John Charles Watrous
John Charles Watrous | |
|---|---|
| Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Texas | |
| In office May 29, 1846 – February 21, 1857 | |
| Appointed by | James K. Polk |
| Preceded by | Seat established by 9 Stat. 1 |
| Succeeded by | Seat abolished |
| Member of the Mississippi House of Representatives | |
| In office 1837 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | John Charles Watrous August 1, 1801 read law |
John Charles Watrous (August 1, 1801 – June 17, 1874) was a
United States District Court for the District of Texas and the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
.
Education and career
Born on August 1, 1801, in
read law in 1830.[1] Watrous entered private practice in Selma, Alabama from 1830 to 1835.[1] He continued private practice in Woodville, Mississippi from 1835 to 1836.[1] He was a member of the Mississippi House of Representatives in 1837.[1] He resumed private practice in the Republic of Texas from 1837 to 1838.[1] He was Attorney General of the Republic of Texas from 1838 to 1839.[1] He resumed private practice in Galveston, Republic of Texas (State of Texas from December 29, 1845) from 1839 to 1845.[1]
Federal judicial service
Watrous was nominated by President
United States District Court for the District of Texas, to a new seat authorized by 9 Stat. 1.[1] He was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 29, 1846, and received his commission the same day.[1] Watrous was reassigned by operation of law to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas on February 21, 1857, to a new seat authorized by 11 Stat. 164.[1][2] His service terminated on April 19, 1870, due to his resignation,[1] because he was stricken with paralysis.[3]
Criticism and impeachment attempts
After his appointment to the federal bench, Watrous became the object of severe criticism, in part because his decisions in a number of cases went against the wishes of some members of the legislature and because of his personal connections with
Andrew J. Hamilton prosecuted the impeachment until the adjournment of Congress on March 3, 1861.[3]
Civil War
Due to Texas' secession from the Union and the American Civil War, Watrous was unable to hold court from 1861 to 1865.[3] He resumed holding court at the end of the war.[3]
Later career and death
Following his resignation from the federal bench, Watrous moved to Baltimore, Maryland, and practiced law as much as his health would permit.[3] He died on June 17, 1874.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m John Charles Watrous at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
- ^ "U.S. District Courts for the Districts of Texas: Legislative History - Federal Judicial Center". www.fjc.gov.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j HINTON, HARWOOD P. (15 June 2010). "WATROUS, JOHN CHARLES". tshaonline.org.
Sources
- John Charles Watrous at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
  | Republic of Texas (1836–45) | |
|---|---|---|
| State of Texas (1846–present) |
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