Joseph Putnam Willson
Encyclopedia
Joseph Putnam Willson was a United States federal judge
.
Born in Bath, New York
, Willson received a B.S.
from the University of Pennsylvania
in 1926 and an LL.B. from Temple University School of Law in 1931. He was in private practice in Smethport, Pennsylvania
from 1931 to 1953. He served in the U.S. Naval Reserve during World War II
, from 1942 to 1945. He was a member, of the Pennsylvania Game Commission from 1948 to 1953, and was a Special Master for the Supreme Court of the United States
from 1964 to 1972.
On June 8, 1953, Willson was nominated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower
to a seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
vacated by Owen M. Burns. Willson was confirmed by the United States Senate
on July 14, 1953, and received his commission the same day. He assumed senior status
on October 18, 1968, serving in that capacity until his death, in 1998, in Smethport.
United States federal judge
In the United States, the title of federal judge usually means a judge appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate in accordance with Article II of the United States Constitution....
.
Born in Bath, New York
Bath (village), New York
Bath is a village in Steuben County, New York, United States. The population was 5,641 at the 2000 census. Bath is the county seat of Steuben County. The community was named either for the English city or for Lady Bath, daughter of William Pulteney, one of the original landowners.The Village of...
, Willson received a B.S.
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
from the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
in 1926 and an LL.B. from Temple University School of Law in 1931. He was in private practice in Smethport, Pennsylvania
Smethport, Pennsylvania
Smethport is a borough in McKean County, Pennsylvania, United States. The current mayor is Ross Porter. The population was 1,684 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of McKean County.-History:The U.S...
from 1931 to 1953. He served in the U.S. Naval Reserve during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, from 1942 to 1945. He was a member, of the Pennsylvania Game Commission from 1948 to 1953, and was a Special Master for the Supreme Court of the United States
Supreme Court of the United States
The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all state and federal courts, and original jurisdiction over a small range of cases...
from 1964 to 1972.
On June 8, 1953, Willson was nominated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army...
to a seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
The United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania sits in Pittsburgh, Erie, and Johnstown, Pennsylvania. It is composed of ten judges as authorized by federal law. The Honorable Judge Gary L. Lancaster is currently Chief Judge of the Western Pennsylvania District...
vacated by Owen M. Burns. Willson was confirmed by the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
on July 14, 1953, and received his commission the same day. He assumed senior status
Senior status
Senior status is a form of semi-retirement for United States federal judges, and judges in some state court systems. After federal judges have reached a certain combination of age and years of service on the federal courts, they are allowed to assume senior status...
on October 18, 1968, serving in that capacity until his death, in 1998, in Smethport.