USA > Illinois > Macon County > History of Macon County, Illinois : with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 16
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Ansil Tupper was a brother of Col. Tupper, whom he equalled in intellectual power and knowledge of law. He was hasty and im- pulsive in temper and disposition, and his passions were strong ; but, nevertheless, he was highly popular. He entered the army, and was Lieut .- Col. of the 41st Illinois Volunteers, and fell at the head of his regiment at Shiloh.
Eleazar Thorpe, now a resident of Chariton, Iowa, was a well- read lawyer of strong native talent for his profession. He was ad- mitted to practice in 1854.
James P. Boyd was a native of Ohio, and his early manhood was spent in teaching. He was well-educated, and a man of pure cha- racter. He was admitted to the bar in this state. He became a resident of this county in 1855, and was soon after his arrival elected county-surveyor. In 1860 he was elected prosecuting attor. ney, and served as such until 1862, when he resigned to enter the service as Lieut .- Col. of the 116th Regiment of Illinois Volunteers. At the siege of Vicksburg he was shot through the lungs, but re- covered. He went to New Orleans at the close of the war and practiced his profession there. He returned to Decatur, where he died from the effects of his wound in 1869. He was a diligent stu- dent of law.
Hon. John R. Eden, of Sullivan, resided in this county for a short time. He is a strong man and an able lawyer, widely known in political circles, and has represented his district in Congress a number of times.
John W. Smith, now a member of the bar in Chicago, was born in this county, February, 1843. He graduated at the Albany Law- School in New York, and began practice here as junior member of the firm of Emmerson & Smith. He is well known in the county as the author of a history of Macon county. He is a man of fair education and versatility of talent, and a well-read lawyer.
PRESENT MEMBERS OF THE BAR.
Undiscriminating praise is worthless, and empty adulation is out of place in speaking of the dead, much more when speaking of the living. Refined and sensible men place, justly, a light estimate upon either. It can be truthfully said, however, that the Macon county bar is able and worthy. It comprises young men of promise and ambition, and those who have attained great eminence in a difficult and honorable profession, and whose history is an incen- tive to those who are to follow them. We speak of the members of the bar as nearly as possible in the order of time they began practice in this county.
Capt. Joel S. Post, the oldest practitioner of the Macon county
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
bar, was born in Wayne county, New York, April 27th, 1816. In 1828 his father emigrated to Michigan territory. Here Mr. Post remained with his father until his twenty-third year. In 1839 he removed to Decatur, and in the next year began the study of law in the office of Charles Emmerson, and in 1841 he was admitted and began practice. In 1846 he enlisted for the Mexican war in the 4th Regiment Illinois Volunteers, Col. E. D. Baker commanding. He was soon appointed quartermaster, with the rank of captain. In 1856 he was clected to represent his district in the State Senate, and served two sessions. During his term of service he was mainly instrumental in securing the passage of the law cstablishing the State Normal University at Normal, Illinois.
Capt. Post is noted for his kindness of heart, and few men have more warm friends than he. His kindness to young attorneys be- ginning practice is proverbial. He has the respect and esteem of the community in which he has lived so long ; is a good lawyer, safe as a counsellor, and strong as an advocate ; and has enjoyed a good practice. His assistance in the preparation of this chapter, as well as other parts of the work, has been of especial value and is gratefully appreciated.
A. B. Bunn is a native of Ohio. In 1844 he came to Illinois, and settled at Mt. Pulaski. After residing there four years he went to Iowa city, and in '49 began there the study of the law in the office of Gilbert Folson. In July, 1850, he moved to Decatur, and entering the office of Capt. Jocl S. Post continued his prepara- tion for his profession, frequently conducting cases in the courts of justices of the peace. In September, 1851, he went to Bloomington and applied for examination to Judge David Davis, circuit judge. Judge Davis appointed Charles Emmerson, C. H. Moore, and David Campbell as a committee to examine him. Mr. Emmerson, who had frequently contested law points with him in the justices' courts, and who held a high opinion of his ability, gave it as his belief that the young man was worthy of his license, and thus vouched for, he was granted his license to practice without exami- nation. Mr. Bunn was elected to the legislature in 1866. IIc has held the office of assessor of internal revenue, which he resigned, and has also served the city of Decatur as its attorney and clerk. He is a thoroughly educated lawyer, and one of the best special pleaders ever at the bar. Master of his profession, he is equally strong before a jury and the court. His standing for many years in his profession has been high.
