Henry Franklin Severens
Encyclopedia
Henry Franklin Severens was a United States federal judge
.
Born in Rockingham, Vermont
, Severens received an A.B.
from Middlebury College
in 1857 and read law to enter the bar in 1859. He was in private practice in Three Rivers, Michigan
from 1860 to 1861. He was a prosecuting attorney of St. Joseph County, Michigan
from 1861 to 1864, returning to private practice in Kalamazoo, Michigan
from 1865 to 1886. During that time, he was also land developer in Allegan County, Michigan
.
On May 14, 1886, Severens was nominated by President Grover Cleveland
to a seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan
vacated by Solomon Lewis Withey
. Severens was confirmed by the United States Senate
on May 25, 1886, and received his commission the same day.
On February 6, 1900, Severens was nominated by President William McKinley
to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
vacated by William Howard Taft
's appointment to a commission to organize a civilian government in the Philippines. Severens was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 20, 1900, and received his commission the same day. Severens served in that capacity until his resignation on October 3, 1911.
He died in Kalamazoo, Michigan
.
United States federal judge
In the United States, the title of federal judge usually means a judge appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate in accordance with Article II of the United States Constitution....
.
Born in Rockingham, Vermont
Rockingham, Vermont
Rockingham is a town in Windham County, Vermont, United States, along the Connecticut River. The population was 5,309 at the 2000 census. Rockingham includes the incorporated villages of Bellows Falls and Saxtons River, as well as a large rural area west of Interstate 91.Rockingham has no formal...
, Severens received an A.B.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
from Middlebury College
Middlebury College
Middlebury College is a private liberal arts college located in Middlebury, Vermont, USA. Founded in 1800, it is one of the oldest liberal arts colleges in the United States. Drawing 2,400 undergraduates from all 50 United States and over 70 countries, Middlebury offers 44 majors in the arts,...
in 1857 and read law to enter the bar in 1859. He was in private practice in Three Rivers, Michigan
Three Rivers, Michigan
Three Rivers is a city in St. Joseph County in the US state of Michigan. The population was 7,811 at the 2010 census.Three Rivers derives its name from the confluence of the St. Joseph River with its tributaries the Rocky and Portage Rivers. It is the home of St...
from 1860 to 1861. He was a prosecuting attorney of St. Joseph County, Michigan
St. Joseph County, Michigan
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 62,422 people, 23,381 households, and 16,600 families residing in the county. The population density was 124 people per square mile . There were 26,503 housing units at an average density of 53 per square mile...
from 1861 to 1864, returning to private practice in Kalamazoo, Michigan
Kalamazoo, Michigan
The area on which the modern city stands was once home to Native Americans of the Hopewell culture, who migrated into the area sometime before the first millennium. Evidence of their early residency remains in the form of a small mound in downtown's Bronson Park. The Hopewell civilization began to...
from 1865 to 1886. During that time, he was also land developer in Allegan County, Michigan
Allegan County, Michigan
-Interstates:* I-196* I-196 Business Loop serves the city of Holland.-US highways:* US-31* US-131-Michigan State Trunklines:* M-40* M-89* M-179* M-222-Allegan County Intercounty Highways:* A-2* A-37* A-42* A-45-Demographics:...
.
On May 14, 1886, Severens was nominated by 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...
to a seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan
United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan
The United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan is the Federal district court with jurisdiction over of the western portion of the state of Michigan, including the entire Upper Peninsula....
vacated by Solomon Lewis Withey
Solomon Lewis Withey
Solomon Lewis Withey was a United States federal judge.Born in St. Albans Point, Vermont, Withey read law to enter the bar in 1843. He was in private practice in Grand Rapids, Michigan from 1843 to 1863. He was a probate judge for Kent County, Michigan from 1848 to 1852...
. Severens was confirmed by 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...
on May 25, 1886, and received his commission the same day.
On February 6, 1900, Severens was nominated by President William McKinley
William McKinley
William McKinley, Jr. was the 25th President of the United States . He is best known for winning fiercely fought elections, while supporting the gold standard and high tariffs; he succeeded in forging a Republican coalition that for the most part dominated national politics until the 1930s...
to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
The United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit is a federal court with appellate jurisdiction over the district courts in the following districts:* Eastern District of Kentucky* Western District of Kentucky...
vacated by William Howard Taft
William Howard Taft
William Howard Taft was the 27th President of the United States and later the tenth Chief Justice of the United States...
's appointment to a commission to organize a civilian government in the Philippines. Severens was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 20, 1900, and received his commission the same day. Severens served in that capacity until his resignation on October 3, 1911.
He died in Kalamazoo, Michigan
Kalamazoo, Michigan
The area on which the modern city stands was once home to Native Americans of the Hopewell culture, who migrated into the area sometime before the first millennium. Evidence of their early residency remains in the form of a small mound in downtown's Bronson Park. The Hopewell civilization began to...
.