Matthew Hall McAllister explained

Matthew Hall McAllister
Office:Judge of the United States Circuit Court for the Districts of California
Term Start:March 3, 1855
Term End:January 12, 1863
Appointer:Franklin Pierce
Predecessor:Seat established by 10 Stat. 631
Successor:Seat abolished
Office2:Member of the Georgia Senate
from Chatham County
Term Start2:1834
Term End2:1837
Predecessor2:William C. Daniel
Successor2:William Washington Gordon
Birth Name:Matthew Hall McAllister
Birth Date:26 October 1800
Birth Place:Savannah, Georgia
Death Place:San Francisco, California
Party:Democratic
Education:Princeton University
read law

Matthew Hall McAllister (October 26, 1800 – December 19, 1865) was a United States circuit judge of the United States Circuit Court for the Districts of California.

Education and career

Born on October 26, 1800, in Savannah Georgia, the son of Matthew McAllister. McAllister attended Princeton University and read law in 1820. He entered private practice in Savannah from 1820 to 1849. He was the United States Attorney for the District of Georgia from 1827 to 1834. He was a member of the Georgia State Senate from 1834 to 1837. He was Mayor of Savannah from 1837 to 1839. He was an alderman for Savannah from 1839 to 1841. He was the Democratic candidate for Governor of Georgia in 1845. He returned to private practice in San Francisco, California from 1850 to 1853. He was a Democratic candidate for United States Senator from Georgia in 1853.

Federal judicial service

McAllister was nominated by President Franklin Pierce on March 2, 1855, to the United States Circuit Court for the Districts of California, to a new seat authorized by . He was confirmed by the United States Senate on March 3, 1855, and received his commission the same day. His service terminated on January 12, 1863, due to his resignation. The United States Circuit Court for the Districts of California was abolished on March 3, 1863, by, thus McAllister was the only Judge to ever serve on the court.

Death

McAllister died on December 19, 1865, in San Francisco.