Michigan official directory and legislative manual for the years 1905-1906, Part 48

Author: Michigan. Dept. of State. cn
Publication date: 1905
Publisher: Lansing : [State of Michigan]
Number of Pages: 970


USA > Michigan > Michigan official directory and legislative manual for the years 1905-1906 > Part 48


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86


CIRCUIT COURTS OF THE UNITED STATES.


First Judicial Circuit-Mr. Justice Holmes, of Boston, Massachusetts. Districts of Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.


Circuit Judges-Le Baron B. Colt, Bristol, Rhode Island, and William L. Putnam, Portland, Maine.


Second Judicial Circuit-Mr. Justice Peckham, of Albany, New York, Districts of Vermont, Connecticut, Northern New York, Southern New York, Eastern New York and Western New York.


Circuit Judges-William J. Wallace, Albany, New York; E. Henry Lacombe, New York City; William K. Townsend, New Haven, Connecticut, and Alfred C. Coxe, Utica, New York.


Third Judicial Circuit-Mr. Justice Brown, of Detroit, Michigan. Districts of New Jersey, Eastern Pennsylvania, Middle Pennsylvania, Western Pennsylvania, and Delaware.


Circuit Judges-Marcus W. Acheson, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; George M. Dallas, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and George Gray, Wilmington, Delaware.


Fourth Judicial Circuit-Mr. Chief Justice Fuller, of Chicago, Illinois. Districts of Maryland. Northern West Virginia, Southern West Virginia, Eastern Virginia, Western Virginia, Eastern North Carolina, Western North Carolina, and South Carolina.


Circuit Judges-Nathan Goff, Clarksburg, West Virginia, and Jeter C. Pritehard, of North Carolina.


Fifth Judicial Circuit-Mr. Justice White, of New Orleans, Louisiana. Districts


384


MICHIGAN MANUAL.


of Northern Georgia, Southern Georgia, Northern Florida, Southern Florida, Northern Alabama, Middle Alabama, Southern Alabama, Northern Mississippi, Southern Miss- issippi, Eastern Louisiana, Western Louisana, Northern Texas, Southern Texas, Eastern Texas and Western Texas.


Circuit Judges-Don A. Pardee, New Orleans, Louisiana; Andrew P. McCormick, Dallas, Texas, and David D. Shelby, Huntsville, Alabama.


Sixth Judicial Circuit-Mr. Justice Harlan, of Louisville, Kentucky; Districts of Northern Ohio, Southern Ohio, Eastern Michigan, Western Michigan, Eastern Kentucky, Western Kentucky, Eastern Tennessee, Middle Tennessee and Western Tennessee. Circuit Judges-Horace H. Lurton, Nashville, Tennessee; Henry F. Severens, Kalama- zoo, Michigan, and J. K. Richards, of Ironton, Ohio.


Seventh Judicial Circuit-Mr. Justice Day, of Canton, Ohio. Districts of Indiana, Northern Illinois, Southern Illinois, Eastern Wisconsin and Western Wisconsin.


Circuit Judges-James G. Jenkins, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Peter S. Grosscup, Chicago, Illinois, and Francis E. Baker, Indianapolis, Indiana.


Eighth Judicial Circuit-Mr. Justice Brewer, of Leavenworth, Kansas. Districts of Minnesota, Northern Iowa, Southern Iowa, Eastern Missouri, Western Missouri, Eastern Arkansas, Western Arkansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming and Utah, Central, Northern and Southern Indian Territories and Territories of New Mexico and Oklahoma.


Circuit Judges-Walter H. Sanborn, St. Paul, Minnesota, Amos M. Thayer, St. Louis, Missouri ; Willis Van Devanter of Cheyenne, Wyoming. and William C. Hook of Leaven- worth, Kansas.


Ninth Judicial Circuit-Mr. Justice McKenna, San Francisco, California. Districts of Northern and Southern California, Oregon, Nevada, Montana, Washington, Idaho, and Territories of Alaska, Arizona and Hawaii.


Circuit Judges-William B. Gilbert, Portland, Oregon; Erskine M. Ross, Los Angeles, California, and William W. Morrow, San Francisco, California.


Annual salary of circuit judges, $7,000.


UNITED STATES COURT OF CLAIMS.


Chief Justice-CHARLES C. NOTT, New York.


