Thomas Drummond

Thomas Drummond (October 16, 1809 – May 15, 1890) was a United States circuit judge of the United States Circuit Courts for the Seventh Circuit and previously was a United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Illinois and the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Education and career

Born on October 16, 1809, in Bristol Mills, Maine, Drummond graduated from Bowdoin College in 1830 and read law in 1833. He entered private practice in Galena, Illinois from 1835 to 1850. He was a member of the Illinois House of Representatives from 1840 to 1841. He was a Judge of the Illinois Circuit Court from circa 1841 to circa 1850.

Federal judicial service

Drummond was nominated by President Zachary Taylor on January 31, 1850, to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Illinois vacated by Judge Nathaniel Pope. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 19, 1850, and received his commission the same day. Drummond was reassigned by operation of law to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on February 13, 1855, to a new seat authorized by 10 Stat. 606. His service terminated on December 22, 1869, due to his elevation to the Seventh Circuit.

Drummond was nominated by President Ulysses S. Grant on December 8, 1869, to a new seat on the United States Circuit Courts for the Seventh Circuit authorized by 16 Stat. 44. He was confirmed by the Senate on December 22, 1869, and received his commission the same day. His service terminated on July 18, 1884, due to his retirement. As a circuit judge, Drummond oversaw several railroads that went into a receivership following the Panic of 1873. Following the Chicago railroad strike of 1877, he ruled in favor of the railroads, ordered troops to enforce his ruling, and charged several strikers with contempt of court.

Drummond was the last federal judge in active service appointed by President Taylor: indeed, at the time of his elevation to the Seventh Circuit he was already the only surviving judge appointed by him.

Death

Drummond died on May 15, 1890, in Wheaton, Illinois. He was buried at Graceland Cemetery in Chicago.