Collection context
Summary
- Creators:
- Carter, Jesse W. (Jesse Washington), 1888-1959 and Carter, Oliver J. (Oliver Jesse), 1911-1976
- Abstract:
- Correspondence with family, other lawyers, judges, political figures, etc.; legal files; office memoranda and financial statements. They relate to his law practice in Shasta County, particularly cases involving water rights; prohibition enforcement activities while district attorney; Democratic politics (including the 1932 national convention and the 1938 Olson gubernatorial campaign); Knights of Pythias; the State Bar of California; and activities as state senator. Included also: miscellaneous files, 1943-46, of Carlton & Shadwell, the law firm which succeeded Carter, Barrett, Finley and Carlton; records re legal business of Redding, ca. 1947-52; and papers of Oliver J. Carter relating to his career as state senator, ca. 1941-1948. (17 cartons)
- Extent:
- Number of containers: 47 boxes, 91 cartons, and 8 oversize boxes. Linear feet: 140.
- Language:
- Collection materials are in English
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The judge's papers were given to the Bancroft Library in December 1963 by his son, Oliver J. Carter, U.S. district Judge in San Francisco. Covering the period from 1912 to his judicial appointment, they consist primarily of correspondence, legal files for the many cases in which he participated, papers relating to some of the political campaigns in which he was active, and files relating to his senatorial career. In addition, there are some miscellaneous files, 1943-1946, of Carlton and Shadwell, the law firm which succeeded Carter, Barrett, Finley and Carlton; records relating to legal business of the city of Redding, 1947-1952; and papers of Oliver J. Carter relating to his career as state senator.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Jesse Washington Carter was born in Carrville, California on December 19, 1888. He grew up on a ranch in Trinity County and in 1905 went to San Francisco. After graduating from the Golden Gate Law College, 1913, he was admitted to the state bar and practiced in the city. In 1914 he moved to Redding, opening a law office there on February 5. Although a relative newcomer, he ran for office of district attorney, losing the election by only twenty-three votes. He was successful in his second try in 1918, and he held the position until 1927. The major portion of his private practice was devoted to water litigation, in which he invariably represented the farmers' side. He served also as city attorney for Mt. Shasta, 1927 to 1939, and for Redding, 1937 to 1939. When he ceased law practice in 1939, he had seven lawyers associated with him, and had two offices, one in Redding and one in Yreka.
Although he described himself as an independent voter, Carter usually found himself aligned with the Democratic Party. In 1932 he was a California delegate to the national convention and in 1938 he was active in Culbert L. Olson's gubernatorial campaign. In 1939 he became state senator and in July of that same year Governor Olson appointed him to the state supreme court. His twenty years on the bench, until his death on March 15, 1959, were often marked by controversy, and he become known for the frequency and vigor of his dissenting opinions.
- Physical location:
- Many of the Bancroft Library collections are stored offsite and advance notice may be required for use. For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the library's online catalog.
- Rules or conventions:
- Finding Aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard
Access and use
- Location of this collection:
-
University of California, Berkeley, The Bancroft LibraryBerkeley, CA 94720-6000, US
- Contact:
- 510-642-6481