History of Madison County, Illinois With biographical sketches, Part 48

Author: Brink, W.R. & Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Edwardsville, Ill. : W. R. Brink & co.
Number of Pages: 698

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Among the ranks of the present veterans and dis- tinguished lawyers of Illinois, no one, perhaps, is better known or more illustrious than JUDGE JOSEPHI GILLESPIE of Edwardsville. This eminent jurist was born in New York in the year 1809, and as there were few schools at that day, he received his early education under the direction of his mother, who was a woman of superior intellectual ability. Iu 1819 he came with his parents to Illinois, and settled on a farm in Madison county About the year 1830 he became acquainted with the Hon Cyrus Edwards, then a distinguished retired lawyer of this county, who saw in young Gillespie indications of true mental worth, and invited him to become his student of law.

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

After two years of diligent application to his legal studies in the office of his generous patron, Mr. Gillespie attended a course of lectures on law at the Transylvania University, of Kentucky. In 1837 he was examined and admitted to the bar, and during the same year opened a law office in Edwardsville, where he has since continued in active practice. In 1840 he was elected to the lower House of the State Legislature, and there made the acquaintance of Mr. Lincoln, which afterwards ripened into a life-long, intimate friendship. In 1847, Mr. Gillespie was elected to the State Senate, and was one of the leaders of that body during the next eight years. In 1861 he was honored with the election to the circuit beuch of this district, and filled with distinetiou that position till 1873. As a citizen, lawyer, legislator, or jurist, Judge Joseph Gillespie stands in the ranks of the distinguished men of our great commonwealth, and is one of the few survivers of those noble sons of Illinois who for the last half century, both in field and forum, have won their way to fame and distinction.

HENRY S. BAKER, son of Judge David J. Baker, was born at Kaskaskia Ill., November 10, 1824. He re- ceived his preparatory education at Shurtleff College, Upper Alton, Ill., and in 1843 went to Brown Univer- sity, at Providence, R I. He graduated at Brown in 1847, and studied law with his father at Altou, during the next two years, at the end of which time he was admitted to practice. He was in partnership with his father for some time, but when the latter retired from active practice he formed a copartnership with Wm. B. Gilbert, his nephew, who is now a prominent attorney at Cairo, Ill. This firm lasted until 1835, when Mr. Gilbert left Alton. In the same year he was elected judge of the city court of Alton. He held this office until 1881, a period of sixteen years. although he was a Republican and the city strongly Democratie. In March, 1881, he was defeated for the office by Judge A. H. Gambrill, a Democrat. He then formed a partnership with John J. Brenholt, of Alton, and the firm at once took a leading place among those of the Madison county bar, and is still in successful continuanee. Judge Baker has had little to do with politics, although a popular man and a pleasing public speaker ; yet he has from time to time been honored by his party by being chosen member of State and National Republican conventions ; notably the Republican convention held at Bloomington in 1856 ; the Republican State convention, of 1876, of which he was president, and in the same year, the Republican Na- tional Convention, at Cincinn tti.

Another able and prominent member of the Madison county bar, and one long identified with the profession, is the Hon. A. W. METCALF, of Edwardsville.

Mr. Metcalf was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, August 6th, 1828, and received his literary eduention at Madison College in his native county, from which institution, having completed the classical course, he graduated in 1846. He afterward studied law three years in the office of Evans and Scott at Cambridge, Ohio, and in 1850, having passed the required examination, was admitted to the bar of his native state. In January, 1851, he went to Appleton, Wis-

consin, where, in company with George H. Myers, he opened an office and commeneed the practice of his profes- sion.

Having remained there a year, he in 1852 went to St. Louis and came thence to Edwardsville, whence, after stop- ping a few months, he went to Alton to transaet the legal business of George T Brown and to perform the duties of reporter for the Alton Courier.

In January, 1853, he returned to Elwardsville, opened a law office, and has here, ever since, continued in active prac- tice. In 1º59 he was appointed state's attorney by Gov. William H. Bissell, and served one year in that capacity. In 1864, he was elected to the state senate from the district composed of Madison and St. Clair counties, and took a leading part in the deliberations of that body til! the expi- ration of his term in 1868. In 1872, he was a delegate to the national Republican convention which met at Philadel- phia, and which nominated Gen. Grant for re-election to the Presidency. In 1876 he was a lay delegate from the south - eru Illinois conference to the national Methodist conference, which held its session that year at Baltimore, Md. He was also a delegate to the national Republican convention which met at Chieago in 1880 and which nominated Gen. Garfield.

