Ralph Oliver
OfficeChief Justice of the Iowa Supreme Court
Term startJuly 1, 1955
Term endDecember 31, 1955
PredecessorCharles F. Wennerstrum
SuccessorRobert L. Larson
Term start 1July 1, 1951
Term end 1December 31, 1951
Predecessor 1Charles F. Wennerstrum
Successor 1G. King Thompson
Term start 2July 1, 1947
Term end 2December 31, 1947
Predecessor 2Charles F. Wennerstrum
Successor 2John E. Mulroney
Term start 3July 1, 1939
Term end 3December 31, 1939
Predecessor 3Charles F. Wennerstrum
Successor 3Wilson H. Hamilton
Office 4Associate Justice of the Iowa Supreme Court
Appointer 4Nelson Kraschel
Term start 4December 14, 1938
Term end 4October 1, 1962
Predecessor 4James M. Parsons
Successor 4William Corwin Stuart
Birth dateJuly 31, 1886
Birth placeEddyville, Iowa, U.S.
Death dateOctober 13, 1968 (aged 82)
Death placeSioux City, Iowa, U.S.
RelativesS. Addison Oliver (grandfather)

Ralph A. Oliver (July 31, 1886 – October 13, 1968)[1] was a justice of the Iowa Supreme Court from December 14, 1938, to October 1, 1962, appointed from Woodbury County, Iowa by Governor Kraschel following the death of Justice Parsons.

Judicial career

Oliver was elected as a Republican, defeating appointed incumbent Ernest M. Miller.[2]

Personal Life and Family History

He was the son of Judge John F. Oliver, Iowa District Court Judge from 1898 to 1914. He was the grandson of US Congressman S. Addison Oliver who served as County Supervisor, State Representative in the Iowa House, Senator in the Iowa Senate and Iowa District Court Judge from 1868 to 1871. Addison also served as a delegate for Republican's re-nomination of Abraham Lincoln at the Baltimore Convention.[2][3]

References

  1. ^ "Ralph A. Oliver (1939-1962)". Iowa Judicial Branch. Retrieved January 6, 2020.
  2. ^ "Judge Ralph Oliver to Be First of Republican Winners to Take Office", Sioux City Journal (November 12, 1938), p. 6.
  3. ^ "Addison Oliver Biographies". Iowa Legislature. Retrieved February 21, 2025.