Justice Drew was born on April 27, 1877 in Pittsburgh, PA, the son of John and Martha (Rorke) Drew. He attended the public schools of his native city.[1] Following a period of attendance at the University of Michigan, he graduated from Columbia University in 1900 with both a Bachelor of Laws and a Master of Arts degree. In that same year, he was admitted to the New York Bar. After practicing in New York for about two years, he returned to Pittsburgh in 1902.[2] In 1906, he was appointed to a position as Assistant City Solicitor, by Mayor George W. Guthrie.[3]
He was elected as a Judge of the County Court in 1911 for a term beginning in 1912. He remained there until 1920, interrupted by service as a Captain in the U.S. Army during World War I. In 1920, he was elected to the Court of Common Pleas and in 1930, he was elected to a seat on the state's Superior Court. This position proved short-lived; Drew was appointed to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania by Governor Gifford Pinchot, to fill a temporary vacancy caused by a death, receiving his commission on September 28, 1931.[4] Less than a year later, he was easily elected to a full term of 21 years on the Supreme Court - he ran on the Republican, Democratic and Liberal slates.[5]
In 1950, he became the Chief Justice following the death of the previous Chief. At that time, he commented that he had already served as a commissioned judge longer than anyone else in the state. Justice Drew retired in November, 1952, due to his declining health.[5]
He died on September 5, 1953, at his home at 625 Morewood Avenue in Pittsburgh. Justice Drew, a Roman Catholic, was buried at St. Mary Cemetery, in the Lawrenceville section of Pittsburgh.[3]
His survivors included his second wife, Mary Snyder Drew, the daughter of a wealthy Pittsburgh industrialist. (His first wife, Rhoda Sproules, died in 1916.) Other survivors included a son, Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge John Drew, and two daughters, noted historical preservationist Barbara Hofstott, and Rhoda McComas.[3]
References
^"Race for Seats on New Court Bench Is Begun". The Pittsburgh Press. August 13, 1911. p. 4.
^The American Catholic Who's Who: 1946 and 1947. Vol. 7. Grosse Point, MI: Walter Romig. 1910. p. 115.
^ abcd"Justice Drew to Be Buried Today, With Mass at St. Paul's Cathedral". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. September 7, 1953. p. 26.
^"Historical List of Supreme Court Justices". The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
^ ab"James Drew Dies" (PDF). The New York Times. September 6, 1953. p. 52.
james, drew, april, 1877, september, 1953, chief, justice, supreme, court, pennsylvania, james, byron, drewbornapril, 1877pittsburgh, padiedseptember, 1953pittsburgh, paoccupation, attorney, judgeknown, forchief, justice, supreme, court, pennsylvaniaspouse, rh. James B Drew April 27 1877 September 5 1953 was a chief justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania James Byron DrewBornApril 27 1877Pittsburgh PADiedSeptember 5 1953Pittsburgh PAOccupation s Attorney JudgeKnown forChief Justice Supreme Court of PennsylvaniaSpouse s Rhoda Sproules Mary Snyder DrewContents 1 Biography 2 Death 3 References 4 External linksBiography EditJustice Drew was born on April 27 1877 in Pittsburgh PA the son of John and Martha Rorke Drew He attended the public schools of his native city 1 Following a period of attendance at the University of Michigan he graduated from Columbia University in 1900 with both a Bachelor of Laws and a Master of Arts degree In that same year he was admitted to the New York Bar After practicing in New York for about two years he returned to Pittsburgh in 1902 2 In 1906 he was appointed to a position as Assistant City Solicitor by Mayor George W Guthrie 3 He was elected as a Judge of the County Court in 1911 for a term beginning in 1912 He remained there until 1920 interrupted by service as a Captain in the U S Army during World War I In 1920 he was elected to the Court of Common Pleas and in 1930 he was elected to a seat on the state s Superior Court This position proved short lived Drew was appointed to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania by Governor Gifford Pinchot to fill a temporary vacancy caused by a death receiving his commission on September 28 1931 4 Less than a year later he was easily elected to a full term of 21 years on the Supreme Court he ran on the Republican Democratic and Liberal slates 5 In 1950 he became the Chief Justice following the death of the previous Chief At that time he commented that he had already served as a commissioned judge longer than anyone else in the state Justice Drew retired in November 1952 due to his declining health 5 He was a member of the Duquesne Club in Pittsburgh the Rolling Rock Club in Ligonier PA the Everglades Club in Palm Beach FL The Bath and Tennis Club in Palm Beach Fl and the Union Interalliee in Paris France He was instrumental in starting the American Legion in Allegheny County 3 Death EditHe died on September 5 1953 at his home at 625 Morewood Avenue in Pittsburgh Justice Drew a Roman Catholic was buried at St Mary Cemetery in the Lawrenceville section of Pittsburgh 3 His survivors included his second wife Mary Snyder Drew the daughter of a wealthy Pittsburgh industrialist His first wife Rhoda Sproules died in 1916 Other survivors included a son Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge John Drew and two daughters noted historical preservationist Barbara Hofstott and Rhoda McComas 3 References Edit Race for Seats on New Court Bench Is Begun The Pittsburgh Press August 13 1911 p 4 The American Catholic Who s Who 1946 and 1947 Vol 7 Grosse Point MI Walter Romig 1910 p 115 a b c d Justice Drew to Be Buried Today With Mass at St Paul s Cathedral Pittsburgh Post Gazette September 7 1953 p 26 Historical List of Supreme Court Justices The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania Retrieved April 3 2015 a b James Drew Dies PDF The New York Times September 6 1953 p 52 External links EditJames B Drew at Find a Grave Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title James B Drew amp oldid 1122377507, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
