USA > Michigan > Bench and bar of Michigan : a volume of history and biography > Part 7
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JOHN B. CHADDOCK, Ionia. John Benjamin"Chaddock was born in Westphalia, Clinton county, Michigan, October 19, 1863. His father, Dr. William H. Chaddock, was a native of Niagara county, New York, and of Dutch extraction, descended from the Hollanders, who were the earliest settlers of New York. His mother, Eliza Benjamin, was of Eng- lish descent, and also a native of New York. His parents were married in the State of New York in 1855, came to Michigan the following year, and settled in Clinton county. His father studied medicine in Buffalo, New York, and Ann Arbor, Michigan, and during all the subsequent years of his life was engaged in practice in Ionia and Clinton counties. John B. attended the village school at Pewamo until he was seventeen years of age and then spent five years in Olivet College, beginning in 1881. From early boyhood he was gifted as a speaker, and in 1884 he won the Drury prize for oratory over ten competitors. After leaving college he spent a year in the law office of Frank A. Dean at Charlotte. Owing to his father's death in 1887 he was obliged to return home and take care of the estate and his mother, until the death of the latter in 1888. He then entered the Law School of the University of Michigan and took the full course from which he was graduated in 1890 with the degree LL. B. This class was the first in the university to select the class orator by a competi- tive test, and Mr. Chaddock won the honor in competition with fourteen others. He was admitted to the Bar in June, 1890, by Judge Kinne. In December of the same year he was appointed a delegate to attend a con- gress of the Greek fraternity, of which he was a member, Alpha Tau Omega, held in Richmond, Virginia. He was chosen the orator of the fraternity on this occasion. In 1891 he spent a few months in the law office of Davis & Nichols, Ionia, after which he formed a partnership with James Scully, which is still continued under the style of Chaddock & Scully. The firm is engaged in general practice, having cases in all of the State Courts. Mr. Chaddock, although young and barely on the threshold of his profession, has made an excellent reputation. He has studied with much care the principles of jurisprudence, and has been able to become familiar with treatises on practice in its various forms, and with the stand- ard commentaries and works on pleading. His remarkable natural gift of oratory gives him a great advantage over the average practitioner of his age in the presentation of a case to the jury. His eloquence does not consist merely in a flow of words, but words aptly chosen to express fresh, bright
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and valuable ideas. His discourse is luminous with thought. He is a cultivated rhetorician, and does not depend upon the inspiration of the moment for the words which he is to speak. He knows in advance what he is going to say, selects his words carefully from a large vocabulary, studies his exordiums, his climaxes, his perorations; not with a view to the immediate effect upon an audience alone, but in order that he may have a perfect composition, a methodical, well-rounded, complete address. Although the court has ceased to be a theater of popular entertainment, drawing a crowd far and near to hear every speech made to a jury, yet the eloquent advocate still draws and his arguments are perforce addressed to the public as well as the jury. There is a peculiar, subtle charm in natu- ral oratory which draws and entertains. None realizes the power of gen- uine eloquence in an advocate more than his prosaic opponent in pre- senting an argument to the jury. The persuasive speech delivered in carefully modulated tones, enforced with timely gesture, suiting the action to the word and the word to the action, is sometimes more effective with the average jury than a recapitulation of the evidence dished up in dull monotone. Pure diction as employed by the true orator is not without its uses in presenting an argument to a court, and it happens not infre- quently that the spoken discourse is quite as influential as the written brief. Even logic is improved by eloquence, and purity of diction aids in commending the law to the court. Mr. Chaddock is a Republican who lends his influence and activity to the party in the times of campaign. In 1892 he was elected Circuit Court Commissioner. In 1894 he was elected mayor of the city. Should he consecrate his talents unreservedly to the law as his only mistress and not flirt with the political enchantress he will certainly rise in the profession. It is possible, however, that he may con- clude to enter public life through some political gateway. A lawyer should have the fullest possible knowledge of men and things, and there is no school on earth in which he can acquire such a knowledge of both as the primary school of politics. He is a Royal Arch Mason. He was married in October, 1895, to Isolene Vosper, of Ionia.
