Henderson M. Somerville

Henderson Middleton Somerville (March 23, 1837 – September 15, 1915) was a Professor, Associate Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court and a Member of the Board of General Appraisers.

Biography

Early life and education

Somerville was born on March 23, 1837, in Madison County, Virginia. He received a Juris Doctorate from the Georgetown College of Kentucky and Southwestern University of Tennessee. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1856 from University of Alabama. He received a Master of Laws degree in 1859 from the Cumberland Law School.^[1]

Career

Somerville entered private practice in Memphis, Tennessee from 1859 to 1862. He was the editor of Memphis Appeal from 1859 to 1862. He was an associate professor at the University of Alabama from 1862 to 1865. He worked in private practice in Tuscaloosa, Alabama from 1865 to 1873. He served as Chair of constitutional, statutory and common law at the University of Alabama from 1873 to 1890. He served as an associate justice of the Alabama Supreme Court from 1872 to 1890.^[2]

Federal Judicial Service

On July 17, 1890, President Harrison nominated Somerville to serve as a Member of the newly created Board of General Appraisers. He was confirmed by the Senate on July 18, 1890, and received his commission on July 22, 1890. He served as President of the Board from 1910 to 1914. He served on the board until his death and was succeeded on the board by Judge William C. Adamson.^[3]

Death

Somerville died on September 15, 1915, in Edgemere, New York.^[4]

References