Served from 1933 through 1933
Thomas A.E. Weadock was born in Ballygarrett, Ireland, on January 1, 1850, and with his parents came to the United States in his youth. Most of his life was spent in Michigan. He entered the University of Michigan Law School in 1871, and received his instruction from Thomas M. Cooley and James V. Campbell.
Admitted to the Bar in Detroit on April 8, 1873, Weadock was eminent in the legal profession for 65 years, establishing offices in Bay City at a time when the busy Saginaw Valley echoed with the roar of a hundred saw mills. His valuable counsel was eagerly sought by many of the great lumber barons. He moved to Detroit in 1895 and continued in general practice until his death, with the exception of a few months in 1933, when Governor William A. Comstock appointed him to the Michigan Supreme Court.
Weadock held a number of public service positions. In 1883, he served Bay City as Mayor. Later he served his county as Prosecuting Attorney, and his state as one of the Justices of the Michigan Supreme Court. In addition to this, he served in the United States House of Representatives.
Disposed by his nature and intellectual inclination to the study of literature and history, he spent much of his leisure time in reading and research. He loved to study the life of Emperor Napoleon I, and his library on that subject was one of the most complete and unique in the entire world. His interest was widely known and the Government of France conferred upon him the decoration of the Legion of Honor, “in token of that country’s gratitude for a great and voluntary service.” He was an ardent admirer of Andrew Jackson and his library contained many volumes relating to that great popular and political hero.
He also found time to write three biographical books entitled, Pere Marquette, the Missionary Explorer, A Catholic Priest in Congress, Father Richard, and, The Public Service of Sanford M. Green.
Thomas A.E. Weadock died in Detroit on November 18, 1938. (Michigan Supreme Court. Michigan Reports: Cases Decided by the Supreme Court of Michigan. Chicago: Callaghan and Co., 1879–1948, Vol. 295.)
Memorial and Portrait presented on: (Click link to read transcript)
October 8, 1940
Portrait Artist:
Middleton, James Raeburn
Medium:
Oil on canvas
Dimensions:
59.37cm X 49.05cm (23 3/8″ X 19 5/16″)
Owned by:
State of Michigan
Current location:
Hall of Justice – 4th Floor:
Clerk’s Office
Portrait photo by:
Doug Elbinger, Lansing – June 1996