ASSOCIATE JUDGES.


LAWRENCE WELDON,


Illinois.


STANTON J. PEELLE,


CHARLES B. HOWRY,


FRANCIS M. WRIGHT,


- Indiana. Mississippi. - Illinois.


Chief Clerk-ARCHIBALD HOPKINS, $3,500.


Assistant Clerk-JOHN RANDOLPH, $2,500.


Bailiff-STARK B. TAYLOR, $1.500.


Salary of chief justice $6,500 annually and of associate judges $6,000.


INTERSTATE COMMERCE COMMISSION.


COMMISSIONERS.


Martin A. Knapp, Chairman, -


- New York.


Judson C. Clements,


Georgia. Iowa.


James D. Yeomans,


-


Charles A. Prouty,


1


- Vermont,


Joseph W. Fifer, -


Illinois.


Secretary-Edward A. Moseley, Massachusetts.


Assistant Secretary-Martin S. Decker, New York.


385


UNITED STATES COURTS IN MICHIGAN.


UNITED STATES COURTS IN MICHIGAN.


THE CIRCUIT COURTS.


The United States are divided into nine judicial circuits. The circuit courts in each circuit are held by the justices of the supreme court allotted to the circuit, or by a circuit judge of the circuit (salary $7,000), or by the district judge of the district sitting alone, or by any two of the above sitting together.


SIXTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT.


MR. JUSTICE HARLAN, Washington, D. C., associate justice of supreme court. HORACE H. LURTON, Nashville, Tennessee, circuit judge.


HENRY F. SEVERENS, Kalamazoo, Michigan, circuit judge. JOHN K. RICHARDS, Cincinnati, Ohio, circuit judge.


Districts of Northern Ohio, Southern Ohio, Eastern Michigan, Western Michigan, Eastern Kentucky, Western Kentucky, Eastern Tennessee, Middle Tennessee and Western Tennessee.


MICHIGAN OFFICERS OF THE UNITED STATES CIRCUIT COURTS IN MICHIGAN.


Clerk-Eastern District-WALTER S. HARSHA, Detroit; salary, fees.


Deputy Clerk-JENNIE WRIGHT JONES, Bay City; fees.


Clerk-Western District-CHARLES L. FITCH, Grand Rapids; fees.


Deputy Clerk-FRANCIS M. MOORE, Marquette; fees.


THE DISTRICT COURTS.


EASTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN.


Southern Division .- The Counties of Branch, Calhoun, Clinton, Hillsdale, Ingham, Jackson, Lapeer, Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair, Sanilac, Washtenaw, Wayne.


Northern Division .- The counties of Alcona, Alpena, Arenac, Bay, Cheboygan, Clare, Crawford, Genesee, Gladwin, Gratiot, Huron, Iosco, Isabella, Midland, Mont- morency, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle, Roscommon, Saginaw, Shiawassee, Tuscola.


Judge, Henry H. Swan, Detroit, salary, $5,000; attorney, William D. Gordon, Midland, salary, $4,000; assistant attorney, James V. D. Willcox, Detroit, salary, $2,000; clerk, Darius J. Davison, salary, fees; marshal, William R. Bates, Flint, office at Detroit, salary, $4,000. Regular terms commence in Detroit on the first Tuesdays of March, June and November; admiralty terms first Tuesday of each month. At Bay City, first Tuesdays of May and October; admiralty term, first Tuesday in February,


WESTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN.


Southern Division .- The counties of Allegan, Antrim, Barry, Benzie, Berrien, Cass, Charlevoix, Eaton, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Ionia, Kalamazoo, Kalkaska, Kent, Lake, Leelanau, Manistee, Mason, Mecosta, Missaukee, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola, Ottawa, St. Joseph, Van Buren, Wexford.


49


386


MICHIGAN MANUAL.


Northern Division .- The counties of Alger, Baraga, Chippewa, Delta, Dickinson, Gogebic, Houghton, Iron, Isle Royal, Keweenaw, Luce, Mackinac, Marquette, Menominee, Ontonagon, Schoolcraft.


Judge, George P. Wanty, Grand Rapids, salary, $5,000; attorney, George G. Covell, Traverse City, salary, $3,500; assistant attorney, Walter J. Lillie, Grand Haven, salary $1,600; marshal, Frank W. Wait, Sturgis, salary, $3,000 and fees; clerk, Charles J. Potter, Grand Rapids, fees. Terms commence on the first Tuesdays of March and October at Grand Rapids, first Tuesdays of May and September at Marquette.


