Robert A. Emmitt

Robert Albert Emmitt (May 29, 1850 – May 2, 1937), also known as Bob Emmitt or Judge Emmitt, was an American farmer and politician. He served two two-year terms in the Oregon House of Representatives as a Republican legislator, representing a large rural district in eastern Oregon. He was also a justice of the peace in Klamath County and later the postmaster and justice of the peace for the city of Klamath Falls, Oregon.

Early life

Emmitt was born on May 29, 1850, in Logan County, Illinois. He was the son of John Emmitt and Caroline (Thompson) Emmitt. His father was born in Pennsylvania and his mother was from Tennessee; both had Irish ancestry. In 1852, his family moved to the Oregon Territory, travelling by wagon along the Oregon Trail.

The family settled in Douglas County, where Emmitt's father secured a Donation Land Grant. The land claim was in Coles Valley, northwest of Roseburg. His father built a one-room log cabin on the bank of the Umpqua River. The family lived in the cabin for 14 years until 1866, when they built a better home on the site. As a boy, Emmitt attended a small rural school in Coles Valley. Emmitt's father was well known throughout Douglas County, serving a four-year term in the Oregon State Senate from 1884 to 1888.

Pioneer farmer

Shortly after getting married, the couple moved to Klamath County, which at that time was still part of Jackson County. To get to their new home, they travelled overland across the Cascade Mountains with Emmitt driving their small cattle herd while his wife led a pack horse that carried their personal possessions and household goods. Two years later, he was elected to a two-year term as Klamath County commissioner. In 1898, he was elected to the Oregon state board of equalization from the first judicial district by a 600-vote margin. The board was responsible for adjudicating property taxes appeals from citizens. However, the position was abolished before he took office.

Emmitt was also active in several fraternal organizations. He was a member of the local Ancient Order of United Workmen lodge and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

State legislator

In 1900, Emmitt decided to run for a District 21 seat in the Oregon State House of Representatives. District 21 represented four large eastern Oregon counties, Crook (which at that time included modern-day Deschutes and Jefferson counties), Klamath, Lake, and Wasco (which included Hood River County at that time). District 21 had three House seats so major political parties could nominate up to three candidates. Emmitt was nominated as one of the Republican Party's candidates.

Oregon House District 22, 1901–1904 In the general election, Emmitt was elected as one of three state representatives from District 21.

Emmitt took his District 21 seat in the Oregon House of Representatives on January 14, 1901. During the session, he was appointed chairman of the House claims committee. He served throughout the session which ended on March 4.

In 1902, Emmitt ran for reelection in District 21. The district still had three seats, so the Republican Party filled out its ticket with two other candidates, Nathan Whealdon of The Dalles and J. N. Burgess of Antelope. In addition, the state's Democratic Party nominated three candidates for the District 21 seats, Earl Sanders, L. E. Morse, and P. B. Doak. The final count was led by Whealdon with 2,671 votes followed by Burgess with 1,403 and Emmitt with 1,346. The three Democrats finished well behind with Sanders receiving 1,172 votes, Morse with 1,074, and Doak getting only 851. Later that year, Emmitt represented District 21 during a special legislative session that began on December 21 and ended four days later.

Later life

After leaving the state legislature, Emmitt returned to his farm in Klamath County. However, he remained active in public affairs. In 1906, he ran for county judge in Klamath County, but was defeated. In 1907, he leased out his farmland to tenants and moved to Klamath Falls. A year later, he was appointed Klamath Falls postmaster. In that position, he became the first postmaster in Oregon to be designated as a postal banker by the United States Postal Service. He remained postmaster until 1912, when he was appointed Klamath County's road master, a position he held for many years. As road master, he supervised the construction and maintenance of the county's expanding road network. That same year, he supported William Howard Taft for President of the United States and campaigned for local candidates as well. In addition, he was president of the Good Government League of Klamath County during the early 1920s.

In 1922, he was elected justice of the peace for the city of Klamath Falls. During his two-year term, he handled 982 cases. This included 759 criminal cases and 223 civil cases. In 1924, he ran for reelection, but was defeated by 90 votes in a four-way race. However, he was appointed as acting justice of the peace in late 1925 after the incumbent became seriously ill and could not continue in the position. After the incumbent's death, Emmitt was officially appointed to fill the unexpired justice of the peace term. In the same month, Emmitt announced he would run for re-election as an independent candidate. He was defeated in the 1926 general election by the Republican candidate who received 1,982 votes to Emmitt's 1,268.

After leaving the justice of the peace position, Emmitt continued to actively follow community and world events. During his latter years, he wrote a number of articles and commentaries for the two local newspapers. His wife Flora died in 1931, after an extended illness. Emmitt and his wife had been married for 56 years at the time of her death.

In 1936, Emmitt had a heart attack, but recovered. He died in his sleep at home in Klamath Falls on May 2, 1937.