USA > Illinois > Perry County > Combined history of Randolph, Monroe and Perry counties, Illinois . With illustrations descriptive of their scenery and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 46
USA > Illinois > Randolph County > Combined history of Randolph, Monroe and Perry counties, Illinois . With illustrations descriptive of their scenery and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 46
USA > Illinois > Monroe County > Combined history of Randolph, Monroe and Perry counties, Illinois . With illustrations descriptive of their scenery and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 46
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' Yes, indeed, I will,' said he.
The first thing Deevers would say to me when I met with him after that, would be ' Well Gillespie, what a fool I was that I didn't take your advice that time.' "
Another incident which occurred in Kaskaskia at an early day is worthy of preservation. Benjamin Mills, a resident
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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH, MONROE AND PERRY COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
of Greenville. Bond Co. travelled the circuit. He was a man of great native wit and sarca-m, which he visited with telling force upon a fellow attorney, General Adams Adams had for a client a mau indicted for murder ; to secure his fee he took a mortgage upon everything the fellow had, eveu down to his household and kitchen furniture. His client was convicted anI sentencel to be hung some thirty days thereafter, and between the sentence and execution, Adams foreclosed his mortgage and sold the property, not leaving the wife and children of the crimnal a bed to sleep on, or a pot in which to cook their dinner. His client was hung and his body was handed over to the surgeons for scientific ex- periment. The doctors invited the lawyers to attend, and among t the rest come General Adams and Benjamin Mills. They had their galvanic battery, and placed one of the poles to his spinal column while his body was still warm and let on the electric fluid. Immediately the corps began a series of distortions, most horrid to look upon when Adams laying bis hand on Mills' shoulder, said in a sorry, slow and solemn voice :
" This is a very sorrowful sight."
" Yes," said Ben, " it must be very sorrowerful to a law- yer to see his client skinned the second time."
General Adams sneaked off and left the doctors to finish their experiment.
Another non resident attorney prominent at the Kaskas- kia bar was ALEXANDER P. FIELD. As a criminal lawyer he had not at the time a peer in the State He was a man of fiue personal appearance-about six feet four inches high, and possessed of very graceful gestures ; his voice was magi- cal; his power over juries was, as many old settlers attest, almost unlimited. Not only was he a powerful man before the courts, but as a political speaker he could madden or convulse his audience with laughter at pleasure. He was a brother-in-law of Nathaniel Pope, having married his sister. He went from Illinois to New Orleans, where he placed him- self at the very head of the Louisiana bar.
PRESENT MEMBERS OF THE BAR.
The honor of being the oldest resident member of the bar of Randolph County belongs to Major J. C. HOLLBROOK, a portrait and sketch of whom may be found elsewhere in this work. He studied law in Hamilton, Ohio, and in the year 1845 came to Randolph county to engage in the practice of his profession. lle acquired a fine reputation as a lawyer and gained a large and lucrative practice. A few years since, owing to ill health, he abandoned active practice.
JOHN MICHAU, is among the earlier practitioners at the bar, of those now actively engaged. He is a self-made man, has attained a profound knowledge of the law, is a good speaker, a cogent, close reasoner, and the able advocates of Southern Illinois recognize in him a " foeman worthy of their steel." He came to this county in 1838 but did not venture upon the practice of law until 1859. He is of an ardent temperament has a strong will and goes in to win.
ALEXANDER HOOD has been a member of the Randolph county bar since 1862. He graduated from the law depart- ment of the University of Michigan in 1861. In 1862 he 24
opened a law office in Sparta, but soon after rem wed to Chester, where he has since resided. Ile has been several times elected city attorney for Chester. He is now associated with A. G Gordon. The firm enjoys an excellent practice.
ABRM. G. GORDON is among the younger and rising mem- bers of the Randolph bar, to which he was admitted in May 1871. He graduated from McKendree College in 1871. He soon after opened a law office in Steelville, but in 1874 removed to Chester where he has since resided. He was se- lected the first Prosecuting Attorney of Randolph county, afterward, the duties of which he ably discharged for several months. His habits of close application, his extended gen- eral knowledge have given him an intimate acquaintance with the law, while his natural talents fit him for a high professional rank.
JOHN H. LINDSEY, one of the most successful members of the Randolph bar, in common with many others made the school-room a stepping-stone to the legal profession. He came to this county in 1857, and prosecuted the work of teaching with marked success until 1872, when he was elected justice of the peace. He at once applied himself to master the rudiments of law, and in 1873 was elected county judge. The duties of this office he discharged with signal ability, and soon entered upon a large and coostantly in- creasing prac.ice. In partnership with him is his son-in- law,
RALPH E. SPRIGG, a native of the county and son of James D. Sprigg, a former prominent citizen and office. holder. Mr. Sprigg is attentive and determined. He is making the best of his advantages, and success is assured.