UNITED STATES CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE SIXTH CIRCUIT.


The sixth judicial circuit of the United States comprises, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee.


One term of this court shall be held annually on the Tuesday after the first Monday of October, and adjourned sessions on the Tuesday after the first Monday of each other month in the year except August and September. At the July session no causes will be heard, except upon special order of the court.


A printed docket containing all cases docketed and not heard shall be made by the clerk for the October, January and April sessions.


All sessions of the court shall be held at Cincinnati unless otherwise specially ordered by the court.


The court, on the first day of each session, except the July session, will begin calling the cases for argument in the order in which they stand on the docket, and proceed from day to day during the session in the same way.


If the parties, or either of them, shall be ready when the case is called, the same will be heard, provided that the time within which to file briefs has expired.


But a case may be continued once by agreement of counsel in open court or by stipu- lation filed in the clerk's office to any session during the term. Subsequent continu- ances must be made by the court on motion for cause shown; and engagements of counsel in other courts will not be considered good cause for continuance.


Each day's calendar shall consist of the six cases next in order after the case last submitted on the previous day, but the calendar will not include any case continued or passed by the court or stipulation of counsel before the adjournment of court on the previous day. The calendar for each day shall be exhibited in the clerk's office at the adjournment of court on the previous day. Counsel choosing to rely on the judg- ment of the clerk as to the probable time of hearing of any case, otherwise than as shown in the day's calendar above provided for, must do so at their own risk.


Two or more cases involving the same question may by leave of the court or by its order be heard together, but they must be argued as one case.


For good cause shown, on motion of either party, the court may advance any cause upon the docket to be heard at any session, even though the time permitted under the rules for the filing of briefs may not have expired at the day set for the hearing. Such motion for the advancement of causes will be heard only upon five days' previous notice to opposing counsel.


JUDGES.


JOHN M. HARLAN, of Washington, D. C., circuit justice.


HORACE H. LURTON, of Nashville, Tennessee, circuit judge.


HENRY F. SEVERENS, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, circuit judge.


JOHN K. RICHARDS, of Cincinnati, Ohio, circuit judge.


Clerk, Frank O. Loveland, of Cincinnati, Ohio, salary, $3,000; clerk's office at Cin- cinnati, Ohio.


In case either of the above named are from any cause unable to sit, any district judge in the circuit may be assigned to sit.


387


UNITED STATES COURTS IN MICHIGAN.


LEGAL HOLIDAYS.


[C. L. 1897, ยงยง 4880-81 amended, Act No. 254, P. A. 1903.]


January 1-New Year's Day.


February 22-Washington's Birthday.


May 30-Decoration-Memoriai Day. July 4-Independence Day.


First Monday in September-Labor Day. Election Days-"Embracing National, State, County and City Elections." December 25-Christmas.


"And any day appointed or recommended by the governor of this State, or the presi- dent of the United States, as a day of fasting and prayer or thanksgiving."


In case any of the holidays shall fall upon a Sunday, then the Monday following shall be considered as the said holiday.


Saturday afternoons a legal holiday for banks unless voted to the contrary by the directors.


Z


388


MICHIGAN MANUAL.


JUDICIAL SYSTEM OF MICHIGAN.


SUPREME COURT.


The territorial government of Michigan was established in 1805. The supreme court of the territory consisted of a chief and two associate judges appointed by the president of the United States. The judge holding the commission of earliest date was made chief judge, and the other judges took precedence according to the dates of their commissions. When, however, commissions bore the same date precedence was determined by the ages of the judges. Their term of office was "during good behavior," and so they held until the year 1824, when the "second grade" of territorial govern- ment was established.


This court at first had original and exclusive jurisdiction in all cases involving the title to land, criminal cases punishable capitally, and cases of divorce and alimony ; afterwards, of all cases beyond the jurisdiction of inferior courts, all cases wherein the United States was a party, and all actions of ejectment. During the existence of the district courts, it had concurrent jurisdiction therewith in civil matters, when the demand exceeded $500; after that it was given original and exclusive jurisdiction of claims above $200. After the organization of county courts, it had original jurisdiction of ejectment and civil actions, when more than $1,000 was in controversy. It also determined all legal questions arising in circuit courts, on motion for new trial, in arrest of judgments or cases reserved, and it also issued writs of error to circuit and county courts.