During the last twenty years he has been a trustee of McKendree College, and in that capacity has done much to advance the interests of that institution.

Mr. Metcalf has always takeu a deep and active interest in the Sunday-school eause, attending most of the State Sunday-chool conventions and otherwise contributing to the advancement of that work throughout the state. He was for one year the law partner of Julge John G. Irwin. and had for several years a branch office at Greenville, Ill., J. F. Alexander being in charge of the office at that place. In 1874 Mr. Metcalf formed a partnership with William P. Bradshaw, which firm, under the style of Metcalf and Bradshaw, still continues, and is one of the leading law firms in this part of the state.

JUDGE ALEXANDER H. GAMBRILL was born in the eity of Annapolis, Md. Ilis paternal ancestors were among the earliest settlers of Maryland ; those on his mother's side settled in Virginia at an early day and were prominent citi- zens of that state. He was educated at St. John's College in his native eity, and graduated from that institution hav- ing completed the full classical course of study. He then studied law with Hon. Alexander Randall of Aunapolis, Md .; was admitted to the bar of that State in 1850; and practiced Jaw till October, 1855, when he removed to Altou, Ill., where he immediately opened a law office by him- self. He has never been in partnership with any one. In 1857 he was elected eity attorney of Alton, and was after- ward re-elected to the same position for several consecutive terms. At that time the office of city counsellor had not been established, and he therefore performed the duties per- taining to both offices during his successive terms of office as city attorney. For several years prior to 1881, he was Master in Chancery of the city court of Altou, and in dis- charging the duties of that office, so fully demonstrated his fitness for the position of Judge of that court that he was

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

elected to that office in 1881. His administration has been marked by ability and integrity.

HON. JOHN II. YAGER was born in Germany, Oct. 12. 1833. Ile attended school in various places when a boy, but finish- ed his literary education in the St. Louis high school. He read law with Hon. A. W. Metcalf; and, subsequently, with T. L. Dickey of Chicago, now one of the Justices of the Supreme Court of Illinois. While in the office of the latter, he was admitted to the bar, in April, 1857 ; and in June of the same year, he removed to Alton, Ill., where he has since remained in the practice of law.

He has held several important offices since locating in this county ; among them the following : elected Enrolling and Engrossing Clerk of Illinois House of Representatives in 1861 ; appointed Surveyor of Customs for Port of Alton by President Lincoln, in 1861; elected member of the House of Representatives, in 1866; in April 1871, appoint- ed Collector of Internal Revenue for the 12th District of Ill., by President Grant; in November 1872 elected State Senator from the 41st District of Illinois ; and in 1880 elect- ed State's Attorney for Madison Co., III., the duties of which office he still very ably performs. He is a sound lawyer and a useful man.

IRWIN B. RANDLE was born in Stewart county, Tennes- see, March 24th, 1811, and came with his parents in 1815 to Illinois, and settled near Edwardsville. His early educa- tion was acquired in the public schools of Madison county, Illinois, and a High School in Christian county, Kentucky. Iu 1834 he removed to Upper Alton, and in 1839 com- menced the study of law. In 1859 he was examined, and admitted to the bar of Illinois. Immediately aft r obtain- ing license to practice, he opened a law office in Upper Al- ton, and was there engaged in legal business till 1870, when he removed to Elwardsville, where he has since been en- gaged in the work of his profession. From 1845 to 1853, Mr. Randle was a member of the county court of Madison county. On October 24th, 1881, Mr. Randle and wife cele- brated their golden wedding, and on this occasion the other members of the Madison county bar showed in what high regard they held him and his estimable lady, hy presenting to them 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, repre- sent twenty-eight members of the present Madison county bar. This was an honor and an occasion long to be remem- bered by Mr. Randle, his family, and their posterity.

