John Van Voorhis (judge)
Encyclopedia
John Van Voorhis was an American lawyer and politician.
) and Allis (Sherman) Van Voorhis. He graduated A.B.
from Yale College
in 1919. He was admitted to the bar in 1922, and commenced the practice of law at Rochester, New York
. On June 2, 1928, he married Linda G. Lyon (ca. 1902-1989), and they had three children. He was Town Attorney of Irondequoit from 1928 to 1933, and in 1936.
In 1936, he was elected to the New York Supreme Court
(7th District), and re-elected in 1950. He sat on the Appellate Division (4th Dept.)
from 1947 on.
In 1944
, he ran on the Republican ticket for the New York Court of Appeals
, but was defeated by Democrat Marvin R. Dye
.
On April 23, 1953, Van Voorhis was appointed by Governor Thomas E. Dewey to fill the vacancy caused by the appointment of Edmund H. Lewis
as Chief Judge
. In November 1953
, Lewis was elected Chief Judge, and on January 1, 1954, Van Voorhis was re-appointed to the seat. In November 1954, he ran on the Republican and Democratic tickets to succeed himself, and was elected. He retired from the bench at the end of 1967 when he reached the constitutional age limit of 70 years.
Afterwards he resumed the practice of law and taught at New York Law School
.
Life
He was the son of Eugene Van Voorhis (ca. 1864-1943, son of John Van VoorhisJohn Van Voorhis
John Van Voorhis was an American lawyer and politician from New York.-Life:...
) and Allis (Sherman) Van Voorhis. He graduated 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 Yale College
Yale College
Yale College was the official name of Yale University from 1718 to 1887. The name now refers to the undergraduate part of the university. Each undergraduate student is assigned to one of 12 residential colleges.-Residential colleges:...
in 1919. He was admitted to the bar in 1922, and commenced the practice of law at Rochester, New York
Rochester, New York
Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
. On June 2, 1928, he married Linda G. Lyon (ca. 1902-1989), and they had three children. He was Town Attorney of Irondequoit from 1928 to 1933, and in 1936.
In 1936, he was elected to the New York Supreme Court
New York Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of the State of New York is the trial-level court of general jurisdiction in thestate court system of New York, United States. There is a supreme court in each of New York State's 62 counties, although some smaller counties share judges with neighboring counties...
(7th District), and re-elected in 1950. He sat on the Appellate Division (4th Dept.)
New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
The Supreme Court of the State of New York, Appellate Division is the intermediate appellate court in New York State. The Appellate Division is composed of four departments .*The First Department covers the Bronx The Supreme Court of the State of New York, Appellate Division is the intermediate...
from 1947 on.
In 1944
New York state election, 1944
The 1944 New York state election was held on November 7, 1944, to elect a judge of the New York Court of Appeals and a U.S. senator, as well as all members of the New York State Assembly and the New York State Senate.-Nominations:...
, he ran on the Republican ticket for the New York Court of Appeals
New York Court of Appeals
The New York Court of Appeals is the highest court in the U.S. state of New York. The Court of Appeals consists of seven judges: the Chief Judge and six associate judges who are appointed by the Governor to 14-year terms...
, but was defeated by Democrat Marvin R. Dye
Marvin R. Dye
Marvin Rood Dye was an American lawyer and politician.-Life:He was the son of Daniel A. Dye and Jenni Dye. He graduated LL.B. from Cornell Law School in 1917. During World War I, he joined the armed forces and was commissioned a first lieutenant. On June 25, 1918, he married Miriam Kelley...
.
On April 23, 1953, Van Voorhis was appointed by Governor Thomas E. Dewey to fill the vacancy caused by the appointment of Edmund H. Lewis
Edmund H. Lewis
Edmund Harris Lewis was an American lawyer and politician from New York. He was Chief Judge of the New York Court of Appeals from 1953 to 1954.-Life:...
as Chief Judge
Chief Judge of the New York Court of Appeals
Chief Judge of the New York Court of Appeals refers to the position of chief judge on the New York Court of Appeals.The chief judge supervises the seven-judge Court of Appeals...
. In November 1953
New York state election, 1953
The 1953 New York state election was held on November 3, 1953, to elect the Chief Judge of the New York Court of Appeals. Besides, nine amendments to the State Constitution, among them one that required the voter to cast a single joint vote for the candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor on...
, Lewis was elected Chief Judge, and on January 1, 1954, Van Voorhis was re-appointed to the seat. In November 1954, he ran on the Republican and Democratic tickets to succeed himself, and was elected. He retired from the bench at the end of 1967 when he reached the constitutional age limit of 70 years.
Afterwards he resumed the practice of law and taught at New York Law School
New York Law School
New York Law School is a private law school in the TriBeCa neighborhood of Lower Manhattan in New York City. New York Law School is one of the oldest independent law schools in the United States. The school is located within four blocks of all major courts in Manhattan. In 2011, New York Law School...
.
Sources
- The History of the New York Court of Appeals, 1932-2003 by Bernard S. MeyerBernard S. MeyerBernard Stern Meyer was an American lawyer and politician.-Life:...
, Burton C. Agata & Seth H. Agata (page 24) - http://www.courts.state.ny.us/history/elecbook/thereshallbe/pg100.htm Court of Appeals judges
- APPEALS BENCH IS FILLED; Governor Appoints Van Voorhis to State's Highest Court in NYT on April 24, 1953 (subscription required)
- EUGENE VAN VOORHIS His father's obit, in NYT on December 22, 1943 (subscription required)
- Linda L. Van Voorhis, A Poet, Is Dead at 87 His wife's obit, in NYT on August 22, 1987
- MARRIED IN WASHINGTON; Eugene Van Voorhis and Allis Sherman United Yesterday His parents' wedding, in NYT on February 19, 1896