Prentiss Mellen was born on October 11, 1764 in Sterling, Massachusetts to Rev. John Mellen and Rebecca Prentiss Mellen. He graduated from Harvard College in 1784. After college, he spent a year as a private tutor in Barnstable, Massachusetts and read law under the tutelage of Shearjashub Bourne. Mellen was admitted to the bar in Taunton, Massachusetts in 1788.

Mellen moved to Biddeford (in what later would be Maine) in 1792 and then to Portland in 1806. In 1818, he was elected to the United States Senate from Massachusetts to fill the vacancy left by the death of Eli P. Ashmun. However, he served for less than two years, resigning in 1820 upon the admission of the State of Maine into the United States.

On July 1, 1820, Mellen was appointed the first Chief Justice of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court. He served as Chief until October 11, 1834, when at the age of 70 he was constitutionally disqualified from the bench and forced to resign. Mellen died in Portland on December 31, 1840, at the age of 76.

Sources: In Memoriam Prentiss Mellen, 17 ME 467; William Willis, A History of the Law, the Courts, and the Lawyers of Maine, Bailey and Noyes, Portland, Maine, 1863, pg. 163-173; Biographical Directory of the United States Congress (www.bioguide.congress.gov/ scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=M000636).

William Pitt Preble was born on November 27, 1783 in York. His father was Esaias Preble. He graduated from Harvard College in 1806. After reading law under the tutelage of Benjamin Hasey of Topsham, Preble was appointed County Attorney for York in 1811.

Preble was appointed the United States Attorney for the District of Maine by President Madison on 1814 and served until 1820. He moved to Portland and was the city’s representative to Maine’s 1819 Constitutional Convention. Preble was appointed one of the inaugural Associate Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court on July 1, 1820 when the State of Maine was admitted into the Union. He served on the Court until his resignation on June 18, 1828.

In 1828, President Jackson appointed Preble Minister to The Hague to represent the United States in its dispute with Great Britain over the Northeastern boundary, which was ultimately settled by the Webster-Ashburton Treaty of 1842. Preble was named the first president of the Atlantic and St. Lawrence Railroad Company in 1847. He died on October 11, 1857, at the age of 73.

Sources: William Willis, A History of the Law, the Courts, and the Lawyers of Maine, Bailey & Noyes, Portland, Maine, 1863, pg. 597-614; Virtual American Biographies (http://www.famousamericans.net/williampittpreble/).

Nathan Weston was born on July 27, 1782 in Hallowell (part of present day Augusta) to Nathan and Elizabeth (Bancroft) Weston. He was educated at Hallowell Academy, and graduated from Dartmouth College in 1803. He read law in the offices of Benjamin Whitwell in Augusta, and George Blake in Boston, Massachusetts. He was admitted to the Suffolk County, Massachusetts Bar in July 1806, and soon after returned to Augusta to open his practice.

Weston served as New Gloucester’s representative to the Massachusetts Legislature in 1808. He also served as a delegate to the Brunswick Convention of 1816, which addressed the issue of statehood for Maine. With the restructuring of the Massachusetts court system in 1811, Weston was appointed by Governor Strong as Chief Justice of the Second Eastern Circuit Court for the District of Maine. At the time of his appointment, Weston was 29 years old.

Weston was appointed an Associate Justice of the first Maine Supreme Judicial Court by Governor William King on July 1, 1820, upon the admission of the State of Maine into the Union and was appointed Chief Justice on October 22, 1834. He served as Chief until his retirement on October 22, 1841. Weston died in Augusta on June 4, 1872, at the age of 90. His grandson, Melville Weston Fuller, was Chief Justice of the United States.

Sources: In Memoriam Nathan Weston, Jr., 33 ME 593; Willis, Lawyers and Courts of Maine (1863).

Albion K. Parris was born on January 19, 1788 in Hebron to Samuel and Sarah (Pratt) Parris. He was educated locally before graduating from Dartmouth College in 1806. Parris read law with the future Chief Justice Ezekial Whitman, first in New Gloucester, then in Portland. He was admitted to the Cumberland County Bar in 1809, but immediately established his office in Paris, Oxford County.

In 1811, Parris was appointed County Attorney for Oxford; in 1813 he was elected to the General Court in Massachusetts; and was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1815. He served in Congress until February 1818 when he was appointed Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Maine by President Monroe. He sat on the District Court until 1820.

Parris was a staunch supporter of Maine’s separation from Massachusetts. He was the Treasurer of the Maine Constitutional Convention. Following Maine’s statehood in 1820, Parris was appointed the Probate Judge of Cumberland County by Governor King. Parris himself was elected Governor of Maine and held that office from 1822 until 1827. Afterward, he was elected to the United States Senate, replacing John Holmes, and served from 1827 until 1828.

Parris was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court by Governor Lincoln on June 25, 1828, and served until his resignation on August 20, 1836. He served as Second Comptroller of the United States Treasury from 1836 until 1850. He was elected Mayor of Portland in 1852 and waged an unsuccessful campaign for Governor in 1854. He died on February 11, 1857, at the age of 69.

Sources: William Willis, A History of the Law, the Courts, and the Lawyers of Maine, Bailey & Noyes, Portland, Maine, 1863, pg. 565-572; Biographical Directory of the United States Congress (http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=P000079).

Nicholas Emery was born on September 4, 1776 in Exeter, New Hampshire to Noah and Jane (Hale) Emery. He was educated at Exeter Academy, and graduated from Dartmouth College at the age of nineteen. After college, Emery prepared for a legal career by reading law in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Emery returned to Exeter Academy as an assistant instructor in 1797, and was later admitted to the York County Bar in 1798. Emery began his legal practice in Parsonsfield but moved to Portland in 1807. Emery was an active participant in the debate over the separation of the District of Maine from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, serving on the Brunswick Convention of 1816. He also served as a delegate from Portland to the convention that drafted the Maine Constitution.

Emery was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court by Governor Dunlap on October 22, 1834. Emery served on the Court until October 21, 1841. He died on August 24, 1861, at the age of 85.

Sources: William Willis, A History of the Law, the Courts, and the Lawyers of Maine, Bailey & Noyes, Portland, Maine, 1863, pg. 262-269

Ether Shepley was born on November 2, 1789 in Groton, Massachusetts to John and Mary (Thurlow) Shepley. He was educated at Groton Academy and graduated from Dartmouth College in 1811. He read law in the offices of Dudley Hubbard in South Berwick, and Solomon Strong of Hampshire. He was admitted to the bar in 1814, and began his practice in Saco.

Shepley became a member of the Massachusetts General Court in 1819. In 1820, he was selected as a delegate for the Maine State Constitutional Convention. From 1820 until 1833, Shepley served as a United States Attorney for the District of Maine. In 1833, he was elected a United States Senator for Maine, succeeding John Holmes, and served until his resignation in 1836.

Shepley was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court by Governor Dunlap on September 23, 1836. On October 23, 1848 Governor Dana appointed him Chief Justice, where he served until his retirement on October 22, 1855. Shepley was the father of George F. Shepley who, like his father, served as United States Attorney for the District of Maine, but who declined appointment to the Supreme Judicial Court. Ether Shepley died in Portland on January 15, 1877, at 87.

