John Appleton was a Justice and Chief Justice of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court from May 11, 1852 to September 19, 1883.
Background
John Appleton was born on July 12, 1804 in the village of New Ipswich, New Hampshire, United States, the son of John and Elizabeth (Peabody) Appleton.
His forebears had come from a position of prominence in Suffolk, England; the first American ancestor, Samuel Appleton, took the freeman's oath in Massachusetts in 1636; his descendants were prominent throughout the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.
His mother died when he was four years of age, and he was brought up in his native village by an aunt.
Education
His early education was in the schools and academy of New Ipswich.
At fourteen he entered Bowdoin College, where he graduated in 1822.
After a short period of school-teaching, he studied law in the offices of George Farley of Groton, Massachussets, and of his relative, Nathan Dan Appleton, of Alfred, Maine.
Career
Admitted to the bar in 1826, he practised in the small towns of Dixmont, Penobscot County, and Sebec, Piscataquis County, until 1832, when he moved to Bangor and entered into partnership with Elisha H. Allen, who was elected to Congress in 1840. His subsequent partners were John B. Hill and his cousin, Moses Appleton. Appleton's work was as a trial lawyer and from the outset he was a success.
His strong character placed him in a few years at the top of his profession in the state. His practise was large and, as times went, lucrative. In 1852 Gov. Hubbard recognized his capacities by nominating him associate justice of the supreme judicial court. Appleton served in this capacity from May 11, 1852, till October 24, 1862, when he was elevated to the office of chief justice.
He was reappointed at the expiration of each seven-year term until his retirement on September 20, 1883, at the age of seventy-nine. Thereafter he lived in Bangor. His opinions begin with the case of Larrabee vs. Lumbert, and end with his opinion in State vs. Garing. They are characterized by a ready and lucid legal style, and though his language is sometimes rather more florid than is approved by modern taste, his is perhaps the most valuable single contribution to the legal literature of his state.
His articles on the Law of Evidence first published in The Jurist, beginning in 1833, were collected and published in Philadelphia in 1860 under the title, The Rules of Evidence. In 1856 he had the satisfaction of seeing the Maine legislature enact a law that no person should "be excused or excluded as a witness in any civil suit or proceeding at law or in equity, by reason of his interest in the event of the same as party or otherwise. " Eight years later this principle was extended to criminal cases.
Achievements
Personality
He had the physical and intellectual vigor and toughness which the trial lawyer needs. He was a hard worker, a zealous student of law, and an able advocate.
Personally Appleton was a man of wide friendships and warm affections. He enjoyed recreation as well as work.
Interests
Appleton liked a hand at whist, and was a great reader.
Connections
In 1834 he was married to Sarah Newcomb Allen, who died August 12, 1874.