# William Lochren *United States district judge for the District of Minnesota (1832–1912)* William Lochren (April 3, 1832 – January 27, 1912) sat as a judge of the [[United States District Court for the District of Minnesota]] from 1896 until 1908.[^1][^3] Before his federal service he practiced law in St. Anthony and Minneapolis, held city and state offices in [[Minnesota]], and served as an Army lieutenant during the American Civil War.[^2] He also sat as a state district judge and was Commissioner of Pensions in the Interior Department.[^2] President Grover Cleveland nominated him on May 15, 1896. The Senate confirmed him three days later, on May 18, and he retired on July 11, 1908.[^3] ## Education and career Lochren was a native of County Tyrone, Ireland, in what is now Northern Ireland. He read law and was admitted to the bar in 1856.[^2] From 1856 to 1861 he practiced in St. Anthony, [[Minnesota Territory]]; Minnesota became a state on May 11, 1858. In St. Anthony he was an alderman and afterward the city attorney.[^2] During the American Civil War he held the rank of lieutenant in the United States Army, from 1861 to 1863.[^2] After the war he returned to private practice, working in [[Minneapolis]] from 1864 to 1881.[^2] He sat in the [[Minnesota Senate]] in 1869–1870 and was Minneapolis city attorney in 1877–1878.[^2] From 1881 to 1893 he was a judge of the Minnesota District Court for the Fourth Judicial District.[^2] From 1893 to 1896 he was Commissioner of Pensions, in the Bureau of Pensions of the [[United States Department of the Interior]].[^2] ## Federal judicial service On May 15, 1896, President Grover Cleveland nominated Lochren to the District of Minnesota seat left vacant by Judge [[Rensselaer Nelson]].[^3] The [[United States Senate]] confirmed the nomination on May 18, 1896, and his commission was issued that day.[^3] His service on the court ended with his retirement on July 11, 1908.[^3] ## Death Lochren's death came on January 27, 1912, in Minneapolis.[^4] ## In the Minnesota record ### Who - William Lochren, born April 3, 1832; died January 27, 1912.[^1] ### What - United States district judge, District of Minnesota, 1896–1908.[^1][^3] ### When - Admitted to the bar 1856; St. Anthony practice 1856–1861; Army lieutenant 1861–1863; Minneapolis practice 1864–1881; Minnesota Senate 1869–1870; Minneapolis city attorney 1877–1878; Fourth Judicial District judge 1881–1893; Commissioner of Pensions 1893–1896.[^2] - Nominated May 15, 1896; confirmed and commissioned May 18, 1896; retired July 11, 1908.[^3] ### Where - Born in County Tyrone, Ireland; practiced in St. Anthony, Minnesota Territory, and in Minneapolis, Minnesota; died in Minneapolis.[^2][^4] ### How - Nominated by President Cleveland and confirmed by the Senate, May 1896.[^3] ## Notes [^1]: Wikipedia contributors, *William Lochren* (revision 1365803335, retrieved 2026-10-26), lead section — dates of birth and death; service as United States district judge for the District of Minnesota. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Lochren [^2]: Wikipedia contributors, *William Lochren* (revision 1365803335, retrieved 2026-10-26), *Education and career* section — birthplace, bar admission, private practice, military service, and municipal, state and federal offices, with dates. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Lochren [^3]: Wikipedia contributors, *William Lochren* (revision 1365803335, retrieved 2026-10-26), *Federal judicial service* section — nomination (May 15, 1896), predecessor, confirmation and commission (May 18, 1896), retirement (July 11, 1908). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Lochren [^4]: Wikipedia contributors, *William Lochren* (revision 1365803335, retrieved 2026-10-26), *Death* section — death on January 27, 1912, in Minneapolis. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Lochren