Thomas Richard Purnell
Encyclopedia
Thomas Richard Purnell was a United States federal judge
.
Born in Wilmington, North Carolina
, Purnell graduated from Trinity College
in 1869 and read law to enter the bar that same year. He was in private practice in Baltimore, Maryland and Salem, North Carolina
from 1870 to 1873. He was a Librarian for the State of North Carolina
in Raleigh
from 1873 to 1876, thereafter resuming his private practice in Raleigh until 1897. He served the North Carolina House of Representatives
from 1876 to 1877. He was a Commissioner for the U.S. Circuit Court for the Fourth Circuit from 1877 to 1891. He was a member of the North Carolina State Senate from 1883 to 1884. He was an unsuccessful candidate for state attorney general of North Carolina in 1892.
On April 26, 1897, Purnell was nominated by President William McKinley
to a seat on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina
vacated by Augustus S. Seymour. Purnell was confirmed by the United States Senate
on May 5, 1897, and received his commission the same day. Purnell served in that capacity until his death, in 1908, in Raleigh.
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 Wilmington, North Carolina
Wilmington, North Carolina
Wilmington is a port city in and is the county seat of New Hanover County, North Carolina, United States. The population is 106,476 according to the 2010 Census, making it the eighth most populous city in the state of North Carolina...
, Purnell graduated from Trinity College
Trinity College (Connecticut)
Trinity College is a private, liberal arts college in Hartford, Connecticut. Founded in 1823, it is the second-oldest college in the state of Connecticut after Yale University. The college enrolls 2,300 students and has been coeducational since 1969. Trinity offers 38 majors and 26 minors, and has...
in 1869 and read law to enter the bar that same year. He was in private practice in Baltimore, Maryland and Salem, North Carolina
Salem, North Carolina
Salem is a census-designated place in Burke County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 2,923 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Hickory–Lenoir–Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
from 1870 to 1873. He was a Librarian for the State of North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
in Raleigh
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
from 1873 to 1876, thereafter resuming his private practice in Raleigh until 1897. He served the North Carolina House of Representatives
North Carolina House of Representatives
The North Carolina House of Representatives is one of the two houses of the North Carolina General Assembly. The House is a 120-member body led by a Speaker of the House, who holds powers similar to those of the President pro-tem in the state senate....
from 1876 to 1877. He was a Commissioner for the U.S. Circuit Court for the Fourth Circuit from 1877 to 1891. He was a member of the North Carolina State Senate from 1883 to 1884. He was an unsuccessful candidate for state attorney general of North Carolina in 1892.
On April 26, 1897, Purnell was nominated by President William McKinley
William McKinley
William McKinley, Jr. was the 25th President of the United States . He is best known for winning fiercely fought elections, while supporting the gold standard and high tariffs; he succeeded in forging a Republican coalition that for the most part dominated national politics until the 1930s...
to a seat on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina
United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina
The United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina is the United States District Court that serves the eastern 44 counties in North Carolina. Appeals from the Eastern District of North Carolina are taken to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit The...
vacated by Augustus S. Seymour. Purnell 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 May 5, 1897, and received his commission the same day. Purnell served in that capacity until his death, in 1908, in Raleigh.