Charles Henry Robb


Charles Henry Robb was an American lawyer from Vermont and Washington, DC. He was most notable for his service as an Associate Justice of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.

Education and career

Robb's original family name was spelled "Robideau", "Robadeau" and "Rubadeau". He was born in Malone, New York, the son of Isaac M. Robb and Clara Slater Matthews. He was raised in Lincoln, Rhode Island, Troy, New York, New York and Guilford, Vermont. Robb attended Brattleboro High School and graduated from West Brattleboro's Glenwood Seminary in 1886. He began studies for the entrance examination to attend the United States Military Academy, but decided to study law instead. He studied with the firm of Kittredge Haskins and Edgar W. Stoddard, was admitted to the bar in 1892, and practiced in Bellows Falls, Vermont from 1894 to 1902. A Republican, from 1897 to 1901 he served as Windham County, Vermont State's Attorney. He then served as an attorney for the Internal Revenue Service. While practicing law in Vermont, Robb was also involved in business and banking, and was an incorporator and officer of the Bellows Falls Trust Company. He was also active in both the Vermont and American Bar Associations. From 1903 to 1904, Robb was a United States Assistant Attorney General in the United States Post Office Department, where he investigated wrongdoing and prosecuted corrupt officials. Robb served as an Assistant United States Attorney General from 1904 to 1906.

Federal judicial service

Robb received a recess appointment from President Theodore Roosevelt on October 5, 1906, to an Associate Justice seat on the Court of Appeals of the District of Columbia vacated by Associate Justice Charles Holland Duell. He was nominated to the same position by President Roosevelt on December 3, 1906. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on December 11, 1906, and received his commission the same day. He assumed senior status on November 15, 1937. His service terminated on June 10, 1939, due to his death in Washington, D.C.

Other service

While serving on the bench Robb was also a member of the faculty at the National University Law School.

Family

In 1897, Robb married Nettie M. George, the daughter of Dr. Ozias M. George of Bellows Falls. His son Roger Robb also served as a United States Circuit Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. His daughter Priscilla was the wife of airline pilot Elliot A. Billings. Robb was a member of the Episcopal Church.