Associate Justice of the Appellate Division, Second Department, 1896-1899
Justice Hatch also served on the bench of the 1st Department; more information can be found HERE.
Justice Edward W. Hatch was born on November 26, 1852 in Friendship, NY. He worked as a blacksmith for five years to save money for his law studies, and was admitted to the bar in 1876. That year he founded the firm of Corlett & Hatch.
Hatch was elected District Attorney of Erie County in 1880, a position he held until 1886. He then served as a judge of the Superior Court of Buffalo until 1895, when he was named to the Supreme Court for the Eighth Judicial District. Justice Hatch was designated by Gov. Morton to the Appellate Division, Second Department in 1896. In 1899, he addressed the Phi Delta Phi Club, arguing in favor of a bill to abolish capital punishment. In 1900, Gov. Roosevelt transferred him to the First Department.
Hatch retired from the bench in 1905 to resume private practice with the firm of Parker, Hatch & Sheehan, and later as a solo practitioner. Additionally, he was a member of the Union League, several clubs, and was chairman of the Judiciary Committee of the County Lawyers Association.
He married Helen Woodruff in 1880. He died in Friendship, NY on June 1, 1924 at the age of 71.
“Edward W. Hatch.” Eminent Members of the Bench and Bar of New York. San Francisco: Knight-Counihan, 1943. 299. Print.
“Edward W. Hatch Dies at His Summer Home.” New York Times (1923-Current file): 17. ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The New York Times (1851-2007). Jun 02 1924. Web. 30 Jan. 2012.
“Opposes Death Penalty.” Brooklyn Daily Eagle 14 Mar. 1899: 3. Brooklyn Public Library, Brooklyn Daily Eagle 1841-1902 Online. Web. 30 Jan. 2012.