Judge Stein was born in Renish Prussia, March 12, 1844. At the age of ten, he came to America. In 1870--71, he was associated with Mr. Adolph Moses under the firm name of Moses & Stein, and in 1887 he became a member of the law-firm of Kraus, Mayer & Stein. Judge Stein was one of the founders of the Standard Club and was its secretary for many years. He helped to organize the West Chicago Club and was its President for eight years in succession. He is a member of the Isaiah Congregation, and was Secretary of the United Hebrew Relief Association for a number of years.

Judge Stein is now serving his second term on the bench of Cook County and is the first Jew ever elected to the bench in the State of Illinois.