Henry A. Melvin Explained

Henry Alexander Melvin
Office:Associate Justice of the California Supreme Court
Termstart:September 28, 1908
Termend:December 1920
Appointer:Direct election
Successor:William A. Sloane
Birth Date:28 September 1865
Birth Place:Springfield, Illinois, U.S.
Death Place:Sacramento, California, U.S.
Alma Mater:University of California, Berkeley (B.Phil.)
University of California, Hastings College of the Law (LL.B.)

Henry Alexander Melvin (September 28, 1865  - April 24, 1920) was an associate justice of the Supreme Court of California from September 28, 1908 to December 1920.

Biography

Melvin was born at Springfield, Illinois, on September 28, 1865, to Samuel and Sarah Melvin, the youngest of four children.[1] In 1874, when he was nine years old, his family moved to St. Helena, California.[2] In 1878, his parents moved to Oakland where his father, a retired medical practitioner, opened a pharmacy. Henry attended the University of California, Berkeley, while assisting his father to earn his school fees, graduating with a B.Phil. in 1889.[2] In April 1890, he was elected census marshal by the Oakland Board of Education.[3]

Melvin then enrolled in Hastings College of Law, receiving his LL.B. degree in 1892.[4] [5] While a student, he was elected and served as the Justice of the Peace of Brooklyn Township in Alameda County.[6] [7] [8]

In 1893, Melvin became the assistant District Attorney of Alameda County. In 1894, he accepted a five-year term to serve as Prosecuting Attorney for the City of Oakland.[9] [10] He returned to Alameda County to serve as Chief Deputy District Attorney, except for a period of three months when he was acting Deputy Attorney General of California.[11]

In 1901, Melvin accepted the position of Superior Court Judge of Alameda County. In November 1902, he was elected to a full term.[12] [8] In 1904, the Legislature approved creation of the Courts of Appeal and Melvin was considered for one of the seats in the Second District but not chosen by Governor George Pardee.[13]

In September 1908, Melvin was nominated by the Republican Party and appointed by Governor James Gillett as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of California.[14] [15] [5] He succeeded Thomas B. McFarland, who had died in office.[16] In November 1910, Melvin was re-elected at expiration of McFarland's term to a 12-year term.[17] On April 24, 1920, Melvin died while in office.[18] [19] [5] In May 1920, his seat on the court was filled by appointment of William A. Sloane by Governor William Stephens for the term ending January 1923.[20]

Clubs

Melvin was a member of the Bohemian Club.[21] He was also a member of the Elks, and a bass singer who performed in church and club events.[22] [23] [24]

