USA > Indiana > Knox County > History of Knox and Daviess Counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present; with biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc. ; together with an extended history of the colonial days of Vincennes, and its progress down to the formation of the state government > Part 17
USA > Indiana > Daviess County > History of Knox and Daviess Counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present; with biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc. ; together with an extended history of the colonial days of Vincennes, and its progress down to the formation of the state government > Part 17
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William Prince came to Vincennes and located under the Ter- ritorial government and commenced his career here. He was a young man when he came, and he married Miss Theresa Puryea, a daughter of one of the old resident French families of Vincennes. His wife's parents resided on the lot on Main Street, now occupied by the Presbyterian Church and parsonage. They lived to a very advanced age, and the old man took delight in keeping his lot clean and nice, which he did when over ninety years of age. Judge Prince on the organization of Gibson County, removed there and the county seat was named for him. He was elected to Congress from this district in 1824 and died that year during his term. He left surviving him two daughters, one of whom mar- ried Judge Samuel Hall, the projector and first president of the Evansville & Terre Haute Railroad. Many of his descendants yet reside in Gibson County.
Thomas H. Blake came to this place from Washington City, where his father was at one time mayor. He was admitted to the bar in our circuit court May 27, 1816. He afterward re- moved to Terre Haute. He was an educated and accomplished man, and ambitious to a fault. He was of splendid personal appearance, fully six feet high and straight as an arrow. He was a perfect gentleman and honorable in all his dealings. He soon showed a decided preference for political distinction, and, after several unsuccessful efforts, was returned to the Twentieth Con- gress, in 1827, from this district. He was afterward appointed commissioner of the general land office. He died when yet com- paratively a young man.
Truly yours Henry & Coauthor
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
Gen. Washington Johnson was a native of Culpepper Coun- ty, Va., and came to Vincennes in ' 1793, and was the first attorney at law admitted to the bar in this county of which there is any record. He was a prominent member of the bar in his day, and filled many places of trust in the borough of Vincennes and under the Territorial government. He represented the coun- ty several times in the Legislature, and was speaker of the House during the second sessions of the second and third Territorial Legislatures. In conjunction with John Rice Jones he prepared in 1808, by authority, the first revision of the laws of the Terri- tory. He died in this place on October 26, 1833.
Jonathan Doty was a native of Somerville, N. J., and a grad- uate of Princeton College. He was quite young when he came to Vincennes, but must have displayed superior legal talent, as he was soon elevated to the bench as president judge of the cir- cuit court. He died the incumbent of that office February 22, 1822.
Jacob Call was a native of Kentucky. He presided in the circuit court for two years. During his term Thomas Mckinney was indicted and tried for the murder of James Boyd, and con- victed and sentenced by this judge to suffer death, and was accordingly executed October 15, 1822. William Cox, a colored man, was also indicted and tried for committing a rape on Miss Smith, and was convicted and also sentenced by this judge to suffer death, and was executed April 9, 1824. These are the only persons who have suffered the death penalty in this county, in accordance with a judicial decree. Judge Call was elected to Congress from this district, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Judge Prince, over Thomas H. Blake, in November, 1824. He committed suicide by hanging himself with a silk handkerchief at Frankfort, Ky., April 20, 1826.
John R. Porter resided in this State in Orange County. He was admitted to the bar in Martin County at the first term of the circuit court held in that county in 1820. He had in all prob- ability been admitted before that in some other court and county, and had been in the practice of the profession for some time. One of his relatives was one of the first associate judges of Mar- tin County, and he was prosecuting attorney of the circuit. Por-
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
tersville, the first county seat of Dubois County, was named in honor of this judge.
