John McCourt

John McCourt (February 26, 1874 – September 12, 1924) was an American attorney and jurist in the state of Oregon. He served as the 51st justice of the Oregon Supreme Court. Prior to joining the court, McCourt had worked as United States District Attorney for the District of Oregon. A native of Canada, he was also a state court judge and member of the Oregon House of Representatives.

Early life John McCourt was born on February 26, 1874, in Listowel, Ontario, Canada. His parents, James McCourt and Emma Farnscomb, and the rest of the family moved to California when John was young. He then switched to the law school where he graduated in 1896 and began practicing law in Salem, Oregon. He returned the following year for the regular legislative assembly. McCourt then moved to Eastern Oregon in 1900 where he practiced law in Pendleton until 1908. McCourt then won election to a full six-year term in 1922, but died in office on September 12, 1924. He died in Salem of septic poisoning from an infection of the teeth and is buried at the Salem Pioneer Cemetery.

Family His father was born in Scotland and his mother in Canada. John McCourt married on June 28, 1898, to Vera Boothby. The couple had two boys together. McCourt is buried in Salem’s Pioneer Cemetery.