Henry A. Melvin

Henry Alexander Melvin (September 28, 1865 – April 24, 1920) was an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of California from September 28, 1908 to December 1920.

Henry Alexander Melvin
Associate Justice of the California Supreme Court
In office
September 28, 1908 – December 1920
Appointed byDirect election
Preceded byThomas B. McFarland
Succeeded byWilliam A. Sloane
Personal details
Born(1865-09-28)September 28, 1865
Springfield, Illinois, U.S.
DiedApril 24, 1920(1920-04-24) (aged 54)
Sacramento, California, U.S.
Spouse(s)
Sarah Louise Morse
​
(m. 1893)​
Alma materUniversity of California, Berkeley (B.Phil.)
University of California, Hastings College of the Law (LL.B.)

Biography

Melvin was born at Springfield, Illinois, on September 28, 1865, to Samuel and Sarah Melvin, the youngest of four children.[1] In 1874, when he was nine years old, his family moved from Illinois to St. Helena, California.[2] In 1878, his parents moved to Oakland where his father, a retired medical practitioner, opened a pharmacy. Henry attended the University of California, Berkeley, while assisting his father to earn his school fees, graduating with a B.Phil. in 1889.[2] In April 1890, he was elected census marshal by the Oakland Board of Education.[3]

Melvin then enrolled in Hastings College of Law, receiving his LL.B. degree in 1892.[4][5] While a student, he was elected and served as the Justice of the Peace of Brooklyn Township in Alameda County.[6][7][8]

In 1893, Melvin became the assistant District Attorney of Alameda County. The next year in 1894, he accepted a five-year term to serve as Prosecuting Attorney for the City of Oakland.[9][10] He returned to Alameda County to serve as Chief Deputy District Attorney, except for a period of three months when he was acting Deputy Attorney General of California.[11]

In 1901, Melvin accepted the position of Superior Court Judge of Alameda county. In November 1902, he was elected to a full term.[12][8] In 1904, the Legislature approved creation of the Courts of Appeal and Melvin was considered for one of the seats in the Second District but not chosen by Governor George Pardee.[13]

In September 1908, Melvin was nominated by the Republican Party and appointed by Governor James Gillett as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of California.[14][15][5] He succeeded Thomas B. McFarland, who had died in office.[16] In November 1910, Melvin was re-elected at expiration of McFarland's term to a 12-year term.[17] On April 24, 1920, Melvin died while in office.[18][19][5] In May 1920, his seat on the court was filled by appointment of William A. Sloane by Governor William Stephens for the term ending January 1923.[20]

Clubs

Melvin was a member of the Bohemian Club.[21] He was also a member of the Elks, and a bass singer who performed in church and club events.[22][23][24]

Personal life

On June 14, 1893, he married Sarah Louise Morse of Portland, Oregon. He was survived by a son.[5]

