Obadiah Benton McFADDEN, Congress, WA (1815-1875)

McFADDEN Obadiah Benton , a Delegate from the Territory of Washington; born in West Middletown, Washington County, Pa., November 18, 1815; attended the public schools and McKeever Academy, West Middletown, Pa.; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1843 and commenced practice; member of the State house of representatives in 1843; elected prothonotary of Washington County; appointed associate justice of the supreme court of the Territory of Oregon in 1853 and of the Territory of Washington in 1854 and served as chief justice of the latter from 1858 to 1861; member of the legislative council and chosen its president in 1861; resumed the practice of law in Olympia, Wash., and also engaged in agricultural pursuits; elected as a Democrat to the Forty-third Congress (March 4, 1873-March 3, 1875); was not a candidate for renomination in 1874; died in Olympia, Wash., June 25, 1875; interment in the Masonic Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present