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Donald Anderson

Idaho Supreme Court justice (1955–56)

What is Donald Anderson known for?

Donald Brown Anderson, born on October 28, 1904 in Cardston, Alberta, Canada, was an eminent judiciary figure in the American legal system, having served as a Justice of the Idaho Supreme Court from 1955 to his untimely death in 1956. His family moved to the United States during his childhood, settling near Weiser, Idaho, where he completed his high school education at Weiser High School.

Following his secondary education, Anderson went on to further his studies at the University of Idaho College of Law, completing his Bachelor of Laws degree in 1927. Upon graduation, he started practicing law in Canyon County, at Caldwell.

Tracing his remarkable career, Anderson held the position of prosecuting attorney of Canyon County for six years in the 1930s. His service to the public also saw him take the role of a probate judge for four years, from 1937 to 1941. In April 1941, Anderson joined the Federal Bureau of Investigation, where he worked in Chicago and Washington, D.C., ultimately becoming a special assistant to the Attorney General J. Howard McGrath. His career took him back to his home state in 1948 to resume the practice of law. He served as a judge of the Idaho Seventh Judicial District from 1950 to 1954, Following this, he was elected to the Idaho Supreme Court, where he remained until his death.

On a personal note, Anderson married Lois Nichols of Boise in 1955, and they had a son, Ross Nichols Anderson. Tragically, his life ended prematurely on December 16, 1956, when his body was found with two bullet wounds to the head near his vehicle off U.S. Highway 30. His death was ruled a suicide, and he was laid to rest at Canyon Hill Cemetery in Caldwell.

Providing an example of resilience and dedication to legal service, Anderson's life and career remain significant parts of the history of the Idaho Supreme Court. His journey from a small town in Canada, through his education at Weiser High School, and his service in the Idaho judiciary, exemplify the potential of the human spirit.

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