Emerson R. Boyles (June 29, 1881 – November 30, 1960) was an American lawyer and judge. He served as a justice of the Michigan Supreme Court from 1940 until 1956.[1]
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Early life and education
editBoyles was born in Chester Township, Michigan, on June 29, 1881.[1] He attended rural district schools and graduated from Charlotte High School in Charlotte, Michigan as valedictorian.[1] Boyles earned his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School in 1903 and was admitted to the bar when he was twenty-one years old.[1]
Career
editBoyles began practicing law in Charlotte.[1] He was elected Eaton County prosecuting attorney, serving from 1912 to 1916.[1] From 1921 until 1927, Boyles was a probate judge for Eaton County.[1]
In 1927, Boyles resigned as probate judge to become deputy attorney general under Michigan Attorney General William W. Potter. Boyles remained in that position until 1933, serving under three attorneys general.[1] In 1935, Governor Frank Fitzgerald, appointed Boyles to serve on the Michigan Public Utilities Commission.[1] In 1936, Boyles became the legal advisor to Fitzgerald, and later to Governor Luren Dickinson.[1]
On November 5, 1940, Boyles was elected a justice of the Michigan Supreme Court to fill the vacancy of William W. Potter. Boyles was re-elected in 1943 and 1950 and remained on the court until 1956.[1]
Boyles was the author of the Michigan Criminal Index, Probate Blanks, and Probate Manual, and was a supervisor of Compiled Laws of 1929.[1]
Boyles married Mabel Casler in 1905.[1] He had one daughter, Mary Frances Crouse, and three grandchildren, Edward Boyles Crouse, John Emerson Crouse, and Henry Bernard Crouse.[1] Boyles died on November 30, 1960.[1]
References
editExternal links
edit- Emerson R. Boyles papers, 1879-1911 and 1931-1960 at the Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan