Loyal Edwin Knappen
Encyclopedia
Loyal Edwin Knappen was a United States federal judge
.
Born in Hastings, Michigan
, Knappen received a B.A.
from the University of Michigan
in 1873 and read law to enter the bar in 1875, thereafter receiving an M.A.
from the University of Michigan
in 1876. He was in private practice in Hastings, Michigan
from 1875 to 1888, also serving as a prosecuting attorney of Barry County, Michigan from 1879 to 1883. He was a Commissioner for the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan from 1880 to 1888. He was in private practice in Grand Rapids, Michigan
from 1888 to 1906 with the law firm
of Knappen, Uhl & Bryant, which had been founded as Fletcher & Wanty, and which continues to exist today as Wheeler Upham.
On December 3, 1906, Knappen was nominated by President Theodore Roosevelt
to a seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan
vacated by the death of George P. Wanty
, who had founded the law firm of which Knappen was a partner. Knappen was confirmed by the United States Senate
on December 10, 1906, and received his commission the same day.
On January 17, 1910, President William H. Taft nominated Knappen for elevation to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
vacated by the successful nomination of Horace Harmon Lurton
to the Supreme Court of the United States
. Knappen was confirmed by the United States Senate on January 31, 1910, and received his commission the same day. He assumed senior status
on April 15, 1924, serving in that capacity until his death, in 1930.
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 Hastings, Michigan
Hastings, Michigan
Hastings is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan, the county seat of Barry County as well as the county's only city. The population was 7,095 at the 2000 census. The city borders Hastings Charter Township on the north, east, and south, and Rutland Charter Township on the west...
, Knappen received a B.A.
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 the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
in 1873 and read law to enter the bar in 1875, thereafter receiving an M.A.
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
from the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
in 1876. He was in private practice in Hastings, Michigan
Hastings, Michigan
Hastings is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan, the county seat of Barry County as well as the county's only city. The population was 7,095 at the 2000 census. The city borders Hastings Charter Township on the north, east, and south, and Rutland Charter Township on the west...
from 1875 to 1888, also serving as a prosecuting attorney of Barry County, Michigan from 1879 to 1883. He was a Commissioner for the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan from 1880 to 1888. He was in private practice in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city is located on the Grand River about 40 miles east of Lake Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 188,040. In 2010, the Grand Rapids metropolitan area had a population of 774,160 and a combined statistical area, Grand...
from 1888 to 1906 with the law firm
Law firm
A law firm is a business entity formed by one or more lawyers to engage in the practice of law. The primary service rendered by a law firm is to advise clients about their legal rights and responsibilities, and to represent clients in civil or criminal cases, business transactions, and other...
of Knappen, Uhl & Bryant, which had been founded as Fletcher & Wanty, and which continues to exist today as Wheeler Upham.
On December 3, 1906, Knappen was nominated by President Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States . He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity...
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 the death of George P. Wanty
George P. Wanty
George P. Wanty was a United States federal judge.Born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Wanty received an LL.B. from the University of Michigan in 1878 and went into private practice. In 1883, he partnered with Niram A. Fletcher to form the law firm of Fletcher & Wanty, which is known today as Wheeler...
, who had founded the law firm of which Knappen was a partner. Knappen 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 December 10, 1906, and received his commission the same day.
On January 17, 1910, President William H. Taft nominated Knappen for elevation 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 the successful nomination of Horace Harmon Lurton
Horace Harmon Lurton
Horace Harmon Lurton was an American jurist who served for four years as a Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Appointed at the age of 65, Lurton was the oldest justice appointed to the Court.-Life:...
to the Supreme Court of the United States
Supreme Court of the United States
The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all state and federal courts, and original jurisdiction over a small range of cases...
. Knappen was confirmed by the United States Senate on January 31, 1910, and received his commission the same day. He 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...
on April 15, 1924, serving in that capacity until his death, in 1930.