Terry, David Smith, 1823-1889

David Smith Terry was a lawyer, politician, and California Supreme Court justice. Born in Kentucky, he lived in Texas during the Revolution and joined the Texas Rangers during the Mexican War. After settling in California, he was elected a judge of the Supreme Court in 1855. Political rivalry with David C. Broderick, culminated in the famous Terry-Broderick duel in 1859, in which Broderick was killed. Terry joined the Confederate army during the Civil War and returned to California afterwards to resume his law practice. He was shot in 1889 after a personal feud with Justice Stephen J. Field.

From the description of Papers of David Smith Terry, 1849-1933. (Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens). WorldCat record id: 122445916