Nevada Genealogy Trails Storey County Charles Belknap Biography

HON. CHARLES HENRY BELKNAP, chief justice of the supreme court of the state of Nevada, has resided in the state since 1865. He is a native of New York, having been born there July 20, 1842, and comes of Puritan ancestors who emigrated from the old England to the New England at a very early date. Representatives of the Belknap family took an active part in the early history of the country, as well as in later days, and the name is a prominent one throughout the country. Both parents of Judge Belknap passed to their reward some time since. Three sons were born to them, namely: Judge Belknap and Clayton residing in Nevada, and Alden Welling.

Judge Charles Henry Belknap was educated in public and private schools and in the Polytechnic Institute in Brooklyn, New York. In 1865 he came west to Nevada, and completed his law studies, being admitted to the bar in the spring of 1869, and began the practice of his profession in Virginia City. In 1873 he was appointed judge of the supreme court, and he also served two terms as mayor of Virginia City. In 1880 he was further honored and elected supreme judge of the state, and for twenty-three years has honorably filled that august position, now being the oldest judge in commission.

In 1873 Judge Belknap was married to Miss Virginia Bradley, and four children have been born of this union, namely: Carrie, Virginia, Alden and Dita. Judge and Mrs. Belknap with their family have a beautiful home in Carson City and naturally are numbered among its most honored people. Fraternally Judge Belknap is a prominent Mason.