Robert Cook Bell
Encyclopedia
Robert Cook Bell was a United States federal judge
.
Born in Harrisonville, Missouri
, Bell received an LL.B. from the University of Missouri
in 1908. He was in private practice in St. Joseph, Missouri from 1908 to 1916. He was a special assistant to the Attorney General of the United States in the Department of Justice
in Minnesota from 1916 to 1918, then in Denver, Colorado
until 1920, and then in Missouri again in 1921. He returned to private practice in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota
from 1921 to 1933, serving as counsel to the Red Lake Indians
of Minnesota from 1927 to 1933, and to the Pillager Indians
of Minnesota from 1930 to 1933. He was also a member of the Minnesota State Senate from 1928 to 1933.
On June 8, 1933, Bell was nominated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt
to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota
vacated by William A. Cant. Bell was confirmed by the United States Senate
on June 10, 1933, and received his commission on June 13, 1933. He assumed senior status
on May 1, 1961, serving in that capacity until his death, in 1964.
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 Harrisonville, Missouri
Harrisonville, Missouri
Harrisonville is a city in Cass County, Missouri, United States. The population was 10,019 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of CassCounty.Harrisonville was found in 1837, and was named for Congressman Albert G. Harrison...
, Bell received an LL.B. from the University of Missouri
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
in 1908. He was in private practice in St. Joseph, Missouri from 1908 to 1916. He was a special assistant to the Attorney General of the United States in the Department of Justice
United States Department of Justice
The United States Department of Justice , is the United States federal executive department responsible for the enforcement of the law and administration of justice, equivalent to the justice or interior ministries of other countries.The Department is led by the Attorney General, who is nominated...
in Minnesota from 1916 to 1918, then in Denver, Colorado
Denver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
until 1920, and then in Missouri again in 1921. He returned to private practice in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota
Detroit Lakes, Minnesota
-Demographics:As of the official census of 2000, there were 7,348 people, 3,319 households, and 1,845 families permanently residing in the city. The population density was 980.4 people per square mile . There were 3,782 housing units at an average density of 504.6 per square mile...
from 1921 to 1933, serving as counsel to the Red Lake Indians
Red Lake Indian Reservation
The Red Lake Indian Reservation covers 1,258.62 sq mi in parts of nine counties in northern Minnesota, United States. It is divided into many pieces, although the largest piece is centered about Red Lake, in north-central Minnesota, the largest lake entirely within that state. This section lies...
of Minnesota from 1927 to 1933, and to the Pillager Indians
Pillager Band of Chippewa Indians
Pillager Band of Chippewa Indians are a historical band of Chippewa , originally living at the headwaters of the Mississippi River. Their name "Pillagers" is a translation of Makandwewininiwag, which literally means "Pillaging Men"...
of Minnesota from 1930 to 1933. He was also a member of the Minnesota State Senate from 1928 to 1933.
On June 8, 1933, Bell was nominated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota
United States District Court for the District of Minnesota
The United States District Court for the District of Minnesota is the Federal district court whose jurisdiction is the state of Minnesota. Its two primary courthouses are in Minneapolis and Saint Paul...
vacated by William A. Cant. Bell 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 June 10, 1933, and received his commission on June 13, 1933. He assumed senior status
Senior status
Senior status is a form of semi-retirement for United States federal judges, and judges in some state court systems. After federal judges have reached a certain combination of age and years of service on the federal courts, they are allowed to assume senior status...
on May 1, 1961, serving in that capacity until his death, in 1964.