John Charles Watrous

Who was John Charles Watrous?

John Charles Watrous was a United States federal judge.

Born in Colchester, Connecticut, Watrous received an A.B. from Union College in 1828 and read law in 1830. He was in private practice in Selma, Alabama from 1830 to 1835, and in Woodville, Mississippi from 1835 to 1836. He was a member of the Mississippi House of Representatives in 1837, returning to private practice in Texas from 1837 to 1838. He was the attorney general of the Republic of Texas from 1838 to 1839 and was again in private practice in Galveston, Texas from 1839 to 1845.

On May 27, 1846, Watrous was nominated by President James K. Polk to a new seat on the United States District Court for the District of Texas created by 9 Stat. 1. Watrous was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 29, 1846 and received his commission the same day. After his appointment to the federal bench, Watrous became the object of severe criticism, in part because his decisions in a number of cases went against the wishes of some members of the legislature and because of his personal connections with land speculation in the state.