Sources: In Memoriam Ether Shepley, 66 ME 593; William Willis, A History of the Law, the Courts, and the Lawyers of Maine, Bailey & Noyes, Portland, Maine, 1863, pg. 619-626; Virtual American Biographies (http://www.famousamericans.net/johnshepley/); Biographical Directory of the United States Congress (http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/ biodisplay.pl?index=S000334)

John S. Tenney was born on January 21, 1793 in Rowley (now Byefield), Massachusetts. He was educated in the local schools and graduated from Bowdoin College in 1816. After college, he taught briefly at Warren Academy. He soon moved to Hallowell and read law in the office of Attorney Bond.

Tenney was admitted to the bar in 1820. He maintained a private practice in law and in the fall of 1837 was elected to the House of Representatives.

Tenney was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court by Governor Kent on October 23, 1841. He was appointed Chief Justice by Governor Morrill on October 23, 1855. He served as Chief until his retirement on October 23, 1862. Tenney then returned to state politics, being elected to the Senate in both 1863 and 1864. Tenney died in Norridgewock on August 23, 1869, at the age of 75.

Sources: In Memoriam John S. Tenney, 56 ME 583.

Ezekiel Whitman was born on March 9, 1776 in East Bridgewater, Massachusetts to Josiah and Sarah (Sturtevant) Whitman. He graduated from Brown University in 1795. He read law and was admitted to the bar in Plymouth County, Massachusetts in 1799. He began his practice in New Gloucester and moved to Portland in 1807.

Whitman served in the United States Congress as a Federalist Representative from Massachusetts from 1809 until 1811, and again from 1817 until 1821. He was a delegate to the Maine State Constitutional Convention. He returned to Congress as a Representative from Maine from 1821 until 1822.

Whitman resigned from Congress to accept an appointment by Governor Parris as Chief Justice of the Maine Court of Common Pleas, where he served from 1822 until 1841. Following his appointment by Governor Kent, Whitman served as the third Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court from December 10, 1841, until his retirement on October 23, 1848. Whitman died in East Bridgewater, Massachusetts on August 1, 1866, at the age of 90.

Sources: William Willis, A History of the Law, the Courts, and the Lawyers of Maine, Bailey & Noyes, Portland, Maine, 1863, pg. 289-314; Biographical Directory of the United States Congress (http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=W000421).

Samuel Wells was born on August 15, 1801 in Durham, New Hampshire. He studied law in the offices of Theodore Rice of Winslow and began his practice of law in Waterville in 1826; subsequently moved to Hallowell in 1835; and eventually settled in Portland in 1844. He served as Hallowell’s representative to the Maine State Legislature from 1836 until 1838.

Wells was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court by Governor Dana on September 28, 1847. He resigned from the Court on March 31, 1854. A staunch Democrat, Wells was elected Governor of Maine in 1856. He was nominated for Governor by the Democratic party again for the term beginning in 1857, however, he lost the election due to discord in the Democratic party over the question of slavery. Wells was the last Democratic Governor of Maine for over twenty years.

Later in life, he left Maine and settled in Boston, Massachusetts. Wells died on July 15, 1868, at the age of 66. .

Sources: Henry Chase, Representative Men of Maine, The Lakeside Press, Portland, Maine, 1893 (found at http://history.rays-place.com/governors/me/wells+same.htm).

Joseph Howard was born on March 14, 1800 in Brownfield. He was educated at Fryeburg Academy and graduated from Bowdoin College in 1821. He read law at the offices of Judge Dana and future Supreme Judicial Court Justice Daniel Goodenow and was admitted to the Cumberland County Bar in 1824.

Howard opened an office in Bridgton but later moved to Limerick where he maintained a successful practice for more than a decade serving as York County attorney. In 1837, he moved to Portland when he was named United States District Attorney for Maine by President Van Buren. He held that office until 1841 when he returned to private practice.

Howard was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court by Governor Dana on October 23, 1848. He served in that capacity until his commission expired on October 22, 1855. For a time he practiced law with future Supreme Judicial Court Justice Sewall C. Strout, and then with Nathan Cleaves, his son-in-law. He was elected Mayor of Portland in 1860, and campaigned unsuccessfully as the Democratic candidate for Governor in both 1864 and 1865. He died in Brownfield on December 12, 1877, at the age of 77.

Sources: In Memoriam Joseph Howard, 67 ME 600.

Richard Drury Rice was born on April 10, 1810 in Union. His father was the Hon. Nathan D. Rice. After an early career in the printing and publishing business, he read law in the Augusta office of the Hon. James W. Bradbury, United States Senator from Maine. After being admitted to the Kennebec County Bar in 1840, he practiced law with Senator Bradbury.

In 1848 he was appointed a Judge of the District Court for the Middle District by Governor Dana. He was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court by Governor Hubbard on May 11, 1852. He served on the Court until December 1, 1863 when he resigned to take the presidency of the Portland and Kennebec Railroad Company. He died at his home in Augusta on May 27, 1882, at the age of 72.

John Appleton was born on July 12, 1804 in Ipswich, New Hampshire to John and Elizabeth (Peabody) Appleton. At the age of fourteen, Appleton traveled to Maine to study under the tutelage of his uncle, Jesse Appleton, President of Bowdoin College. After graduating from Bowdoin in 1822, Appleton read law first in Groton, Massachusetts, then in Alfred, Maine. Appleton was admitted to the Bar in Amherst, New Hampshire in 1826. Appleton settled in Bangor in 1832.

Appleton was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court by Governor Hubbard on May 11, 1852. On October 24, 1862, Appleton was appointed Chief Justice by Governor Washburn. He served as Chief until his retirement on September 20, 1883. His 21-year tenure as Chief was the longest of any Chief Justice. Appleton was the first Maine Supreme Judicial Court Justice to hold office from Piscataquis County.

Appleton died in Bangor, Maine at the age of 86 on February 7, 1891.

Sources: In Memoriam John Appleton, 83 ME 587; Maine State Law and Legislative Reference Library (http://www.state.me.us/legis/lawlib/portraits.htm); Virtual American Biographies (http://www.famousamericans.net/johnappleton1/).

Joshua W. Hathaway was born on November 10, 1797 in New Brunswick to Joshua Warren and Mary Ann (Hathaway) Hathaway. He entered Dartmouth College in 1816, but graduated from Bowdoin College in 1820. After college, he read law and was admitted to the bar in 1824. He opened a practice in Bluehill but then moved to Ellsworth in 1825.

Hathaway served in the State Senate, representing Hancock County, for one year. He moved to Bangor in 1847 and was appointed a Judge of the District Court in 1848. He was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court by Governor Hubbard on May 11, 1852. He served on the Court until May 11, 1859 when his commission expired. Hathaway died in Bangor on June 6, 1862 at the age of 64.

Sources: In Memoriam Joshua W. Hathaway, 48 ME 599.

Jonas Cutting was born on November 3, 1800 in Croydon, New Hampshire, to Jonas and Betsy (Eames) Cutting. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1823, and read law, first with Henry Hubbard, of Charlestown and then with Reuel Williams of Augusta. He was admitted to the Kennebec Bar in 1826. He first went into practice in Orono and then in 1831 in Bangor.

Cutting was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court on April 20, 1854 by Governor Crosby. He served in that capacity until his retirement on April 20, 1875. Cutting died on August 19, 1876, at the age of 76.

Sources: In Memoriam Jonas Cutting, 65 ME 599.

