Elisha Avery Crary

Elisha Avery Crary (June 24, 1905 – April 28, 1978) was a United States federal judge.

Born in Grundy Center, Iowa, Crary received a B.A. from the University of Southern California in 1929. and a J.D. from the University of Southern California Law School in 1929. He was in private practice in Los Angeles, California from 1930 to 1941. Having joined the United States Army Reserve from 1931, he served in World War II, from 1941 to 1946. He remained in the reserves thereafter until 1957, and was in private practice in Los Angeles, California from 1946 to 1961. He was a judge on the Superior Court of Los Angeles County, California from 1961 to 1962.

On July 31, 1962, Crary was nominated by President John F. Kennedy to a seat on the United States District Court for the Southern District of California vacated by Ernest A. Tolin. Crary was confirmed by the United States Senate on August 25, 1962, and received his commission on August 28, 1962. On September 18, 1966, he was reassigned by operation of law to the United States District Court for the Central District of California. Crary assumed senior status on June 24, 1975, serving in that capacity until his death.

Sources

• Elisha Avery Crary at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.