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William A. Little (Nebraska judge)

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William A. Little (c. 1832 – May 20, 1867)[1][2] was elected as Chief Justice of the Nebraska Supreme Court in 1867 but died before he qualified. After reading law with Judge Parks of Aurora, Illinois,[1] Little moved to Omaha, Nebraska, in 1856 and entered the practice of law there, in which he "soon rose to the highest eminence in the profession", remaining so for ten years.[2] He served in the Nebraska Legislature for several years,[2] and in 1866 defeated Oliver P. Mason to be elected chief justice of the state supreme court,[3] the only Democrat to win in that election.[2] However, he became ill, apparently with tuberculosis, and returned to Illinois "to die among his kindred".[2] His seat on the supreme court was then filled by the appointment of Mason.[3]

Little died in Clinton, Illinois, at the home of his brother, at around the age of 35.[1][2]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Death of the Chief Justice of Nebraska", Chicago Tribune (May 25, 1867), p. 1.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Death of the Chief Justice of Nebraska", Nebraska City News (June 1, 1867), p. 2.
  3. ^ a b James C. Olson, History of Nebraska (1997), p. 141.
Political offices
Preceded by
Newly established court
Justice of the Nebraska Supreme Court
1867–1867
Succeeded by