Sherman R. Moulton
Sherman R. Moulton (June 10, 1876 – June 16, 1949) was a Vermont attorney and judge. He is most notable for his service as an associate justice of the Vermont Supreme Court (1926-1939) and as Chief Justice (1939-1949).
Sherman R. Moulton | |
|---|---|
From 1919's Vermont, Its Government by Walter J. Bigelow | |
| Chief Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court | |
| In office July, 1938 – February, 1949 | |
| Preceded by | George M. Powers |
| Succeeded by | John C. Sherburne |
| Associate Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court | |
| In office October, 1926 – July, 1938 | |
| Preceded by | Fred M. Butler |
| Succeeded by | Olin M. Jeffords |
| Chief Judge of the Vermont Superior Court | |
| In office April, 1926 – October, 1926 | |
| Preceded by | Frank L. Fish |
| Succeeded by | Harrie B. Chase |
| Judge of the Vermont Superior Court | |
| In office February, 1919 – October, 1926 | |
| Preceded by | Eleazer L. Waterman |
| Succeeded by | John S. Buttles |
| Member of the Vermont Senate from Chittenden County | |
| In office January, 1919 – February, 1919 Serving with Frank Slater Jackson, Henry W. Tracy, Martin S. Vilas | |
| Preceded by | Donly C. Hawley, Heman Holmes Wheeler, Martin S. Vilas, Hamilton S. Peck |
| Succeeded by | William B. McKillip |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 10, 1876 New York City, New York |
| Died | June 16, 1949 (aged 73) Burlington, Vermont |
| Resting place | Moulton Cemetery Randolph, Vermont |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Stella Platt (m. 1906-1949, his death) |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | Dartmouth College Harvard Law School |
| Occupation | Attorney Judge |
Early life edit
Sherman Roberts Moulton was born in New York City on June 10, 1876, the son of Annie Jane Roberts and Clarence Freeman Moulton.[1] He was raised in Randolph, Vermont, and graduated from Randolph High School.[1] Moulton was an 1898 graduate of Dartmouth College, and in 1901 he received his LL.B. from Harvard Law School.[1] He completed his legal training with attorney Joseph D. Denison of Randolph, and attained admission to the bar in October 1901.[1]
Start of career edit
Moulton was an attorney for the Rutland Railroad from 1902 to 1903, and then worked as an associate at the Townsend & Avery firm in New York City.[1] In 1910, Moulton was one of the founding partners of Cowles, Moulton, & Stearns, a law firm located in Burlington, Vermont.[1] He left the firm in 1912, and established a Burlington office in which he was the principal.[1] Moulton was active in politics as a Republican; he was a member of the Burlington Republican Committee from 1910 to 1912, and was chairman beginning in 1911.[1] From 1911 to 1913, and again from 1915 to 1916, he served as Burlington's grand juror, responsible for pursuing prosecutions in the city court.[1][2]
Continued career edit
From 1915 to 1917, Moulton was executive clerk and legal advisor to Governor Charles W. Gates.[2] During World War I, Moulton served as a member of Vermont's Public Safety Committee, the body formed to coordinate the state government's wartime planning and actions.[2] In 1918, Moulton was elected to the Vermont Senate, and he served in January, 1919.[2] In addition, he served as reporter of decisions for the Vermont Supreme Court.
Judicial career edit
In February, 1919, Moulton was appointed as a judge of the Vermont Superior Court, succeeding Eleazer L. Waterman.[2][3] He served until 1926 and advanced through seniority to chief judge. In October 1926, he succeeded Fred M. Butler as an associate justice of the Vermont Supreme Court.[4] In July 1938, Moulton was appointed as chief justice of the state Supreme Court, succeeding George M. Powers.[5] He was succeeded as an associate justice by Olin M. Jeffords.[6] Moulton served as chief justice until retiring in February 1949.[7] He was succeeded as chief justice by associate justice John C. Sherburne.[8]
Death and burial edit
Moulton died in Burlington on June 16, 1949.[9] He was buried at Moulton Cemetery in Randolph.[10]
Honors edit
Moulton received the honorary degree of LL.D. from Boston University in 1941, and an honorary D.C.L. from the University of Vermont in 1945.[11]
Family edit
In 1906, Moulton married Stella Platt (1880-1966) of Burlington.[1][12] They were the parents of a son, Horace (1907-1991), who became a successful corporate attorney.[1][13]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Encyclopedia of Vermont Biography, p. 272.
- ^ a b c d e Vermont, Its Government, p. 16.
- ^ "Moulton Elected Superior Judge", p. 7.
- ^ "Moulton Now on Supreme Bench", p. 1.
- ^ "Sherman R. Moulton Made Chief Justice", p. 2.
- ^ "Olin M. Jeffords Elevated", p. 2.
- ^ "Chief Justice Sherman Moulton Resigns", p. 17.
- ^ "John C. Sherburne Elected Chief Justice of Vt.", p. 1.
- ^ "Former Chief Justice Moulton Dies Suddenly", p. 1.
- ^ "Final Tribute Paid to leading Vt. Jurist", p. 5.
- ^ Who's Who in America, p. 274.
- ^ "Funerals Arranged: Mrs. Stella P. Moulton", p. 19.
- ^ "Horace P. Moulton, 83, Ex-A.T.& T. Counsel".
Sources edit
Books edit
- Bigelow, Walter J. (1919). Vermont, Its Government. Montpelier, VT: Historical Publishing Company.
- Dodge, Prentiss Cutler (1912). Encyclopedia of Vermont Biography. Burlington, VT: Ullery Publishing Company. p. 272.
- Marquis, Albert N. (1948). Who's Who in America. Vol. 9–10. Chicago, IL: A. N. Marquis.
Newspapers edit
- "Moulton Elected Superior Judge". Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. January 30, 1919 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Moulton Now on Supreme Bench". Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. October 22, 1926 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Sherman R. Moulton Made Chief Justice". Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. July 9, 1938 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Olin M. Jeffords Elevated". Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. September 24, 1938 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Chief Justice Sherman Moulton Resigns After 22 Years on Supreme Court Bench". Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. February 25, 1949 – via Newspapers.com.
- "John C. Sherburne Elected Chief Justice of Vt". Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. April 2, 1949 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Former Chief Justice Moulton Dies Suddenly". Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. June 17, 1949 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Final Tribute Paid to leading Vt. Jurist". Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. June 20, 1949 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Funerals Arranged: Mrs. Stella P. Moulton". Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. August 5, 1966 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Horace P. Moulton, 83, Ex-A.T.& T. Counsel". New York Times. New York, NY. June 20, 1991.
External links edit
- Sherman R. Moulton at Find a Grave