John Law was a native of New London, Conn., where he was born October 2, 1796. He came to Vincennes in 1817, and com- menced his professional career. His talents and eloquence soon advanced him in public estimation, and for nearly half a century he was regarded as a leading citizen of this county. He filled many positions of public trust. He was prosecuting attorney of the circuit, receiver of public moneys for this land district, com- missioner of the United States to adjust land titles in the Vin- cennes land district, and was twice elected to represent the dis- trict in Congress. He was one of the original owners of Lamas- co, now part of Evansville, the said town deriving its name from taking the first letters of the names of the three proprietors -- Law, McCall and Scott-and combining them together. In con- sequence of this interest he removed to Evansville and resided a few years, where he died, October 17, 1873, but his remains, in accordance with his often expressed desire while living, were brought and buried in the public cemetery near this city.
Amory Kinney resided at Terre Haute while he presided in our circuit court. He was a learned and able lawyer and noted for the encouragement and advice he gave young men. He was a good judge of human nature, and his appreciation and discern- ment of the capabilities of men was excellent. He discovered in Samuel B. Gookins (who had learned the printer's trade, and was about to leave Terre Haute for Washington City to seek em- ployment at his trade under government patronage) a legal mind that needed only training and development. After much persua- sion he finally induced him, at an advanced age, to commence the study of law, and while he was yet on the bench he gave him the use of his office and library, and trained him until he was called to the bar, with what result is well known.
Elisha Mills Huntington was born in Otsego County, N. Y., March 26, 1806. He came to Indiana in 1822, and was admitted to the bar in this county March 27, 1827. He was elected pres- ident judge of this circuit in 1837, and acquired considerable reputation as a learned and conscientious judge. In 1841 he was appointed commissioner of the general land office by President
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Tyler, which he held only for a short time, as, upon the death of Judge Holman, he was appointed judge of the United States Cir- cuit Court for the district of Indiana, and discharged the duties of that important position for a number of years, with credit to himself and the satisfaction of the public. He died the incum- bent of that position, at St. Paul, Minn., October 26, 1862.
William P. Bryant was judge of our circuit court for two years. During his occupation of the bench but little business of any exciting or important nature occupied the attention of the court. That he discharged his duties acceptably is attested by the fact that his official course never provoked criticism or cen- sure. We do not know where he resided when he was judge of this circuit, but have always been of the impression that he resided in Rockville, Parke County.
Samuel B. Goodkins lived at Terre Haute when he was our circuit judge. He comes of an old Puritan family that immi- grated to this country among the first who came. He was born in Bennington County, Vt., May 30, 1809. In 1823 he came to Indiana, and located at Terre Haute. In 1830, after finishing his apprenticeship as a printer, he came to Vincennes and commenced the publication of the Vincennes Gazette, a political newspaper, which was continued for many years by R. Y. Coddington after he left. He returned, after a residence of a year or two, to Terre Haute, and there commenced the study of law, and was admitted to the bar in 1834. He had received in his youth but a limited education, and may be called a self-made and self-educated man. He was elected one of the judges of the supreme court of Indiana, and continued on the bench in that court for three years, when he resigned on account of the smallness of the salary. He removed to Chicago and commenced the practice of law, and secured a lu- crative business. He is still living, and has returned to Terre Haute, where he resides.
Delana R. Eckles lived at Greencastle when he was our circuit judge. The business of our court had been suffered to lag, and many cases undisposed of had accumulated, until the docket, when he took the bench in our county, was very large. By his energy, promptness and strict enforcement of rules, he soon cleared his docket, and acquired a reputation as a jurist in dispatching bus-
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iness which is yet remembered and spoken of by old residents of the county. Yet he discharged his duties well and all cases were fairly tried, and no complaint was ever made that he sacrificed the interest of any litigant in order to expedite business. He was afterward appointed chief justice of Utah, and held that position until 1861. The judge, in addition to being a well read lawyer and able jurist, is an agreeable companion. As a pastime he has been partial to fox hunting. According to his own relation, one morning he mounted his charger and called his hounds, and soon "raised" a fox near his premises in Putnam County. His trained perceptions in such matters soon convinced him he had "roused a veteran." It was just sunrise, and he determined to give chase, and succeeded in capturing the fugitive, about sunset, . on the banks of the Ohio River. Judge Mack, of Terre Haute, informs me he is living in retirement on his farm, as Blackstone expresses it "otium cum dignitate." Long may he live.