S. G. Malone, a native of Ohio, studied for his profession in In- diana, where he was admitted to the bar in 1848. He pursued the practice of law in Vermilion county of that state for seven years,- four years of that period filling the office of proseenting attorney. He came to Macon county in 1856, and settled in Decatur, forming a co-partnership with William S. Freese, a highly respected and popular young man. Judge Prather was not long after taken into the firm, and Mr. Freesc soon thereafter retired Mr. Malone is a careful, pains-taking lawyer, and a very safe counsellor.
Hon. Richard J. Oglesby, was born in Kentucky in 1824. Hc came to Decatur with his uncle, Willis Oglesby, in 1836. In 1844 he began the study of law in Springfield, and in 1845 was admitted to the bar. He opened an office in Sullivan and remained there until the spring of 1846, when he volunteered in the Mexican War, and was commissioned 1st Lieutenant in Company C. 4th regt. IN. volunteers. On his return he resumed practice, this time in Decatur, but in 1849 went to California in search of a fortune. In 1852 he returned and again resumed his profession. In 1856 he made a tour of Europe, Asia and Africa, and returning, became one of the firm of Gallagher, Wait and Oglesby. In 1860 he was elected to the State Senate. In 1851 he was elected Colonel of the
8th Illinois infantry. At the battle of Ft. Donelson he was in command of a brigade. Ile reecived, at Corinth, as a memento of rebel affection, an ounce ball in his body which he still retains. He had been promoted Brigadier-general in April. After partial recovery he was promoted to major-general, for valiant services, his commission dating from Nov. 1862. Owing to inability to perform the duties of his position from the effect of his wound, he tendered his resignation in July, 1863, which was not accepted, and he was detailed on court-martial duty at Washington. In May, 1864, he returned home and was elected Governor of Illinois. In 1872 he was re-elected to that office, but resigned on being elected to the Senate of the United States in 1873.
Senator Oglesby is a man of great natural ability, and had he devoted himself exclusively to the law there is no question but that he would have attained as great eminence in that profession as he has reached in military and political circles. His popularity is great, and his oratorieal powers are of a high order. His fame as a soldier and orator and statesman is national, and the citizens of Macon county, irrespective of party, are proud of his achievements.
D. L. Bunn was born in McLean. county, Ill., in 1837, and in 1855 became a citizen of Macon county. He read law in the office of Capt. Post, in Decatur, and in the fall of 1862 was granted license to practice. The same year he was appointed pros- ecuting attorney by Gov. Yates, to fill out the unexpired term of James P. Boyd. In 1864 he was elected by the people to the same office, and served out his term of four years. He received his literary education at Lombard University.
Hugh Crea, one of the leading members of the Macon county bar, was born near Port Hope, Canada West. His father was a man of education, and was influential in the establishment of a good system of schools in Canada. Mr. Crea left home before he reached his majority, and came to the United States. He subse- quently read law and was admitted to the bar in Indiana, but on account of poor health made no attempt till 1860 or 1861, when he came to Illinois. He opened an office in Decatur in the fall of 1862, and soon acquired a large and profitable practice. Among his prominent characteristics as a lawyer is a thorough knowledge of the common law. He possesses a mind of superior logical powers. For the last few years in connection with a general practice, he has devoted considerable attention to railroad law, in which he has been very successful.
K. H. Roby was born in the State of New Hampshire, and came to Illinois in 1858. He first made his home at Salem, Marion co. There he became a student of law in the office of Bryan and Shaffer. He removed to Decatur in 1860, and continued his preparation for practice in the office of Tupper and Nelson. He passed the required examination, and was admitted to the bar in 1862. After Col. Tupper went into the army, he was associated in practice with Judge Nelson, and remained in partnership with him until his elevation to the bench. Mr. Roby is unassuming and gentlemanly in his bearing, and is an able lawyer and safe coun- sellor.
Samuel F. Greer, who has filled the office of county judge con- tinuously since 1861, is a native of Ohio. He came to Decatur in 1854, and studied his profession here. He was admitted to practice in January, 1862, but his time has been mostly occupied with his official duties. Hc has been a member of the board of education and has represented his ward in the city council. Mr. Greer is honest and upright, and discharges the duties of his office most .creditably. His knowledge of real estate law is very thorough.
