Byron O. House

Byron Orvil House (September 27, 1902 – September 27, 1969) was an American jurist who served as Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court. Early life and education Byron Orvil House, oldest child of Harold Henry and Olive (Edwards) House, was born in St. Louis, Missouri on September 27, 1902. In 1903, his family moved to Washington County, Illinois, where his father taught school at Oakdale, Illinois and Ashley, Illinois before moving to Nashville, Illinois and establishing a law practice in 1908. Byron attended the public schools in Nashville and, in 1921, entered pre-law at the University of Illinois. He married Mildred Irene Holston, daughter of Benjamin B. and Irene (Watts) Holston, on June 9, 1925. In 1926, Byron graduated from the University of Illinois College of Law, was admitted to the Illinois Bar, and began practicing law in Nashville with his father, establishing the firm of House & House. Career Early in Byron's career, he worked on cases delegated to him by his father and also did some abstract work. In the 1930s, during the time of the bank moratorium, Byron found his services in demand and his successful handling of the problems of many banks in the area established his reputation as an able lawyer. Those were the days of public works projects and, as cities became interested in water and sewer projects, Byron's legal services were sought by surrounding towns. When the local oil boom began in the late 1930s and early 1940s, Byron did legal work for many major oil companies and independent operators. Still later, he worked to establish consolidated school districts, including the sale of unused rural schools and the construction of new schools. He became a recognized authority on school law.