USA > Illinois > Cook County > Chicago > Historical review of Chicago and Cook county and selected biography, Volume II > Part 13
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Some weeks after his death, at a great public meeting in his mem- ory, one who was of the inner circle of Mr. Hamline's friends-him- self a man of calm judgment and exact expression-said of him: "If I were to choose a man from among the men I have known to stand as a symbol of the sovereign attributes of friendship, I would choose John Hamline. Other friends there may be more sympa- thetic, others more sweet in expression, others more lavish in show of service, but none have I known more constant and true, and none so complete." What finer eulogium could be framed and how noble must have been the nature of him of whom it could be deservedly spoken! Let it be recorded that in that judgment each one concurs, of those whose relations to John Hamline were of closest intimacy.
This memorial can have no more fitting conclusion than the fol- lowing extract from the same address :
"How shall I speak of his tenderness? So deliberately did he shield from display this element of his character beneath the direct. ness and brusqueness of his daily demeanor, that 'I sometimes hold it half a sin' to make public revelation of it here. Yet we who were favored with a place among his intimacies so often saw and felt its ยท manifestation that surely it were a greater sin to pass it by unnoticed. The serious, the severe and the lofty duties and privileges of friend- ship he welcomed in the open; its sweeter and sadder claims he met and satisfied in secret, with the conscience of a Christian and the heart and sympathy of a womanl.
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"The gentleness of his conception of the ties of home and family , touched the limit of masculine understanding. His devotion to the friends he loved was far finer than his grim expression would let them believe. He had that supreme attribute of woman, to love a man in silence. Of this the solemn secrets that death has revealed give touch- ing testimony.
"The pain he gave his friends when duty moved him to disagree- ment gave birth to greater suffering in himself. The sternness of liis attitude was often but a mask to his emotions, and his affection for his friends outlived all differences with them.
"He was ever giving of himself to help his friends. His contri- butions-nay, his sacrifices-of time, of interest and of effort, not to speak of more sordid things, in behalf of the interested ambition of others, are the blissful and lasting heritage of many of us."
( By Frank H. Scott. )
If it be true, as it should be, that the most fitting memorial that can be written of a lawyer is a simple and truthful record of a life- time of useful hard work, that has brought with it KIRK HAWES. honor in an honored profession, then, indeed. it is an easy task to present such a memorial to Judge Kirk Hawes, who from 1865 to 1904, nearly forty years, was a strik- ing figure at the bar, upon the bench and in the affairs of Chicago during those eventful years of its history.
Kirk Hawes was born in Brookfield, Worcester county. Massa- chusetts, January 5, 1839. His parents were Preston and Fanny Oles Hawes. His father was a farmer of keen intellect and a leader in the community where he lived. Mrs. Mary Jane Holmes, well known in literature, was a sister of Judge Hawes, and the intimate and affec- tionate relations through all the years between this brother and sister and the remainder of the family was a feature of their lives.
At the age of fourteen years young Hawes wearied of farm life and went to sea, sailing on his first voyage from the port of Boston to Hong Kong. That was the era of the American Clipper Ship and in these swift coursers he visited all the principal seaports of the world.
After three years of seafaring life he returned to Brookfield, and after preparation entered Williams College. He was in his junior year when the war of the rebellion broke out. He raised a company, was
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elected first lieutenant, but finding enlistments too slow relinquished his commission and went to Boston, where he enlisted as a private in the Forty-second Massachusetts Infantry. He served under Gen- eral Banks in the Red River campaign and until the fall of Vicksburg in 1863, when he was honorably discharged and returned to Williams College, where he graduated in 1864, with the degree of A. B. At this time the leading law firm in Worcester was that of Baker and Aldrich, whose office he entered as a law student, remaining there one year.