J. A. Buckingham, the present prosecuting attorney, was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, in July, 1840. He attended Farmer's
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
College, Ohio, and then read law in the office of Tilden and Caldwell, in Cincinnati. He was admitted to the bar in April, 1863, and in September of the same year came to Decatur. He entered into a co-partnership with Capt. J. S. Post, and has practiced his profession here, since. He has held the office of city attorney for four years, and in 1876 was elected to thic office he now fills. Mr. Buckingham possesses a strong intellect, and is conceded to be a very able lawyer. He has by study and untiring applica- tion won his way to the front in his profession.
Brice I. Sterrett, of Decatur, was born in Pennsylvania, and was educated, classically, at Dickinson College, at Carlisle, graduating in class of '67. In July of that year he began the study of law in Carlisle, and in the fall of the same year moved West, and settled in Decatur. Here he entered the office of Emmerson and Smith, and continued his studies until Aug. 1868, when he was granted license to practice. Since that time he has been a member of this bar. After the death of Judge Emmerson he was associated for two years with John W. Smith. He belongs yet among the junior members of the bar; is a well-read lawyer, and an honorable, high-minded gentleman.
Thomas Lee is a native of county Limerick, Ireland, and emi- grated therefrom in 1855. Until 1860 he lived in New Jersey. In that year he removed to Springfield, Illinois, and graduated in the High School of that city. He studied law in Decatur, in the office of Hon. F. S. Murphy, and in Aug. 1869, was admitted to the bar. Mr. Lee is a man of great industry ; manages his cases skillfully, and is a successful practitioner.
C. A. Ewing was born in " old Kentucky," and moved to Illinois in 1850. He attended the Albany Law School, graduating in 1869. The same year he began his career at this bar. He is one of the law firm of Crea and Ewing, and devotes himself exclusively to the practice of his profession. He is well-educated, and is an able lawyer and upright man.
A. G. Harris, of Macon, was born in New York in 1847. He attended law school at Bloomington, Indiana, and afterwards read in the office of Nelson & Roby, of Decatur. He was admitted to practice in 1870, and opened an office in Macon. His education is fair and his natural abilities are good, and he has read law to good purpose.
Edwin Park is a native of New York. He emigrated to Illinois in 1856, and settling in Bellville, began in 1857 the study of law. He was admitted in 1858, but engaged in teaching for a year in St. Clair county. In 1860 he came to Macon county, and taught in the Decatur schools until elected county superintendent, which office he filled for six years. It was in January, 1870, that he be- gan practice in this county. Mr. Park is an honorable man, well- read in the books, and a safe lawyer.
W. C. Johns was born in Ohio, but came to Illinois in 1849, when very young. He was graduated from the literary depart- ment of Michigan University in 1869 and from the Albany Law School in 1870. In the fall of the same year he opened an office in Decatur and began practice. Mr. Johns possesses energy and pluck. He is intellectual, ambitious, and successful in practice
E. K. Eldridge was born in Indiana and moved to Illinois in 1856, settling first in Tazewell county. He attended Eureka Col- lege and completed the course of study in 1869. He began the study of law in Livingston county, and was admitted to the bar at the January term, 1870. His first experience in practice was gained in Fairbury, Livingston county. In May, 1870, he removed to Decatur, and has since been a member of the Macon county bar. Mr. Eldridge has a vigorous mind, and ranks among his brethren as a good lawyer.
William T. Coussins is a native of Ohio, and was prepared for college at Miller Academy of that state. In the fall of 1862 he came to Illinois. In the fall of next year he entered Eureka Col- lege and was graduated in the elassical course in June, 1869. The same year lic began in the office of Bunn & Bunn, in Decatur, the study of law, and at the spring term of the supreme court 1871, he was duly licensed to practice. He first opened an office in Maroa, but after six months returned to Decatur. Ile has done service in the schools of the state, having been principal of the Bement public schools. He was tutor of Latin during his last two years at college, and one year was in charge of Harristown Aca- demy. He has been a diligent student of the principles of law.
Josiah M. Clokey is an Ohioan by birth, and in 1869 caine to Aledo, Mercer county, Ill. He studied law previously in Spring- field, Ohio, and attended lectures in the law department of Michi- gan University. He was admitted to practice at March term, 1868, and after one year's practice in his native state, came, as above stated, to Illinois. In September, 1873, he became a mem- ber of the bar of Macon county. Mr. Clokey understands the law, and is a gentleman of capacity and character and enjoys a fair share of the practice.
