Draft:Daniel Gantt

Daniel W. Gantt (June 29, 1814 – May 29, 1878) was a justice of the Nebraska Supreme Court from 1873 to 1878, serving as chief justice in 1878 until his death that year.

Early life, education, and career

Born in Broomfield, Perry County, Pennsylvania, into a large family of Dutch-English ancestry, Gantt grew up on his family's farm, and attended the public schools of Perry County. He gained admission to the Pennsylvania Bar in 1843. He moved his family to Nebraska Territory, arriving in May 1857.

He graduated from one of the eastern colleges with high honors, and immediately thereafter commenced the study of law, entering the bar two years afterwards. After a successful practice in his native state, and attaining a bight position in his profession, in the year 1857 be emigrated with his family to Omaha and opened a law office, and soon his efforts were amply rewarded with an extensive practice.

His arrival coincided with a challenging period, as they faced health crises and financial difficulties. Despite these challenges, Gantt quickly established himself in the Nebraska legal community. He opened a law office in Omaha, initially focusing on land titles and property law. By 1861, he was appointed U.S. Attorney for the Nebraska Territory, a role he held for three years. During his tenure, Gantt handled cases across Nebraska's three districts, prosecuting notable cases such as lottery swindles.

In 1861, by President Lincoln, he was appointed United States Attorney for the Territory of Nebraska, and confirmed by the United States Senate, which office he held tor three years with entire satisfaction to his party and friends.

In 1864, he was elected to the Nebraska Territorial Legislature, where he served on committees focused on expenditures and internal improvements.

In 1864 he was elected to the Legislature from the county of Douglas, and as a member of that body took a high position as a wise counsellor and clear speaker upon all the important questions that came before the house.

In 1869 he removed to Nebraska City, and here opened a law office, making the investigation and trial of important land titles and grants his chief business, and it did not take long for him to acquire the reputation of land lawyer second to none in the west. In 1871 he was elected District Judge tor the First Judicial District, having within his territorial limit all of South Eastern Nebraska with many of the border counties in the west, and in this capacity his labors were simply immense, the means of conveyance to his western counties being often of the rudest kind, submitting to many privations and hardships which no doubt greatly impaired his health, and undoubtedly laid the foundation for the sickness which at last caused his death. Judge Gantt was engaged in the arduous duties of Nisi Prius Judge for the period of four years, when, in October, 1875, under the provisions of the new constitution, he was elected by the people as one of the judges of the supreme court of this state.

After returning to Nebraska, Gantt became active in the political affairs of the Territory. Although unsuccessful in his initial campaign for the legislature, he was elected City Treasurer of Omaha in 1861. In the election of 1863, Gantt won a seat in the Territorial House of Representatives, where he served until the conclusion of the Legislative session. On May 10, 1864, President Lincoln appointed Gantt U.S. District Attorney for Nebraska Territory, a post he held for three years. In 1868 he moved to Nebraska City, Nebraska, where he re-established his private legal practice and in the summer of 1872, he was elected an Associate Justice of the Nebraska Supreme Court. ... At the beginning of the January term of 1878, Gantt became Chief Justice of the Nebraska Supreme Court, holding this position for five months until his death on 1878, at the age of 64.

In 1872, he was elected as an associate justice of the Nebraska Supreme Court, representing the southern district. He continued to serve on the court after Nebraska's new constitution in 1875 established district judges, relieving him from circuit duties. In January 1878, he became Chief Justice of the Nebraska Supreme Court, though his tenure was brief, ending with his death in May of that year.

By virtue of his seniority he became Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Jan. 1, 1877, which position held at the time of his death.

Personal life

In 1842, Gantt married Agnes Fulton of Perry County. She died of "lung-fever" on October 15, 1857. Gantt "returned to Pennsylvania for the winter", where he married Harriet Cooper. Gannt died at home in his bed following an illness of a few days, at the age of 64. At the time of his death, he had two sons and two daughters living.

References

Category:1814 births Category:1878 deaths Category:United States Attorneys for the District of Nebraska Category:Justices of the Nebraska Supreme Court

This open draft remains in progress as of August 8, 2024.