Oscar CAIN, filling the position of United States attorney for the Spokane district, was born on the 25th of May, 1868, in Ringgold county, Iowa, a son of Robert and Sarah (BROWN) CAIN, who in 1867 removed from Ohio to Iowa. The father had previously served as a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war, enlisting in the Sixty-fifth Ohio Infantry. After ten years' residence in the Hawkeye state Robert CAIN took his family to Lola, Kansas, where they resided until 1892.

Oscar CAIN began his education in the public schools of Iowa and continued his studies in Kansas, in a broad general knowledge laying the foundation for his professional learning. He took up the study of law in an attorney's office of Lola and was admitted to the bar on the 2d of April, 1892, passing the required examination before the supreme court at Topeka, Kansas. Immediately afterward he came to the northwest and for one year was engaged in teaching school in the Willamette valley in Oregon. In February, 1893, he removed to Walla Walla where lie entered upon the practice of law and in his chosen calling made rapid advance. During the period of his residence there he served for three terms as city attorney and was also for two terms prosecuting attorney of Walla Walla county. This brought him wide and valuable experience and the ability which he displayed in handling important litigation that came to him in his official as well as in private connection led to his appointment on the 17th of August, 1910, as United States attorney for the eastern district of Washington, which position he is now filling, with residence in Spokane.

On the 27th of June, 1901, Mr. CAIN was married to Miss Abbie WATERMAN, of Walla Walla, a daughter of Samuel and Jane WATERMAN, of that city, who were pioneer settlers there, coming in 1861. Mr. and Mrs. CAIN now have a daughter Lois, eight years of age, and they reside at No. 1204 South Cook street, where he purchased a pleasant residence. In politics he has always been a republican, interested in the welfare of the party and thoroughly informed concerning the vital issues and questions of the day. His social relations are with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Woodmen of the World and the Spokane Club. His own intellectual attainments make him a congenial companion in those circles where well read men discuss the questions of the day and his close application and broad study in his profession have gained him high standing as a representative of the Washington bar.

SOURCE: History of Spokane and Spokane County, Washington Vol. III. Pp. 975-76. S.J. Clarke Publ. Co. Chicago. 1912.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, June of 2009