Alvin P. Hovey was quite young when he presided as judge in our circuit court. He has a quick and penetrating mind, and being well versed in the science of law could easily and readily grasp the salient points of a case, and consequently dispatched business rapidly. He was as a general rule courteous and urbane, but impulsive and excitable, and sometimes, for a moment, mani- fested irritation in dealing with attorneys. But such feelings passed away as quickly as they appeared, and he gave general sat- isfaction as a judge, and was held in high esteem by attorneys and litigants. He was afterward district attorney for Indiana, and also a judge of the supreme court of the State. During the Rebellion he entered the army and gained an enviable reputation for skill and bravery as a general in the Federal service. He ran for Congress in this district, and was defeated by Judge Niblack, but by a reduced majority. He still lives and is engaged in the practice of law at Mount Vernon, Ind.
William E. Niblack was born in Dubois County, Ind., May 19, 1823. He commenced his public career in Martin County. He was elected to the House and Senate of the State Legislature while he resided there. He was appointed judge of this judicial circuit in 1854. While still circuit judge he was elected, in 1858, to Congress from this district to fill the vacancy caused by the
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
death of James Lockhart, and was re-elected at different times, until he served in Congress altogether fourteen years. He served in Congress during the trying period of the civil war, and by his wise and conservative course was esteemed a prudent and safe leg- islator. During this period he came in possession of a curious gun, and called a few friends to his house to inspect the weapon. The peculiarity about it was that it "kicked," and without great care was liable to hurt the person using it. ' He was elected to represent Knox County in the House of the State Legislature in 1862, and from his long service in legislative bodies and his expe- rience should have been elected speaker, but his modesty caused him to yield to the claims of a friend. In 1876 he was elected a supreme judge of the State and re-elected in 1882. He has in- creased his reputation as a judge during his service on the supreme bench. He removed to this place about the commencement of his congressional service, and has resided here ever since.
Ballard Smith was a young man when he became judge of the circuit court, and served but a brief period. He had previously been a member of the House of Representatives of the State Legislature, and was speaker thereof. He resided at Cannelton, in Perry County. He was a brother of Hamilton Smith, who was so largely interested in the manufacturing interests of Cannelton. Judge Smith died young, before his mental powers were fully developed, and before he had opportunity for the display of his capabilities.
Michael F. Burke was also young when he became circuit judge. He was born in Limerick, Ireland, March 10, 1829, and came to this country in 1848. He had a thorough classical edu- cation. He commenced the study of law and graduated at the law department of the State University in 1851. He commenced the practice at Washington. He was a hard student, and pre- pared his cases for trial with much care. He was energetic and labored for success in whatever he undertook. He was a forcible speaker, and relied more upon fact and reason than the flowers of eloquence. Before he became judge he prosecuted the pleas of the State one term in our county, by court appointment, in the absence of the regular prosecutor. He made his mark by the vigor and ability he displayed in managing the State cases and
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
materially advanced his chances to be elected judge the same year. He was elected in 1858. He had a judicial mind and disposed of business rapidly. He was very popular with the bar. He was an active and influential Democrat, and was regarded as the leader of his party in Daviess County, and, during his life, through his tact and management, his party was invariably successful. He had bright prospects of being distinguished in his profession, and would undoubtedly have reaped a harvest of honors in any field he may have sought to cultivate, had not death claimed him in the very dawn of his public career. He died in the summer of 1864, during his first term on the bench. He was a warm and devoted friend, and many a tear was shed over his early death.
James C. Denny was appointed by Gov. Morton to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Judge Burke, and presided at the August term of our circuit court. He was born we think in this county, and is in a great measure a self-made man. He is energetic in looking after his professional business and seems never to realize when he is beaten in a law suit or is willing to say "hold, it is enough," until the last ditch has been reached. He was elected attorney-general of Indiana in 1872, and removed from here to Indianapolis where he now resides and practices law.