I. D. Walker was born in Ohio, and in 1861 came to Illinois, settling first in McDonough county. From thence he removed to Piatt county. He was a member of the first class (that of '75) that graduated at the Bloomington Law School. He came to Macon county the same year and began practice at Maroa, but the next year became a resident of Decatur. A few days before his gradua- tion at the law school he had been admitted to the bar on examination before the supreme court. He is in partnership with Thomas Lee. Mr. Walker is upright and ambitious. His ideal of what a lawyer should be is high, and he understands the value of time and the necessity of labor.
J. C. Hostettler is a native of Indiana, who moved to Decatur in 1857. He was educated at Union College, New York, graduating in the class of 1871. He read law in the office of Eden & Odor, and was on examination by supreme court, found worthy, and" admitted to practice in January, 1875. He formed a eopartnership with Mr. E. K. Eldridge, and at once entered upon the practice of his profession.
These gentlemen associated the distinguished Judge Thornton with them in November, 1879. Mr. Hostettler has good intellectual ability and is considered a safe and good business lawyer.
U. C. Outten is a native of this state. He came from Cass to Macon county in 1853, and since has resided here. He was gra- duated from the law department of Michigan University in 1875, was granted license the same year, and began practice in Decatur. He is promising and determined to rise high in his profession, to which he devotes all his energies.
John A. Brown was born in Massachusetts. He came to Macon county in 1865 and engaged in school-teaching. Afterwards he was for a period of three years connected with the press. Mr. Brown, after due preparation, was admitted to the bar in 1876. In 1873 he was appointed master-in-chancery, which office he still holds, having been appointed for three consecutive terms. He makes the chancery branch of the law a specialty. He possesses a keen, incisive intellect, and has studied his profession diligently.
Edward P. Vail was born in this state, and studied for his pro- fession at Rushville during the years '68 and '69, and his license to practice was granted him the next year. After admission to the bar he began practice at Rushville, where he remained for seven years, four years of which time he held the office of public prose- cutor for Schuyler county. In 1877 his name was enrolled on the
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
list of attorneys of this county. His perceptive faculties are excel- lent; his command of language first-rate; and he is an honorable gentleman in all things.
Albert G. Webber is of German extraetion, having been born in Wurtemburg. He emigrated to this country in 1863. He read law for four years at Keokuk, Iowa, and then applying for exami- nation was admitted to the bar in November, 1879. He is in part- nership with Mr. A. Brown, and is especially fond of the common -. law practice. Mr. Webber lias a strong intellect, and is bound to rise in his calling. He is highly energetic and ambitious.
A. R. Arbuckle, whose name yet remains on the list of attorneys, but who has decided to abandon the law for journalism, is a native of Ohio ; studied law in the office of Gen. Ira J. Bloomfield, and in June, 1871, became a member of the Macon county bar. He is now engaged in editing The Tomahawk. Mr. Arbuckle when in practice was known as a logical reasoner and an effective advocate.
Zach. T. Hundley was born in the Old Dominion, came to Illinois in 1869, and became a resident of Macon county in 1871. He is a graduate of the law department of Wesleyan University, class of '77. He was admitted to practice, on his diploma, at the June term of the Supreme Court of the same year, and in July opened an office in Maroa. He removed to Decatur in June, 1879, and in October of the same year formed a co-partnership with the eminent lawyer, Judge Nelson. Mr. Hundley has good intellectual ability, and attends carefully to business intrusted to his care. He promises to become an excellent lawyer.
I. R. Mills is a native of Illinois. He attended Lincoln Univer- sity, and graduated at that institution in 1876. He read law in Chicago in the office of Dent & Black. In May, 1879, he was ad- mitted to practice. He is in partnership with Josiah M. Clokey. Mr. Mills is well-educated and attentive to business.
David Hutchison was brought up in Andover, Mass., and was prepared for college at Phillip's University in that place. He came west in 1870; attended the Albany Law School, from which he was graduated May 15th, 1877. On July 25th of the same year he began practice as an attorney at the Macon county bar. Mr. Hut- ehison is yet a young man, being but twenty-six years of age. He possesses legal ability aud scholarship.
