The LaTourette family were French Huguenots who fled persecution and settled in Staten Island, New York in the late 1600s.
[citation needed] Following college, he enrolled at the University of Oregon School of Law, which at that time was located in Portland.
[1] In 1931, he was appointed as a circuit court judge for Oregon’s 5th judicial district that included Clackamas County, holding that position until 1950.
[1][5] During his time on the bench he lived in Oregon City, and in 1936 attended the funeral of fellow judge John Hugh McNary.
Ruth was the daughter of William H. Steiwer, and a member of a prominent political family from Eastern Oregon.