Archives of Maryland
(Biographical Series)

John Upshur Dennis (1846-1916)
MSA SC 3520-14361
Director, Maryland State Penitentiary, 1882-1887
Associate Judge, Supreme Bench of Baltimore City, 1887-1908

Biography:

Born June 14, 1846 at Kingston, Somerset County, Maryland.  Son of George Robertson Dennis, prominent attorney, Sate Senate, Somerset County,  and U.S. Senator.  Attended Washington Academy, 1858-2862; Princeton University, 1863-1865.  Studied law at University of Virginia, 1866-1867.  Read law with Judge George P. Scarborough; later with uncle, James Upshur Dennis, House of Delegates, Senate, Somerset County.  Admitted to the bar, January, 1868.  Married, Fannie Murdoch, 1881; three children, two survived: J. Murdoch and Dora L. Dennis. Uncle of Judge Samuel K. Dennis.  Died, Guilford, Baltimore County, Maryland, September 12, 1916.

Practiced at Norfolk, Virginia, Princess Anne, and Frederick, Maryland.  Later moved to Baltimore City, began practice with John Scott as Dennis & Scott.  Commissioned Aide-de-Campe to Governor of Maryland, 1880; appointed to rank of colonel.  Director, Maryland State Penitentiary, November, 1882 to January, 1887.  Appointed to Supreme Bench of Baltimore City by Gov. Henry Lloyd, January 4, 1887; elected to full term following year; re-elected, 1903.  Resigned, May, 1908, after suffering a stroke.   As a judge, specialized in equity matters.
 

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