Allison G. Catheron

Catheron was born on June 26, 1878 in Kempt, Nova Scotia.[1] His family moved to Beverly, Massachusetts during his youth.[2] Catheron attended Beverly High School and graduated from Bates College in 1900. From 1900 to 1902 he was principal of Norwell High School in Norwell, Massachusetts. Catheron earned an LLB from Harvard Law School.[1][2]

From 1913 to 1916, Catheron represented the 20th Essex District in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.[2]

On December 18, 1916, he was appointed chief probation officer for the Suffolk County Superior Criminal Court.[2] His appointment was protested by District Attorney Joseph C. Pelletier, who believed that the position should've gone to someone who resided within Suffolk County. He also accused Catheron of being an American Protective Association.[3] The Pilot, the official newspaper of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston criticized Catheron's appointmentin an editorial entitled "Bigotry Rewarded. An Unfortunate Appointment". Catheron denied being a member of the APA and stated that he was "incapable of prejudice".[4] Boston Mayor James Michael Curley ordered his Corporation Counsel to investigate the legality of Catheron's appointment and ordered the City Auditor to withhold his pay until the investigation was concluded.[3] On July 2, 1917 the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled that Catheron's appointment was legal.[5]

Catheron also served on the Beverly School Committee and the State Commission on Probation.[6][7]

Catheron was a partner at Ropes, Gray, Boyden & Perkins. He died on January 8, 1950. At the time of his death, Catheron resided in Wellesley, Massachusetts.[7]