Samuel Alschuler

Samuel Alschuler (November 20, 1859 – November 9, 1939) was a United States circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.

Early life Samuel Alschuler was born November 20, 1859 Chicago, Illinois. A member of a civically-engaged family German-Jewish family, his brother George also served in the Illinois House of Representatives and another brother, Benjamin, was a judge of the Illinois Court of Claims. Alschuler was raised in Aurora, Illinois. After graduating from Aurora High School, Alschuler spent some time as a general store clerk, he read law and was admitted to the Illinois Bar. In the 1892 United States House of Representatives elections, Alschuler was the Democratic nominee for Illinois's 5th congressional district, which was a staunchly Republican-voting district anchored by Kane County. After Alschuler lost his 1892 congressional race, Governor John Peter Altgeld appointed him a member of the State Commission of Claims on July 15, 1893. He was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in the 1896 general election. In his first term, Alschuler served in a role analogous to a floor leader. In 1900 Illinois gubernatorial election, Alschuler was the Democratic nominee against Republican candidate Richard Yates Jr. Yates defeated Alschuler by a narrow 5.43% margin. Shortly after the gubernatorial election, he was the Democratic nominee for appointment by the Illinois General Assembly in January 1901 to the United States Senate. However, the Republican Party held a state senate majority, and re-elected Republican incumbent Shelby Moore Cullom to serve another six-year term. Alschuler continued in private practice in Chicago until 1915.

Federal judicial service Alschuler received a recess appointment from President Woodrow Wilson on August 16, 1915, to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit vacated by Judge Peter S. Grosscup. He was nominated to the same position by President Wilson on January 7, 1916. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on January 18, 1916, and received his commission the same day. He was a member of the Conference of Senior Circuit Judges (now the Judicial Conference of the United States) from 1924 to 1934. A week later, the House adopted a resolution, H.R. Res. 220, granting the Judiciary Committee authority to hold hearings.

Alschuler assumed senior status on May 15, 1936. His service terminated on November 9, 1939, due to his death. From 1922 to 1923, Alschuler served on the new Federal Coal Commission.