In 1865 he came to Chicago, entering the law office of Waite. Towne & Clark, and in 1866 he was admitted to the bar. The same year the law firm of Hawes & Helm was formed, which continued . until early in 1871. Gifted with strong physique, a trained mind and with the natural bent of a student, Mr. Hawes entered upon the prac- tice of the law with the same vigor, individuality, assurance and suc- cess that attended his undertakings through his eventful career. In 1871 he formed a second law partnership with an old classmate and former law student of Worcester, under the firm name of Hawes & Lawrence, which partnership continued until Mr. Hawes was elected judge of the superior court of Cook county, in the year 1880. The morning after the great fire of 1871 the law firm of Hawes & Law- rence is said to have had the only law library in Chicago-about 1,000 volumes, which were saved from the flames by the large fire- proof vault of their Clark street offices.
In the presidential campaign of 1880 Judges Hawes, who was a Republican in politics, was associated with Robert G. Ingersoll, Leon- ard Swett, Emery A. Storrs and other prominent Illinois Repub- licans, in an organized opposition to the nomination of President Grant for a third term, resulting in the seating of the contesting Illi- nois delegates, and thus assuring the final result in the national con- vention. On this account, in his subsequent judicial campaign, Wilbur F. Storey, editor of the Chicago Times, a strong Democratic organ, endorsed Judge Hawes' candidacy and he was elected with the largest majority given any of the judicial candidates, running largely ahead of his ticket. He served two terms, from 1880 to 1892, was renominated, and defeated in the Democratic "land-slide" of the latter year.
It was as judge of the superior court that the strong individuality
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of Judge Hawes and his exceptional abilities as a lawyer and student reached their greatest usefulness, as the records of the many impor- tant cases he was called upon to try during these twelve years most conclusively show. In the performance of the exacting judicial duties of that high office, at a time when there were fewer judges than we have now, he was, as he ever had been, a hard worker. Business in his court was always dispatched with promptness and yet with that care that made for justice, as clearly appears from the decisions of the courts of last resort in Illinois when his decisions as a trial judge were presented for review. Abrupt in manner he was, no doubt, as that was one of his natural characteristics, but he was ever an atten- tive listener to both sides of a controversy, and would without the slightest hesitation brush aside the mere technicalities of the law, for which he had much less respect than for the substantial merits. He had strong convictions of what was right and wrong and was entirely fearless of criticism and public opinion when he believed he was right. These characteristics were frequently the subject of comment. both at the bar and in the public prints, from one of which the following is quoted. "A few more men like Judge Kirk Hawes, with intelligent opinions and backbone enough to enforce them, are needed on the bench when matters of public import like the election fraud cases come to trial." It is a matter of local history that his prompt and thorough investigation of a jury-bribing plot in his court that affected several men in high places not only won for him the thanks and re- spect of the public, but effectually put a stop to such corruption in Chicago for some twenty years.
Notwithstanding these forceful characteristics, he displayed as ex- officio judge of the criminal court, in the home circle and among his personal friends a tenderness, interest, deep love and sympathy for humanity that was always more than noticeable.
The limits within which these lines must be confined forbids but passing reference to the many activities of Judge Hawes, other than those at the bar and upon the bench. In ISSS he was prominently mentioned as an available Republican candidate for governor of Illi- nois ; he took a lively interest in the affairs of the Grand Army of the Republic, securing for the federal soldiers and Chicago, after years of hard work and special legislation at Washington and Springfield. the present public library site and the Soldiers' Memorial Hall on
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what was formerly Dearborn Park, a fitting and lasting monument, both to the soldiers and to Judge Hawes' public spirit. His early travels around the world gave him a deep interest in foreign lands, and so in later life he became an authority and ready writer and lec- turer on the ancient history of Egypt and the Holy Land. Though inclined to liberality in religious views, he was a leading member of the Second Presbyterian church of Chicago. Not a club man, as that term is generally used, he was, however, active in the organiza- tion of the Union League, Marquette and Twentieth Century clubs of Chicago, and president of the Les Cheneaux Club near Mackinac, Michigan, his summer home, and a charter member of the Chicago Bar Association.
He was married in the year 1871, to Miss Helen E. Dunham, a daughter of John H. Dunham, former president of the Merchants' Loan and Trust Company. His wife survives him; his son, John Dunham Hawes, and his three daughters, Florence, wife of Arthur J. Chivers, of London, England; Levanche D. and Fanny V. also survive him.