JAMES A. PARKINSON, Jackson. Mr. Parkinson was born on a farm in Concord Township, Jackson county, Michigan, September 26, 1846, Life on a farm and attendance at country schools continued until he was seventeen years old, when he went to Albion College to begin preparation for his life work. He remained at Albion for six years, and during all these years he kept steadily in view his principal object in life, for which this college course was a preliminary preparation. At twenty-three he graduated and was at once chosen as principal of the Albion union school. Ile held this position one year, when he entered the law office of Gibson & Wolcott, at Jackson, for the purpose of continuing his law studies. He
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remained with the firm one year, rendering assistance by clerical work, and was admitted to the Bar in February, 1872. He began practice for him- self at once, located at Elk Rapids, where he remained for two years in partnership with F. R. Williams. During the first year of practice he was elected judge of probate of Antrim county, which office he held for two years. In 1874 he returned to Jackson and established himself perma- nently in the profession of that community, where he has since remained. Following are some of the important cases in the higher courts, with which he has been connected : Hitchcock vs. Pratt, 51 Mich. 263, was the first case in Michigan in which a recovery of treble damages from a tenant unlawfully holding over was sustained. Crittenden vs. Phoenix Mutual Life Ins. Co. 41 Mich. 442, was a case involving the question as to whether a gift of the life insurance policy had been consummated by delivery. Burrall vs. Bender, 61 Mich. 608, involving questions of dower. Sweetzer vs. Higby, 63 Mich. 13, involving questions concerning assign- ments for the benefit of creditors and whether securities given before executing the assignment, are preferences. Needham vs. King, 95 Mich. 303, involving a recovery for damages caused by setting fire negligently, are among the cases of importance and raising new questions, in which Mr. Parkinson's contentions were sustained. Several cases in the Supreme Court in behalf of the Michigan Central Railroad Company may be men- tioned. The Michigan Central Railroad Company vs. Hunn, 78 Mich. 513, against Grand, 83 Mich. 564, against Fehnrich, 87 Mich. 606, against Brennan, 93 Mich. 156; against Wilson, 94 Mich. 20. His firm also acted successfully for the defendant townships in the United States Supreme Court, in the case of Young vs. The Township of Clarendon and the Michigan Air Line Railroad, in which an attempt was made to enforce railroad aid bonds, and which cases involved directly and indirectly some millions of dollars. Mr. Parkinson is a Democrat, but has little taste for political discussions, although he takes a more or less active interest in local affairs. He served as prosecuting attorney of Jackson county for two years, from 1877 to 1879, and for four years, from 1888 to 1892, and as city attorney of Jackson for two years thereafter. He is and has been for years the local attorney for the Michigan Central Railroad Company and is attorney for various other corporations whose headquarters are at Jack- son. He is a member of the order of Free and Accepted Masons and Knights of Pythias. He was married in Jackson in 1880 to Miss Isabelle Quinn. They have two children, James A., Jr., aged fifteen, and Helen, aged thirteen.
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WILLIAM S. COBB, Jackson. The subject of this sketch laid the foundation of his career in the public school of a country district in Jack- son County, Michigan, putting in the time between terms at work on his father's farm. He was born August 9, 1859. He had higher ambitions than he saw any means of gratifying while tilling the soil, and believing in his ability to succeed in a profession, he chose the law. In this decision his father concurred and encouraged him to persevere. At eighteen years of age he entered high school at Napoleon, graduating three years later, when he entered the Law Department of the University of Michigan. He was graduated from that institution in 1882, and in the spring of the same
year was admitted to the Bar. He came to Jackson and entered the office of Erastus Peck, now Circuit Judge, where he remained for one year. Ile then engaged with Hammond & Barkworth on a salary for one year, when he was taken into the firm, changing the title to Hammond, Barkworth & Cobb. This relation continued until Mr. Hammond was elected judge of probate and retired from the firm, when the business was continued by the two junior partners, under the style of Barkworth & Cobb. This firm was dissolved in 1891, and Mr. Cobb shortly after formed a copartnership with Mr. Thomas A. Wilson, under the style of Wilson & Cobb, as it exists at the present time. The firm has a general practice in the State and Federal Courts. Mr. Cobb came to Jackson without money, influence or friends, and has carved out for himself a place that might be envied by older men. He has built up a good practice and gained the reputation of a good law. yer. He was elected Circuit Court Commissioner for a term of two years from 1884 to 1886. In his political affiliations he is a Democrat, but has never been an applicant for office. He has served as chairman of political committees at various times. He is a member of the Unitarian Church.
