The Biographical Dictionary of America/Anthon, John

ANTHON, John, jurist, was born in Detroit, Mich., May 14, 1784, son of Dr. George Christian Anthon, a German by birth, and until 1788 surgeon-general in the British army, when he removed from Detroit to New York city. John with his two brothers, Charles and Henry, received a good education, and was graduated in 1801 from Columbia college with the highest honors, receiving the degree of B.A. He was admitted to the bar in 1805. In the war of 1812 he was commander of a military company, and was stationed near Fort Hamilton, N. Y. He was for a time regimental paymaster, and also judge advocate. He was one of the founders of the New York law institute, of which he was in succession vice president and president for twenty four years. He was also influential in the establishment of the supreme court in New York state. Columbia college conferred upon him the degree of LL.D. in 1861. He had two sons, Charles Edward, numismatist, and William Henry, lawyer. He wrote many valuable and authoritative books on legal subjects, among them, "American Precedents of Declarations" (1810); "The Law Student, or Guides to the Study of the Law and Its Principles" (1850); "Analysis of Blackstone's Commentaries," and "Nisi Prius Reports." He died in New York city, March 5, 1863.