Hugh W. Weir

Hugh W. Weir (1826 – February 8, 1893) was a chief justice of the Idaho Territorial Court from 1888 to 1889. The court preceded the Idaho Supreme Court, established when Idaho became a state in 1890.

Hugh W. Weir
Chief Justice of the Idaho Territorial Court
In office 1888–1889
Appointed by	Grover Cleveland
Preceded by	James B. Hays
Succeeded by	James H. Beatty
Personal details
Born	1826 Indiana, Pennsylvania U.S.
Died	February 8, 1893 (aged 67) Boise, Idaho
Cause of death	Brain hemorrhage
Resting place	Pioneer Cemetery, Boise[1] 43.6109438°N 116.1892196°W
Political party	Democrat
Spouse(s)	Katherine A. Porter
Children	Agnes Lenore (Baker), Edward Weir, Hugh Weir
Residence	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Boise, Idaho
Education	Blairsville Academy

Early life and family

Weir was born in 1826 in Indiana, Pennsylvania, and he attended Blairsville Academy. He read law with Agustus Drum, and in 1852 he was admitted to practice law in Pennsylvania.

In 1849 Weir married Katherine A. Porter, and the marriage produced three children, Agnes Lenore (Baker), Edward Weir, and Hugh Weir.

Career

Soon Weir and Drum formed a law partnership in Indiana, Weir later partnering with Robert M. Gibson in Pittsburgh in 1870 then with J.M. Garrison in 1884.[2] A Democrat, Weir was active in local politics, and he ran unsuccessfully for Congress against John Covode in 1866.[3]

President Cleveland nominated Weir to replace James B. Hays, Chief Justice of the Idaho Territorial Court, in 1888, and the nomination was confirmed by the United States Senate later that year.[4] Weir had been nominated as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Utah Territory, but that appointment went to Elliott Sandford.[5]

In 1889 Judge Weir wrote an opinion upholding the Idaho Territorial Legislature in its partition of Alturas County. Weir's political opponents, led by W.R. Riley of Hailey, the county seat, demanded that Weir be removed from office.[6][7] President Harrison replaced Weir with James H. Beatty, a judge from Hailey, in November, 1889.[8]

Death

After his time as chief justice, Weir formed a partnership with J.R. Wester, Weir & Wester, and he continued his law practice in Boise until his death in 1893.[9][10]

See also

• List of justices of the Idaho Supreme Court

References

1. "Hugh W. Weir". Find A Grave. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
2. "The following sketch of the life of Judge Weir..." Pittsburgh Dispatch (reprinted in the Idaho News). Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. June 21, 1888. p. 8. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
3. "Death of Hon. John Covode". Raftsman's Journal. Clearfield, Pennsylvania. January 18, 1871. p. 2. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
4. "Local Intelligence". Idaho Statesman. Boise, Idaho. July 24, 1888. p. 3.
5. "Idaho's Chief Justice". Idaho Statesman. Boise, Idaho. July 21, 1888. p. 2.
6. "W.R. Riley of Hailey...". Idaho Statesman. Boise, Idaho. March 27, 1889. p. 3.
7. "Chief Justice Weir". Idaho Statesman. Boise, Idaho. April 20, 1889. p. 2.
8. "A New Chief Justice". Idaho Statesman. Boise, Idaho. November 26, 1889. p. 2.
9. "Advertisement". Idaho Statesman. Boise, Idaho. February 12, 1892. p. 7.
10. "Judge Hugh W. Weir". Idaho Statesman. Boise, Idaho. February 9, 1893. p. 8.