Judgeship
Babcock was selected on February 18, 1841, to be the supreme judge for the settlers of the region. There was a need for a probate court in order to deal with the estate of Ewing Young. Young had become a wealthy rancher due to his economic activities that included participation in the Willamette Cattle Company in 1837. In 1842, Babcock helped to organize the Oregon Institute as a school for the children of the American settlers. After holding the supreme judge title for two years, Babcock took his family to the Sandwich Islands for one year. After returning he was elected as judge again, but left Oregon permanently in November 1844. After leaving Oregon he joined the United States Army and served as a surgeon. In 1870, he returned to Oregon on a visit.
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