# Charles Andrew Willard *United States district judge for the District of Minnesota (1909–1914)* Charles Andrew Willard (May 21, 1857 – March 13, 1914) sat as a federal trial judge on the [[United States District Court for the District of Minnesota]].[^1] President [[William Howard Taft]] nominated him in May 1909, and he held the seat until his death in March 1914.[^2] Willard studied at Dartmouth College and Boston University School of Law. He practiced law in Vermont and [[Minnesota]], and from 1901 to 1909 he was a United States Territorial Judge of the Supreme Court of the Philippine Islands.[^3] The Minnesota seat he took had been vacated by Judge [[Milton D. Purdy]].[^2] ## Education and career Willard was a native of St. Johnsbury, Vermont. He graduated from Dartmouth College with an Artium Baccalaureus in 1877. Two years later, in 1879, he completed a Bachelor of Laws at Boston University School of Law.[^3] His private practice began in St. Johnsbury, where he worked from 1879 to 1882. He then practiced in [[Saint Paul, Minnesota]] until 1885, and after that in [[Minneapolis]] until 1901.[^3] He also held a lectureship at the [[University of Minnesota]] from 1887 through 1901.[^3] In 1901 he left practice to serve on the Supreme Court of the Philippine Islands as a United States Territorial Judge, and he held that post until 1909.[^3] ## Federal judicial service Taft submitted Willard's nomination on May 8, 1909, for the District of Minnesota seat formerly held by Purdy.[^2] The [[United States Senate]] confirmed the nomination ten days later, on May 18, 1909, and Willard's commission was issued that same day.[^2] He was still serving on the court when he died in Minneapolis on March 13, 1914.[^2] ## In the Minnesota record ### Who - Charles Andrew Willard, United States district judge, District of Minnesota.[^1] ### When - Born May 21, 1857; died March 13, 1914.[^1] - Nominated May 8, 1909; confirmed by the Senate and commissioned May 18, 1909.[^2] ### Where - Born in St. Johnsbury, Vermont; practiced law in St. Johnsbury, Saint Paul and Minneapolis.[^3] - Died in Minneapolis.[^2] ### How - Took the District of Minnesota seat vacated by Milton D. Purdy. He was nominated by President William Howard Taft and confirmed by the Senate.[^2] ## Notes [^1]: Wikipedia contributors, *Charles Andrew Willard*, lead section (revision 1360689896, retrieved 2026-10-26). It identifies Willard as a United States district judge of the District of Minnesota and gives his birth and death dates. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Andrew_Willard [^2]: Wikipedia contributors, *Charles Andrew Willard*, "Federal judicial service" section (revision 1360689896, retrieved 2026-10-26). It gives the May 8, 1909 nomination by Taft to the seat vacated by Milton D. Purdy, the May 18, 1909 Senate confirmation and commission, and his death in Minneapolis on March 13, 1914. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Andrew_Willard [^3]: Wikipedia contributors, *Charles Andrew Willard*, "Education and career" section (revision 1360689896, retrieved 2026-10-26). It gives his birthplace, his degrees from Dartmouth College (1877) and Boston University School of Law (1879), his private practice in St. Johnsbury, Saint Paul and Minneapolis, his University of Minnesota lectureship (1887–1901), and his Philippine territorial judgeship (1901–1909). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Andrew_Willard