Jeremiah F. Sullivan

Jeremiah Francis Sullivan
Associate Justice of the California Supreme Court
In office
November 22, 1926 – January 3, 1927
Appointed by Governor Friend Richardson
Preceded by William P. Lawlor
Succeeded by William Langdon
Personal details
Born (1851-08-19)August 19, 1851
New Canaan, Connecticut, U.S.
Died January 23, 1928(1928-01-23) (aged 76)
San Francisco, California, U.S.
Spouse(s) Helen M. Bliss (m. 1876; death 1918)
Alma mater St. Ignatius College Preparatory
St. Ignatius College (AB, MA)

Jeremiah Francis Sullivan (August 19, 1851 – January 23, 1928) was an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of California from November 22, 1926, to January 3, 1927.[1]

Biography

Sullivan was born in New Canaan, Connecticut, one of eight children of Michael M. Sullivan and Margaret Bohane.[2][3] In 1863, the family moved to the Mission District of San Francisco, California. Sullivan graduated from St. Ignatius College Preparatory,[4] and in 1870, received both A.B. and M.A. degrees from St. Ignatius College.[5][6][7] After graduation, he read law with the law office of Winans & Belknap to enter the bar on January 13, 1874. He then practiced in the firm of Meighan & Sullivan, and in 1877 sat on the San Francisco Board of Education.[3]

On September 2, 1879, Sullivan was elected as a judge of the San Francisco County Superior Court under the new constitution, and was re-elected in 1884.[8][1] Among his notable cases is common law marriage and divorce case of Sarah Althea Hill against Senator William Sharon of Nevada.[9][10] Sullivan ruled the marriage existed and ordered a property settlement. Former Chief Justice David S. Terry, who married Hill in 1886, then accused Sullivan in the press of taking a bribe to sway the case, which Sullivan disputed.

He served on the trial bench until August 1, 1889, and then re-entered private practice with this brother, Matt I. Sullivan.[11] Sullivan's brother had previously served as Chief Justice of California, the only instance where siblings have served on that court.[12] In 1883, he served as the presiding judge of the Superior Court.

In November 1886, Sullivan ran for the position of Associate Justice of the California Supreme Court under the Democratic Party, but lost to Van R. Paterson.[13] On November 6, 1888, Sullivan ran again for the Supreme Court and narrowly lost the election to John D. Works.[14][15] In December 1891, he was elected president of the Young Men's Democratic League.[16]

In 1920 to 1921, Sullivan led the effort to reform the Police Courts in San Francisco and remove unfit judges.[17][18]

On November 22, 1926, Governor Friend Richardson appointed Sullivan to a vacancy left by the July 1926 death of William P. Lawlor.[19] On January 3, 1927, Sullivan gave up the seat to the election winner, William Langdon. After stepping down from the court, Sullivan returned to private practice with this brother, along with former Governor Hiram W. Johnson, Theodore Roche, and Edward I. Barry.

Bar activities

Sullivan was president of the San Francisco Bar Association from 1917 to 1924, and of the State Bar of California during 1923-1924.[17][20][21][22] He was among the earliest advocates for the creation of an integrated state bar as it took shape in 1917.[12]

Honors and awards

In 1905, St. Ignatius College conferred the honorary degree of LL.D. on Sullivan.[23] In September 1912, when St. Ignatius began its law school, Sullivan lectured in law while his brother, Matt, became the school's dean.[24]

Personal life

On September 13, 1876, Sullivan married Helen M. Bliss in San Francisco, and they had five children.[6] She died December 30, 1918.[6] Sullivan died at his home on January 23, 1928.[6] A grandson, Robert P. Sullivan, was a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of the Law (class of 1936), and a San Francisco County Superior Court judge from 1961 to 1971.[25]