NATHAN II. BRIGGS, Battle Creek. Nathan Harrison Briggs was born at Sturgis, Michigan, August 16, 1848. His father, Nathan Har- rison Briggs, was born and reared in the State of New York, came from Livonia to Sturgis, St. Joseph county, Michigan, where he settled in 1837, as a merchant. His mother was Ilannah Carpenter, also a native of New York. As a boy he worked on the farm during the summer and attended country schools in winter until fifteen years of age. He then entered the high school at Battle Creek where he studied the higher branches for some years. After leaving the high school he was engaged as clerk in the store of his brother at Grand Rapids, in 1865, and a por- tion of the following year. During this time he had engaged to some extent in reading the text books of law, which had been determined upon as his profession. This preliminary reading enabled him to complete the course in the law school of the University of Michigan in a single year.
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He entered the University in 1866 and was graduated from the Law Department in June, 1867. His further reading was taken up in the office of Joseph G. Lodge, who subsequently removed to St. Louis and gained prominence there as a criminal lawyer. His reading was continued in the office and under the instruction of Philip II. Emerson, whose partner he became soon after admission to the Bar at Battle Creek in June, 1871. The partnership between himself and Mr. Emerson was continued until 1874, when Judge Emerson removed to Utah on account of his appoint- ment to the office of Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the terri- tory. Mr. Briggs continued in the practice at Battle Creek alone until 1879, when he accepted the position of assistant general superintendent and general counselor of the Sioux City and Dakota railroad. He performed the duties of this dual position for two years and until the road with which he was connected was sold to the C. M. & St. P. railway and consolidated with that system. He then returned to Battle Creek and continued the practice alone until 1883, when he formed a partnership with O. S. Clark, under the firm name of Briggs & Clark. This association was continued until 1890. He was admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States, January 25, 1887. During all the years that Mr. Briggs has been connected with the Bar he has engaged in a general practice, embracing both civil and criminal cases. He has not confined himself to a specialty or to any particular branch of the law. Among the most note- worthy and important cases with which he has been connected was that of the People vs. Nye. Another was the contest brought to set aside the will of Thomas G. Duncan. In this case he was associated with Ashley Pond, of Detroit, and the late David Darwin Hughes, of Grand Rapids, both of them able and eminent in the profession. Mr. Briggs has made his own position at the Bar, starting without the advantage of a classical education and with no influence but his character, correct habits and close application to study, he has advanced to a position of honor and influence in his profession. He is a Republican by conviction and practice. The only offices which he has held are strictly in the line of his professional work. He held the office of assistant United States district attorney of Utah, which he resigned to accept a more lucrative position with the Sioux City and Dakota railway. He was appointed city attorney of Battle Creek in 1882 and discharged the duties of the office in a very satisfactory manner, proving his ability to advise properly or protect the interests of the corporation by litigation in the courts.
