John Catron facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Catron
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| Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States | |
| In office May 1, 1837 – May 30, 1865 |
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| Nominated by | Andrew Jackson |
| Appointed by | Martin Van Buren |
| Preceded by | Seat established |
| Succeeded by | Seat abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 7, 1786 Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | May 30, 1865 (aged 79) Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Matilda Childress |
John Catron (born January 7, 1786 – died May 30, 1865) was an American judge. He served as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court from 1837 to 1865. This was during a time when Roger B. Taney was the Chief Justice.
Contents
Early Life and Family
We don't know much about John Catron's early life. His grandparents came to Virginia from Germany. They were part of a large group of people who moved from Germany due to wars and economic problems.
John's father, Peter, came from Germany as a child. His mother, Maria, also had parents who moved from Germany. John had one sister, Mary, who later moved to Missouri and Oregon. John Catron was also a distant cousin to Thomas B. Catron, who became one of the first senators for New Mexico.
The Catron family moved to Kentucky in the early 1800s. John Catron fought in the War of 1812 under General Andrew Jackson. He studied law and became a lawyer in Tennessee in 1815.
He married Matilda Childress. Her brother, George Childress, was a key leader in the Texas Republic. John and Matilda Catron did not have any children together.
John Catron owned enslaved people throughout his adult life. He had a son named James P. Thomas, who was born into slavery in Tennessee. James's mother, Sally Thomas, worked hard to buy his freedom. James later became a successful barber and property owner in St. Louis, Missouri. He was able to gain full freedom and permission to live in Tennessee in 1851.
Becoming a Lawyer
John Catron started his law practice in Sparta, Tennessee, in 1815. At the same time, he also worked as a prosecuting attorney for the city. In 1818, he opened a law practice in Nashville, focusing on land law.
From 1824 to 1834, Catron served on the Tennessee Supreme Court. He became the Chief Justice of that court in 1831. In 1834, the Tennessee legislature changed the court system. The chief justice position was removed, so Catron left and returned to private law practice.
During the 1836 election, Catron helped run Martin Van Buren's presidential campaign in Tennessee. Van Buren was running against Hugh Lawson White, who was from Tennessee.
Serving on the Supreme Court
In 1837, the number of seats on the Supreme Court increased from seven to nine. This change was due to a new law called the Eighth and Ninth Circuits Act. This gave President Andrew Jackson the chance to appoint two new justices. He made these appointments on March 3, 1837, which was his last full day in office.
The Senate quickly approved Catron's nomination five days later. Catron officially started his job as a Supreme Court Justice on May 1, 1837. He served for 28 years until his death in May 1865.
Important Decisions and Views
John Catron supported slavery. He agreed with the majority decision in the famous Dred Scott v. Sandford case. This case was about whether an enslaved person could be free if they lived in a free territory.
However, Catron was against states leaving the Union. He strongly encouraged Tennessee to stay with the United States. When Tennessee did leave the Union, Catron temporarily moved to Louisville, Kentucky. This was before federal troops took control of Nashville.
Catron did not write many opinions during his time on the Supreme Court. But we can still understand his views on certain issues. His political ideas were very similar to those of his friend, Andrew Jackson.
Like Jackson, Catron was against the idea of a national bank. He also worried that large companies, called corporations, could become too powerful. He believed that too much corporate power could harm the lives of American citizens.
In the case of Piqua Branch of the State Bank of Ohio v. Knoop, 57 U.S. 369 (1854), Catron disagreed with the majority. This case was about whether a state could change a tax exemption it had given to a bank. Catron argued that the government's power should not be limited by a contract with a corporation. He believed that the federal government should always be the most powerful.
Another case showing Catron's views was Ohio Life Insurance and Trust Co. v. DeBolt, 57 U.S. 416 (1853). Here, he again disagreed with the majority. He worried about the "vast amount of property, power, and exclusive benefits" held by large corporations. He felt that if corporations had too much power, it could weaken state governments.
A Divided Nation
Even though Catron supported slavery, he was very upset when his home state of Tennessee left the Union. He believed that the American Union should be kept together at all costs. This was a strong belief he shared with Andrew Jackson.
After Abraham Lincoln became president, Catron traveled to Missouri, Tennessee, and Kentucky for his judicial duties. However, when he tried to return to Nashville, he was told his life might be in danger because of his pro-Union views. Catron had to leave Tennessee and live permanently in Louisville, Kentucky. His wife and friends stayed in Nashville and supported the Confederacy.
Catron believed that those who committed treason should be punished. This view was clear in his ruling in United States v. Republican Banner Officers (1863). This case was about whether a newspaper, The Republican Banner, could be seized. The newspaper was spreading anti-Union messages. Catron ruled that the government could take the newspaper. He said that Congress wanted to stop people from using their property to help the rebellion.
Throughout his career, Catron strongly defended the rights of states. He also firmly believed in preserving the Union, no matter the cost.
Death and Legacy
John Catron died on May 30, 1865, when he was 79 years old. He is buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Nashville.
After Catron's death, Congress removed his Supreme Court seat. This was done to prevent President Andrew Johnson from appointing new justices.
John Catron was known for being against the national bank. He also believed that the federal government should be more powerful than corporations. He supported the Union, even though he also supported slavery. Many of his beliefs came from his friend, Andrew Jackson.
Catron fought against large corporations that had too much wealth and special benefits. He believed in protecting the rights of citizens. Despite his views on slavery, he was a strong supporter of the Union. He even left his home and family to help keep the United States together. John Catron's most important contribution was his loyalty to the Constitution and his strong support for the Federal Union.
During World War II, a ship called the SS John Catron was built in his honor.
See also
- List of justices of the Supreme Court of the United States
