Charles H. Tuttle

Charles H. Tuttle was a prominent American lawyer, United States Attorney, and Republican political figure in New York. He served as the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York during the Prohibition era, gaining a reputation for vigorous enforcement and high-profile prosecutions. Tuttle later became the Republican nominee for Governor of New York in 1930 and remained an influential civic leader and attorney for decades.

Early life and education

Charles Henry Tuttle was born in 1879 in Lynn, Massachusetts. He moved to New York City for his higher education, graduating from Columbia University with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He remained at Columbia University for his legal studies, earning a Bachelor of Laws from Columbia Law School. Admitted to the New York State Bar Association, he began his legal practice in Manhattan, quickly establishing himself within the city's legal community. His early career involved both private practice and work with various civic organizations in New York City.

Legal and political career

Before his federal appointment, Tuttle built a substantial legal reputation and became active in Republican politics. He served as a special assistant to United States Attorney General Harlan F. Stone on several matters. His political engagement led to his selection as a delegate to the 1924 Republican National Convention. In 1925, New York Governor Nathan L. Miller appointed him as a Commissioner of the New York State Tenement House Department, a role dealing with significant urban housing issues in New York City. This blend of legal and public service experience positioned him for a major federal role.

U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York

In 1927, President Calvin Coolidge appointed Tuttle as the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, succeeding Emory R. Buckner. He continued in this role under President Herbert Hoover. His tenure coincided with the height of Prohibition and the early years of the Great Depression. Tuttle oversaw numerous high-profile cases, including prosecutions for income tax evasion, securities fraud, and bootlegging violations. His office targeted powerful figures in organized crime and corrupt Wall Street financiers, earning both praise and controversy for its aggressive tactics. He notably prosecuted the prominent political leader James J. Walker, the Mayor of New York City, on corruption charges, though the case was later dropped.

Later career and legacy

In 1930, the New York State Republican Committee nominated Tuttle for Governor of New York against the incumbent Democratic governor, Franklin D. Roosevelt. Despite a vigorous campaign, he was defeated by Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1930 New York gubernatorial election. He left the United States Attorney office in 1933 and returned to private practice with the firm Webster, Sheffield & Chrystie. He remained a respected figure, serving as Chancellor of the Episcopal Diocese of New York and as a trustee for institutions like Columbia University and the New York Public Library. Charles H. Tuttle died in 1971 in New York City, remembered for his integrity as a prosecutor and his lifelong commitment to civic duty. Category:American lawyers Category:New York (state) Republicans Category:United States Attorneys for the Southern District of New York