After retiring from the bench, Judge Hawes, though still in active practice, devoted much of his time to his own property and affairs, spending several months each year at his summer home on Marquette Island, in Lake Huron.
The first real activities of this life began with the buoyant expec- tancy of youth, amid the waves and the tides of the ocean, and his life went out on September 8, 1904, a few moments after admiring the autumnal foliage on the shores and looking out on the waters of the inland seas, whose waves, we may believe, chanted a sweet lullaby of hopefulness for his final voyage.
(By Frank R. Grover. )
Henry Martyn Shepard, judge of the superior court, assigned to service in the branch appellate court of the first district, died in this
city October 16, 1904.
HENRY M. SHEPARD.
Judge Shepard came from a sturdy New Eng-
land ancestry. Two of his great-grandfathers were officers in the war of the Revolution; another ancestor, Joseph Wads- worth, extinguished the lights in the chamber of the legislative assem- bly of Connecticut and hid the colonial charter in the hollow of the
THENEWYOR PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTON, LA MIGY AND FILOEN TOUR TO TAKE
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famous Charter Oak when an attempt was made by servants of the king of England to seize it.
For two years he studied at Phillips Academy in Andover, Mas- sachusetts. From thence he went to Heidelberg, Germany, and be- came a student in the celebrated university of that place. Returning to America, he read law at Elmira, New York. In 1861 he came to Chicago and was admitted to the bar of the state of Illinois on the 23d of April of that year. For two years he was in the law office of Waite & Towne, then leading attorneys of Chicago. In 1864 he united in the formation of the firm of Fuller, Ham & Shepard, the senior member of which has for many years been chief justice of the supreme court of the United States. In 1883 he was elected to the bench of the superior court, and remained a judge of that court to the time of his death, having been three times elected without oppo- sition. At the time of his death, as for a number of years previous he had been, he was assigned to the appellate court of the first district.
His manner was calm, dignified and simple. As lawyer and judge he was learned, industrious, painstaking and conscientious. As hus- band, father and friend, none knew him but to love him.
(By A. N. Waterman. )
The year 1908 is the golden anniversary of the admission to the Illinois bar of the venerable and revered Judge Simeon P. Shope, senior member of the firm of Shope, Zane, Busby and SIMEON P.
Weber, and for seventeen years an honored figure SHOPE. on the benches of the circuit and state supreme courts. The judge is a native of Ohio, although he has spent the greater portion of his life in Illinois. He was born in Akron on the 3d of December, 1837, son of Simeon P. and Lucinda ( Richmond) Shope, and at the age of two years was brought by his parents to Illinois, the family locating in Marseilles in September, 1839. In the spring of the following year Ottawa became the home town, and in its public schools Simeon P. obtained his first mental discipline, afterward continuing his education in the public schools of Woodford county and at an academy. In parallel lines with his schooling ran his healthful training on the home farm, so that his development was substantial and natural, and far removed from the hothouse expan- sion of many city boys. He entered upon an independent business Vol. 11-9
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career as an assistant to an engineer, and afterwards taught school for four years, in the meantime pursuing his legal studies under the direction of such good masters as Judges Elihu Powell and Norman H. Purple of Peoria.
At the attainment of his majority, in 1858, Judge Shope was ad- mitted to practice at the bar of Illinois, and this became an all-impor- tant year because of the added fact that it marked the commencement of a happy married life extending over nearly a quarter of a century. He began his practice at Metamora, Woodford county, but soon afterward removed to Lewiston, Fulton county, Illinois, and formed a partnership with Lewis W. Ross, a pioneer lawyer and an able public man of that section of the state. The court records indicate that with the passing years Judge Shope's practice grew both in vol- ume and importance, and he was soon known as one of the leaders of the county bar. He continued in active practice at Lewiston until 1877, when he was elected judge of the tenth judicial circuit. On the bench his legal talents and strength were given free scope, and showed to the best advantage; his ability to grasp a multitude of details and show their general bearing on the points at issue, and a patient and courteous attitude toward all who came before him, with a broad knowledge of the law and promptness of decision when both sides to a controversy had been heard-these were traits which made him a popular, honored and wise member of the judiciary. His term as circuit judge extended from 1877 to 1885, and in the latter year he was elected a representative of the supreme bench of Illinois, fill- ing the position for the full term of nine years. Declining a re-elec- tion, he removed with his family to Chicago in 1894, and resumed private practice.