GEORGE B. BURNETT, one of the prominent lawyers of the Madison county bar, was born in Ontario county, New York He pursued his legal studies under the supervision of his father, Benjamin F. Burnett, and was admitted to the bar in 1860. From 1860 to 1862, he practiced law at Aledo, Mercer county, Illinois. In 1832 he came to Ed- wardsville, and began the practice of law, by himself, and" thus continued till 1866, at which time he formed a part- nership with Judge Dale, which lasted till 1876, his brother, Frank W. Burnett being admitted to the partnership in 1873. In 1876, Judge Dale was elected county Judge, and withdrew from the firm. The brothers, Barnett, continued

their partnership about a year, and then dissolved, each establishing a practice for himself. Quite early in life Mr. Geo. B. Burnett gained considerable distinction as a criminal lawyer He has been for twelve years past the attorney for the St. Louis Branch of the Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific Railroad. He is a fine lawyer, and excels as an advocate.

JUDGE M. G. DALE is a native of the city of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and received his early education in the schools of his native city. In 1832 he entered Pennsylvania college at Gettysburg, and graduated in full course in 1835. He had the honor of being salutatorian of his class, and delivered his graduating oration in Latin. His legal educa- tion began in the office of Judge Champney, at Lancaster, and in 1837 he was admitted to the bar. On coming to Illinois in 1838, he settled at Greenville, Bond county, and opened a law office. From 1839 to 1853 he served as pro- bate judge and county judge of that county, and was by President Pierce appointed register of the land office at Edwardsville, to which place he removed. On the removal of the land office from Edwardsville, he was elected county judge of Madison county, in which capacity he served eight years. At the close of his term as judge he resumed the practice of law, and continued it till seven years ago, when he was again elected county judge of Madison county, which office he still holds. Judge Dale is a very affable and cour- teous gentleman, and an excellent county judge, as is shown by his successive elections to that office.

HON. LEVI DAVIS, SR, of Alton, Illinois, is a native of Maryland, having been born in that state in May. 1808. On coming to Illinois he located at Vandalia. In 1835 he be- came Auditor of State, and removed to Springfield, where he remained till 1846, when he came to Alton, where he has since been engaged in general practice. He is considered one of our best lawyers, one to whom some of the best lawyers of the. country have said they could entrust their cases with a feeling of security, a feeling that whoever might be the opposing counsel, he would have hard work to gain the case against Mr. Davis, if the latter had justice on his side. Davis is pre-eminently trustworthy on account of his accuracy and extent of legal knowledge, but also by reason of his integrity. He has been conspicuous during his life as a peace-maker ; his advice to his clients was invariably to keep out of the law, or if in, to compromi-e their cases, if they could do so consistently with their honor. Davis and Nelson G. Edwards, formed at one time one of the most successful and popular law firms in the county of Madison. He is now living in the enjoyment of a character of which any man may be proud.

CHARLES P. WISE, one of the leading lawyers of this county, is a native of Maryland, and was born at Emmet>- burg. in that state, in 1839. His education was acquired principally at the University of St. Louis, Missouri, where he pursued the classical course till some time during his junior year, when he left college to prepare for entering the legal profession. He first read law in the office of Levi Davis, Sr. at Alton, during the years 1858-59 ; his legal studies were further prosecuted at the Albany Law School, from which institution he received his degree of LL B. in 1861.

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

In the same year he was licensed to practice law in the State of New York, also at the bar of Illinois, and in the latter part of the year opened a law office in Alton, where he was soon in successful practice. In 1868 he formed a partnership with Judge Henry W. Billings; this partnership was dissolved in 1871, and Mr. Wise continued practice by himself from this time till 1880, when he and Levi Davis, Jr., formed a partnership which still exists. He is engaged in a practice which embraces all branches of the bar.

He was for two years city attorney and for the same length of time city councilor for the city of Alton. In 1878 he was admitted to practice in the Supreme court of the United States. He is also one of the attorneys for the Chicago and Alton Railroad Company, has a large and lucrative practice, and ranks high as a councillor and practicing attorney.

G. M. COLE is a native of Ashtabula county, Ohio ; born in 1834. His early school years were spent in Kingsville Academy, in his own native county. About the year 1854, he came west, and during the next fifteen years was employed as principal of various graded schools of Illinois, being a part of the time principal of the Edwardsville schools. In 1863, under the instruction of George B. Burnett, he began to prepare himself for the practice of law ; was examined in 1864, and admitted to the bar. During the next two years he was a partner of George B. Burnett, his preceptor, siuce which time he has practiced law by himself. From 1873 to 1879 was Master in Chancery of Madison county.