Personal life

On June 14, 1893, he married Sarah Louise Morse of Portland, Oregon. He was survived by a son.[5]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Death of the Widow of Dr. Samuel Melvin. San Francisco Call. 12 May 1900. California Digital Newspaper Collection. August 15, 2017.
  2. News: A Fine Judicial Record. August 14, 2017. Madera Mercury. 28. California Digital Newspaper Collection. 31 October 1908. 3.
  3. News: Across the Bay, Board of Education. August 15, 2017. The Morning Call. Library of Congress Historic Newspapers. April 29, 1890. 2.
  4. Hastings Community. Hastings Alumni Publications. Fall 1992. 81. 22. August 23, 2017. Hastings College of the Law Alumni Association. San Francisco, CA.
  5. Book: Johnson. J. Edward. History of the California Supreme Court: The Justices 1900-1950, vol 2. 1966. Bancroft-Whitney. San Francisco, CA. 29–32. August 14, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170125153045/http://library.courtinfo.ca.gov/included/docs/SCJC_Vol_2.pdf. January 25, 2017. dead.
  6. News: County Supervisors' Meeting. August 15, 2017. The Morning Call. Library of Congress Historic Newspapers. January 13, 1891. 7. The resignation of T. N. Machin, Justice of the Peace of Brooklyn township, was filed and the matter of the appointment of his successor continued until the next meeting....Henry A. Melvin of Clinton are applicants for the position..
  7. News: To Succeed Machin. August 15, 2017. The Morning Call. Library of Congress Historic Newspapers. January 27, 1891. 7. Henry Melvin is a young newspaper man and student of law and popular..
  8. News: Metcalf Asks For Election of Republican Legislators. August 14, 2017. San Francisco Call. 154. California Digital Newspaper Collection. 1 November 1902. 11. Beginning as a Justice of the Peace in Brooklyn Township. Judge Melvin stepped into the District Attorney's office, later becoming' a deputy in the State Attorney General's department. When the new department of the Superior Court in Alameda County was created by the last Legislature Judge Melvin was appointed to serve the term that will expire January 1..
  9. News: History of Yesterday, Alameda County Happenings Told in Brief Chapters. August 15, 2017. The San Francisco Call. Library of Congress Historic Newspapers. August 11, 1895. 11. Henry A. Melvin has been reappointed Prosecuting Attorney for the Police Court..
  10. News: Mr. Melvin is a Handsome Man. August 15, 2017. The San Francisco Call. Library of Congress Historic Newspapers. November 28, 1896. 11.
  11. News: Courthouse Briefs. August 14, 2017. Los Angeles Herald. 10. California Digital Newspaper Collection. 11 October 1900. 12.
  12. News: Brown Slated to Succeed Melvin. August 14, 2017. San Francisco Call. 119. California Digital Newspaper Collection. 27 September 1908. 104. 19.
  13. News: Governor Will Not Be Rushed. August 15, 2017. The San Francisco Call. Library of Congress Historic Newspapers. December 7, 1904. 9. It is gossip in the court circles that Judge Henry A. Melvin of Alameda..are so highly commended that they will be appointed..
  14. News: Will Appoint Melvin Monday. August 14, 2017. Sacramento Union. 35. California Digital Newspaper Collection. 27 September 1908. 1.
  15. News: Judge Melvin is Unanimous Choice. August 14, 2017. San Francisco Call. 116. California Digital Newspaper Collection. 24 September 1908. 104. 16.
  16. News: Appoints Melvin to Succeed McFarland. August 15, 2017. Los Angeles Herald. Library of Congress Historic Newspapers. September 29, 1908. 1.
  17. News: Some Members of the Higher Judiciary. August 14, 2017. Mill Valley Independent. 20. California Digital Newspaper Collection. 11 November 1910. 1.
  18. News: Justice Melvin Drowns in a Bathtub, Commits Suicide While Deranged With Malady of the Brain. August 14, 2017. Healdsburg Tribune. 143. Associated Press. California Digital Newspaper Collection. 24 April 1920. 1.
  19. News: Judge Melvin Drowns Self at Hospital. August 14, 2017. Madera Tribune. 148. California Digital Newspaper Collection. 24 April 1920. 1.
  20. News: Judge Prepares to Take Melvin's Place. August 14, 2017. Los Angeles Herald. 155. California Digital Newspaper Collection. 30 April 1920. A4.
  21. News: Bohemians Elect Regular Ticket. August 14, 2017. San Francisco Call. 140. California Digital Newspaper Collection. 19 April 1911. 109. 5.
  22. News: The Elks' Lodge of Sorrow. August 15, 2017. The San Francisco Call. Library of Congress Historic Newspapers. December 5, 1897. 15.
  23. News: A Noted Chicago Divine. August 15, 2017. The San Francisco Call. Library of Congress Historic Newspapers. May 23, 1896. 6. Recitation,...bass solo, Henry A. Melvin.
  24. News: Music and Musicians. August 15, 2017. The San Francisco Call. Library of Congress Historic Newspapers. January 20, 1898. 6. Willis E. Bacheller is planning to inaugurate a series of song recitals to be given at his home...Assisting Mr. Bacheller will be five of his pupils--...Henry A. Melvin, basso..

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