The following judges were members of the supreme court of the territory under the "first grade" of territorial government:


Term began.


Term expired.


1805-Augustus B. Woodward, C. J. 1824.


1805-Frederick Bates, A. J 1808. Resigned.


1806 -- John Griffin, A. J ... 1824.


1805 -- James Witherell, A. J. 1824.


Upon the establishment of the "second" grade of territorial government in 1824, the term of office was limited to four years. From that time until the admission of Michigan to the Union in 1837, the following judges were members of the supreme court : .


Term began.


Term expired.


1824 James Witherell, C. J 1828.


1824-Solomon Sibley, A. J. 1837.


1824-John Hunt, A. J. 1827. Deceased.


1827-Henry Chipman, A. J .. 1832.


1828-William Woodbridge, C. J. 1832.


1832-George Morell, C. J.


1837.


1832-Ross Wilkins, A. J. 1837.


All the sessions of this court were held at Detroit, the capital of the territory.


The constitution of 1835 provided for a supreme court, the judges of which were to be appointed by the governor, by and with the advice and consent of the senate, to hold for a term of seven years. By an act approved July 16, 1836, the court was made to consist of a chief justice and two associate justices, a majority of whom should constitute a quorum. It was given essentially the same powers, except chancery,


389


.JUDICIAL SYSTEM OF MICHIGAN.


that the supreme court and superior circuit courts of the territory exercised. The state was divided into three circuits, and the supreme court was required to hold an annual term in each circuit. The term of the first circuit was held at Detroit, that of the second at Ann Arbor, and that of the third at Kalamazoo.


The revised statutes of 1838 made the supreme court consist of one chief and three associate justices, and gave it "original and appellate jurisdiction of all such matters and suits at law, and in equity and in probate cases," as might be lawfully brought before it; also, jurisdiction of suits, actions and matters brought before it by writ of certiorari, or writ of error." Authority was also given "to issue writs of error, certiorari, mandamus, habeas corpus, procedendo, supersedeas," and other necessary writs and process for the due execution of the law. The supreme court was, moreover, given a general superintendence over inferior courts. Two annual terms were to be held at Detroit, two at Ann Arbor, one at Kalamazoo and one at Pontiac. Any two of the justices constituted a quorum for the transaction of business.


The revision of 1846 made no essential changes in the composition or the jurisdiction of the supreme court, but altered its annual terms. Four terms were provided for, called the January, May, July and October terms. The January term was held at Detroit, the May term at Kalamazoo, the July term at Jackson, and the October term at Pontiac.


The following is a list of supreme court judges under the constitution of 1835:


Term began.


Term expired.


1836-Wm. A. Fletcher, C. J 1842. Resigned.


1836-George Morell, A. J.


1842. C. J. vice Fletcher, July 18, 1843.


1836-Epaphroditus Ransom, A J. 1842.


1838-Charles W. Whipple, A. J ..


1848. Additional justice.


1843-Epaphroditus Ransom, C. J. 1848.


1848-Charles W. Whipple, C. J.


1852.


1842 -- Alpheus Felch, A. J.


1845. Resigned.


1843-Daniel Goodwin, A. J.


1846. Resigned.


1845-Warner Wing, A. J.


1852. Vice Felch.


1846-George Miles, A. J.


1850. Vice Goodwin; died in 1850.


1848-Sanford M. Green, A. J.


1852.


1848-Edward Mundy, A. J


1851. Additional A. J., deceased.


1850-Abner Pratt, A. J.


1852. Vice Miles, deceased.


1851-George Martin, A. J.


1852. Vice Mundy, deceased.


The constitution of 1850 provided that for the term of six years the judges of the several circuit courts should be judges of the supreme court. Four of them were to constitute a quorum, and a concurrence of three was necessary to a final decision. There were five circuit judges in the state at that time, who constituted the first supreme court under the new constitution.


The court thus organized had "a general superintending control over all inferior courts," and had "power to issue writs of error, habeas corpus, mandamus, quo warranto, procedendo, and other original and remedial writs." In other cases it was given appel- late jurisdiction only. Four annual terms were provided for. These were fixed by statute as follows: A January term to be held at Detroit; a May term at Kalamazoo; a July term at Adrian, and an October term at Pontiac. It was afterwards provided that a fifth annual term should be held at Lansing.