ALBERT N. SPRAGUE, a native of New York, came to Randolph county, locating in Sparta, in 1869. He had studied law with Judge Hammack, of l'mnekneyville, and been admitted to practice the year before. Mr. Sprague is diligent, and has acquired considerable reputation as an ad- vocate.
JOHN R. McFIE is one of the rising young lawyers of southern Illinois. Was born where he yet resides. Studied law with J. B Jones, and was admitted to the bar in 1870. He has twice been elected a member of the House of Repre- sentatives from his district, thus making law a stepping- stone to political preferment. (See sketch elsewhere.)
ADAM RUSSELL, a young man of acknowledged ability, is a native of the county and resides in Coulterville. When asked with whom he had studied law, he promptly replied, " With Adam Russell, sir." He was admitted in 1874, and has acquired a fine local practice in Coulterville, and sur. rounding villages.
JONATHAN CHESTNUTWOOD, located in Evansville, of which place he is among the oldest residents, is a native of Ohio. Was educated in Marietta College. Here he studied law, although he did not enter upon its practice until a few years ago. In 1874 he was elected a member of the State Legislature.
REUBEN J. GODDARD is a native of this county. Gradu- ated from the law department of Michigan University in 1864. His practice, commenced at Sparta immediately thereafter, has become large and lucrative, made so by his
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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH, MONROE AND PERRY COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
unflagging zeal in behalf of the cause of clients and his close scrutiny of the law. In 1870 he was elected prosecuting attorney of the Common Pleas court of Sparta. Elsewhere in this work is a biographical sketch.
THOMAS T ALEXANDER is a native of Randolph county. Acquired his education in the Indiana State University at Bloomington. When a junior, left college to volunteer in Co. F, 80th Ilinois Regiment. Read law with J. C. Law- ber, now of St. Louis, and was admitted to the bar at Springfield, 1878. Was Diected city attorney in 1878.
J. C. HAWTHORNE, a native of Randolph county, is a young and ambitious member of the bar. Taught school for several years, and while teaching was admitted to the bar.
DON E. DETRICH was born in Sparta, this county. At- tended the lligh School of his native towu. Studied law with John Michau, and for a year subsequently attended St. Louis Law School. He was admitted to practice in 1879, and in 1880 was elected prosecuting attorney for Ran- dolph county. He is a yo ing man of stu hous habits, perse- verance and tict.
WILLIAM HARTZELL, a nat ve of Chi, was admitted to the bar in 1864. Read law with J. Perry Johnson. His commanding talents gained f., . him the nomination for and election to Congress as member From his district in 1874, and again in 1876. As a lawyer he is recognized as being pos- sessed of ability, energy and unflagging zeal. He lately formed a copartnership with J. B. Simpson.
J. B. SIMPSON, a native of Randolph county, is one of nature's noblemen. He took up the study of law unaided by teacher. Read Blackstone's Commentaries whilst on his father's farm. As indicative of his judgment in selecting text-books as a foundation for legal knowledge, we learn he read Walker's American Law, Greenleaf's Evidence, Par- sons on Contracts, Chitty's Pleadings and Wharton's Crim- inal Law. Upon application he was admitted to the bar in 1871. His close application to whatever engages his atten- tion, his acknowledged integrity of character and his urbane manners bespeak him success. In the campaign of 1882 he was the Republican candidate for county judge, but was defeated by sixteen votes.
H. C. HORNER, of whom a sketch may be found elsewhere in this work, was a native of Arkansas. He was admitted to practice in 1877, and has rapidly taken high rank among his fellows. Clear and forcible in argument, well versed in the law, since he is a close student, he is steadily command- ing a large and constantly increasing practice.
JAMES J. MORRISON, of the noted family of that name, studied law with J. H. Watt and William Hartzell, and was admitted in 1874.
WARREN N. WILSON, a young man of promise, is a native of this county. Studied law with Hartzell and Johnson. Admitted 1877. Appointed Master in Chancery in 1880. (See sketch.)
B. W. SHARP, practicing at Red Bud, came to the county from Tamaroa, Ill., in 1874. Ile is a graduate of the Law Department of the University of Virginia, and was admitted to the bar in 1838.
