USA > Illinois > Madison County > Centennial history of Madison County, Illinois, and its people, 1812 to 1912, Volume I > Part 60
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John W. Chickering came to Alton from the East in 1835. He practiced law in the county until 1843, at which time he moved to Chicago.
Henry W. Billings came to Cairo, Ill., at an early day and from there he moved to Monroe county, Illinois. About 1845 he moved from there to Alton and commenced the practice of law and continued the same until his death in 1870. He was in partnership while in Alton with Lewis B. Parsons. He was a member of the constitutional convention of 1870 from the district composed of the counties of Madi- son and Bond. He died in 1870.
David J. Baker was born at East Haddom, Conn., September 7, 1792. He received his early education in the East. He entered Ham- ilton college and, graduated there in 1816. After being admitted to the bar he removed to Illinois and began the pratice of his chosen profession at Kaskaskia. He was made probate judge of the probate court of Randolph county
and held the office for several years. He was appointed United States senator from Illinois by Governor Edwards in 1829. In 1833 he was appointed United States attorney for Illi- nois by President Jackson, and re-appointed by President Van Buren in 1837. In 1848 he ran for judge of the supreme court of Illinois but was defeated by Lyman Trumbull. He was one of the early leading Republicans of the state. He was a strong believer in the abolition of slavery and was with Owen Love- joy and the other leaders who organized the Republican party. He removed to Alton in 1844 and practiced law there until 1854. He died at Alton, August 6, 1869.
Daniel Kerr was born in Scotland. He married a daughter of John Estabrook, a member of one of the oldest and leading fami- lies of Madison county. He received his col- lege education at Shurtleff and McKendree colleges. He was a lieutenant in the 117th Illinois volunteer infantry and served three years in the army. He was elected to the general assembly shortly after the War of the Rebellion and was quite active in a political way during his career in Madison county. Several years ago he moved to Grundy Center, Iowa. He was twice elected to congress from his district there. He is still alive and bids fair to live to a ripe old age.
John Fitch was a practicing lawyer of Ed- wardsville. Later he was editor of the Alton National Democrat. He entered the Union army and wrote some very interesting remin- iscences of the war. He did not practice very long at the Madison county bar but removed to Chicago.
Lyman Trumbull was born in Connecticut. He moved from his native state to Georgia and from there to Belleville, where he practiced his profession about ten years. He came from there to Alton and was appointed secretary of state by Governor Carlin. In 1848 he was appointed one of the judges of the supreme
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court of the state and held that position for several years and was in 1858 elected to con- gress, but before taking his seat was chosen United States senator. He was one of the greatest lawyers who ever practiced at the Madison county bar and made one of the ablest judges who ever graced the supreme bench of our state.
Lewis B. Parsons was born in Massachu- setts and came to Alton, this county, in 1835, or 1836, and became a member of the firm of Billings & Parsons. Later he removed to St. Louis. He was chosen as commissary of subsistence of the west at the commencement of the War of the Rebellion. He moved from St. Louis after the war to Clay county, Illi- nois, and became a farmer.
John York Sawyer came from Vermont to Edwardsville in 1817. He practiced law but a short time when he was elevated to the cir- cuit bench. He was distinguished as both a lawyer and editor.
John G. Cameron came from New York to Edwardsville and opened an office here. He was appointed receiver of the land office, which he held from 1845 until 1849. He then re- moved to the southern part of the state, where he began again the practice of his profession. He later removed to St. Louis, Mo., where he died.
Joseph H. Sloss was a partner of Colonel Rutherford. He was born at Florence, Ala., and received a good education there. He went South about the time of the commencement of the War of the Rebellion. He was later elected to congress from Alabama and became quite prominent in that state. He held the office also of United States marshal for the northern district of Alabama.
David Prickett was a member of the old Prickett family, a very prominent family in the county in the early days. He studied law and was a partner for several years of Thomas Atwater, and the firm prospered and made
quite a name for themselves. Atwater moved away to northern Illinois and Prickett was elected probate judge of the county, which office he held until he moved to Springfield. He died at Springfield, leaving a widow and several children.