Seth May was born on July 2, 1802 in Winthrop. He was educated at the Monmouth and Hallowell academies, and began his career as an accountant. Unhappy with his employment, he began reading law in 1828 at the office of Dudley Todd at the age of 26. He was admitted to the Kennebec County Bar in 1831. May practiced law in Winthrop from 1831 until 1855. He was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court by Governor Morrill on May 6, 1855, and served on the Court until his retirement on May 6, 1862. After his retirement, he returned to private practice and served as the Register of Bankruptcy from 1867 until 1873. May died in Auburn on September 30, 1881, at the age of 79

Sources: In Memoriam Seth May, 74 ME 601.

Woodbury Davis was born on July 25, 1818 in Standish, Maine. At a young age, he moved with his family to the Town of Brooks, in Waldo County, where he was educated. He read law in Belfast and was admitted to the Waldo County Bar in 1847. Davis began his practice in Portland and was appointed State Treasurer in 1855. Davis was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court by Governor Morrill on October 10, 1855. He was removed by address on April 11, 1856, but was subsequently re-appointed on February 25, 1857. Davis resigned from the Court in 1865, and in 1866 was appointed Postmaster of Portland. He practiced law in Portland with Josiah H. Drummond in the firm of Davis & Drummond. Davis died in Portland on August 17, 1871, at the age of 53.

Sources: Cleaves Justice Index Card.

Daniel Goodenow was born on October 30, 1793 in Henneker, New Hampshire. He was primarily self-educated, but attended Dartmouth College after gaining admission to its senior class. Before and after his collegiate work, he read law under the tutelage of John Holmes in Alfred and was admitted to the York County Bar in 1817.

Goodenow served as Attorney General for the State of Maine from 1838 to 1842 and served in the Legislature. He was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives in 1830 and unsuccessfully ran as the Whig party candidate for the Governor in 1831, 1832, and 1833. He was then appointed a Judge of the District Court for the Western District.

Goodenow was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court by Governor Morrill on October 10, 1855. He retired at the end of his first term and died in Alfred on October 7, 1863, at the age of 70.

Sources: In Memoriam Daniel Goodenow, 50 ME 610; William Willis, A History of the Law, the Courts, and the Lawyers of Maine, Bailey & Noyes, Portland, Maine, 1863, pg. 3,75.

Edward Kent was born on January 8, 1802, in Concord, New Hampshire to William Austin Kent and the sister of Prentiss Mellen. He graduated from Harvard College in 1821 and thereafter read law. He was admitted to the Penobscot County Bar in 1821, and began his practice in Bangor

In 1827, Kent was appointed Chief Justice of the Court of Sessions for Penobscot County. From 1829 until 1833, he served in the Legislature. He served as Mayor of Bangor from 1836 until 1838, and Governor of Maine from 1838 until 1840. In 1843, Kent was appointed commissioner by the Legislature to help settle the location of the Maine-New Brunswick line in the border dispute between the United States and Canada ultimately settled by the Webster-Ashburton Treaty. He was a delegate to the 1848 National Whig Convention that nominated General Zachary Taylor for President. From 1849 until 1853, he served as United States consul in Rio Janeiro.

Kent was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court by Governor Morrill on May 11, 1859. He served on the Court until his retirement on May 11, 1873. Kent died in Bangor on May 19, 1877 at the age of 75.

Sources: In Memoriam Edward Kent, 66 ME 602.

Charles W. Walton was born on December 9, 1819 in Mexico, Maine to Artemas G. and Abigail (Stevens) Walton. Walton was educated by his mother until the age of twelve and seldom attended the local public schools. He spent two years as an apprentice to a printer in New Hampshire. He quit the printing trade, however, to read law and in 1843 was admitted to the Oxford County Bar.

Walton maintained a successful legal practice in Oxford County for many years. He served as Oxford County Attorney from 1847 until 1851, and as Androscoggin County Attorney from 1857 until 1860. Walton was elected as a Republican to the United States House of Representatives where he served from March 4, 1861 until May 26, 1862. He resigned from the House to accept a judicial appointment.

Walton was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court by Governor Washburn on May 14, 1862. He served for thirty-five years, retiring from the Court on May 14, 1897. Walton died at his home in Portland on January 24, 1900, at the age of 80.

Sources: In Memoriam Charles W. Walton, 94 ME 588; Biographical Directory of the United States Congress (http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=W000112).

Jonathan G. Dickerson was born on November 5, 1811, in Manchester, New Hampshire to Jonathan and Hannah (Garland) Dickerson. He was raised and educated in New Chester, New Hampshire before graduating from Waterville College (now Colby College) in 1836. After college, Dickerson taught in Bath while reading law. Dickerson continued his legal education in Waterville and was admitted to the Lincoln County Bar in 1839.

Dickerson was elected by the City of West Prospect (now Searsport) to the State Legislature in 1842. He served two terms, one by appointment, one by election, as the Waldo County Attorney. He was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court by Governor Washburn on October 24, 1862. Dickerson died in office on September 1, 1878, at the age of 67.

Sources: In Memoriam, Jonathan G. Dickerson, 68 ME 595.

Edward Fox was born on June 5, 1815 in Portland to John and Lucy Jones (Oxnard) Fox. He graduated from Harvard College and received a law degree from Harvard Law School in 1837. He was admitted to the Cumberland County Bar in 1837.

Fox was known as a proficient trial lawyer with an extensive practice. Prior to his appointment on the Court, he served as City Solicitor for Portland and as a State Legislator. Fox was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court by Governor Washborn on October 24, 1862. He would serve only five months, however, resigning on March 27, 1863, to accept an appointment as the fourth District Judge for the United States District Court of Maine. Fox died in Portland on December 14, 1881, at the age of 66.

Sources: William Willis, A History of the Law, the Courts, and the Lawyers of Maine, Bailey & Noyes, Portland, Maine, 1863, pg. 4.

William G. Barrows was born on January 12, 1821 in Yarmouth. After the death of his father in early childhood, Barrows was adopted and raised by his uncle, Rev. Joseph Palmer Fessenden of Bridgton. He was educated by his uncle and later graduated from Bowdoin College in 1839. He studied law with another uncle, General Samuel Fessenden, in Portland and in 1842 was admitted to the Cumberland Bar.

Barrows was elected the Judge of Probate for Cumberland County in 1856. He was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court by Governor Coburn on March 27, 1863. He served until March 24, 1884, when he retired after three terms due to illness. Barrows died on April 6, 1886 at the age of 65

Sources: In Memoriam William G. Barrows, 78 ME 584.

Charles Danforth was born on August 1, 1815 in Norridgewock to Israel and Sally (Wait) Danforth. He was educated in the local schools and read law at the offices of former Chief Justice John S. Tenney. Danforth was admitted to the Somerset County Bar in 1838 and began his practice in Gorham. He moved to Gardiner and joined the Kennebec Bar in 1841.

Danforth represented Gardiner for four terms in the State Legislature and sat on the Governor’s Executive Council in 1855. He served as the Kennebec County Attorney from 1858 until 1864. Danforth was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court by Governor Cony on January 5, 1864. He served on the Court for over three terms until his death on March 30, 1890, at the age of 74

Sources: In Memoriam Charles Danforth, 83 ME 582.

Rufus P. Tapley was born on January 2, 1823 in Danvers, Massachusetts to Rufus and Rebecca Tapley. He was educated in the common schools of Danvers, and at the age of 23 moved to Saco. There he studied law at the office of Bradley and Haines. He was admitted to the York County Bar in May 1848. Tapley maintained a successful private practice from 1848 until 1865 while serving as York County Attorney for six years and representing Saco in the Maine House of Representatives from 1858 until 1864. Tapley was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court by Governor Cony on December 21, 1865. He served on the Court until his retirement on December 21, 1872. He then returned to state politics, and was elected Saco’s representative to the state legislature in 1874. He also served for several years as City Solicitor for Saco and was elected to the Maine State Senate by York County and served from 1885 until 1886. Tapley died at his home in Saco on April 10, 1893, at the age of 70.

Sources: In Memoriam Rufus P. Tapley, 85 ME 579.

William Wirt Virgin was born on September 18, 1823 in Rumford. His father was Peter Chandler Virgin. Virgin was educated at Bridgton Academy in North Bridgton and Gould Academy in Bethel, and graduated from Bowdoin College in 1844. After college, Virgin read law in his father’s office and was admitted to the Oxford County Bar.

Virgin practiced law in Norway. Virgin was elected Oxford County Attorney, and served as Colonel of the 23rd Maine Volunteer Regiment during the Civil War. After the War, he was elected to the Senate (1865-1866) and served as its President in 1866. Virgin was appointed Reporter of Decisions for two terms from 1866 until 1872. In that year, he moved to Portland.

Virgin was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court by Governor Perham on December 26, 1872. He served on the Court until his death in Portland on January 23, 1893, at the age of 70.

Sources: In Memoriam William Wirt Virgin, 85 ME 549; James H. Mundy, Presidents of the Maine State Senate from 1820, Secretary of the Senate of Maine, 1979.

John A. Peters was born on October 9, 1822 in Ellsworth to Andrew and Sally (Jordan) Peters. He was educated at Gorham Academy and graduated from Yale College in 1842. He graduated from Harvard Law School in 1843, and was admitted to the Hancock County Bar in August 1844.

Peters began his practice in Bangor and during the 1860s served in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. From 1864 until 1866, Peters served as Attorney General. He was elected as a Republican to represent the State of Maine in the United States House of Representatives from 1867 until 1873.

Peters was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court by Governor Robie on May 15, 1873. He was appointed Chief Justice by Governor Perham on September 20, 1883. Peters served as Chief until his resignation on January 1, 1900. He died in Bangor in April 1, 1904, at the age of 81.

Sources: In Memoriam John A. Peters, 99 ME 541; E.C. Bowley, Album of Attorneys of Maine, Bethel, Maine, News Publishing Company, Copyright 1902, pg. 18.

Artemas Libby was born on January 8, 1823 in Freedom. In 1825, he and his family moved to Albion where he attended the local schools. At the age of 17, he began the study of law in the office of Samuel S. Warren and he later read law at the office of Z. Washburne of China. Libby was admitted to the Kennebec County Bar in 1844 at the age of 21.

He moved to Augusta in 1858 after practicing in Albion for eleven years. Libby was elected to represent Augusta in the House of Representatives in 1852. He served on Governor Well’s Executive Council in 1856. Governor Dingley appointed him to the Constitutional Committee in 1875.

Libby was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court by Governor Dingley on April 23, 1875. He served on the Court until April 23, 1882. Libby was reappointed an Associate Justice by Governor Robie on January 11, 1883 and served in that capacity until his death in Augusta on August 15, 1894, at the age of 71.

Sources: In Memoriam Artemas Libby, 86 ME 584.

Joseph W. Symonds was born on September 2, 1840 in Raymond to Joseph and Isabella (Jordan) Symonds. He was educated at Portland High School and graduated from Bowdoin College in 1860, at the age of 20. He read law at the office of Samuel Fessenden, and then with Edward Fox, future Judge of the United States District Court. He was admitted to the Cumberland County Bar in 1864. Symonds practiced law in Portland, and was chosen to be City Solicitor in 1868. He was appointed a Justice of the Superior Court by Governor Perham on September 28, 1872. He was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court by Governor Connor on October 16, 1878. He served in that capacity until his resignation on March 31, 1884. Symonds returned to private practice and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Maine Central Railroad Company. He died in Portland on September 28, 1918, at the age of 78.

Sources: In Memoriam Joseph W. Symonds, 118 ME 581; E.C. Bowley, Album of Attorneys of Maine, Bethel, Maine, News Publishing Company, Copyright 1902, pg. 20.

Lucilius A. Emery was born on July 27, 1840 in Carmel to James S. and Eliza (Wing) Emery. He studied at Hampden Academy and graduated from Bowdoin College in 1861. He read law in the office of A. W. Paine in Bangor. In August 1863, Emery was admitted to the Penobscot County Bar. He joined the Hancock County Bar when he moved to Ellsworth in October 1863. Much of Emery’s private practice was spent as a partner of Senator Eugene Hale.

Emery was elected as Hancock County Attorney at the age of twenty-six, and served in that capacity from 1867 until 1871. He was elected to the State Senate in 1874, 1875, and 1881. In his last term he served as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee. He served as the State Attorney General from 1876 until 1879. Emery was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court by Governor Robie on October 5, 1883 and he was appointed Chief Justice by Governor Cobb on December 14, 1906. He served as Chief until his resignation on July 27, 1911.

Upon his retirement, Emery lectured on a variety of legal subjects including Roman law at the Maine College of Law and medical jurisprudence at the Maine Medical School. He died on August 26, 1920, at the age of 80.

Sources: In Memoriam Lucilius A. Emery, 120 ME 575; E.C. Bowley, Album of Attorneys of Maine, Bethel, Maine, News Publishing Company, Copyright 1902.

Enoch Foster was born on May 10, 1839 in Newry. He was educated at Gould Academy and the Maine State Seminary, soon to become Bates College. He entered Bowdoin College in 1860, but withdrew to enlist in the Union Army during the Civil War. He served in the 13th Maine regiment, rising to the rank of Lieutenant. After his enlistment expired, he returned to graduate from Bowdoin in 1864. He graduated from Albany Law School in 1865, and was admitted to the Bar in September of the same year.

Foster served two terms as Oxford County Attorney. He also served in the State Senate from 1874 until 1875. He was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court by Governor Robie on March 24, 1884. He served on the Court until his commission expired on March 24, 1898. Foster died in Portland on November 17, 1913, at the age of 74.

Source: In Memoriam Enoch Foster, 112 ME 565, E.C. Bowley, Album of Attorneys of Maine, Bethel, Maine, News Publishing Company, Copyright 1902, pg. 19.

Thomas H. Haskell was born on May 18, 1842 in New Gloucester, to Captain Peter Haskell, a local farmer, and Betsy (Hawes) Haskell. He was educated in the local schools and gained admission to Bowdoin College. With the outbreak of the Civil War, Haskell left Bowdoin and enlisted in the 25th Regiment of the Maine Volunteers. After the War he studied law under Judge Morrill in Auburn until his admission to the Androscoggin Bar in 1865.

Haskell began his active practice in Portland in 1866 and continued to practice privately there until 1884. He was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court by Governor Robie on March 31, 1884. He served on the Court until his death on September 24, 1900, in Portland at the age of 58.

Sources: In Memoriam Thomas H. Haskell, 95 ME 590. Memorandum, 94 ME 617.

William Penn Whitehouse was born on April 9, 1842 in Vassalboro to John Roberts and Hannah (Percival) Whitehouse. He was educated at the Coburn Classical Institute and graduated from Colby College in 1863. He then embarked on a teaching career while reading law at the office of Sewall Lancaster in Augusta. Later, he read law in the Ellsworth office of future United States Senator Eugene Hale and future Maine Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Lucilius A. Emery. He was admitted to the Kennebec County Bar in October 1865.

