Binger Hermann

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Binger Hermann (February 19, 1843 – April 15, 1926) was a Republican U.S. congressman from Oregon.

Contents 1 Early life 2 Political career 3 Oregon Land Fraud Scandal 4 After Congress 5 References 6 External links

[edit] Early life

Hermann was born in Lonaconing, Maryland in 1843. After graduating from the Independent Academy (later called Irving College), Hermann moved to Oregon in 1859. He taught school and studied law and in 1866, was admitted to the Oregon bar and set up a law practice in Oakland.

[edit] Political career

Also in 1866, Hermann was elected to the Oregon House of Representatives. He served one term in the Oregon House, and then served one term in the Oregon State Senate from 1868 to 1870. Hermann also served as deputy collector of internal revenue for southern Oregon from 1868 to 1871 and receiver of public moneys at the United States land office in Roseburg from 1871 to 1873 and was a colonel in the Oregon State Militia from 1882 to 1884.

In 1884, Hermann was elected to the United States House of Representatives for Oregon's At-large congressional district. In 1893, after Oregon was granted another congressional district based on the 1890 census, Hermann continued to serve in Congress, representing Oregon's 1st congressional district.

Hermann did not seek reelection in 1896, and was appointed by President McKinley as Commissioner of the General Land Office in Washington, D.C. In 1903, Hermann's successor in the 1st district, Thomas H. Tongue, died. Hermann won a special election to complete Tongue's term, and was reelected to another term in 1905.

[edit] Oregon Land Fraud Scandal

During his final term, Hermann was embroiled in the Oregon Land Fraud Scandal of the early 20th century, a scandal involving political corruption and the illegal acquisition of public lands. He was charged with destroying public documents created while he was Commissioner of the General Land Office that allegedly showed his complicity in land fraud. He was found not guilty of that charge in 1907, but remained under indictment for collusion of a land deal in the Blue Mountain Forest Reserve in Oregon. A trial was held on that charge in 1910 and ended in a hung jury. U.S. District Attorney Francis J. Heney declined to refile charges.^[1]

[edit] After Congress

Hermann returned to Roseburg, where he resumed his law practice and engaged in literary pursuits until his death in 1926.

[edit] References

This article incorporates material from the public domain Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

[edit] External links

• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Binger Hermann Memorial at Find A Grave

Preceded by Melvin Clark George	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Oregon's At-large congressional district 1885–1893	Succeeded by none (district replaced by 1st district)
Preceded by none (district created by 1890 census)	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Oregon's 1st congressional district 1893–1897	Succeeded by Thomas H. Tongue
Preceded by Thomas H. Tongue	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Oregon's 1st congressional district 1903–1907	Succeeded by Willis C. Hawley