Since becoming a member of the Chicago bar, Judge Shope has been the senior in the firm of Shope, Mathis and Barrett; Shope, Mathis, Zane and Weber, and Shope, Zane, Busby and Weber, both his name and his professional work having added strength and honor to the co-partnerships. He has long been classed with the ablest cor- poration lawyers of the state, being general counsel for companies having large enterprises and handling with facility the intricate prob- lems which come up for consideration. In the wise disposal of such broad-gauge practice his years of judicial experience have been of immeasurable advantage to him. His high standing at both bench
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and bar is firmly assured in the declining years of his life, and as a conscientious and profound adviser his services are still eagerly uti- lized. Until elected to the Illinois bench, Judge Shope was quite active as a Democrat (being elected to the state legislature in 1862). but since that period he has held aloof with a delicate and an honor- able dignity.
In 1858 Simeon P. Shope was united in marriage with Miss Sarah M. Jones, who died in Florida, January 4. 1883. They became the parents of four children : Clara A., Charles E. ( deceased ). Clarence W. and Mabel Ray Shope. The judge is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and for a third of a century has been identified with the Masonic fraternity. When without the circle of his professional duties, he is the genial gentleman, as ever approachable and courteous.
John Maxcy Zane, of the law firm of Shope, Zane. Busby and Weber, has, since locating in Chicago in 1899, gained a reputation as
one of the most forceful lawyers of the local bar.
JOHN M. ZANE. and as a trial lawyer has few peers throughout the state. His keen analytical mind affords him un- usual facility in working out the details of a case, and it is said that before going into the courtroom he must know that he is thoroughly prepared for every development that may arise during the trial. His contemporaries are quick to acknowledge his special abilities and his high position among the lawyers of the state.
The son of one of the oldest and most honored lawyers of Illinois. Mr. Zane was born in Springfield. this state, March 26, 1863, and acquired his education in the public schools of his native city and in the University of Michigan, from which he was graduated in 1884 with the degree of A. B. He then joined his father in Utah and took up the study of law with the latter until his admission to the bar in 1888. The following four years he was assistant United States attorney for the territory of Utah and reporter of the supreme court. during which time he edited five volumes of the Utah reports. From 1893 to 1899 he was engaged in general practice in Salt Lake City; since then he has been a resident of Chicago. For seven years he was a member of the well known law firm of Shope. Mathis, Zane and Weber, the personnel of which has since been changed as indi- cated above.
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Mr. Zane is author of "Zane on Banks and Banking," published in 1900. He is a lecturer in the law departments of the University of Chicago and Northwestern University, and a member of the Illi- nois and Chicago Bar associations. Politically he is a Republican. Mr. Zane's position on the great public questions of the day is indi- vidual and forceful, suggesting the character of the man, and his opinions are entitled to respect from all sides. In a recent public dis- cussion he vigorously opposed, without denying its constitutionality, the policy of giving the interstate commerce commission the power to regulate and fix railroad rates, declaring that it was a physical impos- sibility for any such body of men satisfactorily to perform such a task. "The people who are making the greatest outcry," said Mr. Zane, "are the people who are the most heavily interested in the rail- roads, if they only knew it. More than $1,500,000,000 of railroad capitalization represents the investment of the funds of insurance com- panies, endowment funds of educational institutions and savings banks. When the small investor realizes the situation there will be a wonder- ful change in public sentiment."
Mr. Zane is a member of the Union League, University, Quad- rangle, Literary and Exmoor Country clubs. He married, in Phila- delphia, April 25, 1894, Miss Sara R. Zane. Their home is in Evanston.
