William Giles Jones
Encyclopedia
William Giles Jones was a federal judge
.
Born in Powhatan County, Virginia
, Jones attended Hampden–Sydney College and the University of Virginia
before reading law
to enter the bar in 1830. He was in private practice in Virginia
from 1830 to 1834, then worked as a clerk in the United States Land Office in Demopolis, Alabama
, resuming his private practice in Greene
and Eutaw, Alabama
from 1836 to 1843. He was a member of the Alabama House of Representatives
in 1843, thereafter relocating his private practice to Mobile, Alabama
from 1843 to 1860. He again served in the Alabama House of Representatives in 1849 and in 1857.
On September 29, 1859, Jones received a recess appointment
from President James Buchanan
to a seat on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama
vacated by John Gayle. Formally nominated on January 23, 1860, Jones was confirmed by the United States Senate
on January 30, 1860, and received his commission the same day.
His service was short-lived. On January 12, 1861, he resigned, thereafter becoming a judge of the District of Alabama for the Confederate States of America
for the duration of the American Civil War
from 1861 to 1865. Following the war, he was in private practice in Mobile from 1866 until his death in that city in 1883.
Federal judge
Federal judges are judges appointed by a federal level of government as opposed to the state / provincial / local level.-Brazil:In Brazil, federal judges of first instance are chosen exclusively by public contest...
.
Born in Powhatan County, Virginia
Powhatan County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 22,377 people, 7,258 households, and 5,900 families residing in the county. The population density was 86 people per square mile . There were 7,509 housing units at an average density of 29 per square mile...
, Jones attended Hampden–Sydney College and the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
before reading law
Reading law
Reading law is the method by which persons in common law countries, particularly the United States, entered the legal profession before the advent of law schools. This usage specifically refers to a means of entering the profession . A small number of U.S...
to enter the bar in 1830. He was in private practice in Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
from 1830 to 1834, then worked as a clerk in the United States Land Office in Demopolis, Alabama
Demopolis, Alabama
Demopolis is the largest city in Marengo County, Alabama, United States. The population was 7,483 at the time of the 2010 United States Census....
, resuming his private practice in Greene
West Greene, Alabama
West Greene, also known as Boston, Hopewell, Old West Greene, and Westgreene, is an unincorporated community in Greene County, Alabama, United States. It lies at an elevation of 164 feet ....
and Eutaw, Alabama
Eutaw, Alabama
Eutaw is a city in Greene County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 1,878. The city is the county seat of Greene County and was named in honor of the Battle of Eutaw Springs, the last engagement of the American Revolutionary War in the Carolinas...
from 1836 to 1843. He was a member of the Alabama House of Representatives
Alabama House of Representatives
The Alabama House of Representatives is the lower house of the Alabama Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Alabama. The House is composed of 105 members representing an equal amount of districts, with each constituency containing at least 42,380 citizens. There are no term...
in 1843, thereafter relocating his private practice to Mobile, Alabama
Mobile, Alabama
Mobile is the third most populous city in the Southern US state of Alabama and is the county seat of Mobile County. It is located on the Mobile River and the central Gulf Coast of the United States. The population within the city limits was 195,111 during the 2010 census. It is the largest...
from 1843 to 1860. He again served in the Alabama House of Representatives in 1849 and in 1857.
On September 29, 1859, Jones received a recess appointment
Recess appointment
A recess appointment is the appointment, by the President of the United States, of a senior federal official while the U.S. Senate is in recess. The U.S. Constitution requires that the most senior federal officers must be confirmed by the Senate before assuming office, but while the Senate is in...
from President James Buchanan
James Buchanan
James Buchanan, Jr. was the 15th President of the United States . He is the only president from Pennsylvania, the only president who remained a lifelong bachelor and the last to be born in the 18th century....
to a seat on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama
United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama
The United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama is the Federal district court whose jurisdiction comprises the following counties: Baldwin, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Dallas, Escambia, Hale, Marengo, Mobile, Monroe, Perry, Washington, and Wilcox...
vacated by John Gayle. Formally nominated on January 23, 1860, Jones 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 January 30, 1860, and received his commission the same day.
His service was short-lived. On January 12, 1861, he resigned, thereafter becoming a judge of the District of Alabama for the Confederate States of America
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
for the duration of the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
from 1861 to 1865. Following the war, he was in private practice in Mobile from 1866 until his death in that city in 1883.