Jackson Temple

Jackson Temple (August 11, 1827 – December 25, 1902) was an associate justice of the Supreme Court of California. He served three separate terms on the court between 1870 and 1902. Early life and education Temple was born in the town of Heath in Franklin County, Massachusetts on August 11, 1827, the son of a farmer. In 1851, he graduated from Williams College. Upon leaving college, Temple is reported to have gone to Newark, New Jersey, and commenced the study of the law in the office of Judge Ira C. Whitehead. After a time he went to Freehold, in Monmouth County and taught school. Afterwards, he continued his legal studies at Yale University, graduating in 1853. Legal and judicial career In April 1853, Temple arrived in California, was admitted to the bar. After practicing in San Francisco for a few months, he joined his two brothers on their ranch in Petaluma. By 1855, Temple began practicing law in Sonoma County, including Mexican land grant litigation, and moved to Santa Rosa when the county seat relocated there. He practiced law with a series of partners: first, with William Ross; later, he joined with Charles P. Wilkins; and then with A. Thomas. In September 1856, Temple was a delegate to the state Democratic Party convention. In April 1859, he was admitted as an attorney and counselor by the Supreme Court of California by John Currey. In October 1863, he ran unsuccessfully for state district court judge, losing to J. S. Southard. In September 1864, Temple was the Copperhead Democratic candidate for United States Congress from the Third congressional district, but was defeated by John Bidwell.