Alfred Cowles was born in Connecticut. He came west and settled at Belleville, and in 1839 moved from there to Alton. He held the position of assistant attorney general of the state and while in that position he prose- cuted, with the aid of Benjamin Mills, a prominent lawyer, P. H. Winchester, for the killing of Daniel D. Smith of Pike county, Illinois. This case was tried at Edwardsville. Henry Starr of Edwardsville, and Felix Grundy the eminent criminal lawyer of Ten- nessee, represented the defense. The trial, which was a battle of the giants, resulted in the acquittal of Winchester. Cowles also was quite prominent in the trial of the defenders of the Lovejoy press and also in prosecuting the attacking party. He moved away from Alton and entered the practice in California. He lived to be over 100 years old. His chil- dren are still living in California.
Francis B. Murdock of Alton was a practi- tioner at the Madison county bar for several years preceding 1841, at which time he moved to St. Louis, Mo. He later moved to Cali- fornia, where he died.
Horatio Bigelow began the practice of law in the county in 1837. He was appointed assignee in bankruptcy for Madison county when the county was embarrassed by the finan- cial crisis in the 40's. He moved to Boston several years thereafter, where he died.
Usher F. Linder was a practitioner at this bar for some three or four years. He came here in the 30's. He was attorney general of the state at one time and was a member of the general assembly of 1837 with Lincoln, Trumbull and those great giants who fathered the great schemes of railroading proposed for
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the state but which, perhaps luckily, fell through. He was a very able lawyer and strong before a jury. He wrote a book en- titled "The Early Bench and Bar of Illinois," which has preserved the anecdotes and history of the life and doings of the members of the early bar of the state and which work would well grace the library of any lawyer who is interested in the history of those in the pro- fession who have gone before him. Linder moved from this county to Chicago, where many years ago he died.
Palemon H. Winchester came to Illinois about 1820. He practiced law in this county until his trial for the killing of Daniel D. Smith, in 1824, for which he was tried and acquitted. He lived in this county for a few years and then moved to Macoupin county, this state.
Junius Hall practiced at Edwardsville from 1835 to 1840. He stayed however in this vicinity but a short time and returned to his former home in the East-Boston, Mass.
Newton D. Strong was a native of Connecti- cut and he moved from there to Easton, Pa., where he studied law with his brother, William ยท Strong, one time justice of the supreme court of the United States. He came to Edwards- ville about 1835 and during his stay there he married a daughter of Hon. Cyrus Edwards. He removed from Edwardsville to Alton and was elected to the legislature. After his mar- riage he returned to Easton and engaged in the practice of his profession. After the death of his wife he again came west and located at St. Louis, where he died. He was a mem- ber of the legislature from Madison county.
Franklin Niles came to Edwardsville from Easton, Pa., about 1840 and opened an office with Hon. Joseph Gillespie. He left the prac- tice to engage in the Mexican war under Col. Doniphan, but he died at the beginning of the march at One Hundred and Ten Mile creek.
William S. Lincoln, a son of Governor Levi
Lincoln of Massachusetts, lived in Alton from about 1835 to 1840. He was a good lawyer and had an extensive practice, but he became discouraged when the hard times set in about 1840 and returned to his former home.
Nelson G. Edwards came with his father, Hon. Cyrus Edwards, to Illinois when a child. He received his literary education at Shurtleff college, Upper Alton, Ill. He then took up the study of law under the tutelage of his father. He was admitted to the bar and formed a partnership for the practice with Levi Davis of Alton. He was very popular with all classes and with the bar. He died shortly after he began the practice. He served one term in the legislature.
Alexander W. Jones came to this county in 1836. He was appointed register of the land office at Edwardsville by President Tyler and held that position for a short time. He died a few years after his appointment at Edwards- ville.
John Tribble came to Alton in 1852 and practiced his profession until the beginning of the Civil war, when he entered the Union army as a captain in the 97th Illinois. He was so badly wounded at the battle of Arkan- sas Pass that he was sent home to Alton, where he died of his injuries.
Friend S. Rutherford was a practicing law- yer in this county from 1856 until the begin- ning of the Civil war, when he enlisted and became colonel of the 97th Illinois Regiment. He served until 1864 and died at his home in Alton from the exposures of army life.
Charles F. Springer was born in Sullivan county, Indiana, Aug. 10, 1834. He received his legal education under the tutelage of the late Hon. Joseph Gillespie. He was a partner for several years of Hon. David Gillespie. He was a member of the constitutional con- vention of 1870. He died Nov. 15, 1870. He served in the Civil war with the rank of colonel.
