Townsend Scudder
Encyclopedia
Townsend Scudder was a United States Representative from New York. Born in Northport
, he was a nephew of Henry Joel Scudder
, also a U.S. Representative from New York. Townsend attended preparatory schools in Europe and was graduated from Columbia Law School
in 1888; he was admitted to the bar in 1889 and commenced practice in New York City. He was corporation counsel
for Queens County from 1893 to 1899, and was elected as a Democrat to the 56th United States Congress
, holding office from March 4, 1899 to March 3, 1901. He declined to be a candidate for renomination in 1900 and resumed the practice of law. He was elected to the 58th United States Congress
, holding office from March 4, 1903, to March 3, 1905.
Scudder was a justice of the New York Supreme Court
(2nd District) from 1907 to 1920, and afterwards again resumed the practice of law in New York City. In 1921
, he was defeated for the New York Court of Appeals
by Republican William S. Andrews. He was State park commissioner and vice president of the Long Island State Park Commission
from 1924 to 1927. He was appointed to the New York Supreme Court
by Governor Alfred E. Smith in February 1927, and was subsequently nominated by the two major political parties to succeed himself for the full term of fourteen years. He remained on the bench until the end of 1936, when he reached the constitutional age limit of 70 years. He died in Greenwich, Connecticut
in 1960; interment was in Putnam Cemetery
.
Northport, New York
Northport is a village in Suffolk County, New York on the North Shore of Long Island. As of the United States 2000 Census, the village population was 7,606. Students attend the Northport-East Northport Union Free School District....
, he was a nephew of Henry Joel Scudder
Henry Joel Scudder
Henry Joel Scudder was a United States Representative from New York.-Biography:Born in Northport, he attended the district school and Huntington Academy. He was graduated from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut in 1846. He studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1848 and practiced in New...
, also a U.S. Representative from New York. Townsend attended preparatory schools in Europe and was graduated from Columbia Law School
Columbia Law School
Columbia Law School, founded in 1858, is one of the oldest and most prestigious law schools in the United States. A member of the Ivy League, Columbia Law School is one of the professional graduate schools of Columbia University in New York City. It offers the J.D., LL.M., and J.S.D. degrees in...
in 1888; he was admitted to the bar in 1889 and commenced practice in New York City. He was corporation counsel
Corporation Counsel
The Corporation Counsel is the title given to the chief legal officer in some municipal and county jurisdictions, who handles civil claims against the city, including negotiating settlements and defending the city when it is sued. Most corporation counsels do not prosecute criminal cases, though...
for Queens County from 1893 to 1899, and was elected as a Democrat to the 56th United States Congress
56th United States Congress
-House of Representatives:- Leadership :- Senate :* President: Garret Hobart , until November 21, 1899 , vacant thereafter.* President pro tempore: William P. Frye * Democratic Caucus Chairman: James K. Jones...
, holding office from March 4, 1899 to March 3, 1901. He declined to be a candidate for renomination in 1900 and resumed the practice of law. He was elected to the 58th United States Congress
58th United States Congress
- House of Representatives :* Republican : 209 * Democratic : 176* Silver Republican : 1TOTAL members: 386-Senate:* President: Vacant* President pro tempore: William P. Frye -Members:...
, holding office from March 4, 1903, to March 3, 1905.
Scudder was a justice of the New York Supreme Court
New York Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of the State of New York is the trial-level court of general jurisdiction in thestate court system of New York, United States. There is a supreme court in each of New York State's 62 counties, although some smaller counties share judges with neighboring counties...
(2nd District) from 1907 to 1920, and afterwards again resumed the practice of law in New York City. In 1921
New York state election, 1921
The 1921 New York state election was held on November 8, 1921, to elect a judge of the New York Court of Appeals, as well as all members of the New York State Assembly. Besides, six amendments to the State Constitution were proposed.-History:...
, he was defeated for the New York Court of Appeals
New York Court of Appeals
The New York Court of Appeals is the highest court in the U.S. state of New York. The Court of Appeals consists of seven judges: the Chief Judge and six associate judges who are appointed by the Governor to 14-year terms...
by Republican William S. Andrews. He was State park commissioner and vice president of the Long Island State Park Commission
Long Island State Park Commission
The Long Island State Park Commission was created in 1924 by the New York State Legislature to build and operate parks and parkways on Long Island. Governor Al Smith appointed as its first President, Robert Moses, who had drafted the bill creating the Commission and who served until 1953...
from 1924 to 1927. He was appointed to the New York Supreme Court
New York Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of the State of New York is the trial-level court of general jurisdiction in thestate court system of New York, United States. There is a supreme court in each of New York State's 62 counties, although some smaller counties share judges with neighboring counties...
by Governor Alfred E. Smith in February 1927, and was subsequently nominated by the two major political parties to succeed himself for the full term of fourteen years. He remained on the bench until the end of 1936, when he reached the constitutional age limit of 70 years. He died in Greenwich, Connecticut
Greenwich, Connecticut
Greenwich is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. As of the 2010 census, the town had a total population of 61,171. It is home to many hedge funds and other financial service companies. Greenwich is the southernmost and westernmost municipality in Connecticut and is 38+ minutes ...
in 1960; interment was in Putnam Cemetery
Putnam Cemetery
Putnam Cemetery is a non-sectarian cemetery located in Greenwich, Connecticut. It is affiliated with adjacent Saint Mary's Cemetery, which is a Catholic cemetery. The cemetery is located in a quiet residential neighborhood and is the final resting place of several notable people...
.