The following is the list of circuit judges constituting the supreme court for six years after the adoption of the new constitution:


John S. Goodrich . Elected April, 1851. Died before qualifying. Warner Wing. Resigned, 1856. George Martin.


Sanford M. Green . Resigned, 1857.


Joseph T. Copeland.


Samuel T. Douglass Resigned, 1857.


390


MICHIGAN MANUAL.


David Johnson Resigned, 1857


Abner Pratt .. .Resigned, 1857


Charles W. Whipple.


Died October, 1855


Nathaniel Bacon . . . October, 1855, vice Whipple


Edward H. C. Wilson. .November, 1856, vice Wing


Benjamin F. H. Witherell. May, 1857, vice Douglass


Benjamin F. Graves . May, 1857, vice Pratt


Josiah Turner . . May, 1857, vice Green


Edwin Lawrence May, 1857, vice Johnson


In 1857, acting under constitutional authority, the legislature reorganized the supreme court, making it consist of one chief and three associate justices, elected by the people for a term of eight years. The legislature of 1887 increased the number of justices to five, and the terms of the additional justice and all justices elected after 1887, to ten years.


Three constituted a quorum, and they were required to hold four regular annual terms. The first statutory regulation provided for a January and a July term at Detroit, and a' May and October term at Lansing. In 1859 the May term was changed to April. In 1873 all terms was ordered held at Lansing, and in 1875 the July term was changed to June. .


The following is the list of the justices of the supreme court under that organization:


JUSTICES OF SUPREME COURT.


Under constitution of 1850.


Term for which elected.


Term for which elected.


George Martin (a) 1858-1867


James V. Campbell (m) 1888-1890


Randolph Manning (b) ..


1858-1869


Charles D. Long (d)


1888-1897


Thomas M. Cooley (c) (d) .. . 4 1864-1869-


Edward Cahill (n)


1890-1890


James V. Campbell (d).


1858-1871


John W. McGrath (d) (o) (p) .. 1891-1895


Isaac P. Christiancy (d).


1858-1873


Claudius B. Grant (d).


1890-1899


Benjamin F. Graves (d)


1868-1875


Robert M. Montgomery (d). 1892-1901


Thomas M. Cooley (d) (s).


1870-1877


George H. Durand (g). 1892-1892


James V. Campbell (d). 1872-1879


Frank A. Hooker (r) (d) 1894-1903


Isaac P. Christiancy (e) (f) ..


1874-1881.


Joseph B. Moore (d) 1896-1905


Isaac Marston (d) (g). 1875-1881


Charles D. Long (t) 1898-1907


Benjamin F. Graves (d) 1876-1881


Claudius B. Grant. 1900-1909


Thomas M. Cooley (d) (h) 1878-1885


Robert M. Montgomery 1902-1911


Allen B. Morse 1885-1885


William L. Carpenter (u) 1902-1907


James V. Campbell (d) 1880-1887


Frank A. Hooker 1904-1913


Isaac Marston (j) 1882-1889


Aaron V. McAlvay 1905-1907


Thomas R. Sherwood (d) (k). 1882-1889


Charles A. Blair 1905-1909


John W. Champlin (d)


1884-1891


Russell C. Ostrander


1905-1911


Allen B. Morse (d) (l) 1886-1893


By Act 250 of 1903 the number of justices was increased to eight, five of whom con" stitute a quorum, and the term of office was reduced to eight years. Under the provisions of that act, the last three justices mentioned in the list above were elected November 8, 1904.


(a) Chief Justice.


b) Died in 1864.


c) Vice Manning, deceased.


d) Last two years as chief justice.


(0) Elected to succeed Campbell.


e) Resigned, February 27, 1875.


Died Sept. 8, 1890.


Vice Christiancy, resigned.


Resigned in 1885.


Vice Cooley, resigned.


1) Resigned, Feb. 2, 1883.


k) Vice Marston.


(1) Resigned, Aug. 30, 1892.


(m)Died March 26, 1890.


(n) Appointed to succeed Campbell, April 5 to December 31.


(p) Chief justice to succeed Morse, Oct. 4 to Dec. 31, 1892.


