Erskine Mayo Ross
Encyclopedia
Erskine Mayo Ross was an American
attorney and jurist from California
. He served as a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
in from 1895 until 1928, having assumed senior status
in 1925. A native of Virginia
, previously he was a judge for the United States District Court for the Southern District of California
and the Supreme Court of California
. He is also one of the three founding fathers of the Alpha Tau Omega
fraternity.
, leaving school twice during the Civil War to assist the Confederate Army and then returning for further training, graduating in 1865.
, a prominent lawyer and former state senator who would later serve as Mayor of Los Angeles. After studying law at Thom's office for two years, Ross was admitted to the bar of the district court. In 1875 he joined the bar of the state supreme court, having already become wealthy and famous through his partnership with his uncle.
. A Democrat
, he was elected at age 34 without having served on the bench of any lower court. Ross was nominated on December 16, 1886 to a newly created position on the United States District Court for the Southern District of California
by United States President Grover Cleveland
.
The United States Senate
confirmed him for the seat on January 13, 1887, and he received his federal court commission that same day. He served on that court for eight years. Ross was nominated on February 19, 1895 to a newly created position on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
by Grover Cleveland
, and he was confirmed and received his commission on February 22, 1895. He assumed senior status on May 31, 1925 and served until his death on December 10, 1928.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
attorney and jurist from California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. He served as a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit is a U.S. federal court with appellate jurisdiction over the district courts in the following districts:* District of Alaska* District of Arizona...
in from 1895 until 1928, having assumed senior status
Senior status
Senior status is a form of semi-retirement for United States federal judges, and judges in some state court systems. After federal judges have reached a certain combination of age and years of service on the federal courts, they are allowed to assume senior status...
in 1925. A native of Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
, previously he was a judge for the United States District Court for the Southern District of California
United States District Court for the Southern District of California
The United States District Court for the Southern District of California is the federal district court whose jurisdiction comprises the following counties in California: Imperial and San Diego. In terms of filed indictments, it is one of the busiest criminal districts in the United States...
and the Supreme Court of California
Supreme Court of California
The Supreme Court of California is the highest state court in California. It is headquartered in San Francisco and regularly holds sessions in Los Angeles and Sacramento. Its decisions are binding on all other California state courts.-Composition:...
. He is also one of the three founding fathers of the Alpha Tau Omega
Alpha Tau Omega
Alpha Tau Omega is a secret American leadership and social fraternity.The Fraternity has more than 250 active and inactive chapters, more than 200,000 initiates, and over 7,000 active undergraduate members. The 200,000th member was initiated in early 2009...
fraternity.
Early life
Erskine M. Ross was born in Belpre, Virginia on June 30, 1845, in Culpepper County. He attended the Virginia Military InstituteVirginia Military Institute
The Virginia Military Institute , located in Lexington, Virginia, is the oldest state-supported military college and one of six senior military colleges in the United States. Unlike any other military college in the United States—and in keeping with its founding principles—all VMI students are...
, leaving school twice during the Civil War to assist the Confederate Army and then returning for further training, graduating in 1865.
Legal Career in California
In 1868, he moved to Los Angeles, California, and joined the law office of his uncle, Cameron E. ThomCameron E. Thom
Cameron E. Thom who came to California during the gold rush, was a lawyer, a Confederate officer in the Civil War, and the 16th Mayor of Los Angeles .-California:...
, a prominent lawyer and former state senator who would later serve as Mayor of Los Angeles. After studying law at Thom's office for two years, Ross was admitted to the bar of the district court. In 1875 he joined the bar of the state supreme court, having already become wealthy and famous through his partnership with his uncle.
Judicial Service
In 1888, he was elected to the Supreme Court of CaliforniaSupreme Court of California
The Supreme Court of California is the highest state court in California. It is headquartered in San Francisco and regularly holds sessions in Los Angeles and Sacramento. Its decisions are binding on all other California state courts.-Composition:...
. A Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, he was elected at age 34 without having served on the bench of any lower court. Ross was nominated on December 16, 1886 to a newly created position on the United States District Court for the Southern District of California
United States District Court for the Southern District of California
The United States District Court for the Southern District of California is the federal district court whose jurisdiction comprises the following counties in California: Imperial and San Diego. In terms of filed indictments, it is one of the busiest criminal districts in the United States...
by United States President Grover Cleveland
Grover Cleveland
Stephen Grover Cleveland was the 22nd and 24th president of the United States. Cleveland is the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms and therefore is the only individual to be counted twice in the numbering of the presidents...
.
The United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
confirmed him for the seat on January 13, 1887, and he received his federal court commission that same day. He served on that court for eight years. Ross was nominated on February 19, 1895 to a newly created position on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit is a U.S. federal court with appellate jurisdiction over the district courts in the following districts:* District of Alaska* District of Arizona...
by Grover Cleveland
Grover Cleveland
Stephen Grover Cleveland was the 22nd and 24th president of the United States. Cleveland is the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms and therefore is the only individual to be counted twice in the numbering of the presidents...
, and he was confirmed and received his commission on February 22, 1895. He assumed senior status on May 31, 1925 and served until his death on December 10, 1928.