GEORGE L. RIESS, the present efficient County Judge of Randolph county, was admitted to the bar in Waterloo, Monroe county, September, 1871. Came to Randolph county in 1875. He studied with Charles Henckler, taking a very thorough course. Ile is well read in the law. We refer the reader to a biographical sketch of Judge Riess ou another page of this work.
MONROE COUNTY.
FORMER MEMBERS OF THE BAR.
CHARLES HENCKLER was a native of Germany. Came to America when about seventeen years of age. Followed the vocation of cabinet maker in Columbia for several years, then merchandized and during this time was elected Justice of the Peace. Whilst discharging the duties of this office he acquired considerable knowledge of law, and in 1853 was admitted to the bar. He was a good lawyer and special pleader. Hle was first a partner of Thomas Quick, and subsequently of H. C. Talbott. He died in 1878.
GEORGE ABBOTT was an eastern man. He was admitted to the bar in Waterloo in 1852. Remained here until the breaking out of the late war when he enlisted as captain in the Twenty-second Regiment, Illinois Infantry. Was wounded at Belmont. Was subsequently appointed Pro- vost Marshal for this district with headquarters at Alton. After this he moved to Pinckneyville, Perry county, where he died in 1878.
JOHN C. BONMAN practiced law in 1856-7. Afterwards took Greeley's advice and went west to grow up with the country.
JAMES A. KENNEDY, a graduate of the college of the Christian Brothers, St. Louis, Mo., came to Waterloo in 1858. Admitted to the bar in 1862. Was elected School Commissioner, the duties of which office he performed with signal ability. He formed a copartnership with H. K. S. Omelveny. Subsequently he moved to Springfield, Illinois, where he was elected City Attorney. He was a mau of fine legal attainments.
MATHIAS KRAMM, a citizen of Burasville, practiced a short time, beginning in 1862. Moved to Belleville, thence west.
HENRY C. TALBOTT, Sr., a native of Kentucky, came to Monroe county in 1844. Was educated in MeKendree College. Taught school. Published the Waterloo Patriot. Was admitted to practice in 1856. Served as justice of the peace and county judge. Continued in his practice until his death in 1879 Was a partner of Charles Henckler. He was a sound lawyer and good citizen.
GEORGE MORRISON, a native of Waterloo, read law in the office of his brother, Hon W. R. Morrison. He was educated in the college of the Christian Brothers, St. Louis, Mo. Admitted to practice in 1870. Ileld the office of Master in Chancery several years. Died in 1881.
THOMAS QUICK, a native of Illinois, practiced law for a number of years in Waterloo, where he was for a time a partner of Charles Henckler. He subsequently moved to Belleville, thence to St. Louis.
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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH, MONROE AND PERRY COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
JOHN STANLEY, a young man of considerable ability, a native of the county, practiced a few years, begin ing about 1874. Went to Butler county, Missouri, where he died.
CHARLES W. MEYER, educated in Me Rendree College, practiced law in Waterloo several years and moved to Leb- anon, then to east St. Louis, where he died. He was an able advocate, a man of pre-eminent social qualities.
EDWARD OMELVENY was by nature a lawyer. Of Scotch- Irish origin, he was at the same time an exponent of the wit of the one and the hardihood of the other nationality. During the years immediately preceding the Mexican War he was regarded the leading legal light among lawyers of the Waterloo har, not that he was so profound in know- ledge, but so quiek in repartee-so happy in his legal appli- cations aud possessed of tact that challenged admiration. Upon one occasion he was fined by Judge Brecse $50 for contempt of court. Very promptly he arose from his seat, called the attention of the sheriff, to whom he handed the $50, saying: "Judge, I expected you would get even with me, because this is the money I won from you last night playing poker. " It is needless to say that this sally of wit " brought down the house."
Of W. H. BISSELL at one time a citizen of Waterloo. af- terwards governor of the state, and a frequent attendant on the sessions of the court at Kaskaskia, the following interest- ing sketch is given by Joseph Gillespie, in an address deliv- ered before the Chicago Historical Society ; Bissell was born in New York in 1811, where he studied the medical profes- sion, and removed to Monroe Co. Illinois. He had no fond- ness for his profession, though he had the reputation of be- ing successful. He inclined to politics, where he displayed marked abilities. He was elected as a Democrat from Mon- roe County, to the legislature of 1840, and was soon recog- nized as one of the best speakers of the House of Represen- tatives. He was characterized by the elegance of his style, and diction, and a quaint sort of satire that was very cutting aud effective.
