Livingston Wellesley Bethel

Livingston Wellesley Bethel. Livingston Bethel was two years old when his father, Judge Winer Bethel, moved from Nassau, Bahama Islands, to Key West. He was educated in a private school in Key West at the Walnut Hill Military Academy in Geneva, New York. He read law under Homer G. Plant, District Attorney for the United States Southern District of Florida. Bethel was admitted to the bar in 1869 and began the practice of law. From 1877 to 1880, he served as Mayor of Key West. In 1880, he was elected Lieutenant Governor of Florida as running mate for Governor W.D. Bloxham and served until 1884. From 1885 to 1889 he served as United States District Attorney for the United States Court Southern District of Florida. In 1911, he became Judge of the Criminal Court of record for Monroe County. In June 1911, he was elevated to Judge of the 11th Florida Circuit Court. He was a high-ranking member of the Masons and Grand Master of Dade Lodge and in 1885; he was a member and senior warden of the Holy Innocents Episcopal Church, untiring in his work for the success of the church. Bethel seldom missed a service officiating as lay reader when the church did not have a pastor. , Donated by , The Bethel Family, , David D. and Irene Eyer , and , The District I Advisory Committee , of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council .