DuVal, Thomas Howard, 1813-1880

Thomas Howard DuVal (1813-1880) was the first United States judge for the Western District of Texas.

He was admitted to the Florida bar in 1837, and worked there as circuit clerk of Leon County and clerk ex officio of the court of appeals. He also served as secretary of the Territory of Florida, 1841-1945. Following in the footsteps of his two brothers, Burr H. and John C., DuVal moved to Austin in 1845. He served as a reporter for the state Supreme Court, 1846-1851, and became secretary of state in 1881. For one year, 1855-56, DuVal was the judge of the Second Judicial District of Texas, and in 1857 President James Buchanan appointed him first United States judge for the newly created Western District of Texas, which included Waco, Austin, and San Antonio.

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