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John Wilder May (1819–1883) was an American jurist who served as chief justice of the Boston Municipal Court and District Attorney of Suffolk County, Massachusetts.
John Wilder May | |
|---|---|
| Chief Justice of the Boston Municipal Court | |
| In office 1878–1883 | |
| Preceded by | Mellen Chamberlain |
| Succeeded by | William E. Parmenter |
| District Attorney of Suffolk County, Massachusetts | |
| In office 1869–1875 | |
| Preceded by | George P. Sanger |
| Succeeded by | Oliver Stevens |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 28, 1819 Attleboro, Massachusetts |
| Died | January 11, 1883 (aged 63) Dorchester[1] |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Elizabeth Thurston Farnham (1859–1883; his death) |
| Alma mater | University of Vermont |
May was born on January 28, 1819, in Attleboro, Massachusetts to Lemuel and Esther Wilder May. His father served as a member of the Massachusetts Governor's Council and both chambers of the Massachusetts General Court.[2] May graduated from Phillips Academy and the University of Vermont. After college, May farmed for a couple of years before returning to Attleboro to work as a school teacher.[3]
In 1850, May married Elizabeth Thurston Farnham, a cousin from Bangor, Maine. They had four children - Henry Farnham May, Harriet Wilder May, John Lemuel May and Elizabeth Farnham May.[2][3]
May studied law in the office of Francis Hilliard in Roxbury, Massachusetts.[3] He was admitted to the bar on September 1, 1851, and started his own practice in Roxbury.[3][1] He became involved in politics as well. He represented Ward 3 the Roxbury common council in 1857, was city solicitor for a time, and in 1867 represented the community in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.[2][3][4] After Roxbury was annexed by Boston, May formed a partnership with Charles W. Story.[2]
In 1869, May was elected District Attorney of Suffolk County.[2] He was appointed Chief Justice of the Boston Municipal Court on October 12, 1878.[2][1] He remained on the bench until his death on January 11, 1883.[2]
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