Olin M. Jeffords

Olin M. Jeffords (June 8, 1890 – October 10, 1964) was a Vermont attorney and judge who served as Chief Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court. He was the father of Senator Jim Jeffords.

Olin M. Jeffords
Close up of Jeffords while taking the oath of office as Chief Justice in March 1955.
Chief Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court
In office
1955–1958
Preceded byJohn C. Sherburne
Succeeded byWalter H. Cleary
Associate Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court
In office
1938–1955
Preceded bySherman R. Moulton
Succeeded byBenjamin N. Hulburd
Chief Judge of the Vermont Superior Court
In office
1938–1938
Preceded byAllen R. Sturtevant
Succeeded byWalter H. Cleary
Judge of the Vermont Superior Court
In office
1934–1938
Preceded byJohn C. Sherburne
Succeeded byOrrin B. Hughes
Personal details
Born(1890-06-08)June 8, 1890
Enosburg Falls, Vermont
DiedOctober 10, 1964(1964-10-10) (aged 74)
Rutland, Vermont
Resting placeMissisquoi Cemetery
Enosburg Falls, Vermont
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Marion Hausman (m. 1928-1964, his death)
Children2, including Jim Jeffords
EducationBoston University Law School
OccupationAttorney
Judge

Biography
A vacationing Jeffords (center) takes the oath as Chief Justice from Florida judge Flem C. Dame (left) in March 1955. Retired Vermont Associate Justice Allen R. Sturtevant (right), serves as a witness.

Olin Merrill Jeffords was born in Enosburg Falls, Vermont on June 8, 1890, the son of James Merrill Jeffords (1863–1926) and Mary D. (Merrill) Jeffords (1849–1918).[1] He graduated from Enosburg Falls High School in 1909 and Phillips Exeter Academy in 1911.[2] Jeffords worked in his father's drug store until 1915, when he decided to attend law school.[3] He graduated from Boston University Law School in 1918, was admitted to the bar, and became an attorney.[4]

He practiced with Ropes & Gray in Boston,[5] and then returned to Vermont to practice in Ludlow with the firm of William W. Stickney and John G. Sargent. He later moved to Rutland, where he continued to practice as a partner in a firm that grew to include several prominent attorneys, including Leonard F. Wing. A Republican,[6] in 1934 Jeffords was appointed a Judge of the Vermont Superior Court.[7] Jeffords rose by seniority to become the court's chief judge, a post he held briefly in 1938.[8] Later in 1938, Jeffords was appointed an Associate Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court, in keeping with Vermont's tradition of promoting the chief judge of the Superior Court as Supreme Court vacancies arose. He filled the vacancy caused by the death of Chief Justice George M. Powers and promotion of Associate Justice Sherman R. Moulton to succeed Powers.[9]

In 1955 Jeffords became Chief Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court, succeeding John C. Sherburne, who had retired.[10] Jeffords served until resigning in 1958.[11] He was succeeded by Walter H. Cleary.[12]

Death and burial

Jeffords died in Rutland on October 10, 1964.[13] He was buried at Missisquoi Cemetery in Enosburg Falls.[14]

Awards and honors

In 1939 Jeffords was awarded the honorary degree of LL.D. from Boston University.[15]

In 2006 James Jeffords established the Olin M. Jeffords Scholarship at Vermont Law School, which is intended to benefit students pursuing a career in public service.[16]

Family

In 1928 Jeffords married Marion Hausman (1895-1977).[17][18] They were the parents of two children: Mary Jeffords Mills (1932-2009); and James Merrill Jeffords (1934-2014).[19]

References
  1. Armstrong, Howard E. (1955). Vermont Legislative Directory and State Manual. Montpelier, VT: Vermont Secretary of State. p. 593.
  2. Vermont Bar Association (1965). Report of Proceedings of the Annual Meeting, Volume 59. Montpelier, VT: Argus and Patriot Steam Book Press. p. 26.
  3. "Local Items: Olin M. Jeffords". Enosburg Standard. Enosburg Falls, VT. September 17, 1915. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. Lamb, Wallace Emerson (1940). The Lake Champlain and Lake George Valleys. New York, NY: The American Historical Company, Inc. pp. 198–199.
  5. Brauer, Carl M. (1991). Ropes & Gray: 1865-1990. p. 173.
  6. Myrick, Rawson C. (1935). Vermont Legislative Directory. Montpelier, VT: Vermont Secretary of State. p. 562.
  7. "Olin M. Jeffords, 74, Dies". New York Times. New York, NY. October 13, 1964.
  8. "Sturtevant Rises to Supreme Court". Brattleboro Reformer. Brattleboro, VT. April 20, 1938. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. "Justices of the Supreme Court, 1778 – Present" (PDF). Vermont State Archives and Records Administration. Vermont Secretary of State. 2013. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
  10. "Olin M. Jeffords becomes State's 31st Chief Justice". Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. February 18, 1955. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. "Supreme Court Chief Justices, State of Vermont". History of Elected Officials Site. Vermont General Assembly. 2004. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
  12. "Gov. Johnson Names Cleary Supreme Court Chief Justice". Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. Morning Press Bureau. February 28, 1958. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. "Death certificate, Olin M. Jeffords". Vermont Death Records, 1909-2008. Ancestry.com. October 10, 1964. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
  14. "Olin Jeffords, 74, Retired Vermont Chief Justice, Dies". Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. October 12, 1964. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. Myrick, Rawson C. (1940). Vermont Legislative Directory. Montpelier, VT: Vermont Secretary of State. p. 588.
  16. Allen, Darren (June 23, 2006). "Jeffords Campaign Cash Going to Charity". The Times Argus. Barre, VT.
  17. "Marriage record, Olin M. Jeffords and Marion Hausman". New York, New York, Marriage Index 1866-1937. Ancestry.com. July 23, 1928. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
  18. "Death certificate, Marion H. Jeffords". Vermont Death Records, 1909-2008. Ancestry.com. April 9, 1977. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
  19. Lamb, Wallace Emerson (1940). The Lake Champlain and Lake George Valleys. New York, NY: The American Historical Company, Inc. p. 199.
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