Jeremiah F. Sullivan

{{Infobox officeholder

| name = Jeremiah Francis Sullivan

| image = Jeremiah Francis Sullivan.png

| imagesize =

| caption =

| order =

| office = Associate Justice of the California Supreme Court

| termstart = November 22, 1926

| termend = January 3, 1927

| nominator =

| appointer = Governor Friend Richardson

| predecessor = William P. Lawlor

| successor = William Langdon

| birth_date = {{birth date|1851|08|19}}

| birth_place = New Canaan, Connecticut, U.S.

| death_date = {{death date and age|1928|01|23|1851|08|19}}

| death_place = San Francisco, California, U.S.

| spouse = {{marriage|Helen M. Bliss|September 13, 1876|December 30, 1918|end=died}}

|alma_mater= St. Ignatius College Preparatory
St. Ignatius College (AB, MA)

}}

Jeremiah Francis Sullivan (August 19, 1851 – January 23, 1928) was an associate justice of the Supreme Court of California from November 22, 1926, to January 3, 1927.[http://www.cschs.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/CSCHS-Sullivan-Memorial.pdf Jeremiah F. Sullivan In Memoriam], 201 Cal. Rpts. 775 (1928). Retrieved July 18, 2017.

Biography

Sullivan was born in New Canaan, Connecticut, one of eight children of Michael M. Sullivan and Margaret Bohane.{{cite book|title=California Blue Book, Or State Roster|date=1915|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=soo-AQAAMAAJ&q=matt+i.+sullivan|publisher=California State Printing Office|location=Sacramento, CA|page=475|accessdate=July 10, 2017}}{{cite news|title=Judge Sullivan's Candidacy|url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=SBDC18881106.1.8&srpos=10&e=------188-en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22jeremiah+f.+sullivan%22----1888---1|accessdate=July 18, 2017|work=San Bernardino Daily Courier|issue=24|publisher=California Digital Newspaper Collection|date=6 November 1888|volume = 5|page=8}} In 1863, the family moved to the Mission District of San Francisco, California. Sullivan graduated from St. Ignatius College Preparatory,{{cite web |title=The Third Campus Opens |url=https://history.siprep.org/the-third-campus-opens/ |accessdate= |publisher=St. Ignatius College Preparatory |quote=in 1880 for the school’s first official Alumni Association meeting, with the Hon. Jeremiah F. Sullivan as its inaugural president.}} and in 1870, received both A.B. and M.A. degrees from St. Ignatius College.{{cite news|title=St. Ignatius College|url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18700616.2.10&srpos=111&e=-------en--20--101--txt-txIN-%22jeremiah+f.+sullivan%22-------1|accessdate=July 18, 2017|work=Daily Alta California|issue=7391|publisher=California Digital Newspaper Collection|date=16 June 1870|volume = 22|page=1|quote=The degree of Bachelor of Arts was conferred on Jeremiah F. Sullivan}}{{cite news|title=Bar Leader Dies|url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=MT19280123.2.13&srpos=2&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22jeremiah+f.+sullivan%22-------1|accessdate=July 18, 2017|work=Madera Tribune|agency=United Press Dispatch|issue=68|publisher=California Digital Newspaper Collection|date=23 January 1928|page=1}}{{cite news|title=College Alumni at Banquet|url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=SFC19041021.2.58&srpos=7&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22jeremiah+f.+sullivan%22-------1|accessdate=July 18, 2017|work=San Francisco Call|issue=143|publisher=California Digital Newspaper Collection|date=21 October 1904|volume = 96|page=7}} After graduation, he read law with the law office of Winans & Belknap to enter the bar on January 13, 1874. He then practiced in the firm of Meighan & Sullivan, and in 1877 sat on the San Francisco Board of Education.

On September 2, 1879, Sullivan was elected as a judge of the San Francisco County Superior Court under the new constitution, and was re-elected in 1884.{{cite news|title=The Official Canvas|url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18841122.2.25&srpos=133&e=-------en--20--121--txt-txIN-%22jeremiah+f.+sullivan%22-------1|accessdate=July 18, 2017|work=Daily Alta California|issue=12641|publisher=California Digital Newspaper Collection|date=22 November 1884|volume = 37|page=2}} Among his notable cases is common law marriage and divorce case of Sarah Althea Hill against Senator William Sharon of Nevada.[https://www.ravellaw.com/opinions/d9143b9686d7ef08c3658f0d2f5d8250 Sharon v. Sharon], 75 Cal. 1, 16 Pac. 345 (1888).Sharon v. Sharon, 79 Cal. 633, 22 Pac. 26 (1889). Sullivan ruled the marriage existed and ordered a property settlement. Former Chief Justice David S. Terry, who married Hill in 1886, then accused Sullivan in the press of taking a bribe to sway the case, which Sullivan disputed.

