John Erskine (judge)
Encyclopedia
John Erskine was a United States federal judge
.
Born in Strabane, County Tyrone, Ireland, Erskine read law to enter the bar in 1846. He was in private practice in Florida
from 1846 to 1855, and then in Newnan, Georgia
, and in Atlanta, Georgia
until 1865.
On July 10, 1865, Erskine received a recess appointment
from President Andrew Johnson
to a joint seat on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
and the United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia
, both vacated by John Cochran Nicoll
. Formally nominated on December 20, 1865, Erskine was confirmed by the United States Senate
on January 22, 1866, and received his commission the same day. On April 25, 1882, Erskine was reassigned by operation of law
to serve on only the Southern District of Georgia. He continued in that capacity until his retirement from the bench on December 1, 1883.
He died in Atlanta, Georgia
.
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 Strabane, County Tyrone, Ireland, Erskine read law to enter the bar in 1846. He was in private practice in Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
from 1846 to 1855, and then in Newnan, Georgia
Newnan, Georgia
Newnan is a city in Coweta County, Georgia, about 30 miles southwest of Atlanta. The population was 16,242 at the 2000 Census. Newnan is one of the fastest growing cities in Georgia, with an estimated population of 27,097 in 2006 and 33,293 in July 2008...
, and in Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
until 1865.
On July 10, 1865, Erskine received a recess appointment
Recess appointment
A recess appointment is the appointment, by the President of the United States, of a senior federal official while the U.S. Senate is in recess. The U.S. Constitution requires that the most senior federal officers must be confirmed by the Senate before assuming office, but while the Senate is in...
from President Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson was the 17th President of the United States . As Vice-President of the United States in 1865, he succeeded Abraham Lincoln following the latter's assassination. Johnson then presided over the initial and contentious Reconstruction era of the United States following the American...
to a joint seat on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
The United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia is a United States District Court which serves the residents of forty-six counties...
and the United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia
United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia is a United States District Court which serves the residents of thirty-four counties in Georgia through six divisions....
, both vacated by John Cochran Nicoll
John Cochran Nicoll
John Cochran Nicoll was a United States federal judge.Born in Savannah, Georgia, Nicoll attended the Tapping Reeve Law School in Litchfield, Connecticut. He entered private practice in Savannah, and was that city's recorder of judgments. He served as a member of the Georgia House of Representatives...
. Formally nominated on December 20, 1865, Erskine 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 January 22, 1866, and received his commission the same day. On April 25, 1882, Erskine was reassigned by operation of law
Operation of law
The phrase "by operation of law" is a legal term that indicates that a right or liability has been created for a party, irrespective of the intent of that party, because it is dictated by existing legal principles. For example, if a person dies without a will, his heirs are determined by operation...
to serve on only the Southern District of Georgia. He continued in that capacity until his retirement from the bench on December 1, 1883.
He died in Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
.