Richard Elihu Sloan

American judge (1857–1933)

Richard Elihu Sloan (June 22, 1857 – December 13, 1933) was an American jurist and politician, who served as associate justice of the Arizona Territorial Supreme Court , a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of Arizona and as the 17th and final Governor of Arizona Territory . As an Associate Justice he served for 16 years, the longest service of any member of the Arizona Territorial Supreme Court, and wrote over 150 legal opinions.

As Governor he oversaw Arizona 's transition from territory to statehood.

Background

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Sloan was born on June 22, 1857, in Morning Sun , Preble County, Ohio, to Mary (Caldwell) and Dr. Richard E. Sloan. His family had moved to Ohio from South Carolina owing to their opposition to the secession movement and slavery . Sloan was educated in private and public schools and graduated from Monmouth College (Illinois ) with an Artium Baccalaureus degree in 1877. Following graduation he taught in a private school for a year.

Near the time of his college graduation, one of Sloan's older brothers died of quick consumption . When he developed asthma and hay fever , his family became concerned and sent him to Denver , Colorado , hoping the change of climate would provide relief to his symptoms.

While in Denver, Sloan worked as a reporter for the _Rocky Mountain News _. He also worked at several mines near Breckenridge and Leadville , Colorado.

From Colorado, Sloan returned to Ohio and earned a Bachelor of Laws from the Cincinnati Law School (now the University of Cincinnati College of Law ) in 1882. After graduation he and a friend, Louis H. Chalmers , traveled west, filling in for newspaper editors who wished to take time off from their duties. During the course of their journey they stopped in Saint Paul , Minnesota , Spokane , Washington Territory , Portland , Oregon , and San Francisco , California .

Arizona Territory

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While in San Francisco, Sloan suffered a bout of hay fever and asthma , and it was recommended to him that he should try the Arizona climate. Sloan and Chalmers arrived in Phoenix, Arizona, Arizona Territory in late 1884, and Sloan found the climate relieved his respiratory problems. Sloan was admitted to the territorial bar in January 1885 and opened a private legal practice with Chalmers as his partner.

The firm of Sloan & Chalmers lasted until early 1886, when Sloan moved to Florence , Arizona Territory.

Sloan was elected to a term as County Attorney for Pinal County , Arizona Territory, running from 1887 to 1889. In 1888 he served as temporary chairman for the territorial Republican convention and was elected to represent Pinal County as a council member in the 15th Arizona Territorial Legislature . Sloan married Mary Brown of Hamilton , Ohio on November 22, 1887. The marriage produced three children: Richard E., who died in childhood, Elanor B. and Mary.

In May 1889, Sloan applied to United States Attorney General William H. H. Miller for a position as a judge. He was given a recess appointment to Arizona Territory's 1st district by President Benjamin Harrison in October 1889. He took his oath of office on November 2, 1889. The appointment was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 19, 1890. Upon his appointment Sloan moved to Tucson , Arizona Territory, the primary court location for his district.

Shortly after taking the bench Sloan drew the anger of Governor Lewis Wolfley when the new judge appointed a personal ene

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