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CHARLES A. BLAIR, Jackson. Charles A. Blair, practising attorney of the city of Jackson, was born in that town April 10, 1854. He was the second son of Gov. Austin Blair and Sarah L. Blair. The rudiments of his education were obtained in the district schools and his higher education in the University of Michigan. He entered the Literary Department, pursued the regular classical course, from which he was graduated in June, 1876. He was a student and a scholar. His proficiency was recognized by the faculty otherwise than by conferring the usual degree in course. Mr. Blair received in addition to the regular diploma, special diplomas for proficiency in Latin and Greek. He was also chosen by the faculty as one . of the orators at commencement, when his class was graduated. Thus . thoroughly equipped by a literary and classical education he began the study of law in the office of his father and under the latter's instruction. After a course which embraced the leading text books and extended over a period of two years he was admitted to practice, September 5, 1878. He was associated in the practice with ex-Governor Blair, but very early exhibited the ability essential to stand alone. In 1882 he was appointed city attorney. In 1885 he was appointed assistant prosecuting attorney for Jackson County. In 1895 he was appointed prosecuting attorney by Governor Rich. Mr. Blair has given his mind and time exclusively to the study and practice of law. He has not at any time sought political office. Indeed, he has manifested none of the taste for public affairs which was so conspicuous in the character of his illustrious father. His aim has been, and is, to acquire as broad and practical a knowledge of professional work as may be possible under the conditions which surround him. The fame which he courts is that of a successful lawyer. By indus- try, perseverance, careful attention to the interests of clients, he has already succeeded in building up a large practice in Jackson and adjoining counties. He has also had many important cases in the Supreme Court of the State. He is a gentleman of undoubted personal honesty as well as professional integrity. His loyalty to a client will lead him to make any needful sacrifice of time and exhaust the resources employed in honorable practice to protect his interests or secure his rights. He will not go beyond the means recognized by high-minded members of the Bar as hon- orable and praiseworthy, even though such action might secure a tempor- ary advantage. The tricks of the pettifogger are not resorted to on any occasion. He therefore stands well with the courts in which his practice is found and among his professional brethren. Mr. Blair was married in October, 1879, to Miss Effie C. North, a lady of marked musical ability .
and prominent in the social and musical circles of the city. .
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JOEL C. HOPKINS, Battle Creek. Joel Chandler Hopkins is one of the prominent and capable younger lawyers of Battle Creek. He is a native of this State, having been born in Kalamazoo county. His father, Robert Hopkins, was a native of Cayuga county, New York, and was brought to Michigan by his parents when a mere child. They made their home in Kalamazoo county, where they settled on a farm, and where young Robert grew to manhood. He followed farming all his life, and died in the year 1866. Henry Hopkins, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was a soldier in the war of 1812, and made his home near Auburn, New York, in the carlier years of his life. The family is of Scotch ancestry, but the lineage cannot be exactly traced. Martha Chandler, the mother of our subject, was a native of Michigan, her father having formerly lived in Vermont. Mr. Hopkins had, as a boy, rather superior educational advantages, having graduated from the Battle Creek high school in 1880. He then spent two years in the University of Michigan, dividing his time between the Law and Literary Departments. Ilis law studies were con- tinued in the office of Brown & Thomas at Battle Creek. Here he passed his examinations, and was admitted to the Bar in December, 1884. In August of the next year, he formed a partnership with W. A. Crosby, under the firm name of Hopkins & Crosby, which continued for two years. After the dissolution of this partnership he has not seen fit to form another, preferring rather to carry on an extensive and growing business alone. He engages in a general law practice but has won a high standing as an office attorney, being especially successful in advising and consulta- tion. . His business ability and knowledge of commercial law has brought him into intimate relation with several extensive financial and commercial enterprises of the city of Battle Creek. Until very recently he was secre- tary of the Citizens' Electric Company of Battle Creek, an institution established in 1892, which has also commanded his services from the beginning as its attorney. He is attorney for the Home Savings and Loan Company ; his services are employed by several large estates as trustee, and for two years he has been a member of the city council. He has always been a Democrat, but has only taken office reluctantly, when con- vinced that it was a duty for him to serve his community in this or that official capacity. He was recently appointed by Judge Swan, of Detroit, to act as Commissioner of the United States Court for the Eastern Dis- trict of Michigan, and he has been for several years the local representa- tive of the mercantile agency of R. G. Dun & Co. Mr. Hopkins is an affable man, of casy address, making friends readily and holding them. Those who know him best are the most attached to him, and testify both as to the painstaking character of all his work, and the completeness with which he masters all its details. In October, 1887, he was married to Miss Belle A. Crosby, daughter of Peter Crosby, of Battle Creek They have no children.
