James W. Cherry

James William Cherry (April 5, 1872 – March 23, 1949)^[1] was a Justice of the Utah Supreme Court from 1923 to 1933, and was Chief Justice from 1929 to 1933.

Early life, education, and career[]

Born on a farm in Tioga, Hancock County, Illinois, Cherry studied law in Kansas under the supervision of his father, who was a lawyer and a judge.^[2] and then moved to Utah with his parents in 1892.^[1] He gained admission to the bar in Utah in 1893, and moved to Sanpete County, Utah, in 1895, where he entered the practice of law.^[2] In 1912, he was elected District Attorney of the Seventh Judicial District.^[2] During World War I, he chaired the Sanpete County Council of Defense and was "prominent in the war activities", his eldest son being a volunteer serving in France.^[2]

Judicial service and later life[]

Cherry was an unsuccessful candidate for a seat on the Utah Supreme Court in 1918.^[2] In 1922, however, he was elected to the court, taking office in 1923 and serving for ten years, until declining health forced him to resign.^[1]

In 1936, Cherry moved to Phoenix, Arizona,^[1] though on a 1938 visit to Salt Lake City, he indicated that he was pleased that Franklin D. Roosevelt's court-packing plan had been defeated.^[3] He moved to Chandler, Arizona in 1940, and then to Mesa, Arizona in 1942.^[1]

Personal life and death[]

In 1898, Cherry married Louise Keller of Manti, Utah, with whom he had three sons and three daughters.^[2]

Cherry died in his home in Mesa at the age of 76, from a heart ailment, following an asthmatic attack.^[1][4]

References[]