He served on the trial bench until August 1, 1889, and then re-entered private practice with this brother, Matt I. Sullivan.{{cite news|title=Judge Sullivan Resigns|url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18890611.2.16&srpos=1&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22jeremiah+f.+sullivan%22-------1|accessdate=July 18, 2017|work=Daily Alta California|issue=162|publisher=California Digital Newspaper Collection|date=11 June 1889|volume = 80|page=1}} Sullivan's brother had previously served as Chief Justice of California, the only instance where siblings have served on that court.Johnson, J. Edward (1966), State Bar of California, "Matt I. Sullivan", [http://library.courtinfo.ca.gov/included/docs/SCJC_Vol_2.pdf History of the Supreme Court Justices of California, 1900–1950] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170125153045/http://library.courtinfo.ca.gov/included/docs/SCJC_Vol_2.pdf |date=2017-01-25 }}. San Francisco, CA: Bancroft-Whitney. p. 33-35. Retrieved July 18, 2017. In 1883, he served as the presiding judge of the Superior Court.

In November 1886, Sullivan ran for the position of Associate Justice of the California Supreme Court under the Democratic Party, but lost to Van R. Paterson.{{cite news|title=Political Opinions, For the Supreme Bench|url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=SD18861002.2.82&srpos=59&e=-------en--20--41--txt-txIN-%22jeremiah+f.+sullivan%22-------1|accessdate=July 18, 2017|work=Sonoma Democrat|issue=50|publisher=California Digital Newspaper Collection|date=2 October 1886|page=4}} On November 6, 1888, Sullivan ran again for the Supreme Court and narrowly lost the election to John D. Works.{{cite news|title=National Democratic Ticket|url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=MG18880825.2.5&srpos=3&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22jeremiah+f.+sullivan%22-------1|accessdate=July 18, 2017|work=Mariposa Gazette|issue=11|publisher=California Digital Newspaper Collection|date=25 August 1888|page=2|quote=For Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, Jeremiah F. Sullivan}}{{cite news|title=Supreme Court Justice|url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=DAC18880801.2.19&srpos=17&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22jeremiah+f.+sullivan%22-------1|accessdate=July 18, 2017|work=Daily Alta California|publisher=California Digital Newspaper Collection|date=1 August 1888|page=2}} In December 1891, he was elected president of the Young Men's Democratic League.{{cite news|title=Democratic League|url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=SFC18911218.2.52&srpos=9&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22jeremiah+f.+sullivan%22-------1|accessdate=July 18, 2017|work=San Francisco Call|issue=18|publisher=California Digital Newspaper Collection|date=18 December 1891|volume = 71|page=2}}

In 1920 to 1921, Sullivan led the effort to reform the Police Courts in San Francisco and remove unfit judges.{{cite news|title=Protests Dismissed of Charges Against San Francisco Judge|url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=SU19200720.2.22&srpos=5&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22jeremiah+f.+sullivan%22-------1|accessdate=July 18, 2017|work=Sacramento Union|issue=20|publisher=California Digital Newspaper Collection|date=20 July 1920|page=1|quote=Jeremiah F. Sullivan, president of the (San Francisco) Bar Association}}{{cite news|title=Disbarment of Sullivan Urged|url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=SU19201125.2.181&srpos=14&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22jeremiah+f.+sullivan%22-------1|accessdate=July 18, 2017|work=Sacramento Union|issue=25|publisher=California Digital Newspaper Collection|date=25 November 1920|page=11}}

On November 22, 1926, Governor Friend Richardson appointed Sullivan to a vacancy left by the July 1926 death of William P. Lawlor.{{cite news|title=Governor Names Judge|url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=HT19261120.2.16&srpos=4&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22jeremiah+f.+sullivan%22-------1|accessdate=July 18, 2017|work=Healdsburg Tribune|agency=United Press Dispatch|publisher=California Digital Newspaper Collection|date=20 November 1926|page=1}} On January 3, 1927, Sullivan gave up the seat to the election winner, William Langdon. After stepping down from the court, Sullivan returned to private practice with this brother, along with former Governor Hiram W. Johnson, Theodore Roche, and Edward I. Barry.

