Thomas J. Lennon Explained

Thomas J. Lennon
Office:Associate Justice of the California Supreme Court
Termstart:December 20, 1918
Termend:August 14, 1926
Appointer:Direct election
Predecessor:William G. Lorigan
Successor:Frank G. Finlayson
Office1:Presiding Justice of the California Court of Appeal, First District
Termstart1:1910
Termend1:December 20, 1918
Appointer1:Direct election
Predecessor1:James A. Cooper
Successor1:William H. Waste
Birth Name:Thomas Joseph Lennon
Birth Date:25 February 1866
Birth Place:Marysville, Yuba County, California, U.S.
Death Place:San Francisco, California, U.S.
Children:1
Alma Mater:St. Mary's College (BS)

Thomas Joseph Lennon (February 25, 1866 – August 14, 1926) was an associate justice of the Supreme Court of California from December 20, 1918, to August 14, 1926.

Biography

Lennon was born at Marysville, California, on February 25, 1866, and educated in the public schools. During high school, he studied at the Sacramento Institute, where at commencement in June 1881 he presented a speech on "right of free discussion."[1] He then enrolled at St. Mary's College in San Francisco and in 1885 graduated with a B.S. degree. He joined the National Guard and in 1887 was promoted from corporal to second lieutenant, before becoming a captain by 1890.[2] [3]

He read law and on January 12, 1888, was admitted to the California bar.[4] He was active in Republican Party politics and civic groups.[5] In 1891, he was president of the Young Man's Institute, a charity.[6] In 1898, he sought the position of Police Judge in San Francisco.[7] He moved to San Rafael, California, in Mill Valley, and in 1902 was elected judge of the Marin County Superior Court on the Republican ticket, filling the vacancy left by Frank M. Angellotti's elevation to the California Supreme Court.[8] [9] [10] [11] In 1910, Lennon won election as Presiding Justice of the District Court of Appeal for the First District.[12]

In February 1918, Lennon announced his candidacy for the California Supreme Court.[13] [14] During the campaign, he presented a proposal to streamline court cases, and was endorsed by Republican Senator Hiram Johnson.[15] [16] In 1919, he was elected over incumbent William G. Lorigan as an associate justice of the Supreme Court, along with Curtis D. Wilbur who won re-election.[17] In December 1918, Governor William Stephens appointed William H. Waste to Lennon's vacant seat as Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeals, First District.[17] Lennon remained in office until his death on August 14, 1926. Prior to his death, he had announced his candidacy for Chief Justice in the November 1926 election against William H. Waste, and Lennon's name appeared on the ballot but in effect Waste ran unopposed.[18] After Lennon's death, in October 1926 Governor Friend Richardson named Frank G. Finlayson to fill Lennon's unexpired term, though Finlayson lost in the November election a month later to John W. Preston.[19]

Personal life

In 1893, he married Emily L. Lenhart. They had a son, Thomas Lloyd Lennon, who became an attorney.[20]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Sacramento Institute-Commencement Exercises. July 28, 2017. Sacramento Daily Union. 87. California Digital Newspaper Collection. 2 June 1881. 13. 3.
  2. News: National Guard Matters. July 28, 2017. Daily Alta California. 13979. California Digital Newspaper Collection. 9 December 1887. 42. 1. Corporal Thomas J. Lennon has been elected Second Lieutenant of Company E, Second Artillery.
  3. News: To-Day's Programme. July 28, 2017. San Francisco Call. 117. California Digital Newspaper Collection. 25 September 1890. 68. 2. Captain Thomas J. Lennon, commanding.
  4. News: Personals. July 28, 2017. Daily Alta California. 14013. California Digital Newspaper Collection. 12 January 1888. 42. 4. Yesterday the Supreme Court admitted the following named gentlemen to the Bar:...Thomas J. Lennon..
  5. News: Attorney Creswell Has Resigned. July 28, 2017. San Francisco Call. 77. California Digital Newspaper Collection. 16 August 1898. 84. 7. Supervisor Smith stated that he desired to see a Republican In the office and named Thomas J. Lennon..
  6. News: Young Men's Institute. July 28, 2017. Daily Alta California. 24. California Digital Newspaper Collection. 24 January 1891. 84. 4.
  7. News: Republican Conventions Meet To-Night. July 28, 2017. San Francisco Call. 119. California Digital Newspaper Collection. 27 September 1898. 84. 5.
  8. News: Thomas J. Lennon. July 28, 2017. Marin Journal. 30. California Digital Newspaper Collection. 9 October 1902. 43. 1.
  9. News: Marin's Republicans and Democrats Meet on Same Day and Nominate Rival Candidates for the County Offices, Thomas J. Lennon the Convention's Choice for Superior Judge and Thomas P. Boyd for the District Attorneyship.. July 28, 2017. San Francisco Call. 116. California Digital Newspaper Collection. 24 September 1902. 87. 4.
  10. News: Marin Superior Court Notes. July 28, 2017. Marin Journal. 19. California Digital Newspaper Collection. 30 July 1903. 44. 8. Thomas J. Lennon. Judge.
  11. News: New County Officers Assume Their Duties, Judge J. T. Lennon Ascends Superior Bench. July 28, 2017. Marin Journal. 42. California Digital Newspaper Collection. 8 January 1903. 43. 1. A large crowd of spectators assembled in the Superior Court room at 10:30 to witness the advent of Judge Thomas J. Lennon to the Superior Bench..
  12. News: Some Members of the Higher Judiciary. July 28, 2017. Mill Valley Independent. 20. California Digital Newspaper Collection. 11 November 1910. 1.
  13. News: Judge Thos. Lennon Aspires to Seat in Supreme Court. July 28, 2017. Los Angeles Herald. 82. California Digital Newspaper Collection. 5 February 1918. 9.
  14. News: Lennon Is in Race For Supreme Court. July 28, 2017. Los Angeles Herald. 188. California Digital Newspaper Collection. 8 June 1918. 1.
  15. News: Wide Attention Is Given Judge Lennon Plan to Speed Justice. July 28, 2017. Los Angeles Herald. 302. California Digital Newspaper Collection. 19 October 1918. 10.
  16. News: Light Vote Predicted at Election Tomorrow. July 28, 2017. Los Angeles Herald. 2. California Digital Newspaper Collection. 4 November 1918. 18.
  17. News: Needham Successor to Judge Langdon. July 28, 2017. Madera Weekly Tribune. 41. California Digital Newspaper Collection. 19 December 1918. 4.
  18. News: Dead Man's Name to be on Ballott. July 28, 2017. Healdsburg Tribune. 237. California Digital Newspaper Collection. 17 August 1926. 1.
  19. News: Half Dozen Measures Await Official Count Before Fate Will be Definitely Decided. July 28, 2017. San Bernardino Sun. 67. California Digital Newspaper Collection. 6 November 1926. 59. 3.
  20. News: Lennon Captures a Fugitive-Gets Client. July 28, 2017. Healdsburg Tribune, Enterprise and Scimitar. 13. California Digital Newspaper Collection. 13 May 1920. 5.

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