker George Rossman earned that distinction.

Bean served as chief justice twice during his tenure. First from 1931 to 1933 and then from 1937 to 1939. He died in office on May 8, 1941, and was replaced by James T. Brand.