Solomon Lewis Withey

Solomon Lewis Withey
Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan
In office
March 11, 1863 – April 25, 1886
Appointed byAbraham Lincoln
Preceded bySeat established by 12 Stat. 660
Succeeded byHenry Franklin Severens
Personal details
Born(1820-04-21)April 21, 1820
St. Albans, Vermont, US
DiedApril 25, 1886(1886-04-25) (aged 66)
San Diego, California, US
PartyRepublican
Educationread law
Signature

Solomon Lewis Withey (April 21, 1820 – April 25, 1886) was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan.

Education and career

Born in St. Albans, Vermont, Withey read law to enter the bar in 1843. He was in private practice in Grand Rapids, Michigan from 1843 to 1863. He was a probate judge for Kent County, Michigan from 1848 to 1852. He was a member of the Michigan Senate from 1861 to 1862, representing the 29th district as a Republican. He served as a delegate to the 1867 Michigan state constitutional convention. In 1873, Withey was appointed to the Michigan constitutional commission.

Federal judicial service

District court service

Withey was nominated by President Abraham Lincoln on March 10, 1863, to the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, to a new seat authorized by 12 Stat. 660. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on March 11, 1863, and received his commission the same day. His service terminated on April 25, 1886, due to his death in San Diego, California.

Sixth Circuit consideration

President Ulysses S. Grant nominated Withey to the United States Circuit Courts for the Sixth Circuit on December 17, 1869, and he was confirmed by the Senate on December 22, 1869, however he declined the appointment.

References

  1. ↑ Andrews, Herbert Cornelius; Hinsdale, Sanford Charles (May 16, 2019). "Hinsdale genealogy: descendants of Robert Hinsdale of Dedham, Medfield, Hadley and Deerfield, with an account of the French family of De Hinnisdal". A. H. Andrews – via Google Books.
  2. 1 2 3 Solomon Lewis Withey at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
  3. ↑ "Legislator Details - Solomon L. Withey". Library of Michigan. Retrieved August 13, 2026.
  4. ↑ Michigan Historical Commission (1924). Michigan Biographies: Including Members of Congress, Elective State Officers, Justices of the Supreme Court, Members of the Michigan Legislature, Board of Regents of the University of Michigan, State Board of Agriculture and State Board of Education, Volume 2. p. 464.
  5. ↑ "CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS" (PDF). Michigan Legislature. 1999. p. 4. Retrieved August 13, 2026.

Sources