Maurice Timothy Dooling facts for kids

Maurice Timothy Dooling Sr. (born October 12, 1860 – died November 4, 1924) was an important judge in the United States. He served as a federal judge for the Northern District of California.

Early Life and Education

Maurice Dooling was born in a mining camp in California. His parents, Elizabeth Mary and Timothy Dooling, were Irish immigrants. They were among the first settlers in the area.

Maurice went to Saint Mary's College of California. He earned his first degree in 1880 and a master's degree in 1881. At that time, the college was located in San Francisco.

Teaching and Law Studies

After college, Maurice taught at St. Mary's College from 1881 to 1883. He then decided to study law. He learned law by working with experienced lawyers, which was a common way to become a lawyer back then. He became a lawyer in 1885.

Further Education

Later in his career, Maurice Dooling continued his studies. He received a special degree called a Doctor of Philosophy from Santa Clara College in 1903. Today, this college is known as Santa Clara University.

Political and Judicial Career

Maurice Dooling was a member of the Democratic Party. He served in the California State Assembly from 1885 to 1887. This is a group of elected officials who make laws for the state of California. He represented the San Benito County area.

After his time in the State Assembly, he became a judge. He served as a judge for the Superior Court of San Benito County. He held this position for many years, from 1897 to 1913.

Running for a Higher Court

In 1906, Judge Dooling tried to become a judge for a higher court. He ran for a position on the California Court of Appeal. This court reviews decisions made by lower courts. He was very close to winning, but he did not get enough votes.

Becoming a Federal Judge

On July 18, 1913, President Woodrow Wilson chose Maurice Dooling to be a federal judge. He was nominated for a seat on the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. This is a very important role in the federal court system.

The United States Senate approved his nomination on July 28, 1913. He officially became a federal judge on the same day. Judge Dooling served in this important role until he passed away in San Francisco on November 4, 1924. He died due to an illness.

Family Life

Maurice Dooling Sr. had a son named Maurice T. Dooling Jr.. Following in his father's footsteps, Maurice T. Dooling Jr. also became a judge. He was appointed to the highest court in California, the Supreme Court of California, in 1960.