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Frank W. Burnett was born in Michigan in 1849. He acquired his literary education in his native state and Germany. He studied law at Michigan University and graduated at that school in 1873. He practiced for several years as a member of the firm of Dale & Burnett. Judge Dale was elevated to the county bench in 1876 and Frank W. and his brother George B. Burnett continued as part- ners. The brothers dissolved partnership the next year and in a short time thereafter Frank W. became a partner of Hon. B. R. Burroughs, with whom he was associated until 1881 when he removed to Springfield, Illinois.
Judge David Gillespie was born in Edwards- ville, Sept. 30, 1828. He received his educa- tion in the private schools of Edwardsville and his literary education at Shurtleff college. He studied law under his uncle, Hon. Joseph Gillespie and also attended a course of law lectures at Cincinnati, Ohio. He was admitted in 1849 to the practice in Illinois. He then entered into practice as a partner of Hon. Joseph Gillespie. This partnership continued until 1861, when Hon. Joseph Gillespie was elevated to the circuit bench and David became a partner of Charles F. Springer, with whom he was associated until the latter's death in 1870. In 1872 he formed a partnership with Cyrus Happy. He held the office of county judge for one term. He had a large practice and was admired by all who came in contact with him. He died August 1, 1881.
Seth T. Sawyer of Alton was born Aug. 19, 1806, at Reading, Vt. He was admitted to the bar in 1832 and was a very distinguished lawyer and had a large clientele. He was best known as a real estate lawyer. He was state printer for several years, and also United States commissioner.
Henry S. Baker, son of Judge David J. Baker, was born at Kaskaskia, Ill., Nov. IO, 1824. He received his early education at Shurtleff College and in 1843 attended Brown
University at Providence, R. I. He graduated at Alton in 1847 and studied for some time at law with his father. He was admitted to the bar and for several years practiced law as a partner of his father. He was elected to the legislature in 1854 as an Anti-Nebraska Democrat. He was elected in 1865 as judge of the city court of Alton and held that office for sixteen years, though a Republican and the city being strongly Democratic. He was de- feated in 1881 by Judge A. H. Gambrill, a Democrat. He formed a partnership then with Hon. John J. Brenholt. He was quite promi- nent in politics, both in state and national conventions.
Hon. A. W. Metcalfe was born in Guernsey, Ohio, Aug. 6, 1828. He received his literary education at Madison college in Ohio and graduated from that institution in 1846. He studied law under Evans & Scott at Cam- bridge, Ohio. He practiced for a time at Appleton, Wis., but came to Edwardsville in 1853 and opened an office and continued in practice from that date until almost the close of his life. He was appointed state's attorney by Governor Bissell in 1859 and served in that capacity for one year. He was elected to the state senate from the district composed of the counties of Madison and St. Clair in 1864. He was a delegate to the national Republican convention in 1872 which nominated Grant for re-election. He was also a delegate to the national convention at Chicago in 1880 which nominated Garfield. He was for one year a partner of Hon. John G. Irwin. He formed a partnership with the late W. P. Bradshaw in 1874 and their firm for a time was the lead- ing firm in the county. Mr. Metcalfe was a strong thinker and an able lawyer. With his knowledge of the law and the wit and pleas- ing style of trial work of his partner, they were almost invincible before a jury.
Judge Alexander H. Gambrill was born in Annapolis, Md. He moved to Alton, Ill., in
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1855 and began the practice of law there. He was for several years city attorney of Alton. He was master in chancery of the city court of Alton for several years and was elected judge of the city court there in 1881.
Hon. John H. Yager was born in Germany October 12, 1833. Through his own efforts he attained his primary education and finished his literary education in the St. Louis high school. He read law with Hon. A. W. Met- calfe and then with T. L. Dickey, later one of the justices of the supreme court. He was admitted to the bar in April, 1857, and in June of that year began the practice of law at Alton. He held several important offices. He was elected enrolling and engrossing clerk of the Illinois house of representatives in 1861 ; appointed surveyor of customs for the port of Alton by President Lincoln in 1861 ; elected member of house of representatives in 1866; appointed collector of internal reve- nue for the 12th district of Illinois by Presi- dent Grant in 1871 ; elected state senator from the 4Ist district in 1872, and elected state's attorney of Madison county in 1880. He died Jan. 6, 191I.
