Draft:Stephen R. Twiss

Stephen R. Twiss (1827 – September 21, 1912) was a justice of the Supreme Court of the Utah Territory from 1880 to 1884.

Born in Charlestown, Boston, Twiss served as a member of the Massachusetts General Court in 1856. From 1872 until 1876 he was a member of the Missouri General Assembly.

"Twiss was appointed associate justice of tho supreme court of the territory of Utah by President Hayes in 1880 and served until 1885, when he retired. While on the Utah bench his interpretation of the Edmunds law against polygamy attracted widespread notice. ... Twiss served one term in Utah as associate justice of the territorial court. The first part of his term was served under John A. Hunter, then chief justice of the territorial court, and the latter part of his term was under Charles S. Zane, Chief Justice of tho territory. He was judge of the then Second district of the territory. The press dispatch that he was the first to interpret the polygamy law in Utah is denied by those acquainted with the situation. The law had been interpreted in part before Judge Twiss reached Utah and was later interpreted more fully by Judge Zane."

At the end of his service on the court, Twiss moved to Kansas City, Missouri. He died there, after a lingering illness, at the age of 85.

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