F. E. Riddle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
F. E. Riddle
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| Born | July 13, 1870 Lynchburg, Moore County, Tennessee
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| Nationality | American |
| Other names | Finis E. Riddle |
| Occupation | Attorney, judge |
| Years active | Associate Justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court; Chief Justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court in 1914 |
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Notable work
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Served as chief counsel for Gov. Jack C. Walton and Lt. Gov. Martin Trapp in their impeachment trials. |
Finis E. Riddle (born in 1870), often called F. E. Riddle, was an important lawyer and judge in the early days of Oklahoma. He became a Justice on the Oklahoma Supreme Court, which is the highest court in the state.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Finis E. Riddle was born in Lynchburg, Tennessee, in 1870. His parents were Martin Van Buren and Theresa Riddle. He grew up in Tennessee.
Later, he went to school at National Normal University in Lebanon, Ohio. It is not known if he graduated from this school. The university did not offer law classes.
Riddle then studied law with Judge Samuel A. Billingsley. In 1894, he passed his exams and became a lawyer in Tennessee. This meant he could practice law.
A Career in the West
Riddle decided to move west to build his career. He settled in a place in Indian Territory that is now known as Chickasha, Oklahoma.
He started his own law firm there. His firm handled many important legal cases in the area. This was before Oklahoma became a state. In 1904, Riddle was allowed to argue cases before the United States Supreme Court. This is the highest court in the entire country.
Serving on the Oklahoma Supreme Court
In April 1914, Governor Lee Cruce chose Riddle to join the Oklahoma Supreme Court. He was appointed to finish the term of Chief Justice Samuel W. Hayes, who had recently passed away. Hayes's term was ending in January 1915.
Riddle accepted the job, even though he continued to live in Chickasha. During his eight months on the court, he wrote 80 legal opinions. This was a record number for an Oklahoma justice in such a short time.
Important Legal Cases
Riddle later served as the main lawyer for Governor Jack C. Walton during his impeachment trial. An impeachment trial is when a government official is accused of wrongdoing. The legislature decides if they should be removed from office.
He also represented Lieutenant Governor Martin E. Trapp. This case was to decide if Trapp could become governor after Walton was removed. Riddle's legal work helped Trapp succeed in this case.
Riddle left the Supreme Court in 1919. He then moved to Tulsa. He spent the rest of his career as a partner in a law firm called Linn & Riddle.
Personal Life
In 1896, Finis E. Riddle married Letitia Cloud. She was the daughter of a rancher from Gainesville, Texas.
They had one child, a daughter named Frances Alee Riddle, born in 1900. Frances was known for her excellent horse-riding skills. She even won a blue ribbon at the Oklahoma State Fair in 1914.