John Baker was elected by the people in '1864, and served one full term of six years. He was born in Woodford County, Ky., near Versailles, October 12, 1812, and came to Indiana in 1815. He had, in youth, but limited educational advantages. He first learned the stone-mason trade and followed that occupa- tion until after he arrived at full age. He commenced the study of law after his marriage. He then resided in Orange County, this State. But he studied hard, and possessing a strong mind, sound judgment and a good memory, he made rapid progress and soon took rank as an able lawyer and managed his cases with skill. As a judge he gave very general satisfaction, and was prompt in the discharge of his duties and disposed of business rapidly and satisfactorily. He resided and practiced law for many years in Bedford, Lawrence Co., Ind. He removed to Vincennes in 1859 and resided here until about three years ago, when he removed to Washington, where he now resides engaged in the practice of his profession.
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
Newton F. Malott was born in Lawrence County, Ind., in 1831, and practiced law for many years at Bedford in partnership with Thomas R. Cobb. He graduated at the law department of the State University. He removed to Vincennes in 1867 and commenced the practice here. He was first elected judge in 1870 and has remained on the bench until the present, having been re-elected in 1876 and again in 1882. He has continued in service as circuit judge much longer than any of his predecessors and on the expiration of his present term, will have served con- tinuously in that capacity for eighteen years. He is yet, com- paratively speaking, a young man, and comes of a healthy and long lived ancestry. The parents of his wife celebrated their golden wedding February 9, 1886, a very remarkable event very rarely occurring, and to no more than one couple out of every 20,000 marriages actually solemnized. When he was first elected six counties, Knox, Daviess, Martin, Gibson, Pike and Dubois, composed this circuit. When the common pleas was abolished in 1873, and its business and jurisdiction transferred to the circuit court, it was reduced to comprise the first three named counties, and in 1879 Martin County was transferred to another circuit, and in 1885 Knox County was constituted a circuit of itself. Judge Malott is a very cautious and prudent judge, and carefully examines every matter requiring his decision. He is particularly careful in the examination of the accounts of guardi- ans and administrators under his jurisdiction, and has saved much to widows and orphans interested in estates passing through his court. Heis generally regarded as a thoroughly read and educated lawyer. He takes time to consider and investigate all legal questions that arise in the progress of a cause on trial before him which require his judicial decision. He devotes more time, per- haps, in the trial of causes than a speedy dispatch of business in a nisi prius court will allow. But the business when done is more maturely considered and less liable to be tainted with error. As a judge he has given general satisfaction and enjoys a reputa- tion at home and abroad as an able and safe judge. He is frequently called upon to preside at the trial of important causes in place of the regular judge in other circuits. He has tried to redeem the pledge he made to the convention which first nomin-
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ated him in Princeton in 1870 "that every man in his court should have justice done him."
THE LOCAL BAR.
The Vincennes bar has always maintained a high rank. In the early days of the Territory, when Vincennes was the capital, it was the common point which attracted the attention of the young and aspiring candidates for fame and fortune in the popu- lous portions of the country, and to which they directed their steps when they first came West "to grow up with the country." The most of the distinguished names which have given luster and renown to our own and other Western States by their eloquence at the bar and in political employments, first located here when they sought a home in the West and here commenced their career. We cannot name them all, but will refer to a few who attained marked prominence and renown:
John Rice Jones was a young man when he came to this place. He was an educated man and something of a linguist, as he was employed by the common pleas court in 1791, to translate the laws of the Territory into French for the use of the court. He was also appointed clerk of the court at October term, 1791, as well as prosecuting attorney of the pleas of the United States and was the first prosecutor in the county after the acquisition of the Northwest by the Federal Government. He was an able and active man from all accounts we have of him, and took a promi- nent part in the controversy that arose upon the proposition to have the ordinance of 1787 suspended in the Territory as to the tenure of slave property. He was challenged to fight a duel on account of his prominence in that controversy, and his friends claimed the object was to compass his death to get rid of his influence. He removed from here to St. Clair County, in the Illinois Territory. He was the father of George W. Jones, for many years a United States senator from Iowa.
