About John R. Dethmers
Lived 1903 – 1971 (aged 68). John R. Dethmers was an American lawyer, politician and judge.
John R. Dethmers (October 15, 1903 – November 1, 1971) was a politician from the U.S. state of Michigan.
Dethmers was born in Plessis in O'Brien County, Iowa. He resided in Orange City, Iowa, Holland, Michigan, and East Lansing, Michigan. He enrolled at Hope College in Holland, Michigan, then went on to the University of Michigan Law School and began to practice law in 1927. Dethmers was a member of various judicial associations and was a family man with three children. He was Ottawa County Prosecuting Attorney from 1931 to 1938. He was a member of the Michigan Republican State Central Committee in 1939. Dethmers served as Chairman of the Michigan Republican Party from 1942 to 1945 and was a delegate to the 1944 Republican National Convention. He served as Michigan Attorney General from 1945 to 1946. Governor Harry Kelly appointed Dethmers Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court, serving from 1946 to 1970 and serving as Chief Justice of the Michigan State Supreme Court in 1953, 1956–1962, and 1967–1969. He was defeated in 1970. He was a Presbyterian and a member of the American Judicature Society. John R. Dethmers died in Lansing.
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
People in John R. Dethmers's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped John R. Dethmers's
Frequently asked questions
Who was John R. Dethmers?
American politician (1903-1971)
When was John R. Dethmers born?
John R. Dethmers was born on 15 October 1903 in Plessis.
When did John R. Dethmers die?
John R. Dethmers died on 1 November 1971 in Lansing, Michigan.
What was John R. Dethmers's occupation?
John R. Dethmers was a lawyer, politician and judge.
What nationality was John R. Dethmers?
John R. Dethmers was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John R. Dethmers. https://biography.guide/john-r-dethmers/
MLA: "John R. Dethmers." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-r-dethmers/.
Chicago: "John R. Dethmers." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-r-dethmers/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:30 UTC