William West Harvey | |
---|---|
Chief Justice of the Kansas Supreme Court | |
In office 1945–1956 | |
Preceded by | John Shaw Dawson |
Succeeded by | William A. Smith |
Justice of the Kansas Supreme Court | |
In office 1923–1945 | |
Preceded by | Judson S. West |
Succeeded by | Harold R. Fatzer |
Speaker of the Kansas House of Representatives | |
In office 1921–1923 | |
Member of the Kansas House of Representatives from the 19th district | |
In office 1917–1923 | |
Personal details | |
Born | Dickinson County, Kansas | November 21, 1869
Died | September 27, 1958 | (aged 88)
Political party | Republican |
William West Harvey (November 21, 1869 – September 27, 1958[1]) was a member of the Kansas House of Representatives and a justice of the Kansas Supreme Court from January 8, 1923, to January 8, 1945, and chief justice from January 8, 1945, to March 1, 1956.[2]
In 1906 he set up his own practice in Ashland, Kansas, and in the same year became the Clark County attorney for one term.[1] He then went on to be the representative for Clark County starting in 1917 for three terms, including being elected speaker of the house in his third term.[1][3] June 17, 1921, he was made Assistant Attorney General, he was the third member of his family to hold the position.[4]
Harvey stood for the supreme court in 1922 against the incumbent Judson S. West who had already served two terms.[5] Harvey won the number 2 position with 38% of the vote, just beating West who gained 37% of the vote.[6] In 1939 the retirement of Justice William Easton Hutchinson caused a shuffle of the court with only Justice Harvey and Chief Justice John Shaw Dawson keeping their places.[7] He then became the Chief Justice in 1945 filling the position vacated by the retirement of Chief Justice Dawson.[8]
Harvey resigned as Chief Justice as of March 1, 1956, before the end of his full term with Justice William A. Smith being promoted to the Chief Justice position.[9] The vacant No. 2 position on the court was filled by Harold R. Fatzer.[10]