Albert Leisenring Watson Explained

Albert Leisenring Watson
Office:Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
Term Start:May 31, 1955
Term End:December 20, 1960
Office1:Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
Term Start1:1948
Term End1:1955
Predecessor1:Office established
Successor1:John W. Murphy
Office2:Judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
Term Start2:December 17, 1929
Term End2:May 31, 1955
Appointer2:Herbert Hoover
Predecessor2:Seat established by 45 Stat. 1344
Successor2:Seat abolished
Birth Name:Albert Leisenring Watson
Birth Date:6 December 1876
Birth Place:Montrose, Pennsylvania
Education:Amherst College (A.B.)
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Albert Leisenring Watson (December 6, 1876 – December 20, 1960) was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

Early life

Watson was born in Montrose, Pennsylvania, on December 6, 1876. His father was Willoughby W. Watson, who practiced law for 50 years in Susquehanna County and Lackawanna County.[1] His mother was Marie Kemmerer Watson.[2]

Education and early career

Watson received an Artium Baccalaureus degree from Amherst College in 1901 and read law in 1903 to enter the bar. He was in private practice in Scranton, Pennsylvania from 1903 to 1925. He was a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania from 1926 to 1928. He was also a trustee of the Scranton State Hospital and became president of the board in 1923.

Federal judicial service

Nomination

On September 9, 1929, Watson was nominated by President Herbert Hoover to a new seat on the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania created by 45 Stat. 1344. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on December 17, 1929, and received his commission the same day. He served as Chief Judge from 1948 to 1955, assuming senior status on May 31, 1955. He served in that capacity until his death on December 20, 1960.

Trial of the Scoblick brothers

In January 1953, James P. Scoblick and two of his brothers were indicted in a check kiting scheme involving their fruit-processing business, Scoblick Bros. Inc. All three were convicted on December 3, 1954. Watson sentenced James Scoblick to 5 years in prison.[3]

Personal life

Watson married Effie Woodville in 1930. Together, they had two sons, Albert Jr., and Warren Woodville Watson.[4] Watson died at 12:30 PM on December 20, 1960. Prior to his death, he had been a patient at the Mercy Hospital in Scranton since October 12.[5]

Notes and References

  1. News: Reed. H.B.. 22 December 1946. Gift of the Outcast. The Philadelphia Inquirer. 7 May 2021. Newspapers.com.
  2. News: 5 December 1958. Judge Watson to Observe 82nd Birthday Tomorrow. The Scranton Times-Tribune. 7 May 2021. Newspapers.com.
  3. Web site: Erin L. Nissley. May 22, 2016. Local History: Former Congressman, his brothers jailed after bank scam. February 24, 2018. Scranton Times-Tribune.
  4. News: 20 December 1960. Judge Watson Dies at 84 in Scranton. Times Leader. Newspapers.com.
  5. News: 21 December 1960. Retired Federal Judge Watson Taken by Death. Pittston Gazette. 7 May 2021. Newspapers.com.