Walter I. McCoy

Walter Irving McCoy (December 8, 1859 – July 17, 1933) was a United States representative from New Jersey and later was an Associate Justice and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia.

Walter I. McCoy
Harris & Ewing photo, circa 1920
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia
In office May 22, 1918 – December 8, 1929
Appointed by	Woodrow Wilson
Preceded by	J. Harry Covington
Succeeded by	Alfred Adams Wheat
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia
In office October 2, 1914 – May 22, 1918
Appointed by	Woodrow Wilson
Preceded by	Job Barnard
Succeeded by	Jennings Bailey
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Jersey
In office March 4, 1911 – October 3, 1914
Preceded by	William H. Wiley
Succeeded by	Richard W. Parker
Constituency	8th district (1911–13) 9th district (1913–14)
Personal details
Born	Walter Irving McCoy (1859-12-08)December 8, 1859 Troy, New York, US
Died	July 17, 1933(1933-07-17) (aged 73) Cambridge, Massachusetts, US
Resting place	Troy Cemetery
Political party	Democratic
Residence(s)	Washington, D.C. Cambridge, Massachusetts
Education	Harvard University (A.B., A.M.) Harvard Law School (LL.B.)
Profession	Attorney

Education and career

Born in Troy, New York, on December 8, 1859, McCoy attended the public schools, Troy Academy, Phillips Exeter Academy and Princeton University. He received an Artium Baccalaureus degree in 1882 from Harvard College, an Artium Magister degree in 1886 from the same institution and a Bachelor of Laws in 1886 from Harvard Law School. He was admitted to the bar and practiced law in New York City, New York from 1886 to 1914. He was a trustee of the village of South Orange, New Jersey from 1893 to 1895, from 1901 to 1905, and again in 1910. McCoy was a delegate to the 1904 and 1908 Democratic National Conventions, and was vice president of the Essex County, New Jersey Democratic committee.

Congressional service

McCoy was elected as a Democrat to the United States House of Representatives of the 62nd and 63rd United States Congresses and served from March 4, 1911, until October 3, 1914, when he resigned to accept a federal judgeship.

Federal judicial service

McCoy was nominated by President Woodrow Wilson on September 29, 1914, to an Associate Justice seat on the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia (now the United States District Court for the District of Columbia) vacated by Associate Justice Job Barnard. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on October 2, 1914, and received his commission the same day. His service terminated on May 22, 1918, due to his elevation to be Chief Justice of the same court.

McCoy was nominated by President Wilson on May 16, 1918, to the Chief Justice seat on the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia (now the United States District Court for the District of Columbia) vacated by Chief Justice J. Harry Covington. He was confirmed by the Senate on May 22, 1918, and received his commission the same day. His service terminated on December 8, 1929, due to his retirement.

Later years and death

McCoy resided in Washington, D.C., until 1932, when he moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he died on July 17, 1933. He was interred at Oakwood Cemetery in Troy.

Sources

• United States Congress. "Walter I. McCoy (id: M000376)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• "McCoy, Walter Irving - Federal Judicial Center". fjc.gov. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
• Walter Irving McCoy at The Political Graveyard