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Cicero M. Idleman, attorney at law of Portland, was born August 18, 1854, in Marion, Ohio, the city which has
so recently been in the limelight as the place of residence of the newly elected president of the United States.
Marion was also the home of Silas Idleman, the father of Cicero M. Idleman, who was the first child born in that
county, his natal day being February 10, 1822. He was married in Marion in 1844 to Catharine Pontius, also a native
of Marion. The father departed this life in July, 1903, having for about five years survived his wife, who died
in 1898.
Cicero M. Idleman was reared in Marion and there acquired a primary education, while later he spent two years as
a student in the Smithville (Ohio) Academy. He next entered the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, but
left that institution in his junior year to take a position under the government in the railway mail service. He
thus acted for two years and utilized his leisure time in reading law, so that he qualified for the bar and in
1883 was admitted to practice in the courts of Ohio. His removal to the west occurred in the year 1884 and in June
of that year he became a junior partner in the law firm of Johnson, McCown & Idleman, a relation that was maintained
until 1894, when Mr. Idleman became a member of the firm of Carey, Idleman, Mays & Webster. That relation continued
until Mr. Idleman was elected attorney general of Oregon in 1896, assuming the duties of the office in the month
of January. He filled the position through the four year term, making a most creditable record, endorsed by his
professional brethren and by public opinion as well. At the close of his term he resumed law practice and has since
given his attention to his profession without entering upon partnership relations. He is a man of pronounced ability
in his chosen calling, having comprehensive understanding of the principles of jurisprudence, displaying great
thoroughness and decision in the preparation of his cases and great clearness, earnestness and force in the presentation
of his cause before the courts. His assertions in court are seldom seriously questioned and the many verdicts which
he has won, favorable to the interests of his clients, attest his power as a lawyer.
On the 3d of April, 1907, Mr. Idleman was married to Miss Margaret E. Denning, a daughter of the late Job Denning,
who was a native of Indiana. Their marriage was celebrated in Portland, where Mr. and Mrs. Jdleman have gained
many friends. Fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and with the Knights of Pythias.
He belongs also to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Royal Arcanum. He is a member of the Chamber
of Commerce, the State Chamber of Commerce, the Press Club, and the Progressive Business Men's Club associations
which indicate much of the nature of his interests and his principles. He served on the legal advisory board during
the World war and also on the questionnaire board and in fact did every possible service for the government. In
politics he has always been a republican, but has never sought nor desired office, save that he served through
the one term as attorney general of the state, as previously indicated. He was one of three who in 1891 organized
the Portland Chamber of Commerce and was one of the committee of fifteen who erected the Chamber of Commerce building.
He has labored untiringly for local progress and benefit through these connections and has worked unremittingly
through political channels for the upbuilding of the commonwealth and country. He was chairman of the Republican
County Central Committee of Multnomah county in 1908 and for twenty years was president of the Multipor Republican
Club of Portland. He was and is a friend of Warren G. Harding and took an active part in promoting the cause of
his one time fellow townsman through the republican campaign of 1920. His entire career has been marked by a progressiveness
and a steadfastness of purpose that never stops short of the attainment of his objective.
From:
History of Oregon Illistrated
Vol. 2
BY: Charles H. Carney
The Pioneer Historical Publishing Company
Chicago - Portland 1922
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