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CHARLES E. TOWNSEND, Jackson. Charles Elroy Townsend is the son of James W. and Eunice S. (Parmeter) Townsend. His father was a native of New York State, although his ancestors first settled in New Jersey. He followed farming during his life, first in the State of New York and then in Michigan, to which State he removed in 1834 and settled in Concord. His mother was also a native of New York, but came to Michigan with her father's family and settled in Jackson county in 1835. The Parmeters were Puritans, who settled carly in New England. Charles E. Townsend was born at Concord, Jackson county, Michigan, August 15, 1856. He passed through the public schools of his native town and the high school at Jackson, from which he was graduated in 1877. In the fall of that year he entered the Literary Department of the Uni- versity of Michigan, where he remained one year. The limitations of his purse forbade the further expenditure of time and money on a college education at that time; so he quitted the University and engaged in teaching school. It was his intention to return and finish the literary course in the University, but the death of his elder brother occasioned the - abandonment of his intention and a revision of his plans. His father was so deeply in debt that he deemed it his duty to render whatever financial assistance he could, and to that end he continued teaching. After fifteen months in the district school he secured the position of principal of public schools at Parma, which he retained for six years with unvarying success. On the seventh year the school board released him with reluctance, because of his election to the office of register of deeds of Jackson county. This first election was in 1886, and he has been re-elected four times. The term to which he was last elected expired December 31, 1896. While engaged in teaching Mr. Townsend took up the study of law, which he continued as the duties of his office permitted until 1895, when he passed the required examination and was admitted to the Bar. Up to the present time he has had little opportunity to engage in general practice, on account of his official duties. His acquirements in the law and his abilities have been recognized by individuals and corporations. The Jackson, Cincinnati and Mackinaw Railway Company has tendered him the position of attorney at Jackson, to be accepted on his retirement from office. His general reading, literary culture, experience in teaching, and in public business make up a preparation for the active business of a practitioner equivalent to several years of actual practice. His knowledge of men and affairs and the maturity of his mind enable him to grasp at once and appropriate to practical use matters which would require several years for a very young man to master. These conditions and qualifications have been recognized by the offer of a partnership with two of the established and successful attorneys of Jackson. On the first of January, 1897, a partnership, con- sisting of Chas. A. Blair, Chas. II. Smith and Chas. E. Townsend was consummated. Mr. Townsend is a Mason, a Knight Templar and a mem-
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ber of Jackson Commandery No. 9, of which he has been Eminent Com- mander for two years. He is also a member of the Mystic Shrine, Moslem Temple, of Detroit, and is affiliated with the various subordinate divisions of the Masonic fraternity. He is connected with the lodges of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Royal Arcanum. He has always been a Republican, active and carnest in the support of his party, interested and well informed in politics. In 1880 he was married to Miss Rena Pad- dock, daughter of Robert Paddock, of Concord, Michigan. They have no children. Mr. Townsend is a gentleman of uncompromising integrity and estimable qualities. His personal popularity is sufficiently evidenced by the years of his principalship of schools and his numerous re-elections to office. All of the elements and qualities that command respect and admiration are found in the personality of Charles E. Townsend, so that he is probably the most popular man in Jackson county-certainly the most popular among the young men. His habits are most exemplary and he has the undoubted confidence of the community. As a public speaker he is both persuasive and forcible. His style is remarkable for the blend- ing of enthusiasm and logic. As a political orator he has few superiors in the State. He is cultured, intelligent and well read-a genial, whole- souled gentleman. Should he not peremptorily decline political office, the Republicans of Jackson county only await the opportunity to promote his ambition. He has already given evidence of possessing the mental qualities which will achieve professional distinction if his highest aspirations lead him only in that way, and his best abilities are consecrated to the practice of law.
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