John W. Preston

Who was John W. Preston?

John White Preston was an Associate Justice of the California Supreme Court from 1926 through 1935.

He was born in Woodbury, Tennessee on May 14, 1877. His parents were Hugh L. Preston and Thankful C. Preston, née Doak.

In 1894, when he was only 17, he obtained his undergraduate degree from Burritt College in 1894. In 1897, at the age of 19, he was admitted to the bar in Tennessee.

In 1902, he moved to Ukiah, California.

In 1908, he was appointed to the state legislature. He served until 1910.

Fropm 1914 through 1918, he served as United States Attorney for the Northern District of California.

After retiring from the Supreme Court, he continued to practice law. He is perhaps best known for acting as prosecutor at the pardon hearing of Warren K. Billings, who had been convicted in connection with the 1916 Preparedness Day Bombing.

He died on February 18, 1958.