Irwin B. Randle was born in Stewart county, Tennessee, March 24, 1811, and came with his parents in 1815 to Illinois and settled near Edwardsville. He acquired his early education in the public schools of Madison county and a high school in Kentucky. He began the practice of law in 1859. From 1845 to 1853 he was a member of the county court of Madison county. On October 24, 1881, he and his wife celebrated their golden wedding anniversary, and on this occasion the other members of the Madison county bar showed him the high regard they had for him by presenting to the couple a cushion covered with white satin, upon which were placed twenty-eight gold dollars, so arranged as to form the number 50. The twenty-eight gold
dollars represented twenty-eight members of the then Madison county bar.
George B. Burnett was born in Ontario county, New York. He studied law under his father for several years and was admitted to the bar in 1860. He began the practice of law in 1862 at Edwardsville and continued alone until 1866, when he formed a partnership with Judge M. G. Dale, which lasted until 1876, when Dale was elevated to the county bench. His brother Frank W. then went into partnership with him and continued for about a year, when they dissolved, each establishing a practice for himself. George B. Burnett gained quite a distinction as a criminal lawyer and was always in demand for all noted crim- inal cases. He died several years ago in California.
Judge M. G. Dale was born in Lancaster, Pa., and acquired his early education in the schools of that city. He graduated from Pennsylvania college in 1835. He was saluta- torian of his class and delivered his oration in Latin. He began the study of law in his native city and was admitted to the bar there in 1837. He opened an office in Bond county at Greenville in 1838. He served from 1839 to 1853 as probate judge and county judge of that county and was appointed by Presi- dent Pierce register of the land office at Ed- wardsville. Upon the removal of the land office from Edwardsville he was elected county judge and held the same for eight years. He resumed the practice and was later elected county judge, which office he held for years. He died several years ago, after attain- ing a ripe old age.
Hon. Levi Davis, Sr., was born in May, 1808, in the state of Maryland. He came in the early part of the last century to Vandalia, Ill., and began the practice of law there. He became auditor of state in 1835 and removed to Springfield, where he remained until 1846
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when he came to Alton and began there the practice of law. He was at one time a partner of Nelson G. Edwards and while this partner- ship continued theirs was considered one of the strongest firms in Madison county. Mr. Davis was noted for his great integrity and industry and accuracy. He died several years ago at Alton.
Charles P. Wise was born in 1839 in Em- metsburg, Md. He acquired his education at the University of St. Louis, Mo. He read law first in the office of Levi Davis, Sr., of Alton during the years 1858-59; his legal studies were further prosecuted at the Albany law school, from which institution he re- ceived his degree of bachelor of laws in 1861. He began the practice of law the latter year at Alton. He formed a partnership with Judge Henry W. Billings in 1868; this part- nership was dissolved in 1871. He continued by himself until 1880, when he and Levi Davis, Jr., formed a partnership. This con- tinued for some time, when he formed a partnership with George F. McNulta and later with Judge D. E. Keefe, the firm name being Wise, McNulta & Keefe. Upon the death of Mr. McNulta, Mr. W. E. Wheeler was added to the personnel of the firm and the firm name now is Wise, Keefe & Wheeler, and Mr. Wise is still active in the practice at the advanced age of 73 years. Their firm enjoys a very lucrative practice and have at- tained quite a large practice in the defense of the many coal mines of the county and southern Illinois, which have in the last few years been defending the many claims for personal injury brought against them.
G. M. Cole was born in Ashtabula county, Ohio, in 1834. He acquired his early educa- tion in his native county in the public schools there. He came west in the early 50's and for fifteen years taught in the graded schools of this county. He entered the legal profes- sion in the year 1863 as a partner of George
