John Forrest Dillon

John Forrest Dillon (December 25, 1831 May 6, 1914) was an American jurist who served on federal and Iowa state courts. He authored a highly influential treatise on the power of states over municipal governments.

Early life and career

Dillon was born in Northampton, Montgomery County, New York (now part of Fulton County, New York). He studied medicine at the University of Iowa at the age of 19. Shortly after beginning his medical practice, he abandoned it to read law, and was admitted to the Iowa bar in 1852. He worked in private practice until he was elected Scott County prosecutor in 1853, and then to a judgeship in Iowa's 7th Judicial Circuit in 1858. He was elevated to the Iowa Supreme Court, serving from January 1, 1864, until he resigned December 31, 1869. For two years of this period he was Chief Justice. in 1869, President Grant appointed him to the United States Circuit Court, which became the Eighth Circuit.

Federal judgeship and scholarly work

While on the federal bench, Dillon wrote Municipal Corporations (1872), one of the earliest systematic studies of the subject. He also authored Removal of Cases from State Courts to Federal Courts and Municipal Bonds, both in 1876. On February 17, 1876, during the Whiskey Ring graft prosecutions, Justice Dillon ruled Ulysses S. Grant's deposition for Orville E. Babcock was admissible in court. After leaving the Circuit Court, Dillon was a professor at Columbia Law School from 1879 until 1882, where he taught real estate and equity. He taught at Yale Law School from 1891 until 1892, during which time he also served as the president of the American Bar Association. Dillon then returned to private practice until his death in 1914 in New York City.

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Latest News for: dillon's rule

Letter to the editor: The real loser of the recall election is the town of Dillon

Summit Daily 25 Mar 2025
The real loser of Dillon’s Recall election is not John Woods, Renee Imamura, or me, Dana Christiansen. It’s the Town of Dillon. Slightly over half the voting citizens of Dillon (57%) bought ...

Here are the bills Youngkin signed, amended and vetoed

Daily Press 25 Mar 2025
RICHMOND — After a flurry of legislative action late Monday, Gov ... He amended 159 and vetoed 158 ... ____ Vetoed ... Related Articles ... Because Virginia is a Dillon Rule state, localities’ charters can only be amended through the General Assembly ... .

We have an awesome Detroit Tigers book coming celebrating 125 seasons of epic history

Detroit Free Press 23 Mar 2025
Fourteen batters later, Frank (Pop) Dillon laced his fourth ground-rule double — each into the overflow crowd clogging Bennett Park’s outfield — for the final two runs in a 14-13 Tigers victory.

Youngkin signs new batch of bills ahead of Monday deadline, bringing total up to 365

Daily Press 22 Mar 2025
Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed 185 bills into law Friday, bringing the total to 365 pieces of legislation that passed this General Assembly session ... Because Virginia is a Dillon Rule state, only the General Assembly can amend localities’ charters ... .

Aussie Rules chief says International Rules could be revived

RTE 18 Mar 2025
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon has said discussions are ongoing with the GAA to revive the hybrid International Rules Series ... Eight years on, it seems that momentum is building towards reintroducing the matches which are played under compromised AFL/GAA rules.

Clemson basketball's Dillon Hunter is out indefinitely with broken right hand

Greenville News 14 Mar 2025
Clemson basketball guard Dillon Hunter is out indefinitely with a broken right hand, basketball sports information director Ben Winterrowd told the Greenville News on Friday ... Here's the latest update on Hunter's injury.Is Dillon Hunter playing vs.

‘The growth there is enormous’: future of AFL is women’s competition, says Andrew Dillon

Yahoo Daily News 12 Mar 2025
Dillon said the AFLW was most important thing for the future of Australian rules football ... Dillon said growth wasn’t going to be immediate, but the potential of the AFLW warranted the commitment.

NASCAR at Phoenix: Where to watch, start time, lineup, preview, pick to win for the ...

CBS Sports 08 Mar 2025
... $50,000 fine to Austin Cindric for his actions at Circuit of the Americas, ruling that he intentionally spun out Ty Dillon after Dillon forced him wide and off the exit of turn 20 early in the race.

NASCAR at Phoenix: Where to watch, start time, race preview, pick to win for the ...

CBS Sports 07 Mar 2025
... $50,000 fine to Austin Cindric for his actions at Circuit of the Americas, ruling that he intentionally spun out Ty Dillon after Dillon forced him wide and off the exit of turn 20 early in the race.
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