John W. Reynolds (Oregon attorney)

John Reynolds was born in Salem, Oregon, to John and Sallie A. (née Truesdell) Reynolds on January 27, 1875.[1] His father was a physician originally from Ohio.[2] The younger Reynolds earned his education at the public schools in Salem before enrolling at Willamette University, also in Salem.[1] He graduated with a bachelor of arts degree from the university in 1895, and then earned a masters of arts degree from Willamette in 1897.[1] Reynolds continued his education at the University of Michigan where he earned a bachelor of laws degree from their law school in 1899.[1] On May 6, 1908, he married Nettie Beckner.[1]

Reynolds was admitted to the Oregon bar in June 1897 in Salem.[1] He started practicing law in Salem in September 1899 after law school, and continued there in private practice until June 1907.[1] While still in private practice he became the dean of the Willamette University College of Law in June 1903.[1] He succeeded Samuel T. Richardson as the dean and also served on the board of trustees of the larger institution.[1][3]

During his tenure the university’s administration questioned whether the law school should continue to exist, as only four students earned degrees in a four-year period.[3] Reynolds was the fourth dean of the school, and served until 1908 when Charles L. McNary became the new dean.[3] In June 1907, he left Willamette and moved to Portland to continue practicing,[2] and continued in practice there until his death.[4][5] Reynolds left the Willamette University Board of Trustees in June 1908.[1] Starting in June 1909 he was in a partnership with A. F. Flegel with the law firm name of Flegel & Reynolds.[1] He was a member of the Republican Party, but did not hold public office.[1]

Reynolds was a partner in the firm Reynolds, Flegel, and Smith in the 1940s.[5] He was a member of the board of trustees for the Centenary-Wilbur Methodist Church in Portland as well as a member of the Sons of the American Revolution.[5] John Reynolds died of pneumonia on Sunday, April 5, 1942, in Portland at the age of 67 and was entombed at Riverview Cemetery in Portland.[5]