JUDGE JOHN G. IRWIN was born in Edwardsville, Illinois, January 21st, 1842, and passed his boyhood days in the public school of his native town. At the age of twenty- three commeneed reading law in the office of Judge David Gillespie, at Edwardsville. In December, 1866, he was examined, and in January following, received license to practice law. Shortly after his admission, he formed a partnership with Hon. A. W. Metcalf, which continued about a year, when he formed a partnership with W. H. Krome, which continued till April, 1874, at which time he was elected county judge, to succeed the late Judge William T. Brown, at a special election held in April, 1874; was de_ clared elected by one majority by the board of canvassers. M. G. Dale, one of his competitors, 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. The only questions involved in the case were irregularities, which were the result of mistakes of the judges of election, due to a lack of familiarity with the election law which had been changed shortly before the electiou. The most important case decided by Judge Irwin was that of Madison county rs. the estate of the late Judge William T. Brown, and as some difference of opinion was expressed in regard to the matter, we append a brief synopsis of the theory of the decision .*

* There was no dispute as to the funds he received as financial agent of the county. The law east upon his administration the burden of accounting for the funds so received, and the judgment rendered represents the difference between the whole amount he received and 25

Judge Irwin served the county as judge two years, and at the expiration of that time formed a law partnership with Edward C. Springer. Messrs. Irwin & Springer are engaged in a prosperous general practice of their profession, and the firm is one of the most prompt and reliable in the county. Judge Irwin is justly regarded as a man of pro- found cast of mind, aud a deeply read lawyer. He carefully investigates and analyzes every subject or case presented for his consideration, and exhibits his side with remarkable clearness and force. His forte is in his masterly presentation to the court of the legal propositions in his case. In addition, he is known to be actuated by the highest sentiments of honor.

LEVI DAVIS, JR., is a native of Illinois, and was born at Springfield, Nov. 2, 1842. He received a thorough com- mon school education in the public school of Alton and afterward pursued a course of collegiate study at the Uni- versity of St. Louis, Mo. Being thus prepared for profes- sional study he began to read law in the office of his father at Alton, in 1865, and after studying there one year entered the Albany Law School at Albany, N. Y. Soon after his graduation from that institution in 1867. he was admitted to the bar of Illinois and opened an office with his father at Alton. IIe remained associated with the latter till 1871, when he joined the ranks of the profession in St. Louis, where he practiced till 1879, at which time he re- turned to Alton and formed a law partnership with Charles P. Wise, with whom he is still connected under the firm name of Wise & Davis. He has twice been city attorney of Alton ; is a man of ability, and is iu every sense a sound and successful lawyer.

CAPTAIN ANTON NEUSTADT, one of the enterprising foreign-born citizens of this county, received his hterary education at the University of Prague, subsequently emi- grated to America, and settled in Madison county, Illinois. He studied law under the direction of Gillespie & Springer, and was admitted to the bar in August, 1867. He began the practice of law in Collinsville, where he has since con- tinued to reside, and has been successfully engaged in the practice of his profession.

the aggregate amount of credits proved. The proceedings were pending about eighteen months, and every opportunity was given to the administrators, as respects time and otherwise, to make as full and complete a defense as it was possible to make, and neither they, nor their counsel were in any degree negligent in the performance of their duties; they had access to all public records and were aided by the county clerk. They also had the private books and memoranda of the deceased, and preserved as vouchers a great many papers per- taining to public affairs, and obtained eredit for them ; among these were $81,850.67 cancelled coupons paid by the deceased and proserved by him as vouchers. In these reports counsel for the estate had advantages which counsel for the county did not possess. A written opinion was rendered and placed on file, and from an inspection of this document it will be found that the estate got the benefit of all the doubts, besides the estate had the right of appeal and triat de nova, and although an appeal was taken, the only question raised on the trial of the appeal was as to the correctness of the ruling of the probate court in the classification of the claim. The circuit court affirmed the decision of the probate court in this respect.

