Joseph William Woodrough

Joseph William Woodrough (August 29, 1873 – October 2, 1977) was a United States circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit and previously was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska. He is the longest-serving federal judge in history, with a total service tenure of 61 years.

Joseph William Woodrough
Senior Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
In office January 3, 1961 – October 2, 1977
Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
In office April 12, 1933 – January 3, 1961
Appointed by	Franklin D. Roosevelt
Preceded by	Arba Seymour Van Valkenburgh
Succeeded by	Pat Mehaffy
Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska
In office April 3, 1916 – April 12, 1933
Appointed by	Woodrow Wilson
Preceded by	William Henry Munger
Succeeded by	James A. Donohoe
Personal details
Born	Joseph William Woodrough (1873-08-29)August 29, 1873 Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
Died	October 2, 1977(1977-10-02) (aged 104) Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.
Education	Heidelberg University

Education and career

Born on August 29, 1873, in Cincinnati, Ohio, Woodrough studied at Heidelberg University in the German Empire and then read law in 1893. He was a Judge of the Ward County Court in Texas from 1894 to 1896. He was the County Attorney of Ward County in 1897. He was in private practice in Omaha, Nebraska, from 1898 to 1916.^[1]

Federal judicial service

Woodrough was nominated by President Woodrow Wilson on March 13, 1916, to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska vacated by Judge William Henry Munger. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on March 31, 1916, and received his commission on April 3, 1916. His service terminated on April 12, 1933, due to his elevation to the Eighth Circuit.^[1]

Woodrough was nominated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on April 3, 1933, to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit vacated by Judge Arba Seymour Van Valkenburg. He was confirmed by the Senate on April 12, 1933, and received his commission on April 12, 1933. He assumed senior status on January 3, 1961. He heard no cases in this capacity. He died on October 2, 1977, at the age of 104.^[1]

See also

• Wesley E. Brown
• List of United States federal judges by longevity of service

References

1. Joseph William Woodrough at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.

Sources

• Joseph William Woodrough at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.

Legal offices
Preceded by William Henry Munger	Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska 1916–1933	Succeeded by James A. Donohoe
Preceded by Arba Seymour Van Valkenburgh	Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit 1933–1961	Succeeded by Pat Mehaffy