An ungovernable passion soon seized him to abandon his profession, and hetake himself to the law. He attended the sessions of the courts as diligently as any of the lawyers, his mind seemed to be engrossed with all that was going on Ilis friends, perceiving the bent of his inclination, advised him to procure Blackstone's Commentaries, aud go to work. In an incredibly short space of time he was admitted to prac- tice, and was soon appointed prosecuting attorney, and was in his element. He stood at once in the front rauk as a prosecutor. He never failed to convict. It shortly came to be considered a hopeless task to defend where he was prosecuting. Ile was equal to any emergency.
Bissell prosecuted for murder a man named Raney, who lived in Washington County, but was tried at Carlisle Clin- ton County, and was defended by Judge Breese, in his own county, where be had unbounded influence. Raney was a respectable man, and a leader in the dominant party ; there was great room to doubt bis guilt, and the court instructed strongly in his favor. He had an interesting wife and fam- ily. Breese defended him with great zeal and ability. He left no stone unturned, but after presenting the facts and
laws of the case with remarkable clearness andI force, he ven- tured upon an appeal to the sympathies in behalf of the wife and little children of his client. It was a most powerful ef- fort, and the by-standers all believed that he had saved his man. But not so ; by his efforts to work upon the sympa- thics of the jury, he had opened a door which let Bissell in to play upon their feelings. This was his forte. The scene was at night ; the room was dimly lighted, and wore a sepul- chral air ; and such word painting [ shall never hear again- as Bissell employed on that occasion. [fe turned the pie- ture over, and portrayed the murdered man in his grave, his winding sheet around him, his hair motted with clay, and his shroud clotted with blood, streams of crimson gore trick- ling still from his gaping wounds. He drew the mother and little children to the edge of the grave where they could take a la-t look at the cold and elammy remains of their beloved husband and father. He depicted their agony iu such heart- rending terms as to scarcely leave a dry eye in the house. He turned the tide of sympathy, and it bec ime an irresisti- ble torrent in behalfof the bereaved widow and offspring of the dead. The off ets of the splendid efforts of Breese were all swept away. I realized then, to its fullest extent, the power of language in the mouth of a master over the feel- ings of mankind. The picture drawn by Bissell on that oc- ca-ion, has stamped itself indelibly on my mind. I see it in. the visious of the night. I hear his burning eloquence to this day, ringing in my ears. He triumphed, and poor Ra- ney was found guilty. If that effort hal been taken down, and could be read by u .- of itself-it would have made the name of William H. Bissell immortal. Judge Joseph Gil- lespie, of Edward-ville, to whose graphic pen we are indebt- ed for the above sketch, is now one of the few survivors of that band of active men who were foremost in shaping the political sentiment of the state forty years ago.
HENRY W. BILLINGS, an ea-tern man, located in Water- loo, in the practice of his profession in 1857, and left in 1845 for Alton, where he continued to reside until the time of his death. He was a very able and excellent speaker, conducted his cases with much adroitness, and was not often excelled in the preparation and management of business in the higher courts. He was a man of engaging manners and splendid presence, and was exceedingly popular with the bar and the people.
PRESENT MEMBERS OF THE BAR.
IION. WILLIAM R. MORRISON, a native of Monroe county, was admitted to the bar in Springfield, Ilinois, whilst a member of the state Legislature in 1856, and opened an office in Waterloo after his return. He rapidly took his place as the leading attorney of the county, until he mea- surably abandoned its practice to become a member of Con- gress. Whilst a member of the Legislature, he was made Speaker of the House. He was first elected to Congress in 1×62, again in 1872, since which time he has continuously been kept in that body by the franchise of his fellow- citizens. As chairman of the Ways and Means Committee he developed great taet and further endeared himself to his constituency. He is a man of broad, liberal culture, of
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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH, MONROE AND PERRY COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
sound legal knowledge, of practical and well-defined ideas regarding the wants of the masses. As a lawyer he receives recognition as being possessed of ability and strict integ- rity-two elements that give weight to his opinions.
SPENCER TOMPKINS, a native of Galesburg. I'linois, edu- cated in Knox college of that city, came to Waterloo in 1880. He read law with Col. Beardsley, of Rock Island, and was admitted to the bar in Davenport, Iowa, in 1865. He is acquiring a fair practice.
JOSEPH W. RICKERT, born in Vicksburg, Mississippi, was . ducated and graduated from the St. Louis University, St. Louis, Mo. He came to Waterloo as a teacher in her public schools ; read law with H. K. S. Omelveny at Cen- tral City, Marion county, Illinois, and subsequently in the office of James A. Kennedy, of Waterloo. He soon after went south and resumed teaching; then returning to Illinois, read law in office of Johnson & Hartzell, of Chester, and in March, 1869 was admitted to the bar. In the fall of the same year he was elected superintendent of the public schools of Monroe county, a position he filled with credit for four years. In 1873 he buckled on the armor as an at- torney, and soon placed himself by untiring energy and perseverance in the front rank, a position he still retains. In 1875 he was elected a member of the State Legislature. He is clear and logical in his presentation of cases before the court, being well read in the law; is a man of ripe scho- larship, a fine linguist and an excellent companion.