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

CYRUS L. Cook was born and reared in Madison county, Illinois. He entered Shurtleff College, at Upper Alton, in 1856, and graduated from that institution in 1862, in full classical course. IIis legal education was acquired by taking private lessons and attending law leetures in the University of Michigan. About the year 1867 he was admitted to the bar of Illinois, and established himself in the practice of law at Edwardsville, where he has since continued in active practice. During the late war he was a member of the One Hundred and Thirty-third Illinois Infantry. In 1876, he was elected States' Attorney of Madison county, and filled the office with eminent ability till the election of his succes- sor in 1880. His opinions on legal points are sound, and evince a thorough knowledge of law. He is a most genial gentleman, an eloquent advocate, and a lawyer of the finest scholarly attainments.

CYRUS W. LEVERETT was born at Upper Alton, Illinois, in 1841. His literary education was received at Shurtleff College. He pursued his legal studies in the office of Levi Davis, Sr., of Alton, and in the law department of the Uni- versity of Michigan. Since his admission to the bar, about 1867, he has been engaged in an extensive practice at his native place.

HENRY O. BILLINGS has been for several years in the practice of law at Alton. He was elected in 1880 a member of the Illinois legislature, as the democratic candidate of Madison county.

HON. WILLIAM H. KROME, was born in July, 1842, at Louisville, Kentucky. In 1848 he left that city with his parents and came to St. Louis. Two years later his parents removed to Madison county, III., and settled on a farm nine miles south of Edwardsville. Mr Krome received a eoni- mon school education in the public schools of this county, and in the fall of 1858 entered McKendree College for the purpose of better preparing himself for the battle of life. He took a classical course and graduated in June, 1863. In 1865, he commenced the study of law in the office of Judge Dale of Edwardsville, and remained a student in that office till the fall of 1866, when he entered the law de- partment of the Michigan University, Ann Arbor, Mich., from which he graduated in 1868. He had been examined with reference to his legal quaifications in June, 1867, and had been admitted to practice in Illinois but did not open an office till April, 1868, when he and John G. Irwin of Edwardsville formed a partnership the firm name being Irwin and Krome. This firm continued till 1874, when Mr. Krome entered into a partnership with W. F. L. Hadley ; the firm Krome and Hadley still continues. Mr. Krome was a member of the State Senate from 1874 to 1878, and served as mayor of the city of Edwardsville from 1873 to 1875. He is an able lawyer, a good pleader and a suc_ cessful advocate.

JOHN J. BRENHOLT, is a native of Missouri, born in the city of St. Louis, in 1843. He aequired a thorough scholastic edu- cation at Illinois College, Jacksonville, Iil., graduating in 1856, and then entered the Albany Law School at Albany, N. Y., from which institution he received his diploma in 1867. In

the same year he was admitted to the bar in New York, and in the following year was examined and received his license to practice in Hlinois. In 1873 he began the practice of law in Chicago, where he remained two years ; he then removed to Alton, opened an office and at once engaged in the gener- al practice of his profession. From April 1879 till April 1881 he was corporation counsellor for the city of Alton. In the latter year he formed a partnership with Judge H. S. Baker, with whom he is now associated in general prac- tiee under the firm name of Baker and Brenholt. In 1878 Mr. Brenholt was appointed by Gov. Cullom a member of his staff with the rank of Colonel, and still holds that posi- tion. He is a clear-headed, active, painstaking lawyer.

ALEXANDER W. HOPE, was born at Alton, III., July 10, 1848. He spent his youth in gaining a thorough education and graduated from the University of Virginia in 1868, having taken the full classical course of that institu- tion. After completing his collegiate course he attended the law department of his Alma Mater, and at the end of two years received the degree of LL. B. He was imme- diately admitted to the bar of Illinois and opened an office in Alton, where he has since remained. He was for three terms city attorney of Alton, and has been elected mayor twice. Mr. Hope has been engaged in many important cases, and is regarded as a very promising member of the profession.

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History of Madison County, Illinois With biographical sketches, Part 48

Author: Brink, W.R. & Co Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Edwardsville, Ill. : W. R. Brink & co. Number of Pages: 698

Author: Brink, W.R. & Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Edwardsville, Ill. : W. R. Brink & co.
Number of Pages: 698