In 1868, Whitehouse was elected City Solicitor of Augusta. He served as the Attorney General from 1869 until 1876. Whitehouse was appointed as the first Justice of the Kennebec County Superior Court on February 13, 1878 by Governor Connor.

Whitehouse was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court by Governor Burleigh on April 15, 1890 and was appointed Chief Justice by Governor Plaisted on July 26, 1911. Whitehouse served as Chief until his retirement on April 8, 1913. Whitehouse died on October 10, 1922, at the age of 80.

Sources: In Memoriam William Penn Whitehouse, 122 ME 575; E.C. Bowley, Album of Attorneys of Maine, Bethel, Maine, News Publishing Company, Copyright 1902, pg. 11.

Andrew P. Wiswell was born on July 11, 1852 in Ellsworth to Arno and Sarah (Peters) Wiswell. He was educated in the Ellsworth schools and at the East Maine Conference Seminary. He graduated from Bowdoin College in 1873. He read law and was admitted to the Hancock County Bar in 1874.

Wiswell was elected to the House of Representatives from 1887 to 1891 and served as Speaker of the House during his third term. At the age of 25, he served as a Judge of the Ellsworth Municipal Court.

Wiswell was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court by Governor Cleaves on April 10, 1893 and was appointed Chief Justice by Governor Powers on January 2, 1900. He served as Chief until his death on December 4, 1906, at the age of 54.

Sources: In Memoriam Andrew P. Wiswell, 103 ME 579; E. C. Bowley, Album of Attorneys of Maine, Bethel, Maine, News Publishing Company, Copyright 1902, pg. 140.

Sewall C. Strout was born on February 17, 1827 in Wales, Maine to Ebenezer and Hannah C. Strout. He was educated in Portland’s schools. He read law and was admitted to the Cumberland County Bar in October of 1848 at the age of 21. He began his practice in Bridgton, but after five years moved to Portland in 1854.

Strout was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court by Governor Cleaves on April 12, 1894. He served on the Court until his retirement on April 12, 1908. Strout died on August 10, 1914, at the age of 87

Sources: In Memoriam Sewall C. Strout, 113 ME 575; E.C. Bowley, Album of Attorneys of Maine, Bethel, Maine, News Publishing Company, Copyright 1902, pg. 12.

Albert R. Savage was born on December 8, 1847 in Ryegate, Vermont to Charles W. and Eliza M. Savage. He was educated at Lancaster Academy in New Hampshire and graduated from Dartmouth College in 1871. After reading law, he was admitted to the Androscoggin County Bar in April 1875.

Savage served as County Attorney from 1881 until 1885, and as a Probate Judge from 1885 until 1889. He was elected Mayor of Auburn and served from 1889 until 1891. He was elected to the Legislature (1891-1893) and served as Speaker of the House of Representatives in 1893. Savage served in the State Senate from 1895 until 1897.

Savage was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court by Governor Powers on May 15, 1897 and was appointed Chief Justice by Governor Haines on April 9, 1913. He served as Chief until his death on June 14, 1917, at the age of 70.

Sources: In Memoriam Albert R. Savage, 116 ME 533; E.C. Bowley, Album of Attorneys of Maine, Bethel, Maine, News Publishing Company, Copyright 1902, pg. 13.

William H. Folger was born on November 10, 1837 in Searsmont to Henry and Eliza (McKinney) Folger. He was educated in the common schools of Searsmont and at Kent’s Hill School in Newbury, Vermont. Folger was a student at Colby College and Brownsville College from 1859 until 1860. Early in his career he worked as a teacher and read law in the office of Nehemiah Abbott. He was admitted to the Waldo County Bar in 1862.

Folger served in the 19th Maine Volunteer Regiment during the Civil War and he reached the rank of Colonel. He participated in several of the great battles of the war, including Fredericksburg and Gettysburg. He was severely wounded in battle in 1864. After the war, he served as Waldo County Attorney from 1872 until 1878. He was also elected the Mayor of Belfast and Rockland’s representative to the Legislature.

Folger was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court by Governor Powers on March 25, 1898. He was the first member of the Court from Knox County. Folger served on the Court until his death on February 18, 1902, in Rockland at the age of 64.

Sources: In Memoriam William H. Folger, 96 ME 577; E.C. Bowley, Album of Attorneys of Maine, Bethel, Maine, News Publishing Company, Copyright 1902, pg. 14.

Frederick A. Powers was born on June 9, 1855 in Pittsfield to Arba and Naomi (Matthews) Powers. He was educated at Maine Central Institute and graduated from Bowdoin College in 1875. After having studied law, Powers was admitted to the Aroostook County Bar in 1876.

Powers served in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. He served as the Attorney General for two terms. He was one of six brothers who practiced law in Maine, including his brother Llewellyn who served as Governor from 1897 until 1901.

Powers was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court by his brother, Llewellyn, on January 2, 1900. He was the first attorney from Aroostook County to be appointed to the Court. Powers resigned on March 31, 1907. He died in St. Petersburg, Florida in 1924 at the age of 68.

Sources: In Memoriam Frederick A. Powers, 122 ME 597; Maine, A History: Resources, Attractions and People Volume IV, Harriet B. Cole. The Lewiston Historical Publishing Company Inc. Copyright 1928 NY (pg 81); E.C. Bowley, Album of Attorneys of Maine, Bethel, Maine, News Publishing Company, Copyright 1902, pg. 15.

Henry C. Peabody was born on April 14, 1838 in Gilead to John Tarbell and Mercy Ingalls (Burbank) Peabody. He was educated at the local schools, as well as Gould’s Academy and Fryeburg Academy. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1859. He read law at the office of General Samuel Fessenden in Portland. He was admitted to the Cumberland County Bar in 1862. Peabody started his law practice in Portland. He was elected Judge of the Cumberland County Probate Court in 1879, where he served for twenty-one years. He was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court by Governor Powers on November 29, 1900. He served on the Court until his death on March 29, 1911 in Portland, at the age of 72

Sources: In Memoriam Henry C. Peabody, 107 ME 549, 569.

Albert M. Spear was born on March 17, 1852 in Madison to Andrew P. and Alice P. (Moore) Spear. He was educated at Monmouth Academy and Waterville Classical Institute, and graduated from Bates College in 1875. After college, he read law with Albert R. Savage, future Maine Supreme Court Chief Justice. He was admitted to the Kennebec County Bar in 1878.

Spear practiced law in Hallowell until 1885, when he moved to Gardiner. While living in Hallowell, he was twice elected to the House of Representatives (1883-1885). He was also elected to the Senate on two occasions while residing in Gardiner. Spear served as its President in 1893. Additionally, Spear was elected Mayor of Gardiner in 1890.

Spear was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court by Governor Hill on March 1, 1902. He served on the Court until March 1, 1916. Spear was re-appointed an Associate Justice of the Court on June 25, 1917, and served until his retirement on July 7, 1923. Spear served as an Active Retired Justice of the Court. He died in Augusta on January 31, 1929, at the age of 76.

Sources: In Memoriam Albert M. Spear, 128 ME 551; E.C. Bowley, Album of Attorneys of Maine, Bethel, Maine, News Publishing Company, Copyright 1902, pg. 17; Brief Biography of Maine pg. 242; James H. Mundy, Presidents of the Maine State Senate from 1820, Secretary of the Senate of Maine, 1979.

