Oil on canvas, 30 x 25 in., by Sally C. Reisinger, 1935
Location: courtroom, right

Born February 15, 1866 in Tappahannock, Virginia.
Died August 16, 1936 in Battle Creek, Michigan.

Appointed by Governor John Garland Pollard on November 28, 1931 to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Robert Riddick Prentis and began his service on December 3, 1931. Elected by the General Assembly on January 18, 1932 to complete the unexpired term of Prentis. Elected on February 2, 1934 to a regular 12-year term beginning February 1, 1935. Service terminated by death.

Education:
Attended University of Virginia School of Law, 1889-1890

Other judicial service:
Judge, Twelfth Judicial Circuit, 1915-1930
Judge, Special Court of Appeals, 1925-1928

Professional career:
Teacher, Louisiana and South Carolina
Private practice of law in Warsaw, Virginia, 1890-1915, circa
Commonwealth’s attorney, Richmond County, Virginia, 1891-1915
President and director, Northern Neck State Bank, Warsaw, Virginia, 1909, circa
President and director, Northern Neck Telegraph and Telephone Company, 1919, circa
Commissioner of fisheries, 1930-1931

Sources:
Appointed, “Chinn is Appointed Justice in Virginia,” November 29, 1931, The Washington Post (1923-1954) [Washington, D.C.]: M5; qualified, 157 Va., iv; elected to complete the term of Prentis, Journal of the Senate of Virginia, 1932 Regular Session, 34; elected to a regular 12-year term, Journal of the House of Delegates, 1934, 161-162; death, 166 Va., iii, v; birth, education, and career, transcript of memorial on January 20, 1938 , published in 169 Va., v-vii; and Harry L. Carrico, “Joseph William Chinn (1866-1936),” in Kneebone and Bearrs, Dictionary of Virginia Biography (Richmond, Va.: Library of Virginia, 1998), Vol. 3, 219; portrait, Library of Virginia catalog.