Benjamin Peyton Cornelius (November 9, 1850 – December 24, 1930) was an American politician and judge in Oregon. A Republican, he served in the Oregon House of Representatives and as the mayor of Hillsboro, Oregon. The son of Thomas R. Cornelius, he was also the sheriff of Washington County and a judge in that county.
Benjamin P. Cornelius | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Oregon House of Representatives | |
| In office 1893—1894 | |
| Constituency | Washington County |
| Member of the Oregon House of Representatives | |
| In office 1917—1918 | |
| Constituency | Washington County |
| 17th Mayor of Hillsboro, Oregon | |
| In office 1903—1906 | |
| Preceded by | William N. Barrett |
| Succeeded by | John Dennis |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 9, 1850 Hillsboro, Oregon, US |
| Died | December 24, 1930 (aged 80) Hillsboro, Oregon, US |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Esther A. Barrett |
| Profession | Farmer |
Early life edit
Cornelius was born to Thomas Cornelius and Florentine Wilks on November 9, 1850, in Hillsboro, Washington County, Oregon.[1] He was raised in that county and was engaged in agriculture before marrying Esther A. Barrett on November 11, 1871, in neighboring Glencoe.
Cornelius became involved in politics as a Republican and served as a delegate to the county's party convention and state conventions starting in the 1880s.[1]
Political career edit
In 1884, Cornelius won his first election when he was elected as the sheriff of Washington County.[1] He was elected again in 1888, and in 1894 was elected as a county judge.[1] In 1892, Cornelius entered state politics and was elected to a two-year term in the Oregon House of Representatives as a Republican representing Washington County.[2]
Following his term as county judge he returned to farming before winning election as mayor of Hillsboro in 1903.[3] The seventeenth person to serve as mayor of Washington County's seat, he was in office from December 15, 1903, until December 4, 1906.[3] Cornelius returned to the Oregon House in 1917 after winning election in 1916, again representing Washington County.[4] Benjamin P. Cornelius died on December 24, 1930, at the age of 80.
References edit
- ^ a b c d Republican Party (U.S. : 1854- ), and Republican League of Oregon. Republican League Register, a Record of the Republican Party in the State of Oregon. Portland: Register Pub. Co, 1896. p. 191.
- ^ Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide, 1893 Regular Session (17th). Oregon State Archives. Retrieved on June 19, 2016.
- ^ a b Mayors: City of Hillsboro. The Hillsboro Argus, October 19, 1976
- ^ Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide, 1917 Regular Session (29th). Oregon State Archives. Retrieved on June 19, 2016.