William Henry Gale (1829 – February 12, 1899)Judicial Conference of the United States, Judges of the United States (1983), p. 175."Obituary for William Henry Gale", The Brooklyn Daily Eagle (February 14, 1899), p. 5."Recent Deaths", The American Lawyer: A Monthly Journal, Vol. 7, No. 3 (March 1899), p. 116: "Ex-Judge William H. Gale, Brooklyn, N. Y." was an associate justice of the Colorado Territorial Supreme Court from June 10, 1865, to July 19, 1866.
Early life and political efforts Little is written about Gale, and sources differ on his origin. One source says he was from Illinois, but another says he was from New York. A contemporaneous account describes him as being "of New York", but does not indicate whether that was his place of birth or merely his domicile at the time.
It appears that Gale was examined and found to possess the qualifications required for admission to the bar in New York in September 1849."Attorneys and Counselors", The Evening Post (September 10, 1849), p. 2. He became involved in Republican politics in New York, albeit with little success. In 1855 he was a candidate for county judge,"Political Items", Brooklyn Evening Star (October 20, 1855), p. 2. and in 1858, a candidate for Alderman.The Brooklyn Daily Eagle (March 29, 1858), p. 2. He was again a candidate for county judge in 1859,"Republican County Convention", The Brooklyn Daily Eagle (October 3, 1859), p. 2. and in 1862,"The County Convention", The Brooklyn Daily Eagle (October 6, 1863), p. 2. and in January 1865 was appointed a Commissioner of Deeds."Petitions and Communications", The Brooklyn Daily Eagle (January 24, 1865), p. 2.
Judicial service In June 1865, Gale and Charles F. Holly were jointly appointed to the Colorado Territorial Supreme Court by President Andrew Johnson,"Appointment of Associate Justices of the Supreme Court", New York Daily Herald (June 23, 1865), p. 1. and subsequently confirmed by the United States Senate."Appointments Confirmed", The Philadelphia Inquirer (January 16, 1866), p. 1. Gale was preceded as associate justice by Charles Lee Armour and succeeded by Christian S. Eyster. He resigned because he found his salary inadequate.
Later life Gale returned to Brooklyn, practicing law in a solo practice from 1866 to 1874, then as a partner in the firm of Gale & Melvin until 1876, and then in then in the firm of Gale & Van Vieck until 1878. He thereafter returned to solo practice until 1890. By 1890, it was reported that "ex-Judge William H. Gale" had headed an unsuccessful opposition ticket in the Republican primary election for leadership of Brooklyn's Twenty-fifth Ward."Last Night's Primaries", Times Union (December 17, 1890), p. 1. In July 1891, Gale was "busily engaged... as a referee under appointment from Judge Pratt" taking testimony in the child custody case of a wealthy New York family."Cleveland's Fair Cousin", Times Union (July 11, 1891), p. 1. In August of that year, it was reported that Gale's wife Mary had died at their home in Brooklyn, survived by her husband, their son Charles, and their daughter Mary."Mrs. William Henry Gale", Middletown Times-Press (August 29, 1891), p. 3. In 1892, Gale returned to practice in a partnership, with the firm of Gale & Williams.
Gale continued working on matters in Brooklyn as a referee or commissioner in the mid-1890s."Verdict for Six Cents Sustained", The New York Times (May 15, 1895), p. 14."A New Test: "Probable Increase" a Factor in Condemnation Proceedings", The Standard Union (May 14, 1895), p. 1. He died at the age of 71, and was interred in Middletown, New York.
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