Kansas Territory.
Rush Elmore was one of the first Associate Justices of Kansas Territory.
Elmore was born in Autauga County, Alabama, on February 27, 1819. He was educated at the University of Alabama before studying law and being admitted to the bar at Montgomery, where he began his practice. In a short time, he established a lucrative business, but upon the breaking out of the Mexican-American War, he raised a company in Montgomery, was elected captain, and served until the close of the war.
Afterward, Captain Elmore formed a partnership with his brother, John A. Elmore, and William L. Yancey. He was also made brigadier-general of the Alabama Militia and held the office until appointed Associate Justice of the Kansas Territorial Court in the fall of 1854. After serving about a year, he was removed. At the same time, Governor Andrew Reeder and Judge Johnston were removed. Still, in the spring of 1857, he was reappointed by President James Buchanan and continued on the bench until the establishment of the state government in February 1861. In addition to his judicial duties, Judge Elmore was one of the delegates to the Lecompton Constitutional Convention, where he fought to have the Constitution submitted to the people.
When Kansas was admitted as a state, he moved to Topeka, where he formed a partnership with John Martin and continued in the practice of law until his death on August 14, 1864.
©Kathy Alexander/Legends of Kansas, updated June 2025.
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