References

  1. 1 2 Jeremiah F. Sullivan In Memoriam, 201 Cal. Rpts. 775 (1928). Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  2. ↑ California Blue Book, Or State Roster. Sacramento, CA: California State Printing Office. 1915. p. 475. Retrieved July 10, 2017.
  3. 1 2 "Judge Sullivan's Candidacy". San Bernardino Daily Courier (5 (24)). California Digital Newspaper Collection. 6 November 1888. p. 8. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  4. ↑ "The Great Jewel of Education (1880–1905)". St. Ignatius College Preparatory. Retrieved July 18, 2017. in 1880 for the school’s first official Alumni Association meeting, with the Hon. Jeremiah F. Sullivan as its inaugural president.
  5. ↑ "St. Ignatius College". Daily Alta California (22 (7391)). California Digital Newspaper Collection. 16 June 1870. p. 1. Retrieved July 18, 2017. The degree of Bachelor of Arts was conferred on Jeremiah F. Sullivan
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Bar Leader Dies". Madera Tribune (68). California Digital Newspaper Collection. United Press Dispatch. 23 January 1928. p. 1. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  7. ↑ "College Alumni at Banquet". San Francisco Call (96 (143)). California Digital Newspaper Collection. 21 October 1904. p. 7. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  8. ↑ "The Official Canvas". Daily Alta California (37 (12641)). California Digital Newspaper Collection. 22 November 1884. p. 2. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  9. ↑ Sharon v. Sharon, 75 Cal. 1, 16 Pac. 345 (1888).
  10. ↑ Sharon v. Sharon, 79 Cal. 633, 22 Pac. 26 (1889).
  11. ↑ "Judge Sullivan Resigns". Daily Alta California (80 (162)). California Digital Newspaper Collection. 11 June 1889. p. 1. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  12. 1 2 Johnson, J. Edward (1966), State Bar of California, "Matt I. Sullivan", History of the Supreme Court Justices of California, 1900-1950. San Francisco, CA: Bancroft-Whitney. p. 33-35. Retrieved July 18, 2017
  13. ↑ "Political Opinions, For the Supreme Bench". Sonoma Democrat (50). California Digital Newspaper Collection. 2 October 1886. p. 4. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  14. ↑ "National Democratic Ticket". Mariposa Gazette (11). California Digital Newspaper Collection. 25 August 1888. p. 2. Retrieved July 18, 2017. For Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, Jeremiah F. Sullivan
  15. ↑ "Supreme Court Justice". Daily Alta California. California Digital Newspaper Collection. 1 August 1888. p. 2. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  16. ↑ "Democratic League". San Francisco Call (71 (18)). California Digital Newspaper Collection. 18 December 1891. p. 2. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  17. 1 2 "Protests Dismissed of Charges Against San Francisco Judge". Sacramento Union (20). California Digital Newspaper Collection. 20 July 1920. p. 1. Retrieved July 18, 2017. Jeremiah F. Sullivan, president of the (San Francisco) Bar Association
  18. ↑ "Disbarment of Sullivan Urged". Sacramento Union (25). California Digital Newspaper Collection. 25 November 1920. p. 11. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  19. ↑ "Governor Names Judge". Healdsburg Tribune. California Digital Newspaper Collection. United Press Dispatch. 20 November 1926. p. 1. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  20. ↑ "Noted Lawyers and Jurists Meet Aug. 6". Sausalito News (38 (3)). California Digital Newspaper Collection. 21 January 1922. p. 2. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  21. ↑ "Judge Sullivan Quits S. F. Bar Presidency". Sacramento Union (26132). California Digital Newspaper Collection. Associated Press. 3 October 1922. p. 1. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  22. ↑ "California News Briefs". Livermore Journal (5 (42)). California Digital Newspaper Collection. 11 July 1924. p. 2. Retrieved July 18, 2017. Jeremiah F. Sullivan, president of the California Bar association
  23. ↑ "St. Ignatius Gives Honorary Degrees". San Francisco Call (98 (143)). California Digital Newspaper Collection. 21 October 1905. p. 3. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  24. ↑ "St. Ignatius Ready for Fall Opening, Full Courses in Engineering and Law Offered, Beginning With This Semester". San Francisco Call (112 (107)). California Digital Newspaper Collection. 15 September 1912. p. 44. Retrieved July 18, 2017. Judge Jeremiah F. Sullivan, special lecturer on law
  25. ↑ "In Memoriam". Hastings Alumni Bulletin. XVI (1): 22. 1971. Retrieved July 18, 2017.

See also

Legal offices
Preceded by
William P. Lawlor		 Associate Justice of the California Supreme Court
1926 - 1927 		Succeeded by
William Langdon
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