James Henry Howe

Who was James Henry Howe?

James Henry Howe was known for his position as a United States federal judge.

Born in Turner, Maine, Howe began to study law in 1848 with his uncle Timothy Otis Howe. During his lifetime, he operated a private law firm, served in the army as a Colonel, and was appointed to be a United States federal judge. He was the Attorney General of Wisconsin from 1860 to 1862, preceding his service in the United States Army in the 32nd Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment from 1862 to 1864. Howe worked at private law firms whenever he was not working for the government. He held law firms in Green Bay, Wisconsin and Kenosha, Wisconsin from 1848 to 1860. He also operated private law firms in St. Paul, Illinois, Minneapolis, North Dakota, and Chicago, Illinois from 1875 to 1892. Howe was also vice president and a counsel member of the Chicago Northwestern Railroad Company in 1873.

On December 9, 1873, Howe was appointed by President Ulysses Grant to a seat on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin vacated by Andrew G. Miller. Howe's newfound position was confirmed by the United States Senate on December 11, 1873, and he received his commission on the same day.