Charles Almon Dewey (September 11, 1877 – March 2, 1958) was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa.

Charles Almon Dewey
Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa
In office
March 1, 1949 – March 2, 1958
Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa
In office
January 31, 1928 – March 1, 1949
Appointed byCalvin Coolidge
Preceded bySeat established by 45 Stat. 52
Succeeded byCarroll O. Switzer
Personal details
Born
Charles Almon Dewey

(1877-09-11)September 11, 1877
Washington, Iowa
DiedMarch 2, 1958(1958-03-02) (aged 80)
Des Moines, Iowa
EducationUniversity of Iowa College of Law (LL.B.)

Education and career

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Born in Washington, Iowa, Dewey attended Oberlin College in Ohio.[1] He was a Corporal in the United States Volunteers during the Spanish–American War. In 1901, he received a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Iowa College of Law,[1] and entered private practice in Washington, Iowa.[2] He was city attorney of Washington from 1905 to 1909, and county attorney for Washington County, Iowa from 1909 to 1915.[2] From 1918 to 1928, he served as a state district court judge in Iowa's sixth judicial district.[1]

Federal judicial service

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In 1927, a backlog of unresolved cases had developed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa.[3] On January 19, 1928, President Calvin Coolidge signed into law a bill that authorized the appointment of a second judge to the Southern District of Iowa, with the proviso that when the existing judgeship becomes vacant, it shall not be filled unless authorized by Congress.[4]

Dewey was nominated by President Calvin Coolidge on January 23, 1928, to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa, to a new seat authorized by 45 Stat. 52.[2] He was confirmed by the United States Senate on January 31, 1928, and received his commission the same day.[2] He assumed senior status on March 1, 1949.[2] As a senior judge, he was given temporary assignments three times, sitting by designation in St. Louis, Missouri, New York City, New York and Miami, Florida.[1] His service terminated on March 2, 1958, due to his death in Des Moines, Iowa.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Ex-Federal Judge Charles A. Dewey Dead at Age 80," Cedar Rapids Gazette, 1958-03-03, at p. 4.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Charles Almon Dewey at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
  3. ^ "Judge Wade Hits Delayed Legal Cases," Sioux City Journal, 1927-10-06, p. 1.
  4. ^ Pub. L. No. 6, ch. 10, 70th Cong., 1st Sess, 45 Stat. 52.
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Legal offices
Preceded by
Seat established by 45 Stat. 52
Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa
1928–1949
Succeeded by