Theodore Thurston Geer
| Theodore T. Geer | |
|---|---|
 |
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| 10th Governor of Oregon | |
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In office January 9, 1899 – January 14, 1903 |
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| Preceded by | William Paine Lord |
| Succeeded by | George Earle Chamberlain |
| 17th Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives | |
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In office 1891–1892 |
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| Preceded by | E. L. Smith |
| Succeeded by | W. P. Keady |
| Constituency | Marion County |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 12, 1851 Waldo Hills, Oregon Territory |
| Died | February 21, 1924 (aged 72) Portland, Oregon |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Nancy Batte Duncan Isabelle Trullinger |
| Profession | Journalist, farmer |
| Religion | Unitarian |
| Office information | |
Theodore Thurston Geer (March 12, 1851 – February 21, 1924) was the tenth Governor of Oregon (the first born in the territory of the state), serving from January 9, 1899 to January 14, 1903. The Republican politician was in office when the legislature adopted the "Oregon System", Oregon's system of initiative and referendum. He also served in the Oregon House of Representatives, including time as its Speaker.
Theodore Geer was born on March 12, 1851, in the Waldo Hills east of Salem, in what was then the Oregon Territory. His parents, Heman Johnson Geer and the former Cynthia Ann Eoff, separated when Theodore was 14 years old. Geer was educated in the Salem schools and at Willamette University in Salem.
After his parents separated he began working, and in 1866 he moved to the Grande Ronde Valley with his father. While living in Eastern Oregon, Geer wrote letters to the Blue Mountain Times newspaper. In 1877, he returned to the Willamette Valley and the Waldo Hills where he farmed.
In 1880, Geer was elected to the Oregon Legislative Assembly, representing Marion County in the House of Representatives. He returned to the House in 1889, serving through the 1893 legislative session, and serving as Speaker of the House in 1891. He served as a Presidential Elector in 1897.
Theodore Geer was elected as the 10th Governor of Oregon in 1898 to replace William Paine Lord, defeating Democrat and Populist party nominee W. R. King. A Republican governor, he served one term from January 9, 1899 until January 14, 1903. Geer was the tenth governor since statehood, but the first native Oregonian to hold that position.
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