Matthew Hall McAllister

For his father, the Georgia lawyer and politician, see Matthew McAllister.

Matthew Hall McAllister (October 26, 1800 – December 19, 1865) was a United States circuit judge of the United States Circuit Court for the Districts of California.

Matthew Hall McAllister
McAllister in c.1860
Judge of the United States Circuit Court for the Districts of California
In office March 3, 1855 – January 12, 1863
Appointed by	Franklin Pierce
Preceded by	Seat established by 10 Stat. 631
Succeeded by	Seat abolished
Member of the Georgia Senate from Chatham County
In office 1834–1837
Preceded by	William C. Daniel
Succeeded by	William Washington Gordon
Personal details
Born	Matthew Hall McAllister (1800-10-26)October 26, 1800 Savannah, Georgia
Died	December 19, 1865(1865-12-19) (aged 65) San Francisco, California
Political party	Democratic
Education	Princeton University read law

Education and career

Born on October 26, 1800, in Savannah Georgia, the son of Matthew McAllister. McAllister attended Princeton University and read law in 1820. He entered private practice in Savannah from 1820 to 1849. He was the United States Attorney for the District of Georgia from 1827 to 1834. He was a member of the Georgia State Senate from 1834 to 1837. He was Mayor of Savannah from 1837 to 1839. He was an alderman for Savannah from 1839 to 1841. He was the Democratic candidate for Governor of Georgia in 1845. He returned to private practice in San Francisco, California from 1850 to 1853. He was a Democratic candidate for United States Senator from Georgia in 1853.

Federal judicial service

McAllister was nominated by President Franklin Pierce on March 2, 1855, to the United States Circuit Court for the Districts of California, to a new seat authorized by 10 Stat. 631. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on March 3, 1855, and received his commission the same day. His service terminated on January 12, 1863, due to his resignation. The United States Circuit Court for the Districts of California was abolished on March 3, 1863, by 12 Stat. 794, thus McAllister was the only Judge to ever serve on the court.

Death

McAllister died on December 19, 1865, in San Francisco.

Sources

• Matthew Hall McAllister at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.