EMERY P. SLATE, a native of Massachusetts, now one of the prominent members of the legal fraternity of Monroe county, came to Illinois in 1836 In 1854 his parents moved to Waterloo, Missouri, where he irregularly studied law in the office of S. Kibbs, until the breaking out of the war, practicing on some occasions before a justice of the peace in the vicinity where he lived In June, 1861, he entered the army and assisted in raising the Ist Regiment of North Missouri Infantry. He became quartermaster of the regiment. In 1862 he returned to Illinois and took up his residence in Waterloo, Monroe county. He has achieved marked success in the practice of law, and the esteem in which he is held as a citizen does not fall below his profes- sional standing.
HENRY TALBOTT, son of H. C. Talbott, a native of the county, was educated in the public schools and in Wyman's Institute, city of St. Louis, Mo .; read law in the office of his father; in 1876 entered the law department of Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass., but was soon after called to Washington, D. C., as clerk to the Ways and Means com- mittee, whose chairman was IIon. W. R. Morrison. He was admitted to the bar in 1878, at Mt. Vernon. He is a rising young lawyer, earnest and faithful in the discharge of all the duties devolving upon him.
CHARLES MORRISON was born in Waterloo, educated in McKendree College, from which institution he graduated in 1875. Read law in the office of his brother, Hon W. R. Morrison, and subsequently with H. C. Talbott. Was admitted in 1878. He is industrious, painstaking, and a genial and pleasant gentleman.
WILLIAM H. HORINE, a native of Waterloo, graduated
from McKendree College in 1875. Read law with George Morrison and subsequently with Michau and Riess. Was admitted at the June term of the Supreme Court at Mt. Ver- non, 1878.
JAMES F. CAUNIFF hails from New York. Came to Illinois with his parents in 1855. He was educated in the college of the Christiau Brothers, St. Louis, Mo Read law and was admitted during the session of the Appellate Court at Springfield in June, 1880, and afterwards commenced the practice in Waterloo. During the campaign of 1882 he was elected a member of the Legislature from this district. He is recognized as being a man of ability.
GEORGE L. RIESS, a former practitioner here, is men- tioned in the article on the Bench and Bar of Randolph county.
PERRY COUNTY.
The first term of the Circuit Court was held at the house of Amos Anderson in Holt's Prairie, August 28, 1827. Present : The Hon. Theophilus W. Smith, a Justice of the Supreme Court of said State, and presiding judge of said Circuit Court ; Humphrey B. Joues, clerk, and William C. Murphy, sheriff,
DAVID J. BAKER was appointed in the absence of the circuit attorney to prosecute as said attorney.
THEOPHILUS W. SMITHI, the first judge of Perry county, was a native of Virginia, emigrated to Kentucky, there read law, and soon after his admission, came to Illinois, and took up his residence in Edwardsville. There he edited a pro- slavery newspaper during the exciting campaign of 1823-24, when the question was settled as to whether the constitution of the State should be so amended as to admit slavery. Soon after he was appointed one of the justices of the Supreme Court. In 1835 he was impeached by the House of Repre- sentatives for misdemeanors in office, and was ably defended by Sydney Breese as leading counsel, assisted by Thomas Ford, Judge Richard M. Young and J. W. Whitney. He was acquitted of the charge. Judge Smith was an able law- yer but of somewhat pompous mien, and when upon the bench the very incarnation of dignity. His decisions how- ever, were regarded in the main as usually correct, and if he erred it was usually on the side of mercy.
Judge Smith continued to preside in the circuit until the April term, 1829, when Thomas C. Brown, another justice of the Supreme Court, held the courts. Present : Hum- phrey B. Jones and William C. Murphy. Judge Brown presided until the May term, 1835, when Alexander F. Grant presided in the courts of Perry county. Judge Grant held but one term of the court when he was superseded by the Hon. Jephthah Hardin, who was appointed Judge of the Third Judicial Circuit of the State. He presided at the May term, 1836, and until the May term, 1837. when he was succeeded by Walter B. Scates, who was elected to the posi- tion of Judge of the Third Judicial Circuit. Of Judges Grant and Hardin but little is known. Judge Scates pre- sided until the April term, 1843, when the Hon. James Semple presided.
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