John M. Matthias | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Associate Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court | |
| In office December 16, 1954 – September 25, 1970 | |
| Preceded by | John H. Lamneck |
| Succeeded by | Robert E. Leach |
| Personal details | |
| Born | John Marshall Matthias (1903-01-20)January 20, 1903 Van Wert, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | January 25, 1973(1973-01-25) (aged 70) Upper Arlington, Ohio, U.S. |
| Resting place | Green Lawn Cemetery, Columbus, Ohio, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Lois Kirkpatrick |
| Children | 1 |
| Alma mater | |
John Marshall Matthias (January 20, 1903– January 25, 1973) was a Republican politician fromColumbus, Ohio who served in theOhio House of Representatives and followed his father as a justice of theOhio Supreme Court, serving 1954 to 1970.
Matthias was the son ofEdward Shiloh and Mary F. (Crouch) Matthias. He was born January 20, 1903, inVan Wert, Ohio. His family moved toColumbus, Ohio in 1915, when his father was elected to the Ohio Supreme Court. He graduated from TheOhio State University in 1928, attended bothOhio State University Law School andFranklin University Law School, and was admitted to the bar in 1931.[1]
From 1931 to 1939, Matthias was in private practice of law in Columbus, was elected to theOhio House of Representatives fromFranklin County, Ohio in 1934, lost re-election in 1936, but was elected again in 1938. He was elected to the Columbus Municipal Court in 1939, and was sworn in by his father on January 1, 1940.[1] In 1944,GovernorJohn W. Bricker appointed Matthias presiding judge of the Columbus Municipal Court, and he was elected to six-year terms in 1945 and 1951.[1]
Matthias's father died in 1953, and GovernorFrank Lausche appointed Democratic judgeJohn H. Lamneck to the seat. John M. Matthias ran for the remaining two years of his father's term in 1954, winning the Republican primary without party support, and defeating Lamneck in 86 of 88Ohio counties. He won a six-year term in 1956, and was re-elected in 1962 and 1968.[1]
At the beginning of 1970, Matthias could not perform his duties due to failing health, andRobert E. Leach sat on assignment for him. Matthias resigned September 25, 1970, and GovernorJim Rhodes named Leach to replace him.[1]
Matthias married Lois Kirkpatrick on March 20, 1939. They had one son, the writer and educator,John Matthias (b. 1941). John M. Matthais died at hisUpper Arlington, Ohio home on January 25, 1973, and was buried atGreen Lawn Cemetery[1]