(g) Appointed to fill vacancy tempo- rarily.


(r) Elected to succeed Morse.


(s) Died in 1898.


(t) Died June, 27, 1902.


(u) Vice Long, deceased.


391


JUDICIAL SYSTEM OF MICHIGAN.


DISTRICT COURTS.


Soon after the organization of the territorial government, the governor had divided the territory into four judicial districts, known as the districts of Erie, Huron, Detroit and Michilimackinac. An act was adopted on the twenty-fifth of July, 1805, establish- ing three district courts to be held by the judges of the supreme court, one for the district of Erie, another for the districts of Huron and Detroit, to hold two annual terms each; and one for the district of Michilimackinac, to hold one annual term. These courts were to have jurisdiction of demands exceeding $20. In 1807 the district courts were made to consist of a chief judge and two associate judges, residents of the district, to be appointed by the governor and to hold office during good behavior.


There are no records in the state department of appointments under this act, but merely entries of the return of two commissions, one by John Anderson, dated April 15, 1807, as chief justice of the district court of the district of Erie, and another to Samuel Abbott, dated July 16, 1807, as associate justice of the district court of the district of Michilimackinac.


These courts were abolished in 1810, and for the next five years there was no inter- mediate court between the supreme and justices' courts.


By an act approved February 27, 1840, "the district court of the county of Wayne" was established, composed of a presiding judge appointed by the governor, by and with the advice and consent of the senate, to hold four years and the two associate judges of the circuit court. This court had criminal jurisdiction only, but equal to that of the circuit courts. In 1843 a new act was passed, establishing a district court in each of the counties of Wayne, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Jackson, and the term of office of the presiding judge was lengthened to five years. These courts were all dropped by the revised statutes of 1846, as passed by the legislature, though retained in the original draft of the revision.


Henry Chipman was appointed presiding judge of the Wayne county district court in 1840, and held the office until the change in 1843. Then Benjamin F. H. Witherell was appointed presiding judge for the district courts of the four counties. He held until the court was abolished.


The constitution of 1850 provided that the counties of the upper peninsula and the islands appertaining thereto should constitute a separate judicial district. The district judge was to be elected for the same term, perform the same duties, and possess the same powers as the circuit judges. This court was abolished in 1863. Daniel Goodwin held the district judgeship until the circuit was organized in the upper peninsula.


COURT OF CHANCERY.


Upon the establishment of a state government, equity and common law jurisdiction was separated and vested in distinct courts. All equity powers were vested in a court of chancery exclusively, save that certain exceptional cases might be taken to the supreme court, and appeals by any person aggrieved by the decree or final order of the court of chancery. This court held sessions, in turn, in each of the circuits into which the state was divided by the act establishing circuit courts. All causes were to be heard and determined in the circuits in which they arose. This court was abolished by the revised statutes of 1846, as passed by the legislature, although the original draft of the revision provided for its continuance, with some modifications intended to simplify and perfect the system. Its jurisdiction was conferred upon the several circuit courts and it has remained there ever since.


The following is a list of chancellors:


Term began.


Term expired.


1836-Elon Farnsworth


1842. Resigned.


1842-Randolph Manning.


1846. Resigned.


1847. Court abolished.


1846-Elon Farnsworth.


392


MICHIGAN MANUAL.


CIRCUIT COURTS.


In 1824 the three judges of the supreme court were required to hold an annual term in each of the counties of Wayne, Monroe, Oakland, Macomb and St. Clair and were authorized to hold special sessions in Crawford, Brown and Michilimackinac counties whenever decmed advisable "in their sound discretion." In 1825 circuit courts were established by name, but were still held by the judges of the supreme court. The circuit court was given original jurisdiction in all civil actions at law where the demand ex- ceeded $1,000, of actions of ejectment, of all criminal cases punishable capitally, and of all cases not exclusively cognizable by other courts, concurrent jurisdiction with county courts in civil actions beyond the jurisdiction of justices of the peace, and of criminal offenses not punishable capitally, and appellate jurisdiction from county courts. The circuits were not changed by this act of 1825. Another act was passed in 1827, repealing the essential provisions of the acts of 1824 and 1825, and providing for two more circuits, viz .: Washtenaw and Lenawee. The same discretionary powers as to holding terms in Crawford, Brown and Michilimackinac counties were continued.




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.