Judson Harmon
Encyclopedia
Judson Harmon was a Democratic politician from Ohio
. He served as United States Attorney General
under President Grover Cleveland
and later served as the 45th Governor of Ohio.
Harmon was born in Newtown, Ohio
. He graduated from Denison University
in 1866. He graduated from the Cincinnati Law School and was admitted to the bar in 1869. Harmon was elected judge of the Common Pleas Court in 1876, but left months later to run unsuccessfully for the State Senate. He was elected judge of the Superior Court of Cincinnati in 1878 and served until he resigned in 1887 to resume the practice of law.
He was appointed Attorney General by President Cleveland on June 8, 1895 upon the elevation of Richard Olney
to become United States Secretary of State
, serving out the remainder of Cleveland's term. As Attorney General, he issued the most explicit statement of what became known as the American doctrine of absolute sovereignty
, that "the rules, principles and precedents of international law impose no liability or obligation upon the United States," in a case involving a claim by Mexico for damages from diverting the waters of the Rio Grande
.
Harmon was elected Governor of Ohio in 1908. He was re-elected in 1910, defeating future President of the United States
Warren G. Harding
. Harmon left office January 1913, upon completion of this second term.
Harmon County, Oklahoma
, is named for him.
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
. He served as United States Attorney General
United States Attorney General
The United States Attorney General is the head of the United States Department of Justice concerned with legal affairs and is the chief law enforcement officer of the United States government. The attorney general is considered to be the chief lawyer of the U.S. government...
under President Grover Cleveland
Grover Cleveland
Stephen Grover Cleveland was the 22nd and 24th president of the United States. Cleveland is the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms and therefore is the only individual to be counted twice in the numbering of the presidents...
and later served as the 45th Governor of Ohio.
Harmon was born in Newtown, Ohio
Newtown, Ohio
Newtown is a village in southeastern Hamilton County, Ohio, United States, near Cincinnati. The population was 2,420 at the 2000 census.Newtown was first settled in 1792 under the name of Mercersburg. The name was changed before the village incorporated in 1901.-History:Multiple Native American...
. He graduated from Denison University
Denison University
Denison University is private, coeducational, and residential college of liberal arts and sciences founded in 1831. It is located in Granville, Ohio, United States, approximately 30 miles east of Columbus, the state capital...
in 1866. He graduated from the Cincinnati Law School and was admitted to the bar in 1869. Harmon was elected judge of the Common Pleas Court in 1876, but left months later to run unsuccessfully for the State Senate. He was elected judge of the Superior Court of Cincinnati in 1878 and served until he resigned in 1887 to resume the practice of law.
He was appointed Attorney General by President Cleveland on June 8, 1895 upon the elevation of Richard Olney
Richard Olney
Richard Olney was an American statesman. He served as both United States Attorney General and Secretary of State under President Grover Cleveland. As attorney general, Olney used injunctions against striking workers in the Pullman strike, setting a precedent, and advised the use of federal troops,...
to become United States Secretary of State
United States Secretary of State
The United States Secretary of State is the head of the United States Department of State, concerned with foreign affairs. The Secretary is a member of the Cabinet and the highest-ranking cabinet secretary both in line of succession and order of precedence...
, serving out the remainder of Cleveland's term. As Attorney General, he issued the most explicit statement of what became known as the American doctrine of absolute sovereignty
Sovereignty
Sovereignty is the quality of having supreme, independent authority over a geographic area, such as a territory. It can be found in a power to rule and make law that rests on a political fact for which no purely legal explanation can be provided...
, that "the rules, principles and precedents of international law impose no liability or obligation upon the United States," in a case involving a claim by Mexico for damages from diverting the waters of the Rio Grande
Rio Grande
The Rio Grande is a river that flows from southwestern Colorado in the United States to the Gulf of Mexico. Along the way it forms part of the Mexico – United States border. Its length varies as its course changes...
.
Harmon was elected Governor of Ohio in 1908. He was re-elected in 1910, defeating future President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Warren G. Harding
Warren G. Harding
Warren Gamaliel Harding was the 29th President of the United States . A Republican from Ohio, Harding was an influential self-made newspaper publisher. He served in the Ohio Senate , as the 28th Lieutenant Governor of Ohio and as a U.S. Senator...
. Harmon left office January 1913, upon completion of this second term.
Harmon County, Oklahoma
Harmon County, Oklahoma
Harmon County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oklahoma. As of 2010, the population was 2,992. In population, it is the second smallest county in Oklahoma, only Cimarron County, according to the 2010 census, having fewer inhabitants. The county seat is Hollis.-Geography:According to the...
, is named for him.