Louis E. McComas

Louis Emory McComas (October 28, 1846 – November 10, 1907) was an American attorney, politician, and jurist who served as a member of both branches of the United States Congress and as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia

Early life and education

Born on October 28, 1846, in Washington County, Maryland near Hagerstown, McComas attended St. James College (now St. James School) in Maryland, then graduated from Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania in 1866 and read law in 1868. He was Chairman of the Committee on Organization, Conduct, and Expenditures of Executive Departments for the 56th United States Congress and Chairman of the Committee on Education and Labor for the 57th and 58th United States Congresses.

Court of Appeals of the District of Columbia service

McComas received a recess appointment from President Theodore Roosevelt on June 26, 1905, to an Associate Justice seat on the Court of Appeals of the District of Columbia (now the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit) vacated by Associate Justice Martin Ferdinand Morris. He was nominated to the same position by President Roosevelt on December 5, 1905. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on December 6, 1905, and received his commission the same day. His service terminated on November 10, 1907, due to his death in Washington, D.C. He was interred in Rose Hill Cemetery in Hagerstown.

Personal life

McComas's granddaughter, Katharine Byron, and great-grandson, Goodloe Byron, also represented Maryland in the United States House of Representatives, both from the same seat held by McComas.