Moses Tabbs was admitted to the bar here in 1818. He was a native of Maryland, and married one of the daughters of Charles Carroll, the last survivor of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. He was a learned man, an able lawyer and an eloquent speaker. He was noted for his probity and uprightness,
.
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
and was an exemplary member of the Catholic Church. He was popular, and would have left a splendid official reputation behind him, and ranked as one of the first men of his day, had he remained. After a residence of a few years he returned to his native State.
Charles Dewey was a leading lawyer of the State from its organization until he was elected a supreme judge of the State. We do not know where he was born, and have never seen it stated, but suppose he came from New England, as the old Kentucky and Tennessee settlers of this county used to refer to him as a good lawyer, but a dangerous politician, as " he had Federal no- tions and hated slavery." He was engaged in many important cases in our court. In conjunction with David Hart he defended Thomas McKinney on his trial for murder, one of the two men who have been executed, in accordance with judicial decree, in this county. He had the reputation of being one of the best spe- cial pleaders at the bar. At the Clarke Circuit Court he argued a demurrer a whole day before the court. He was elected a member of the supreme court in 1836, and remained on the bench until 1847. It was thought he could not on the bench sustain the reputation gained at the bar, but he developed splen- did powers, and left an enduring reputation as a jurist.
David Hart was a native of North Carolina, and a graduate of the university of that State. He came to Indiana in 1816, and located at Princeton. His legal abilities were soon discov- ered, and he was elected judge of that judicial circuit, and re- mained on the bench for three years. His active mind longed for a more exciting field for the display of his abilities, and he resigned the judgeship to make his fame at the bar. He removed to this place in 1820, and at once took a leading position at our bar among the many able members then composing it. His career was cut short by death December 22, 1822.
Thomas Randolph was a native of Virginia, a relative of the celebrated John Randolph, of Roanoke, and also of President Jefferson. He was attorney for the United States for Indiana Territory. He soon entered the political arena. He was a friend to Gov. Harrison, and was charged with being in sympathy with him in his efforts to have the ordinance of 1787 suspended in regard to slavery. He was a candidate for congressional dele-
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gate in 1809, but was defeated by Jonathan Jennings by only forty-three votes. He attributed his defeat to the charge made of his having slavery proclivities, which he denied in circulars and in his public speeches during the canvass. After the elec- tion he challenged one of the reputed authors of the charge, which was not accepted. He was the father of Mrs. William Sheets, of Indianapolis.
Alexander Buckner came from Louisville, Ky. He was con- nected with the wealthy and influential families of Buckner and Sullivan of that State. He remained here but a short time, and went West, and on the admission of Missouri into the Union was elected one of her first senators in Congress. He was an able and eloquent man, but died in the bloom of early manhood.
George R. C. Sullivan was also from Kentucky, and a relative of Mr. Buckner and Elihu Stout, the founder of the Western Sun. He came when Indiana was a territory, and held many official positions. He was secretary of the legislative council at both sessions of the Fifth General Assembly of the Territory. He represented the county several times in the Legislature, and served for many years as postmaster at Vincennes. He was pros- ecuting attorney for this circuit, and acquired the reputation of being one of the most eloquent advocates at the bar. He removed from here to Quincy, Ill., where he died. He married a daughter of Judge Vanderburgh, and left several children. Henry Sulli- van, one of his sons, founded the Quincy Whig, one of the most influential political papers in that State, through the financial success of which he accumulated a large fortune, which he still lives to enjoy.
John Johnson came to this place in territorial days and com- menced the practice of law. He was a hard student, but nothing of a public speaker. He was of the same order of talent as Judge Blackford. He removed from Vincennes to Princeton, and represented that county in the first Legislature under the State government. He was elected one of the first judges of the supreme court of the State, but died the following year, before he had opportunity to prove his fitness and qualifications for the position by his official acts.
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