Theodore G. Garfield
Encyclopedia
Theodore G. Garfield served as a justice on the Iowa Supreme Court
longer than all but one other justice. A member of the Court from January 1, 1941 until his retirement on November 11, 1969, he served as Iowa's Chief Justice
in rotation for four years, and then on a continuing basis from 1961 to 1969.
Born in Humboldt, Iowa
to George S. and Mary (White) Garfield, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Iowa
in 1915 and his law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law
in 1917. Immediately thereafter, he volunteered for military service in the United States Army
, He was on a tour of duty as a lieutenant teaching artillery fire at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, at the time the armistice
ended World War I
in 1918. He entered the private practice of law at Ames, Iowa
, as the junior partner of Lee & Garfield.
In 1926, he was elected as a Republican
as a trial-court judge for Iowa's Eleventh Judicial District. He served in this position from January 1927 until his elevation to the Supreme Court. After mandatory retirement from the court, he returned to the practice of law at Ames. Soon after his retirement, he agreed to serve as a hearing officer for University of Iowa students and groups subjected to discipline as part of antiwar activities.
Until very recently, Garfield was the longest-serving justice in the history of the Iowa Supreme Court. His 28-year-tenure was exceeded in 2006 by Justice Jerry Larson, who retired soon thereafter.
Iowa Supreme Court
The Iowa Supreme Court is the highest court in the U.S. state of Iowa. As constitutional head of the Iowa Judicial Branch, the Court is composed of a Chief Justice and six Associate Justices....
longer than all but one other justice. A member of the Court from January 1, 1941 until his retirement on November 11, 1969, he served as Iowa's Chief Justice
Chief Justice
The Chief Justice in many countries is the name for the presiding member of a Supreme Court in Commonwealth or other countries with an Anglo-Saxon justice system based on English common law, such as the Supreme Court of Canada, the Constitutional Court of South Africa, the Court of Final Appeal of...
in rotation for four years, and then on a continuing basis from 1961 to 1969.
Born in Humboldt, Iowa
Humboldt, Iowa
Humboldt is a city in Humboldt County, Iowa, United States. The population was 4,690 at the 2010 census, gaining 238 people since the 2000 census.- History :...
to George S. and Mary (White) Garfield, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the 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...
in 1915 and his law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law
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...
in 1917. Immediately thereafter, he volunteered for military service 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...
, He was on a tour of duty as a lieutenant teaching artillery fire at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, at the time the armistice
Armistice with Germany (Compiègne)
The armistice between the Allies and Germany was an agreement that ended the fighting in the First World War. It was signed in a railway carriage in Compiègne Forest on 11 November 1918 and marked a victory for the Allies and a complete defeat for Germany, although not technically a surrender...
ended World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
in 1918. He entered the private practice of law at Ames, Iowa
Ames, Iowa
Ames is a city located in the central part of the U.S. state of Iowa in Story County, and approximately north of Des Moines. The U.S. Census Bureau designates that Ames, Iowa metropolitan statistical area as encompassing all of Story County, and which, when combined with the Boone, Iowa...
, as the junior partner of Lee & Garfield.
In 1926, he was elected as a Republican
Republican Party of Iowa
The Republican Party of Iowa is the affiliate of the United States Republican Party in Iowa. The State Central Committee is led by Chairman Matt Strawn and Co-Chairman Bill Schickel...
as a trial-court judge for Iowa's Eleventh Judicial District. He served in this position from January 1927 until his elevation to the Supreme Court. After mandatory retirement from the court, he returned to the practice of law at Ames. Soon after his retirement, he agreed to serve as a hearing officer for University of Iowa students and groups subjected to discipline as part of antiwar activities.
Until very recently, Garfield was the longest-serving justice in the history of the Iowa Supreme Court. His 28-year-tenure was exceeded in 2006 by Justice Jerry Larson, who retired soon thereafter.