See also

References
  1. "Death of the Widow of Dr. Samuel Melvin". San Francisco Call. California Digital Newspaper Collection. May 12, 1900. Retrieved August 15, 2017.
  2. "A Fine Judicial Record". Madera Mercury (28). California Digital Newspaper Collection. October 31, 1908. p. 3. Retrieved August 14, 2017.
  3. "Across the Bay, Board of Education". The Morning Call. Library of Congress Historic Newspapers. April 29, 1890. p. 2. Retrieved August 15, 2017.
  4. "Hastings Community". Hastings Alumni Publications. San Francisco, CA: Hastings College of the Law Alumni Association. 81: 22. Fall 1992. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
  5. Johnson, J. Edward (1966). History of the California Supreme Court: The Justices 1900-1950, vol 2 (PDF). San Francisco, CA: Bancroft-Whitney. pp. 29–32. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 25, 2017. Retrieved August 14, 2017.
  6. "County Supervisors' Meeting". The Morning Call. Library of Congress Historic Newspapers. January 13, 1891. p. 7. Retrieved August 15, 2017. The resignation of T. N. Machin, Justice of the Peace of Brooklyn township, was filed and the matter of the appointment of his successor continued until the next meeting....Henry A. Melvin of Clinton are applicants for the position.
  7. "To Succeed Machin". The Morning Call. Library of Congress Historic Newspapers. January 27, 1891. p. 7. Retrieved August 15, 2017. Henry Melvin is a young newspaper man and student of law and popular.
  8. "Metcalf Asks For Election of Republican Legislators". San Francisco Call (154). California Digital Newspaper Collection. November 1, 1902. p. 11. Retrieved August 14, 2017. Beginning as a Justice of the Peace in Brooklyn Township. Judge Melvin stepped into the District Attorney's office, later becoming' a deputy in the State Attorney General's department. When the new department of the Superior Court in Alameda County was created by the last Legislature Judge Melvin was appointed to serve the term that will expire January 1.
  9. "History of Yesterday, Alameda County Happenings Told in Brief Chapters". The San Francisco Call. Library of Congress Historic Newspapers. August 11, 1895. p. 11. Retrieved August 15, 2017. Henry A. Melvin has been reappointed Prosecuting Attorney for the Police Court.
  10. "Mr. Melvin is a Handsome Man". The San Francisco Call. Library of Congress Historic Newspapers. November 28, 1896. p. 11. Retrieved August 15, 2017.
  11. "Courthouse Briefs". Los Angeles Herald (10). California Digital Newspaper Collection. October 11, 1900. p. 12. Retrieved August 14, 2017.
  12. "Brown Slated to Succeed Melvin". San Francisco Call. 104 (119). California Digital Newspaper Collection. September 27, 1908. p. 19. Retrieved August 14, 2017.
  13. "Governor Will Not Be Rushed". The San Francisco Call. Library of Congress Historic Newspapers. December 7, 1904. p. 9. Retrieved August 15, 2017. It is gossip in the court circles that Judge Henry A. Melvin of Alameda..are so highly commended that they will be appointed.
  14. "Will Appoint Melvin Monday". Sacramento Union (35). California Digital Newspaper Collection. September 27, 1908. p. 1. Retrieved August 14, 2017.
  15. "Judge Melvin is Unanimous Choice". San Francisco Call. 104 (116). California Digital Newspaper Collection. September 24, 1908. p. 16. Retrieved August 14, 2017.
  16. "Appoints Melvin to Succeed McFarland". Los Angeles Herald. Library of Congress Historic Newspapers. September 29, 1908. p. 1. Retrieved August 15, 2017.
  17. "Some Members of the Higher Judiciary". Mill Valley Independent (20). California Digital Newspaper Collection. November 11, 1910. p. 1. Retrieved August 14, 2017.
  18. "Justice Melvin Drowns in a Bathtub, Commits Suicide While Deranged With Malady of the Brain". Healdsburg Tribune (143). California Digital Newspaper Collection. Associated Press. April 24, 1920. p. 1. Retrieved August 14, 2017.
  19. "Judge Melvin Drowns Self at Hospital". Madera Tribune (148). California Digital Newspaper Collection. April 24, 1920. p. 1. Retrieved August 14, 2017.
  20. "Judge Prepares to Take Melvin's Place". Los Angeles Herald (155). California Digital Newspaper Collection. April 30, 1920. p. A4. Retrieved August 14, 2017.
  21. "Bohemians Elect Regular Ticket". San Francisco Call. 109 (140). California Digital Newspaper Collection. April 19, 1911. p. 5. Retrieved August 14, 2017.
  22. "The Elks' Lodge of Sorrow". The San Francisco Call. Library of Congress Historic Newspapers. December 5, 1897. p. 15. Retrieved August 15, 2017.
  23. "A Noted Chicago Divine". The San Francisco Call. Library of Congress Historic Newspapers. May 23, 1896. p. 6. Retrieved August 15, 2017. Recitation,...bass solo, Henry A. Melvin
  24. "Music and Musicians". The San Francisco Call. Library of Congress Historic Newspapers. January 20, 1898. p. 6. Retrieved August 15, 2017. Willis E. Bacheller is planning to inaugurate a series of song recitals to be given at his home...Assisting Mr. Bacheller will be five of his pupils--...Henry A. Melvin, basso.
Legal offices
Preceded by
Thomas B. McFarland		 Associate Justice of the California Supreme Court
1908–1920		 Succeeded by
William A. Sloane
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