Charles F. Woodard was born on April 19, 1948 in Bangor. His father was Abraham W. Woodward. He was educated in the local public school and Phillips-Exeter Academy. He graduated from Harvard University in 1870, and earned a law degree from Harvard Law School in 1872. He was admitted to the Penobscot County Bar in 1872.

Woodard began his career at first alone and afterwards as a member of the firm of Wilson & Woodard. On three occasions he was offered a position on the Supreme Judicial Court, but declined twice for personal reasons. He accepted his third appointment to the Court from Governor Cobb on December 14, 1906. However, after only two days on the bench, Woodard was stricken with a terminal illness. He struggled to fulfill his role on the Court from a hospital bed in Boston. Woodard died on June 17, 1907, in Bangor, at the age of 59.

Sources: In Memoriam Charles F. Woodard, 103 ME 559.

Leslie W. Cornish was born on October 8, 1854 in Winslow to Colby Combs and Pauline B. (Simpson) Cornish. He was educated first at the Winslow public schools, then at the Coburn Classical Institute. Cornish graduated from Colby College with high honors in 1875.

After Colby, Cornish began a truncated career in education, serving as both teacher and principal of Petersborough High School in New Hampshire. He read law at the firm of Baker & Baker in Augusta for one year before entering Harvard Law School. He attended Harvard Law for only one year before returning to Maine, and was admitted to the Kennebec Bar in November 1880.

In 1878, Cornish was elected by the Town of Winslow to a single term in the State House of Representatives. He also served on the Common Council and Board of Alderman for the City of Augusta. In 1922, Cornish was selected to join United States Supreme Court Chief Justice Taft on a Committee for the American Bar Association to draft a code of judicial ethics.

On March 31, 1907, Cornish was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court by Governor Cobb. He served until June 25, 1917, when he was appointed Chief Justice by Governor Milliken. He resigned from the Court on March 1, 1925, due to ill health. Cornish died on June 24, 1925, at the age of 71

Sources: In Memoriam, Leslie C. Cornish, 125 ME 543; E.C. Bowley, Album of Attorneys of Maine, Bethel, Maine, News Publishing Company, Copyright 1902, pg. 167.

Arno W. King was born on August 2, 1855 in Lamoine to Warren and Mary King. He was educated in the local schools and attended the Coburn Classical Institute. He attended Colby College, but did not graduate before he left to study law. King graduated from the Boston University School of Law in 1883, and was admitted to the Hancock County Bar the same year at the age of 28.

King began his practice in Ellsworth, and in 1884 joined the later-to-be Chief Justice Andrew P. Wiswell in starting the firm of Wiswell & King.

King was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court by Governor Cobb on June 28, 1907. He served on the Court until his death on July 21, 1918, in Ellsworth at the age of 63.

Sources: In Memoriam Arno W. King, 118 ME 561.

George E. Bird was born on September 1, 1847 in Portland to Robert A. and Sarah (Emerson) Bird. He attended Portland High School and graduated from Harvard in 1869. After graduating, he read law in the offices of William H. Clifford and was admitted to the Cumberland County Bar in 1872.

Bird held the office of United States District Attorney for the District of Maine from 1885 until 1890. He served in the House of Representatives from 1893 until 1895. From 1896 until 1908, he was senior partner in the firm of Bird & Bradley in Portland.

Bird was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court by Governor Cobb on April 13, 1908. He resigned from the Court on August 28, 1918. In 1923, he was appointed an Active Retired Justice of the Court. Bird died in his home in Yarmouth on January 19, 1926 at the age of 78.

Sources: In Memoriam, George E. Bird, 125 ME 571; Brief Biographies of Maine pg. 30.

George F. Haley was born on January 30, 1856 in Saco to Henry U. and Martha P. Haley. He was educated in the town’s common schools until the age of twelve. He spent the next eleven years laboring in the local mills and factories, finding it necessary to leave school in order to help support his family. He spent two years studying law under the tutelage of Benjamin F. Hamilton of Biddeford. Haley was admitted to the York County Bar in 1881 and formed a partnership with his brother Leroy in Biddeford.

After thirty years in private practice, Haley was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court by Governor Plaisted on April 12, 1911. He served on the Court until his death on February 19, 1918, at the age of 62.

Sources: In Memoriam George F. Haley, 117 ME 585.

George M. Hanson was born on August 28, 1856 in Elmsville, New Brunswick. He moved with his parents to Calais two years later. He graduated from the Calais Academy in 1875, and thereafter read law at the office of Archibald MacNichol. He was admitted to the Washington County Bar in 1877 at the age of 21.

Hanson was elected Mayor of Calais in 1885, and again in 1905. He was appointed Collector of Customs for the Passamaquoddy District by President Cleveland in 1895. He was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention from Maine in 1904, and made several unsuccessful bids for the House of Representatives from Maine’s 4th District.

Hanson was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court by Governor Plaisted on July 26, 1911. He served on the Court until his death in Portland on April 4, 1924 at the age of 68.

Sources: In Memoriam George M. Hanson, 124 ME 517.

Warren C. Philbrook was born on November 30, 1857 in Sedgwick to Luther G. and Angelica (Coffin). He was educated at the Coburn Classical Institute and graduated from Colby College in 1882. After serving as a teacher and principal of Waterville High School, he read law and was admitted to the Kennebec Bar in October of 1884.

Philbrook served the City of Waterville and the State of Maine in several capacities. He served as a Judge of the Municipal Court of Waterville; was elected mayor of Waterville for two terms from 1899 until 1900; was an elected member of the House of Representatives and chairman of the Republican State Committee; and served as Maine Attorney General from 1909 to 1911.

Philbrook was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court by Governor Haines on April 9, 1913. He served on the Court until his retirement and was appointed an Active Retired Justice on November 9, 1928. He died on May 31, 1933, in Waterville at the age of 75.

Sources: In Memoriam Warren C. Philbrook, 132 ME 529; E.C. Bowley, Album of Attorneys of Maine, Bethel, Maine, News Publishing Company, Copyright 1902, pg. 181; Brief Biography pg. 205.

John B. Madigan was born on January 4, 1863 in Houlton to James C. and Mary Anna Madigan. He was educated at St. Joseph’s Academy and Houlton Academy and graduated from Georgetown University in 1883. He received his law degree at the Boston University School of Law in 1886 and was admitted to the Aroostook County Bar in 1885.

Madigan was a member of the Legislature in 1889 and he practiced law in his hometown of Houlton. He was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court by Governor Oakley C. Curtis on March 1, 1916. He was the second Aroostook County lawyer to be appointed to the Court. He served in that capacity until his death on January 19, 1918, at the age of 55.

Sources: In Memoriam John B. Madigan, 117 ME 597; E.C. Bowley, Album of Attorneys of Maine, Bethel, Maine, News Publishing Company, Copyright 1902, pg. 65.

Charles F. Dunn was born on July 14, 1872 in Houghton, Michigan. His early education took place at the Bluehill Academy in Maine and in Poughkeepsie, New York. He read law in Bluehill in the office of Judge E.E. Chase, and in Ellsworth in the firm of Hale & Hamlin.

Dunn began his law practice in Orono in 1892. He was elected by the City of Orono to the Maine House of Representatives and served one term from 1901 to 1902. He was active in politics, serving as a delegate at large at the 1908 Republican National Convention in Chicago. He also served for a number of years as Treasurer of the University of Maine.

