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John Catron

John Catron (circa 1786-May 30, 1865), was an American jurist.

Little is known of Catron's early life, but he served in the War of 1812 under Andrew Jackson. He was admitted to the Tennessee bar in 1815 and established a land law practice in Nashville in 1818. He served on the Tennessee Supreme Court of Errors and Appeals from 1824 until 1834, being elevated to Chief Justice of that court in 1831. In 1834 the state legislature abolished the chief justice position, and Catron retired and returned to private practice. During the election of 1836, Catron directed Martin van Buren's presidential campaign in Tennessee.

Congress expanded the United States Supreme Court from seven to nine members in 1836, allowing Andrew Jackson to name two new justices. Jackson nominated Catron on March 3, 1837, his last day in office, and the Senate confirmed Catron five days later.

Catron served as an associate justice until his death in 1865. Though not known to be a slaveholder himself, Catron supported slavery and sided with the majority in the Dred Scott case. However, he opposed secession and urged Tennessee to remain with the Union, ultimately being forced to leave the state and take up permanent residence in Washington, D.C. after the state seceeded.

Upon Catron's death in 1865, Congress eliminated his seat from the Court, giving the Supreme Court nine seats. Catron is interred at Nashville's Mount Olivet Cemetery.


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