William H. Cuddeback

William H. Cuddeback was an Associate Judge of the New York Court of Appeals from 1912 until his death in 1919, and concurred in a number of notable opinions written by his colleague Benjamin Cardozo, including "MacPherson v. Buick Motor Co." and "Wood v. Lucy, Lady Duff-Gordon".

William Herman Cuddeback was born at Deerpark in Orange County, New York on March 23, 1852 [http://wc.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=:3183464&id=I14448 Roots Web Entry] ] [http://www.courts.state.ny.us/history/bios/cuddeback_william.htm New York State Courts History] ] (other sources [http://dspace.library.cornell.edu/bitstream/1813/3530/39/015_02.pdf Cornell Alumni News, Vol XV, No. 2, Page 22, Col. 3] ] say 1854). He was the son of Lewis Cuddeback and Caroline Lee Thompson Cuddeback. He prepared at Goshen Academy and studied at Cornell University 1870-74. Sources differ his course of study and graduation. [http://dspace.library.cornell.edu/bitstream/1813/3530/34/015_07.pdf Cornell Alumni News, Vol XV, No. 7, Page 77, Col. 2] ] Admitted to the Bar in 1877, he practiced law in Orange County at Goshen, New York until 1885, when he moved to Buffalo. He was chairman of the Democratic committee of Buffalo, 1895-96, and Corporation Counsel, 1898-1902.

He secured the nomination of the Democratic Party for a seat on the New York Court of Appeals and was elected in 1912, defeating Progressive George Kirchwey. He died in office on August 16, 1919 in Goshen NY, before completing his term that would have expired December 31, 1920. He is buried at Slate Hill Cemetery in the town of Chester, New York.

On November 12, 1919, Abram I. Elkus was appointed by Governor Alfred E. Smith to fill remainder of Judge Cuddeback's term. [ [http://www.nycourts.gov/history/elecbook/thereshallbe/pg108.htm#138FN The Historial Society of the Courts of New York State, Footnote 138] ]

Portrait

[http://www.courts.state.ny.us/history/portraits/cuddeback_william_large.jpgWillam H. Cuddeback Portrait] , Historical Society of the Courts of New York State

References