From 1903 to 1911, Dunn sat as a Judge in the Old Town Municipal Court. He was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court by Governor Milliken on January 28, 1918. He was appointed Chief Justice by Governor Brann on July 18, 1935, where he served until his death on November 10, 1939, at his home in Orono, at the age of 67.

Sources: In Memoriam Charles J. Dunn, Jr., 137 ME 363; Maine, A History: Resources, Attractions and People Volume III, Harriet B. Cole. The Lewiston Historical Publishing Company Inc. Copyright 1928 NY (pg 84); E.C. Bowley, Album of Attorneys of Maine, Bethel, Maine, News Publishing Company, Copyright 1902, pg. 237.

John A. Morrill was born on June 3, 1855 in Auburn to Nahum and Anna Isabella Littlefield Morrill. He was educated at Edward Little High School and graduated from Bowdoin College in 1876. He received a Masters of Arts degree from Bowdoin in 1879. Morrill was admitted to the Androscoggin Bar in 1880.

In 1900, Morrill was named to the State Board of Examiners for Applicants for Admission to the Bar. He was also named Commissioner of the Committee to Revise and Consolidate the Laws of Maine in both 1901 and 1923. He served as President of the Maine Bar Association in 1907 and in 1912 he was elected Probate Judge for Androscoggin County, a position he held until 1918.

Morrill was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court by Governor Milliken on February 25, 1918. He served on the Court until his resignation on May 31, 1926. He was, however, appointed an Active Retired Justice, where he served with distinction until June 4, 1933. Morrill died in Auburn on August 25, 1945, at the age of 90.

Sources: In Memoriam John A. Morrill, 142 ME 425; Brief Biography of Maine pg. 123

Scott Wilson was born on January 11, 1870 in Falmouth to Nathaniel B. and Loenama (Pearson) Wilson. He was educated at the Greeley Institute and the Nichols Latin School in Lewiston, and graduated from Bates College in 1892 with a degree in psychology. He also attended the University of Pennsylvania. For two years, Wilson taught at the Haverford School in Pennsylvania. He studied law in the Portland office of future Supreme Judicial Court Justice Joseph W. Symonds and was admitted to the bar in 1895.

After engaging in private practice in Portland, he served as City Solicitor for both Deering and Portland. Wilson served as Assistant Cumberland County Attorney from 1901 until 1902. He served as the Attorney General from 1913 until 1915.

Wilson was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court by Governor Milliken on August 7, 1918 and was appointed Chief Justice by Governor Brewster on March 1, 1925. Wilson served as Chief until his retirement on October 7, 1929. He died on October 22, 1942, at the age of 71.

Sources: In Memoriam Scott Wilson, 140 ME 367; Maine, A History: Resources, Attractions and People Volume III, Harriet B. Cole. The Lewiston Historical Publishing Company Inc. Copyright 1928 NY (pg 448); E.C. Bowley, Album of Attorneys of Maine, Bethel, Maine, News Publishing Company, Copyright 1902, pg. 140.

Luere B. Deasy was born on February 8, 1859 in Gouldsboro to Daniel and Emma L. (Moore) Deasy. He was educated at the State Normal School in Castine. He did not attend college, but received a law degree from Boston University Law School. Deasy was admitted to the Bar in 1884.

Prior to sitting on the Court, Deasy practiced in Bar Harbor. Deasy served as President of both the Hancock County Bar Association and the Maine State Bar Association. He was elected to the Maine State Senate and served as its President.

Deasy was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court by Governor Milliken on September 25, 1918. On October 1, 1929, he was appointed Chief Justice by Governor Gardiner. He served as Chief until his retirement on February 7, 1930, when he returned to private practice in Bar Harbor. Deasy died on March 13, 1940, in Portland, at the age of 81.

Sources: In Memoriam, Luere B. Deasy, 138 ME 371; James H. Mundy, Presidents of the Maine State Senate from 1820, Secretary of the Senate of Maine, 1979.

Guy H. Sturgis was born on March 3, 1877 in New Gloucester to John I. and Myra (Hayden) Sturgis. He was educated in the town’s common schools, and graduated from Bowdoin College in 1898. He received a law degree from Columbia University Law School in 1899, and studied law at the office of Thomas B. Reed.

Sturgis began the practice in law in Portland in 1900. He served on the Board of Alderman of the City of Portland, and served on the Republican State Committee. He was elected Attorney General of the State of Maine in 1917 and served until 1921.

Sturgis was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court by Governor Baxter on August 14, 1923. After seventeen years on the bench, Sturgis was appointed Chief Justice by Governor Barrows on August 8, 1940. He served in that capacity until his resignation on March 1, 1949. Sturgis died on January 18, 1951, at the age of 73.

Source: In Memoriam Guy H. Sturgis, 146 ME 461; Brief Biographies of Maine pg. 250.

Charles Putnam Barnes was born on October 12, 1869 in Houlton to Francis and Isa A. (Putnam) Barnes. He was educated in Houlton’s public schools, the Ricker Classical Institute and later Houlton Academy. He received both a Bachelor of Arts (1892) and Master of Arts (1893) from Colby College. After an eight-year career in education, he began reading law in Portland under Justice Joseph W. Symonds. Barnes was admitted to the Oxford County Bar in 1900 and soon after began practicing law in Norway, Maine.

Barnes served as County Attorney for Oxford County from 1904 until 1909. He served as the Deputy Attorney General of Maine from 1909 until 1911. In 1911, Barnes moved his family to Houlton and was elected the Town’s Representative to the Legislature for three terms from 1917 until 1923. Barnes was both the Republican floor leader and Speaker during his service in the House of Representatives.

Barnes was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court by Governor Baxter on April 17, 1924. He was appointed Chief Justice by Governor Barrows on November 21, 1939. Barnes served as Chief until his retirement on July 31, 1940. He died on December 14, 1951 at the age of 82.

Sources: In Memoriam Charles Putnam Barnes, 149 ME 439; Brief Biographies of Maine (pg 22); Maine, A History: Resources, Attractions and People Volume IV, Harriet B. Cole. The Lewiston Historical Publishing Company Inc. Copyright 1928 NY (pg 3).

Norman L. Bassett was born on June 23, 1869, in Winslow, son of Josiah W. and Susan (Cornish) Bassett. He attended Winslow schools, later graduating from the Coburn Classical Institute in 1887. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Colby College in 1891.

After a brief stint as a Greek and Latin instructor at Colby, Bassett graduated cum laude from Harvard Law School in 1898, where he was one of the fourteen editors of the Law Review (Vol. 11). Bassett was admitted to the Bar in October 1898, and with his uncle (future Chief Justice Leslie C. Cornish) established the firm Cornish & Bassett in Augusta. He served as a member of the Maine Enforcement Committee from 1905 to 1907, and as Secretary of the Maine Bar Association from 1907 to 1925.

Bassett was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court by Governor Brewster on March 26, 1925. He retired from the Court on September 15, 1930. Bassett died on September 29, 1931 at the age of 62

Sources: In Memoriam, Norman L. Bassett, 130 ME 541.

William R. Pattangall was born on June 29, 1865 in Pembroke to Ezra Lincoln and Arethusa (Longfellow) Pattangall. He was educated at the local public school and graduated from the University of Maine in 1884. He studied law at the office of Archibald MacNichol in Calais. Before completing his studies, however, Pattangall joined the crew of his brother’s vessel, the Syra, for two years during which he sailed to various South American ports.

