Frederick W. Sims
Encyclopedia
Frederick W. Sims was born in Louisa County, Virginia
during the height of the American Civil War
. As a youth, he learned to work diligently for everything, even though he was a frail boy. He received his early education in the local private and public schools and, later, at the University of Virginia
. He was forced to leave the university shortly after his entrance, however, when his father died. Because of his desire to be a lawyer, he studied long hours and was admitted to the bar in 1885. He began practice at Louisa and, just six years later, was elected judge of the county court. This position was held until the county courts were abolished in February 1904. After leaving the bench of the county court, he returned to private practice until November 1905, when he was elected to the Virginia State Senate. Shortly after his term as senator expired, he was elected Mayor of Louisa and filled this office for several years. His health became much worse a few years later, but he continued working. On March 6, 1917, Judge Sims was elected to the Supreme Court of Appeals
and, on February 1, 1924, became president of that court. He served as president less than a year before he was granted a leave because of his health, and died before he could return to the court.
Louisa County, Virginia
Louisa County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of 2010, the population was 33,153. The county seat is Louisa.- History :...
during the height of the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. As a youth, he learned to work diligently for everything, even though he was a frail boy. He received his early education in the local private and public schools and, later, at the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
. He was forced to leave the university shortly after his entrance, however, when his father died. Because of his desire to be a lawyer, he studied long hours and was admitted to the bar in 1885. He began practice at Louisa and, just six years later, was elected judge of the county court. This position was held until the county courts were abolished in February 1904. After leaving the bench of the county court, he returned to private practice until November 1905, when he was elected to the Virginia State Senate. Shortly after his term as senator expired, he was elected Mayor of Louisa and filled this office for several years. His health became much worse a few years later, but he continued working. On March 6, 1917, Judge Sims was elected to the Supreme Court of Appeals
Supreme Court of Virginia
The Supreme Court of Virginia is the highest court in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It primarily hears appeals from the trial-level city and county Circuit Courts, as well as the criminal law, family law and administrative law cases that go through the Court of Appeals of Virginia. It is one of...
and, on February 1, 1924, became president of that court. He served as president less than a year before he was granted a leave because of his health, and died before he could return to the court.