Albert Leisenring Watson (December 6, 1876 – December 20, 1960) was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
Albert Leisenring Watson | |
|---|---|
| Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania | |
| In office May 31, 1955 – December 20, 1960 | |
| Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania | |
| In office 1948–1955 | |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | John W. Murphy |
| Judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania | |
| In office December 17, 1929 – May 31, 1955 | |
| Appointed by | Herbert Hoover |
| Preceded by | Seat established by 45 Stat. 1344 |
| Succeeded by | Seat abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Albert Leisenring Watson December 6, 1876 Montrose, Pennsylvania |
| Died | December 20, 1960 (aged 84) |
| Spouse |
Effie Woodville (m. 1930) |
| Education | Amherst College (A.B.) read law |
Early life
editWatson was born in Montrose, Pennsylvania, on December 6, 1876.[1] His father was Willoughby W. Watson, who practiced law for 50 years in Susquehanna County and Lackawanna County.[2] His mother was Marie Kemmerer Watson.[3]
Education and early career
editWatson received an Artium Baccalaureus degree from Amherst College in 1901 and read law in 1903 to enter the bar. He was in private practice in Scranton, Pennsylvania from 1903 to 1925. He was a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania from 1926 to 1928.[1] He was also a trustee of the Scranton State Hospital and became president of the board in 1923.[3]
Federal judicial service
editNomination
editOn September 9, 1929, Watson was nominated by President Herbert Hoover to a new seat on the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania created by 45 Stat. 1344. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on December 17, 1929, and received his commission the same day. He served as Chief Judge from 1948 to 1955, assuming senior status on May 31, 1955. He served in that capacity until his death on December 20, 1960.[1]
Trial of the Scoblick brothers
editIn January 1953, James P. Scoblick and two of his brothers were indicted in a check kiting scheme involving their fruit-processing business, Scoblick Bros. Inc. All three were convicted on December 3, 1954. Watson sentenced James Scoblick to 5 years in prison.[4]
Personal life
editWatson married Effie Woodville in 1930.[3] Together, they had two sons, Albert Jr., and Warren Woodville Watson.[5] Watson died at 12:30 PM on December 20, 1960. Prior to his death, he had been a patient at the Mercy Hospital in Scranton since October 12.[6]
References
edit- ^ a b c Albert Leisenring Watson at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
- ^ Reed, H.B. (22 December 1946). "Gift of the Outcast". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 7 May 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c "Judge Watson to Observe 82nd Birthday Tomorrow". The Scranton Times-Tribune. 5 December 1958. Retrieved 7 May 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Erin L. Nissley (May 22, 2016). "Local History: Former Congressman, his brothers jailed after bank scam". Scranton Times-Tribune. Retrieved February 24, 2018.
- ^ "Judge Watson Dies at 84 in Scranton". Times Leader. 20 December 1960 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Retired Federal Judge Watson Taken by Death". Pittston Gazette. 21 December 1960. Retrieved 7 May 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
Sources
edit- Albert Leisenring Watson at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.