Pattangall returned to Machiasport in 1891 and taught in the town’s public schools for two years. All the while, he studied law and was admitted to the Maine Bar in 1893. He represented Machias in the House of Representatives in 1897 and again in 1901. He served as editor of the Machias Union, from 1903 until 1909.

Pattangall also served as editor of the Waterville Sentinel from 1905 until 1915. He represented Waterville in the Legislature in 1909 and 1911. He was elected Mayor of Waterville in 1911, 1912, and 1913, and was elected Attorney General in 1911 and 1915.

Pattangall moved to Augusta in 1915 where he was several times an unsuccessful candidate for the United States Congress and Governor. He was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court by Governor Brewster on July 2, 1926. On February 7, 1930, he was appointed Chief Justice by the Governor Gardiner. He served as Chief until his retirement on July 16, 1935. Pattangall died on October 21, 1942, at the age of 77.

Sources: In Memoriam William R. Pattangall, 140 ME 329; Brief Biographies of Maine, pg. 198; Maine, A History: Resources, Attractions and People Volume III, Harriet B. Cole. The Lewiston Historical Publishing Company Inc. Copyright 1928 NY (pg 423); E.C. Bowley, Album of Attorneys of Maine, Bethel, Maine, News Publishing Company, Copyright 1902, pg. 245.

Frank G. Farrington was born on September 11, 1872, in Augusta to Frankin L. and Cordelia (Wilson) Farrington. He was educated at Cony High School and graduated from Bowdoin College in 1894. He then began a career in education, serving as principal at Machias High School from 1894 until 1896, and Skowhegan High School from 1897 until 1899.

During his last year in Skowhegan, Farrington read law at the office of Amos K. Butler and later returned to Augusta to study law under the tutelage of the later-to-be Chief Justice Leslie C. Cornish. Farrington attended Harvard Law School, graduating in 1902. He was admitted to the Maine Bar in Augusta in 1902.

Farrington served as the Secretary of the Maine Senate from 1905 until 1909. He was elected Augusta’s representative to the Legislature from 1919 until 1920, serving as the Speaker of the House of Representatives in 1919. Farrington represented Kennebec County as a State Senator from 1921 until 1924, and was elected President of the Senate in 1923. In 1924, Farrington campaigned for the Republican nomination for Governor but was narrowly defeated in the primary.

Farrington was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court by Governor Brewster on November 16, 1928. Farrington was stricken by a fatal illness and died while sitting on the Court on September 3, 1933, at the age of 61.

Sources: In Memoriam Frank G. Farrington, 132 ME 545; Brief Biographies of Maine pg 92; James H. Mundy, Presidents of the Maine State Senate from 1820, Secretary of the Senate of Maine, 1979.

Sidney St. Felix Thaxter was born on March 4, 1883 in Portland to Sidney Warren and Julia (St. Felix) Thaxter. He was educated at Portland High School and graduated from Harvard University in 1904, where he was the classmate of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Thaxter graduated cum laude from Harvard Law School in 1907, and was associate editor of the Harvard Law Review (Vol. 20). He was admitted to the Maine Bar in 1907.

Thaxter practiced privately with several firms and was recorder of the Portland Municipal Court from 1919 until 1923. He was appointed a Justice of the Superior Court by Governor Gardiner on January 1, 1930.

Thaxter was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court by Governor Gardiner on September 16, 1930. He served on the Court until his retirement on February 28, 1954. He accepted an appointment as an Active Retired Justice on March 3, 1954, and served as such until his death on June 30, 1958, in Portland at the age of 75.

Sources: In Memoriam Sidney St. Felix Thaxter, 154 ME 411; Maine, A History: Resources, Attractions and People Volume III, Harriet B. Cole. The Lewiston Historical Publishing Company Inc. Copyright 1928 NY (pg 41).

James H. Hudson was born on March 21, 1878 in Guilford to Henry and Ada (Lougee) Hudson. He was educated at the Coburn Classical Institute and graduated from Colby College in 1900. He received a law degree from Harvard Law School in 1903, and was admitted to the Piscataquis County Bar in September of that year.

Hudson began his practice of law in Guilford in the firm of Hudson & Hudson. He served for three years as Chairman of the Selectmen of Guilford. He also served as the Piscataquis County Attorney for seven years.

Hudson’s career behind the bench began with a five-year stint as a Probate Judge. He was selected by Governor Gardiner as one of the three new justices of the statewide Superior Court when it first came into existence on January 1, 1930. He was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court by Governor Brann on November 20, 1933. He served on the Court until his death on August 21, 1947 at the age of 69.

Sources: Cleaves Justice Index Card; Piscataquis County Courthouse, Maine Reporter 522-536 A.2d.

Harry Manser was born on April 20, 1874 in Hever, Kent County, England to William and Eliza (Canham) Manser. He was educated in London and immigrated to America with his mother and two sisters when he was thirteen years old. He graduated from Lewiston High School in 1893. His experience in the art of shorthand gained him employment in the firm of Frye, Cotton & White where he was also given the opportunity to read law. He was admitted to the Androscoggin Bar in September 1896.

In 1903, Manser opened his own legal practice in Lewiston. He served as Solicitor for the City in 1897 and 1898. Manser served as a Judge of the Auburn Municipal Court from 1903 until 1911, and again from 1918 until 1926. From 1911 until 1912, he was City Solicitor for Auburn.

Manser was appointed to the Superior Court by Governor Brewster on April 1, 1928. He was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court by Governor Brann on July 18, 1935. Manser sat on the Court until his retirement on March 20, 1946. Shortly thereafter, he accepted an appointment as an Active Retired Justice. Manser died on February 20, 1955, at the age of 80.

Sources: In Memoriam Harry Manser, 152 ME 483; E.C. Bowley, Album of Attorneys of Maine, Bethel, Maine, News Publishing Company, Copyright 1902, pg. 39.

George H. Worster was born on September 5, 1871 in Bangor to George W. and Margaret A. (Nason) Worster. He was educated at the Kenduskeag Free School and gave the salutatory address at his graduation in 1889. He then attended Hampden Academy for one year. In 1893, Worster worked as a messenger at the Penobscot County Courthouse and read law at the office of Charles A. Bailey and former Governor Davis. He was admitted to the Maine Bar in 1895 and the United States Circuit Court Bar in 1900.

Worster began practicing law in Bangor. In an unusual set of circumstances, he began teaching at the University of Maine School of Law in 1903, shortly before receiving, first a Bachelors degree, and then a Masters degree, in law from the University in 1905 and 1906 respectively. Worster was named an Associate Professor of the law school in 1912 and taught until 1916.

Worster was appointed a Justice of the Superior Court of Penobscot County by Governor Baxter on November 5, 1924. He was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court by Governor Barrows on December 21, 1939. He sat on the Court until his retirement on July 31, 1942. Worster died in Bangor on February 26, 1965, at the age of 93.

Sources: In Memoriam George H. Worster; Maine, A History: Resources, Attractions and People Volume III, Harriet B. Cole. The Lewiston Historical Publishing Company Inc. Copyright 1928 NY.

Harold H. Murchie was born on March 8, 1888 in Calais. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1909, and earned a law degree from Harvard Law School in 1912. He was admitted to the Kennebec Bar in 1912.

Murchie served as an Assistant Attorney General from 1913 until 1914. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1919 and served therein until 1921. He served as the Washington County Attorney from 1925 until 1927 and as a member of the Maine Senate from 19