The Judiciary Act of 1891, approved March 3, 1891, established the United States courts of appeals. Prior to the passage of that act, United States Circuit Judges were appointed solely to the existing United States circuit courts. Subsequent to the passage of that act, United States Circuit Judges were concurrently appointed to both the United States courts of appeals and the United States circuit courts. This situation persisted until the abolition of the United States circuit courts on December 31, 1911. Starting January 1, 1912, United States Circuit Judges served only upon their respective United States court of appeals.
Thus, the first 2 United States Circuit Judges appointed during Harrison's administration were appointed solely to the United States circuit court for their respective circuit and were reassigned by operation of law to serve concurrently on the United States court of appeals and United States circuit court on June 16, 1891. The 10 United States Circuit Judges appointed by Harrison after June 16, 1891, were appointed concurrently to the United States court of appeals and United States circuit court.
David Josiah Brewer was Harrison's first appointee to the Supreme Court, and his longest serving.
^Recess appointment; formally nominated on December 5, 1889; confirmed by the United States Senate on April 1, 1890, and received commission, on April 1, 1890.
^ abRecess appointment; formally nominated on December 16, 1889, confirmed by the United States Senate on January 16, 1890, and received commission on January 16, 1890.
^Recess appointment; formally nominated on December 16, 1889, confirmed by the United States Senate on January 27, 1890, and received commission on January 27, 1890.
^Recess appointment; formally nominated on December 10, 1891, confirmed by the United States Senate on February 4, 1892, and received commission on February 4, 1892.
^ abcRecess appointment; formally nominated on December 10, 1891, confirmed by the United States Senate on January 11, 1892, and received commission on January 11, 1892.
^Recess appointment; formally nominated on December 6, 1892, confirmed by the United States Senate on January 25, 1893, and received commission on January 25, 1893.
^Laterally appointed Chief Justice of the same court on January 2, 1906.
^ abExact resignation date unknown, but circa July 15, 1903 to August 12, 1903.