B. Burnett. He was master in chancery of Madison county from 1873 to 1879.
Hon. John G. Irwin was born in Edwards- ville, Ill., Jan. 21, 1842 and acquired his pri- mary education in the public schools of his native town. He began reading law at the age of 23 in the office of Judge David Gilles- pie. He was admitted to the practice in 1867. He formed shortly after his admission to the bar a partnership with Hon. A. W. Metcalfe, which continued for about a year, when he formed a partnership with Judge W. H. Krome which continued until April, 1874, at which time he was elected county judge to succeed the late William T. Brown, at a spe- cial election held in April, 1874; was de- clared elected by one majority by the board of canvassers. M. G. Dale, one of his com- petitors, contested his election upon trial in the circuit court; the contest was decided in his favor, but upon appeal to the supreme court the judgment of the circuit court was reversed and Judge Dale declared to have been elected. Judge Irwin served the county as judge for two years and at the expiration of that time formed a partnership with Ed- ward C. Springer, which continued for several years. Judge Irwin was noted for his fine legal mind and for his high sentiment of honor. He served his country as a soldier in the Ninth Illinois and was severely wounded, being shot through both of his lower limbs. He died several years ago at his home in Edwardsville.
Captain Anton Neustadt was born in Ger- many. He received his education in the old country at the University of Prague. He came to America and settled in Madison county. He studied law under the tutelage of Gillespie & Springer. He was admitted to the bar in 1867. He began the practice of law in Collinsville, Ill., and had a very lucra- tive practice there for years. Being German by birth and his ability to speak the language
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made him a favorite with the German people in the part of the county in which he resided and his practice among them extended through the entire south and east side of the county. He was in partnership for a time with Hon. W. E. Hadley, at present the resident judge of the circuit court. He died several years ago at an advanced age.
Cyrus L. Cook was born and reared in Madison county. He entered Shurtleff col- lege in 1856 and graduated from that institu- tion in 1862. He attended law lectures at the University of Michigan. He was admitted to the bar in the late 60's and established an office at Edwardsville. During the War of the Rebellion he was a member of the 133rd Illi- nois infantry. In 1876 he was elected state's attorney of Madison county and filled the office with great ability and success. He was later elected county judge, in which office he distinguished himself as a jurist and was noted for his lucid and clear statement of the facts in any case being heard before him. He was nominated for congress by the Republican party and while making the canvass suddenly sickened and died. He was a great lawyer and his name goes down to posterity unsullied and untarnished.
William H. Jones was born in St. Louis in 1849. When twelve years old he graduated from the academic department of Washington University, St. Louis, Mo., and shortly after- ward attended Columbia college, New York. He began reading law in 1868 under Judge David Gillespie of Edwardsville and was ad- mitted to the bar in 1871. Mr. Jones was for years attorney for the Toledo, Cincin- nati & St. Louis Railroad Company. In recent years he has retired from the active practice and is devoting his time to literary attainments.
W. F. L. Hadley was born in Madison coun- ty, June 15, 1847. He acquired his common school education in the district schools of the county until the fall of 1863, when he entered
McKendree college. He graduated therefrom in the scientific course in 1867. In 1870 he entered the University of Michigan law de- partment and graduated in the spring of 1871. He opened an office that fall at Edwardsville. He formed a partnership in 1874 with Hon. W. H. Krome and when Mr. Krome was ele- vated to the bench he became a partner of C. H. Burton. He was elected to congress and served his constituents wisely and well. He died several years ago in the prime of life and to the sorrow of his many friends and
1 former political constituents.
Cyrus Happy was born near DuQuoin, Ill. In 1864, when only 18 years old, he enlisted in the 18th Illinois Infantry and served as a soldier until mustered out at the close of the war. He entered McKendree college in 1866 and graduated in 1869, having taken the scien- tific course. He began the study of law in September, 1869, in the office of Gillespie & Springer, and was admitted to the bar in 1871. Soon after admission to the bar he became a partner of Judge David Gillespie. This partnership continued until 1879 when he opened an office for himself. In 1881 he and C. N. Travous formed a partnership, which continued for several years. Mr. Happy several years ago quit the practice at Edwardsville and moved to Spokane, Wash., where he still lives at this writing and is enjoying a large practice in his chosen pro- fession.
William P. Bradshaw was born in Wayne county, Illinois. He acquired his primary education in the public schools of that county. He then attended McKendree college and graduated from that institution in 1869. He devoted his evenings prior to entering col- lege to the study of the law and afterwards continued them under Professor H. H. Horner of McKendree college. In 1869 he entered the law office of Dale & Burnett as a student. He was admitted to the bar in 1871 and prac-
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