Judge Anthony Thornton, of Decatur, one of the ablest and most widely known lawyers and jurists in Illinois, was born in Kentucky in 1815. He attended college at Danville for a time, and then be- came a student at Miami College, Ohio. From this institution he was graduated in 1835. He began the study of law at Paris, Ken- tueky, aud received his license from the Court of Appeals in 1836. The next year he moved to Illinois, settled in Shelby county, and began practice. He was a member of the Constitutional Conven- tion of 1848. In 1850 he was cleeted a member of the legislature. Three or four sessions were held of this body, it being a period of great excitement about railroads, and eharters were granted to the Illinois Central and to east and west lincs. In 1864 Mr. Thornton was elected to the 39th Congress, and at the close of his term de- elincd a proffered renomination. In July, 1870, he was elected to the Supreme Court of this state, and served until the first Monday in June, 1873, when he resigned his seat. He removed to Decatur in November, 1879. Judge Thornton is a man of great indepen- dence of spirit, of vast and accurate knowledge of the law, a strong advocate, and one of the ablest jurists that ever sat upon the Supreme Bench of Illinois. His practice is very large and lucra- tive, and he is eoneeded to be the ablest lawyer in this section of the state. He is unaffected in manner, and in all things gentlemanly.
Charles A. Shirley, now practicing at Blue Mound, is a native of Logan county, Illinois. He entered Lincoln University in the fall
of 1869, and graduated June 5th, 1873, as bachelor of science. In August, 1873, Mr. Shirley began the study of law in the office of Hon. William B. Jones, of Lincoln, Illinois, where he continued until the summer of 1875. In the autumn of '75 he became a stu- dent at the Albany Law School at Albany, N. Y., and graduated as LL. B. May 8th, 1876, the elass numbering 97. On the 18th of the same month he was licensed to practice by the Supreme Court of New York, and on the 3d of February, 1877, he was granted a license by the Supreme Court of Illinois. Mr. Shirley does a gen- eral law and collection business, devoting special attention to settle- ment of estates, war claims, and chancery practice.
D. C. Corley received his literary education at Wesleyan Univer- sity, Bloomington, where he was graduated in due course. He read law for a time in Shelbyville, and then moving to Decatur completed his preparatory studies in the office of A. B. Bunn. He was admitted in June, 1880, and is one of the promising young men of the bar.
Harry B. Durfee was born in Dceatur, and is a graduate of its High School. He read law in the office of Clay & Ewing, and at the June term of the Supreme Court was admitted to the bar. He possesses energy and ambition, and will succced.
W. H. Williamson, of Maroa, studied for his profession first in Ohio, where for one year he was a student in the office of Charles W. Anderson, of Greeneville, Darke county. He then attended the law department of Michigan University, where, on the 27th of March, 1879, he received the degree of L L. B. The same spring he became a member of the bar of Michigan. On the 14th of January, 1880, he was admitted to practice in Illinois. He attended school for nearly three years at Lebanon, Ohio, before studying law, and in 1877 took the degree of B. S. His favorite branches are crimi- nal and real-estate law. He is well-read and unassuming.
Harvey Pasco became a resident of this county in 1862. He began the study of law in an office, and then entered as a student the Chicago Law School. He afterwards entered the law depart- ment of Michigan University, was graduated in 1871, and shortly thereafter opened an office in Decatur. Mr. Pasco is an enterpris- ing and diligent lawyer.
Harry Crca, who has lately been admitted to practice, is the son of Hugh Crea. He is young, but promises to make a good lawyer.
J. C. Lake and E. S. McDonald, members of the bar, residing in Decatur, have failed, although requested so to do, to furnish any materials for a sketch, and hence can only be inentioned.
This completes the chapter on the Bench and Bar. It has been the object and wish of the publishers to make it full and accurate, and to do justice to all.
CHAPTER XI.
THIE PRESS.
BY D. MACKENZIE.
THE WEEKLY GAZETTE, CHRONICLE, DEMOCRAT, HERALD, MAGNET TRI- BUNE, MAGNET AND TRIBUNE, DECATUR TRIBUNE COMPANY, DAILY EMPRISE, DECATUR TRIBUNE, REPUBLICAN, MAROA TIMES, THE TABLET, MAROA TRIBUNE, MAROA NEWS, MAROA BUDGET, THE MESSENGER, DECATUR DEMOCRAT, PIKES' DEMOCRAT, SUNBEAM, DECATUR REVIEW, MACON TRIBUNE, NIANTIC HERALD, WEEKLY SUN, TIMES, WHIP AND SPUR, TEMPERANCE BUGLE, SUN, DEMOCRATIC ERA, SATURDAY HERALD, TOMAHAWK, YARDSTICK, ZIETUNG, ILLINOIS VOLKSBLAT.
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