The name Zane has been honored in the Illinois bench and bar nearly fifty years. For many years Charles S. Zane, father of the Chicago lawyer named above, was an attorney and judge in this state, and for sixteen years was chief justice of the territory and state of Utah. Born in Gloucester county, New Jersey, in 1832, he came west and located in Sangamon county, Illinois, in 1850. Two years later he entered McKendree College, and by teaching, attend- ing college and studying law, he obtained admission to the bar in 1857. In 1860 he became a member of the law firm of Lincoln and Herndon at Springfield, which was dissolved on account of Mr. Lin- coln's election as president of the United States, and in January, 1861, the firm of Herndon and Zane was formed. Mr. Zane later became a member of the firm of Cullom, Zane and Marcy, the senior member of which has for years been one of Illinois's representatives in the United States senate. Continuing in regular practice until 1872, from that year until 1884 Mr. Zane was circuit judge of the San-
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gamon district. In 1884, by appointment from President Arthur, he became chief justice of the territory of Utah, and save for brief intervals held that office until 1896, when he became chief justice under the state government after the admission of Utah to the Union, and so continued until 1900. As a lawyer he was regarded as one of the leading members of the Illinois bar, and his judicial career both in this state and in Utah was marked by a fearlessness, impar- tiality and thorough knowledge and application of the law that makes his position a permanent one in the judicial history of the west. The wife of Judge Zane was Margaret D. Maxcy, daughter of John Cook Maxcy and member of a family well known at Springfield since 1819. when they moved to this state from Kentucky. Judge and Mrs. Zane still reside in Salt Lake City.
The reputation of the eminent corporation lawyers of the country is not made in a day, unusual ability in this broad field demanding not
LEVY only natural abilities, but the most thorough prepara-
MAYER. tion and strenuous, continuous and intense applica-
tion and industry. Broad education and extensive knowledge of business, commercial and industrial principles and con- ditions, are requisites for success.
Commencing practice a little more than twenty-five years ago in Chicago, Levy Mayer has steadily advanced to the front in reputation and the legitimate rewards of such a standing.
Born in Richmond, Virginia, on the 23rd of October, 1858, as the son of Henry D. and Clara (Goldsmith ) Mayer, Mr. Mayer is a product of Chicago. He received his foundation education in the old Jones and Chicago high schools. From 1874 to 1876 he took some special studies at and attended the law department of Yale Uni- versity, and during the following five years was assistant librarian of the Chicago Law Institute. While so engaged, he prepared the first catalogue of the Institute's library and edited and revised Judge David Rorer's works on Interstate or Private International Law and on Judicial Sales. Since 1881 he has pursued his profession stead- fastly and successfully. He is a prodigious worker and his large practice has been principally in the fields of corporation, interstate commerce and constitutional law. He numbers among his clients some of the leading corporations and trusts of the country. He has represented one side or the other of many of the great cases that
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have come before the courts of Illinois during the last twenty years. He has never held nor sought office of any kind. He is a member of the American Bar Association and of the American Economical Association, and of the Union League, Iroquois, South Shore Coun- try, Mid-Day, Germania, Automobile, Lawyers' and Old Colony clubs, the last two named being organizations of New York and Massachu- setts, respectively. In the latter state he maintains an attractive coun- try residence on the shores of Cape Cod Bay.
Few leaders in the field of commercial and corporation law have advanced more steadily to eminence than the late Adolph Moses, the prime secret of his uniform success being the union
ADOLPH
MOSES. of a remarkable business judgment and a keen legal
insight into the most involved transactions. He never relied upon eloquence alone to carry a position, but always ap- pealed to court and jury as if he were laying the matter before a business man in his counting house. He realized to the full that the chief requisite in such cases, some of them involving millions of dollars, was to have the salient facts well in hand, and to state them clearly, succinctly and forcibly. Direct, earnest appeal in such legal procedure was usually found to be far more effective than eloquence, although, when the proper occasion arose, Mr. Moses was never found amiss even in well considered flights of oratory; but his genius as a lawyer was founded on his powers of analysis and classification, and so marked was his judicial temperament that his name was often men- tioned for the federal bench. His devotion to the cause of civic bet- terment is, aside from his success as a lawyer, the most interesting feature of his career to the general public regard. The Civic Federa- tion and similar organizations were strengthened by his support.
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