Dethmers, John R., 1903-1971

Michigan Supreme Court Justice.

Prosecuting attorney, attorney general of Michigan, 1945-1946, and justice on the Michigan Supreme Court, 1946-1970.

John R. Dethmers was born October 15, 1903 in Plessis, Iowa. He graduated from Hope College in 1924 and the University of Michigan Law School in 1927. Admitted to the Michigan Bar that same year, he began practicing law in Holland, Michigan. In addition, he was prosecuting attorney for Ottawa County, 1931 to 1938, chief assistant attorney general of Michigan 1943 to 1944, then Attorney General of Michigan, 1945-1946. In 1946, he was appointed to the Michigan Supreme Court. In 1956, he was named the first permanent chief justice, serving 1956-1962; then again from 1967-1971. He was a member of the American Bar Association, the American Judicature Society, and the National Conference of Chief Justices. He died November 1, 1971.

A native of Plessis, Iowa, John R. Dethmers came to Michigan in 1921 at the age of 18. He attended Hope College in Holland, was a 1927 graduate of the University of Michigan law school and subsequently received law degrees from Detroit College of Law and Hope.

He practiced law in Zeeland from 1927 to 1932 and also served as city attorney. He was named Ottawa County prosecuting attorney in 1930, serving four terms. Then he practiced law in Holland from 1932 to 1944. Dethmers was president of the Michigan Prosecuting Attorneys Association in 1937-38 and served as Republican State Chairman in 1942-45.

Dethmers was chief assistant attorney general in 1943-44 before being elected attorney general in 1944. He was appointed to the supreme court in 1946. He served as chief justice of the court twice, from 1956 to 1962 and from 1967 to 1971 He died November 1, 1971.