Bar activities

Sullivan was president of the San Francisco Bar Association from 1917 to 1924, and of the State Bar of California during 1923–1924.{{cite news|title=Noted Lawyers and Jurists Meet Aug. 6|url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=SN19220121.2.29&srpos=60&e=-------en--20--41--txt-txIN-%22jeremiah+f.+sullivan%22-------1|accessdate=July 18, 2017|work=Sausalito News|issue=3|publisher=California Digital Newspaper Collection|date=21 January 1922|volume = 38|page=2}}{{cite news|title=Judge Sullivan Quits S. F. Bar Presidency|url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=SU19221003.2.6&srpos=33&e=-------en--20--21--txt-txIN-%22jeremiah+f.+sullivan%22-------1|accessdate=July 18, 2017|work=Sacramento Union|agency=Associated Press|issue=26132|publisher=California Digital Newspaper Collection|date=3 October 1922|page=1}}{{cite news|title=California News Briefs|url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=LMJ19240711.1.2&srpos=11&e=------192-en--20--1--txt-txIN-%22jeremiah+f.+sullivan%22-------1|accessdate=July 18, 2017|work=Livermore Journal|issue=42|publisher=California Digital Newspaper Collection|date=11 July 1924|volume = 5|page=2|quote=Jeremiah F. Sullivan, president of the California Bar association}} He was among the earliest advocates for the creation of an integrated state bar as it took shape in 1917.

Honors and awards

In 1905, St. Ignatius College conferred the honorary degree of LL.D. on Sullivan.{{cite news|title=St. Ignatius Gives Honorary Degrees|url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=SFC19051021.2.39&srpos=42&e=-------en--20--41--txt-txIN-%22jeremiah+f.+sullivan%22-------1|accessdate=July 18, 2017|work=San Francisco Call|issue=143|publisher=California Digital Newspaper Collection|date=21 October 1905|volume = 98|page=3}} In September 1912, when St. Ignatius began its law school, Sullivan lectured in law while his brother, Matt, became the school's dean.{{cite news|title=St. Ignatius Ready for Fall Opening, Full Courses in Engineering and Law Offered, Beginning With This Semester|url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/cgi-bin/cdnc?a=d&d=SFC19120915.2.62&srpos=79&e=-------en--20--61--txt-txIN-%22jeremiah+f.+sullivan%22-------1|accessdate=July 18, 2017|work=San Francisco Call|issue=107|publisher=California Digital Newspaper Collection|date=15 September 1912|volume = 112|page=44|quote=Judge Jeremiah F. Sullivan, special lecturer on law}}

Personal life

On September 13, 1876, Sullivan married Helen M. Bliss in San Francisco, and they had five children. She died December 30, 1918. Sullivan died at his home on January 23, 1928. A grandson, Robert P. Sullivan, was a graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of the Law (class of 1936), and a San Francisco County Superior Court judge from 1961 to 1971.{{cite journal|title=In Memoriam|journal=Hastings Alumni Bulletin|date=1971|volume=XVI|issue=1|page=22|url=http://repository.uchastings.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1037&context=alumni_mag|accessdate=July 18, 2017}}

References

External links

[http://www.cschs.org/history/california-supreme-court-justices/jeremiah-f-sullivan/ Jeremiah F. Sullivan]. California Supreme Court Historical Society.
{{cite web|title=Past and Present Justices|url=http://www.courts.ca.gov/12523.htm|publisher=California State Courts|accessdate=July 10, 2017}}

{{Succession box |

before= William P. Lawlor | |

title= Associate Justice of the California Supreme Court |

years= 1926–1927 |

after= William Langdon}}

Category:1851 births

Category:1927 deaths

Category:St. Ignatius College Prep alumni

Category:University of San Francisco alumni

Category:U.S. state supreme court judges admitted to the practice of law by reading law

Category:Superior court judges in the United States

Category:Justices of the Supreme Court of California