John Lathrop (judge) facts for kids

John Lathrop (born February 8, 1835 – died August 24, 1910) was an important judge in Massachusetts. He served as an Associate Justice on the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts. This is the highest court in the state, similar to how the Supreme Court is the highest court for the whole country.

Early Life and Learning

John Lathrop was born in Boston, Massachusetts on February 8, 1835. His father, Rev. John P. Lathrop, was a minister at a church in Dedham, Massachusetts. John Lathrop also had ancestors named John Lathrop who were early settlers in America, including some of the pilgrims and a minister in Boston.

John went to school in Dedham. Later, he attended Burlington College in New Jersey and finished his studies there in 1853. After that, he studied law at Harvard Law School, graduating in 1855. Many years later, in 1906, he received an honorary law degree from Williams College.

A Career in Law and War Service

After finishing law school, John Lathrop started working in law offices in Boston. He officially became a lawyer in 1856.

Serving in the Civil War

When the Civil War began, John Lathrop joined the army in 1862. He became a captain in the Dedham Company of the 35th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment. He fought in several important battles, including the Battle of South Mountain, Antietam, and the Battle of Fredericksburg.

In late 1863, he became sick with malaria and had to leave the army. His letters, and those from his brothers who also fought, were later published by the Dedham Historical Society. These letters give us a peek into what life was like during the war.

Becoming a Judge

After the war, Lathrop went back to being a lawyer. He became very good at maritime law, which deals with rules and problems on the sea.

In 1874, the Governor of Massachusetts, Emory Washburn, chose him for a special job. He became the "reporter" for the Supreme Judicial Court. This meant he wrote down all the court's decisions. He started a new way of doing this, reporting decisions as soon as they were made, not just in the order they were heard.

In 1888, he was made a judge on the Superior Court. Then, in 1891, Governor William E. Russell appointed him to the highest court in the state, the Supreme Judicial Court. He served there as an Associate Justice.

John Lathrop retired from being a judge in 1906 because of his health. He also taught law at Harvard and Boston University School of Law.

Personal Life

John Lathrop was a member of several social clubs, including the Union Club of Boston and the St. Botolph Club. He was even the president of the Union Club from 1905 to 1907. He passed away on August 24, 1910, in Dedham. His ashes are buried in Brookdale Cemetery.