Charles C. Nott
BiographyCharles Cooper Nott Sr. (September 16, 1827–March 6, 1916) was born in Schenectady, New York. He received an Artium Baccalaureus degree in 1848 from Union College and read law in Albany, New York in 1850. He was in private practice in New York City, New York, from 1851 to 1861. He was a captain and colonel in the United States Army from 1861 to 1864 during the American Civil War and then resumed private practice in New York City from 1864 to 1865.
Nott was appointed a captain in the Fremont Hussars, was in the 5th Iowa Cavalry, and the 131st New York Volunteer Infantry and the 176th New York Volunteer Infantry, achieving the rank of colonel. He was subsequently captured at the fall of Brashear City and held as a prisoner of war in Texas for thirteen months.
Nott was nominated by President Abraham Lincoln on February 21, 1865, to a Judge seat on the Court of Claims (later the United States Court of Claims) vacated by Judge James Hughes. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 22, 1865, and received his commission the same day. His service terminated on November 23, 1896, due to his elevation to be Chief Justice of the same court. He received a recess appointment from President Grover Cleveland on November 23, 1896, to the Chief Justice seat on the Court of Claims (later the United States Court of Claims) vacated by Chief Justice William Adams Richardson. He was nominated to the same position by President Cleveland on December 8, 1896. He was confirmed by the Senate on December 15, 1896, and received his commission the same day. His service terminated on December 31, 1905, due to his resignation. Nott wrote the unanimous opinion in Mrs. Lockwood's Case, 9 Ct. Cl. 346 (1874), denying Belva Ann Lockwood admission to the bar of the Court of Claims. She appealed to the United States Supreme Court and lost there as well.
Nott was the son of Professor Joel B. Nott, a chemist and mineralogist. He was a grandson of Eliphalet Nott, a longtime President of Union College. His son, Charles Cooper Nott, Jr., was a Judge of the Special Sessions Court.
Bibliography
Fort Donelson (January 26, 1884, as bonus story in Rough and Ready)