Henry M. Butzel Named Justice of Michigan State Supreme Court

Henry M. Butzel, former president of Temple Beth El, Detroit, and for many years active in Jewish communal and philanthropic affairs, was yesterday appointed by Governor Fred W. Green, Justice of the Michigan State Supreme Court, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Justice Grant Fellows of Hudson, Mich.

Mr. Butzel, besides serving at various times as president of Temple Beth El, Detroit’s Reform congregation, was also president of the United Jewish Charities of Detroit, served as Michigan member of the American Jewish Committee and was trustee of the Jewish Widows Aid Society.

In his 37 years of practice as an attorney, Mr. Butzel specialized in corporation law and is a member of many large Detroit corporations. He has been active in the affairs of the Detroit Bar Association, having served two terms as president, from 1927 to 1929, having previously served as vice-president and treasurer of the association, a department designed to provide legal counsel for those unable to pay for it.

During the war Mr. Butzel was director of the legal advisory board of Draft Board No. 4.

Mr. Butzel is 58 years old. He was born in Detroit, May 24, 1871, the son of Magnus and Henrietta Hess Butzel. He received his elementary education in the Detroit public schools and took two degrees from the University of Michigan, bachelor of philosophy in 1891 and bachelor of laws in 1892. He has always lived in Detroit and is the head of the firm of Butzel, Levin and Winston, of which his brother, Fred M. Butzel, considered Detroit’s outstanding Jewish leader, is a member. He was never active in politics.

In announcing Mr. Butzel’s appointment, the governor issued a statement in which he said, in part:

“Justice Butzel has long been recognized by the laymen and bar of De-

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troit as a lawyer of pre-eminent ability.

“He has the broad and understanding outlook on life and the qualities of good citizenship which are as necessary as profound legal knowledge to a correct solution of the important problems that come before our highest court.

“Men of his type will help our courts to keep the law abreast of the times and prevent the dead hand of precedent from strangling our industrial and social growth.

“Justice Butzel takes his place with other members of the bench with a record of accomplishment which does not include political aspiration.

“He has never been known to interest himself in behalf of a political candidate or to seek elevation to high office for himself. He has, however, been a keen student of state and national affairs, and stood as a staunch friend of the Republican Party.

“Through years of association with him, I have found Justice Butzel to be possessed of the true elements of judicial temperament, calmness of judgment, ability to weigh all the facts without personal prejudice and fearless determination to pursue the right course. I believe his presence on the bench will prove a source of pride to Detroit and Michigan, and I am extremely grateful that he has been willing to accept this appointment at great personal sacrifice.”