James H. McCoy Biography


	This biography appears on pages 562-563 in "History of Dakota Territory" 
	by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. IV (1915) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				HON. JAMES H. McCOY. 

	The judicial history of South Dakota bears upon its records a 
name that stands for high professional honor and integrity in that of 
James H. McCoy, who since the 1st of April, 1909, has been judge of the 
supreme court for the fifth district. He was born in Decatur, Illinois, 
in 1855. He was one of a family of six children whose parents were B. 
F. and Minerva (Helm) McCoy, the former a farmer by occupation and a 
native of Greenbrier county, West Virginia, while the latter was a 
native of Baltimore, Maryland. After acquiring a high-school education 
in his native city James H. McCoy attended the Illinois Wesleyan 
University from which he was graduated with the Bachelor of Arts degree 
with the class of 1880. Soon afterward he was admitted to the bar, but 
did not at once enter upon active practice, for he was appointed 
special examiner in the United States pension service with headquarters 
at Louisville, Kentucky, where he remained until 1885. In that year 
Judge McCoy left Kentucky and came to South Dakota, settling in 
Britton, Marshall county, where he entered upon the practice of law. 
There his clientage constantly increased until 1893, when he sought a 
broader field of labor in Webster, where he practiced successfully 
until 1900, when he located in Aberdeen. From the outset of his 
professional career he was noted for the care and thoroughness with 
which he prepared his eases as well as for the logic which marked their 
presentation.  

	In November, 1901, he was elected to the circuit bench of the 
fifth district, and on the 1st of April, 1909, was appointed judge of 
the supreme court for the fifth district. In the general election of 
November, 1910, he was elected to succeed himself as a member of the 
supreme court, in which position he has since served with honor and 
credit. He was also at one time county judge of Marshall county. His 
record upon the bench has been characterized by the qualities which 
distinguished him as a man and citizen - a marked devotion to duty 
combined with a masterly grasp of every problem presented for solution. 
In addition to his judicial service he was at one time county auditor 
for two years. Politically Judge McCoy is a republican. 

	Judge McCoy was married in Decatur, Illinois, in 1883, to Miss 
Hannah Heath, and they became the parents of two children, Lelah and 
Carroll. The family attend the Presbyterian church, in which Judge 
McCoy and his wife hold membership. He belongs to the Phi Delta Phi, 
and is a member of Coteau Lodge, No. 59, A. F. & A. M., of Webster; 
Aberdeen Chapter, No. 14, R. A. M., of Aberdeen; Damascus Commandery, 
No. 10, K. T. of Aberdeen and the Knights of Pythias fraternity. He is 
spoken of as "a fine man, well liked by all his associates." His 
recognition of opportunity and duty has found response in a ready 
activity that meets every requirement placed upon him and his course 
has been a credit and honor to the district that has honored him.