Robert von Moschzisker explained

Robert von Moschzisker
Office:Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
Termstart:1921
Termend:1930
Predecessor:J. Hay Brown
Successor:Robert S. Frazer
Office2:Justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
Termstart2:1909
Termend2:1921
Birth Date:6 March 1870
Birth Place:Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Spouse:Anne Macbeth

Robert von Moschzisker (March 6, 1870 – November 21, 1939) was a justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania from 1909 to 1921 and chief justice from 1921 to 1930.

Biography

Robert von Moschzisker was born on March 6, 1870, to Franz and Clara (née Harrison) von Moschzisker in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His father was a Polish immigrant. He was educated by private tutors and lost both of his parents during childhood, subsequently studying law under Edward Shippen beginning at age 13. He was admitted to the bar on June 1, 1896, and became an associate of Shippen. In 1902, Moschzisker became an Assistant District Attorney in Philadelphia, rising from third assistant to first assistant before his election to the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas in November 1903.[1] [2]

In November 1909, Moschzisker was elected to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and assumed office as an associate justice in 1910. He served in that capacity until becoming chief justice in January 1921, and served as chief justice until 1930. Moschzisker was on President Warren G. Harding’s shortlist to replace Supreme Court Justice Mahlon Pitney after it become known that he was suffering from a terminal stroke;[3] however, the nomination eventually went to Edward Terry Sanford.

In his later career, he declined nomination to the United States Senate in the 1938 election. He died on November 21, 1939.[1] [2] [4]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Eastman. Frank Marshall. Courts and Lawyers of Pennsylvania: A History, 1623-1923, Volume 4. 1922. American Historical Society. 1. 1 June 2016.
  2. Web site: MOSCHZISKER, ROBERT VON (March 8, 1870 -- Nov. 21, 1939). Poles in America Foundation. 1 June 2016.
  3. 'Harding Greets Justice from Keystone State – Significance Is Attached to Conference'; The Cincinnati Enquirer, December 12, 1922, p. 5.
  4. Web site: Robert von Moschzisker. Historical Society of Pennsylvania. 1 June 2016.