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The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History

ADDAMS, GEORGE STANTON - The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History

ADDAMS, GEORGE STANTON (23 Feb. 1869-15 Apr. 1933), was the juvenile court judge in Cleveland from 1905 to 1926, and during these years he figured large in making the juvenile court the central coordinating organ for dependent and delinquent youth services. His efforts served as a model throughout Ohio and the entire Union. George S. Addams was born in Conotton, Ohio. He took a B.A. from Oberlin College in 1890 and LL.B. from Cincinnati law school in 1892. After a year as clerk of the Ohio legislature, he set up private practice in Cleveland, Ohio where he lived the remainder of his life. He was an associate of TOM L. JOHNSON†, and when Johnson became Mayor in 1901, Addams served as assistant director of Cleveland's law department under NEWTON D. BAKER†. He wrote the bills that eliminated Sheriff fees and created police powers of juvenile probation officers. He led the reform campaign behind the 1913 Ohio Child Welfare Code that mandated juvenile courts in every county and strengthened Mother's Pensions. In 1913 Addams presided over the National Conference on Charities and Correction and wrote an essay, "Recent Progress in Training Delinquent Children," for the U.S. Bureau of Education. He created an detention home for Cleveland's children in 1906 and later established Cleveland's Child Guidance Clinic (see GUIDANCE CENTERS). Addams insisted on the cooperation of all child welfare agencies in Cuyahoga County and worked to make the juvenile court the center of this network. He served as the Cuyahoga county Probate Court judge from 1926 to 1933.

Addams married Florence Farrand and had 2 sons: Carl and Stanton. He died in Atlantic City, N.J. but was buried in Cleveland.

Last Modified: 11 Jul 1997 11:22:13 AM

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