John W. McGrath explained

John Wesley McGrath (January 12, 1842  - December 9, 1905) was an American educator, businessman and jurist during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.^[1]

Formative years

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on January 12, 1842, McGrath attended Albion College. In 1868, he completed his legal studies at the University of Michigan Law School.

Public service and business career

McGrath taught school, worked for the provost marshal and was employed in the commercial oil business in Pennsylvania. Following his graduation from the University of Michigan, he practiced law in Ann Arbor, Michigan. A member of the Republican, he served on the Detroit Board of Education and as the city counselor of the city of Detroit. The first commissioner of the Michigan Labor Bureau, McGrath was also a member of the Michigan Supreme Court, serving in that capacity as a Democrat from 1891 to 1895, and was the chief justice.^{[2] [3] [4]}

Illness and death

Ailing in his final years, McGrath died from dropsy at his home in Detroit, Michigan on December 10, 1905. Following funeral services at the home of his daughter, Mrs. R. Arthur Bailey, on December 11, he was buried at the Woodlawn Cemetery.^{[5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10]}

Notes and References

1. "John W. McGrath." Detroit, Michigan: The Detroit Free Press, Section 3, p. 6 (subscription required).
2. http://www.micourthistory.org/justices/john-mcgrath/ Michigan Supreme Court Historical Society-John W. McGrath
3. http://www.micourthistory.org/special-sessions/in-memoriam-john-w-mcgrath/ Michigan Supreme Court Historical Society-In Memoriam-John W. McGrath
4. 'Ex-Justice John McGrath Is Dead,' Piqua Daily Call (Ohio), December 9, 1905, pg. 1
5. http://www.micourthistory.org/justices/john-mcgrath/ Michigan Supreme Court Historical Society-John W. McGrath
6. http://www.micourthistory.org/special-sessions/in-memoriam-john-w-mcgrath/ Michigan Supreme Court Historical Society-In Memoriam-John W. McGrath
7. 'Ex-Justice John McGrath Is Dead,' Piqua Daily Call (Ohio), December 9, 1905, pg. 1
8. "John W. McGrath" (death notice). Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: The Pittsburgh Post, December 10, 1905, p. 7 (subscription required).
9. "Former Supreme Court Judge Dead." Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: The Philadelphia Inquirer, December 19, 1905, Section 3, p. 6 (subscription required).
10. "He Sleeps in Peace." Detroit, Michigan: The Detroit Free Press, December 12, 1905, p. 12 (subscription required).