James M. Love
Encyclopedia
James M. Love was a longtime United States federal judge
in Iowa
, presiding in district courts for over thirty-five years during the Nineteenth Century.
Born in Fairfax County, Virginia
, Love became an attorney in 1840 by reading law. He was in private practice in Coshocton County, Ohio
from 1840 to 1846, then served in the United States Army
from 1846 to 1848, as a captain of the 3rd Ohio Regiment in the Mexican American War. He practiced in Coshocton County from 1848 to 1850, until moving to Keokuk, Iowa
, where he resumed practice. He was an Iowa state senator from 1853 to 1856.
Love became Iowa's second federal district court judge in 1855. He received a recess appointment
from President Franklin Pierce
on October 5, 1855, to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Iowa vacated by John James Dyer
. Formally nominated on February 7, 1856, Love was confirmed by the United States Senate
on February 25, 1856, and received his commission on December 21, 1856. On July 20, 1882, upon the division of the District of Iowa into Northern
and Southern
districts, Love was reassigned to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa
. While on the bench, Love was also a professor of commercial law
at State University of Iowa (now University of Iowa)
beginning in 1875, serving for a time as Chancellor of the law department
. Love served as a judge for over 35 years, until his death in 1891, in Keokuk, Iowa. He was the longest-serving federal judge to be appointed by President Pierce.
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....
in Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
, presiding in district courts for over thirty-five years during the Nineteenth Century.
Born in Fairfax County, Virginia
Fairfax County, Virginia
Fairfax County is a county in Virginia, in the United States. Per the 2010 Census, the population of the county is 1,081,726, making it the most populous jurisdiction in the Commonwealth of Virginia, with 13.5% of Virginia's population...
, Love became an attorney in 1840 by reading law. He was in private practice in Coshocton County, Ohio
Coshocton County, Ohio
Coshocton County is a county located in the state of Ohio, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 36,901. Its county seat is Coshocton. Its name comes from the Delaware Indian language and has been translated as "union of waters" or "black bear crossing".The Coshocton...
from 1840 to 1846, then served in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
from 1846 to 1848, as a captain of the 3rd Ohio Regiment in the Mexican American War. He practiced in Coshocton County from 1848 to 1850, until moving to Keokuk, Iowa
Keokuk, Iowa
Keokuk is a city in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Iowa and one of the county seats of Lee County. The other county seat is Fort Madison. The population was 11,427 at the 2000 census. The city is named after the Sauk Chief Keokuk, who is thought to be buried in Rand Park...
, where he resumed practice. He was an Iowa state senator from 1853 to 1856.
Love became Iowa's second federal district court judge in 1855. He received a recess appointment
Recess appointment
A recess appointment is the appointment, by the President of the United States, of a senior federal official while the U.S. Senate is in recess. The U.S. Constitution requires that the most senior federal officers must be confirmed by the Senate before assuming office, but while the Senate is in...
from President Franklin Pierce
Franklin Pierce
Franklin Pierce was the 14th President of the United States and is the only President from New Hampshire. Pierce was a Democrat and a "doughface" who served in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate. Pierce took part in the Mexican-American War and became a brigadier general in the Army...
on October 5, 1855, to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Iowa vacated by John James Dyer
John James Dyer
John James Dyer was a the first United States federal judge in Iowa.Born in Franklin, Virginia, Dyer graduated from Staunton Law School in 1833. He was in private practice in Pendleton County, Virginia from 1833 to 1845, also serving during that pariod as Commonwealth attorney of Pendleton County...
. Formally nominated on February 7, 1856, Love 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 February 25, 1856, and received his commission on December 21, 1856. On July 20, 1882, upon the division of the District of Iowa into Northern
United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa
The United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa has jurisdiction over fifty-two of Iowa's ninety-nine counties. It is subject to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals The United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa (in case citations, N.D. Iowa) has jurisdiction...
and Southern
United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa
The United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa has jurisdiction over forty-seven of Iowa's ninety-nine counties. It is subject to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals The United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa (in case citations, S.D. Iowa) has...
districts, Love was reassigned to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa
United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa
The United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa has jurisdiction over forty-seven of Iowa's ninety-nine counties. It is subject to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals The United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa (in case citations, S.D. Iowa) has...
. While on the bench, Love was also a professor of commercial law
Commercial law
Commercial law is the body of law that governs business and commercial transactions...
at State University of Iowa (now University of Iowa)
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...
beginning in 1875, serving for a time as Chancellor of the law department
University of Iowa College of Law
The University of Iowa College of Law is one of the eleven professional graduate schools at the University of Iowa, located in Iowa City, Iowa. Founded in 1865, it is the oldest law school in continuous operation west of the Mississippi River. The law school was ranked as the 27th best law school...
. Love served as a judge for over 35 years, until his death in 1891, in Keokuk, Iowa. He was the longest-serving federal judge to be appointed by President Pierce.