Allison G. Catheron Explained

Allison G. Catheron
Birth Date:26 June 1878
Birth Place:Kempt, Nova Scotia
Death Place:Wellesley, Massachusetts
Restingplace:Central Cemetery
Beverly, Massachusetts
Nationality:American
Occupation:Lawyer
Party:Republican
Alma Mater:Bates College
Harvard Law School
Member of the
Massachusetts House of Representatives
from the 20th Essex district
Alongside:Alvah J. Bradstreet
Term Start:1913
Term End:1916
Predecessor:Herman A. MacDonald
John L. Saltonstall Sr.
Successor:Frank E. Raymond

Allison G. Catheron was a Canadian-born American politician who served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

Early life

Catheron was born on June 26, 1878, in Kempt, Nova Scotia.[1] His family moved to Beverly, Massachusetts, during his youth.[2] Catheron attended Beverly High School and graduated from Bates College in 1900. From 1900 to 1902 he was principal of Norwell High School in Norwell, Massachusetts. Catheron earned an LLB from Harvard Law School.

Political career

From 1913 to 1916, Catheron represented the 20th Essex District in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

On December 18, 1916, he was appointed chief probation officer for the Suffolk County Superior Criminal Court. His appointment was protested by District Attorney Joseph C. Pelletier, who believed that the position should've gone to someone who resided within Suffolk County. He also accused Catheron of being a member of the American Protective Association.[3] The Pilot, the official newspaper of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston criticized Catheron's appointment in an editorial entitled "Bigotry Rewarded. An Unfortunate Appointment". Catheron denied being a member of the APA and stated that he was "incapable of prejudice".[4] Boston Mayor James Michael Curley ordered his Corporation Counsel to investigate the legality of Catheron's appointment and ordered the City Auditor to withhold his pay until the investigation was concluded. On July 2, 1917, the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled that Catheron's appointment was legal.[5]

Catheron also served on the Beverly School Committee and the State Commission on Probation.[6]

Later life

Catheron was a partner at Ropes, Gray, Boyden & Perkins. He died on January 8, 1950. At the time of his death, Catheron resided in Wellesley, Massachusetts.[7]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Book: Who's Who in State Politics 1916. 1916.
  2. News: Chief Probation Officer. The Boston Daily Globe. December 16, 1916.
  3. News: Mayor Holds Up Catheron's Pay. The Boston Daily Globe. January 27, 1917.
  4. News: Choice of Catheron Scored by The Pilot. The Boston Daily Globe. January 4, 1917.
  5. News: Catheron's Appointment Called Valid by Full Bench. The Boston Daily Globe. July 3, 1917.
  6. News: First Woman Member of Probation Commission. The Boston Daily Globe. January 1, 1922.
  7. News: A. G. Catheron. The Boston Daily Globe. January 9, 1950.