Thomas Jefferson Boynton

Who was Thomas Jefferson Boynton?

Thomas Jefferson Boynton was an American lawyer, journalist, and judge.

Boynton was born in 1838 in Amherst, Ohio, the son of John Hancock Boynton and Huldah Heath. He was called "Jefferson" by his family and friends. Jefferson grew up in Lorain County, Ohio. His father was active in both local and state politics, serving as the Sheriff of Lorain County and later the Mayor of Elyria, Ohio. Jefferson read law in 1858 and was in private practice in Saint Joseph, Missouri, from 1858 to 1861. Boynton was a correspondent for the Missouri Democrat from 1858 to 1861. He also was a newspaper editor in Jefferson City, Missouri.

Boynton served as the District Attorney for the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida at Key West from 1861 to 1863. President Abraham Lincoln appointed him on October 19, 1863, to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, to the seat vacated by William Marvin. At age 25, he is the youngest federal judge in U.S. history. Nominated on January 5, 1864, he was confirmed by the Senate on January 20, 1864, and received commission on January 20, 1864.