William Rumsey

Who was William Rumsey?

William Rumsey was an American lawyer, diplomat and judge. His father was David Rumsey, a prominent lawyer, politician and judge. He attended Williams College from 1858–61, departing for military service in his senior year. Due to his military service, the College eventually awarded him a diploma. A member of the New York State Militia, he was pressed into service immediately upon the outbreak of the Civil War. From April 19, 1861 until his discharge in October 1865, he served in four different posts: as an Adjutant-General in a recruiting office in Elmira, as an Adjutant with the New York Light Artillery, as an aide to General Averell and in another position in West Virginia.

From 1866 to 1868 Rumsey was employed as the private secretary to the United States Minister to Japan. Upon his return home in February 1868, he began the study of law in his father’s office. He was admitted to the bar on December 9, 1868. During this time of his study he was also a public speaker for the Republican Party. He practiced law in partnership with his father from his admission to the latter’s elevation to the Supreme Court in January 1873 and with a cousin from that time to his own elevation to the bench in 1881.