Edward B. Green (judge) facts for kids

Edward B. Green was an American lawyer and judge. He was chosen by President Benjamin Harrison to be the very first chief justice of the Oklahoma Territory Supreme Court. This happened on May 4, 1890.

Green led a group of three judges. The other two judges, called Associate Justices, were John G. Clark and Abraham J. Seay. Other important court officials included Charles H. Filson as the clerk, Warren G. Lurty as the marshal, and Horace Speed as the United States Attorney.

Early Life and Education

Edward B. Green was born on December 29, 1837. His birthplace was Blair County, Pennsylvania. He was the youngest of 12 children born to Thomas and Martha Green.

Edward went to public school in his home county. Later, he attended Reimersburg and Leatherwood Academies. He worked hard to become a teacher by the time he was 17. He taught languages and later became the head of the Language Department at the Academy of West Freedom in Pennsylvania.

Becoming a Lawyer and Politician

On October 28, 1858, Green moved to Illinois. He settled in Paris, Illinois and began studying law. He worked in the law office of his older brother, Amos.

In June 1860, Green passed his law exam. He was then allowed to practice law. Soon after, he opened his own law office in Mount Carmel. In 1864, he joined with Judge Robert Bell to form a law firm. Their firm, Bell & Green, was very successful. It lasted until Green moved to Oklahoma Territory in 1890.

Green was a strong supporter of the Republican Party. He cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860. He ran for different political offices over the years. He tried to become a Circuit Judge and a Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court. Even though he didn't win these elections, he kept trying.

In 1885, Governor Richard J. Oglesby appointed Green to the state Revenue Commission. This showed that Green was seen as a promising leader. In 1886, Green won an election to the state legislature. He became the Chairman of the House Revenue Commission. In 1887, he was elected President of the Illinois State Bar Association. This was a big honor for a lawyer.

Leading the Oklahoma Territory Court

President Benjamin Harrison chose Edward Green to be the first chief justice for the new Oklahoma Territory. This important job started on May 14, 1890.

How the Court Worked

The new court was divided into three main areas, called districts. Chief Justice Green was in charge of the First District. This area included Logan and Payne Counties. It also covered many unorganized lands and Native American reservations. Court meetings for his district were held in Guthrie and Stillwater.

Associate Justice Seay led the Second District. This district covered Canadian, Kingfisher, and Beaver Counties. It also included other Native American lands. Court sessions were held in Beaver, El Reno, and Kingfisher.

Associate Justice Clark was in charge of the Third District. This area included Cleveland and Oklahoma Counties. It also covered parts of other Native American lands. Court meetings for this district were held in Norman and Oklahoma City.

One person who wrote about Judge Green said he was a "profound lawyer." This means he was very smart and knowledgeable about the law. He was also known for being polite and cultured. People respected him greatly.

Green himself described the challenges of setting up the courts in Oklahoma. He said it was very difficult because no other territory had been opened in the same way. Many new problems came up that had never been seen before.

As chief justice, Green made a very important decision. He ruled that the U.S. government could not take Native American children from their homes. This was unless their parents gave written permission. He ordered that a boy named Thomas Lincoln be released from the Chilocco Indian Agricultural School. The boy was returned to his family.

Green's decision caused a lot of discussion across the country. Many leaders worried it would harm the government's policy for educating Native American children. In the end, the situation was solved peacefully.

Leaving the Court

President Harrison did not win reelection in 1892. The new president was Grover Cleveland, a Democrat. It was common for new presidents to appoint their own people to territorial jobs.

So, on March 4, 1893, President Cleveland accepted Chief Justice Green's resignation. He then appointed a new chief justice, Frank Dale. Green quickly returned to his old home in Mt. Carmel, Illinois. He went back to working as a private lawyer.

Family Life

Judge Edward Green married Emma G. Lutes on October 23, 1861. They had three children together: two daughters and one son. One of their daughters, Daisy, passed away in 1898. She left behind a daughter.