USA > Missouri > Cole County > Jefferson City > The Bench and bar of St. Louis, Kansas City, Jefferson City, and other Missouri cities : biographical sketches > Part 45
USA > Missouri > St Louis County > St Louis City > The Bench and bar of St. Louis, Kansas City, Jefferson City, and other Missouri cities : biographical sketches > Part 45
USA > Missouri > Jackson County > Kansas City > The Bench and bar of St. Louis, Kansas City, Jefferson City, and other Missouri cities : biographical sketches > Part 45
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He has held the offices of county clerk and public administrator by appoint- mont from the governor. In 1882 the democratic party of his county nominated him as their candidate for representative in the thirty second general assembly of Missouri, but was defeated on account of his revenue reform ideas, which caused the iron companies of the county to oppose him bitterly.
Mr. Gibson is a thorough lawyer, well posted in the statute law and the decis- ions of the court. He tries has cases well, and is a young man of excellent
CHARLES A. DENTON.
T HIE attorney whose name beads this sketch is a native of Illinois Ilis birth occurred in Adam, county, September 25, 1854. His father is Edward P. Denton, a farmer of Hancock county, Illinois; his mother's maiden name was Jemima Whitney, both natives of Kentucky. Charles spent his early days on the farm and at school. Hle entered Carthage Lutheran College at the age of eigh- teen years, where he attended about two years. He afterward entered the Indus- trial University at Champaign. He read law with Me Crary, Hagerman and Mc Crary, at Keokuk, Iowa, the first named gentleman of that firm being Hon George W. MeCrary, United States circuit judge for that circuit. He was admitted to the bar February 28, 1886, and began the practice of the law at Krokuk; but his health failing, he abandoned the practice of the law, and fol. lowed the pursuit of a teacher two years He removed to Rich Hill, February, ISSE, where he still remains, doing a fair business.
HERMAN FERGUSON.
STEELVILLE
T' CHIE subject of this sketch is a native of Kentucky. He was born in Allen county, January 23, 1848, son of William G. Ferguson and Elizabeth (Atwood) Ferguson. Ur, father was a Baptist clergyman of considerable prom- mence. The ancestors of our subject are noted for their longevity. His paternal grandmother lived to be a hundred and ten years old His parents removed to Steelville in October, 1855. Herman was educated in the academy at this place, and studied law under the instructions of Captain N G. Clark He was admit-
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ted to the bar in March, 1876, and has been in practice at Steelville ever since. He was appointed county clerk in 1877, and served one year. He was elected to that office in isso, and reflected m 1832, which office he has filled with ability, and entire satisfaction. He is systematic and methodical and accommodating. He is a gentleman of fine presence, being above medium height; has a high, broad forehead and black eyes. He wears his beard full and long, and has classic features He is a rising young man
HON. MATTHEW R. CULLEN.
T I HIE terrible judge " This term, when applied to a person holding a judi- cial position, seems at first to cast reproach, but when we find that it was applied to him whose name heads this sketch, because he was a terror to chronic evil doers, although exceedingly lenient to the honest and unfortunate working classes, it materially changes its significance
Matthew R. Cullen was born November 13, 1828, at Richmond, Virginia, son of John Cullen, a celebrated and eminently skillful physician, a professor in the Richmond Medical College. He had an extensive practice. Matthew spent his early days at school. He attended a Catholic college at Georgetown, District of Columbia, and the Military Institute in Virginia, in which the great confederate General Jackson, was a professor. He then studied medicine about a year and six months, and then abandoned it for the law He studied law with Hon. Alex- under II. IL. Stewart, secretary of the interior under President Fillmore, and also with the distinguished lawyer and statesman, John B. Baldwin, and was admitted to the bar at Stanton, Virginia, where he immediately began the practice of the law. In ast be settled in Chicago. In March, 1852, he went to Saint Louis and prac- trend las successfully until 1855. He was in the railroad disaster on the Missouri Pacific railroad, occasioned by the falling of the bridge across the Gasconade River, resulting in the death of thirty-one persons, and the wounding of about seventy others. Judge Cullen attended the wounded and dying at that horrible scene of carnage, without shelter and almost without food, subject to a cold November rain He contracted inflammatory rheumatism, producing contrac- tion of the muscles of the left leg, and permanent lameness, which suspended his legal business about two years He was advised to try a change of climate. He visited the West Indies, the Hot Springs of Virginia and Arkansas, in search of relief. He then returned to Saint Louis and resumed practice. He was a
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Douglas democrat at the beginning of the war, and did everything in his power to avent the storm of civil was that broke out in this country. He thought the South nearest right, and accepted a position in the war department at Richmond, and was promoted by President Davis to one of the most exalted positions in the confederate army, namely a judgeship in the trans- Mississippi department, with the rank of colonel, and a member of the staff of General Kirby Smith. He held his court at Shreveport, Louisiana. After General Lee's surrender he was cast into prison, through the malice of others, as a dangerous character, at Helena, Kansas. Here he occupied a cell with four negroes, two of whom were charged with murder. By the efforts of James Il Harrison he was released, and returned to Saint Louis, broken in health and fortune, but not in spirit, and he has remained there ever since. The " Test Oath," so called, interfered with his prac- tice, and we find him employed at divers pursuits, which gave scope to his great versatility of talent. Being an excellent dramatic reader, he received an invi- tation by the members of the legislature to give readings in the hall of the house of representatives at Jefferson City, which he accepted. High praises have been pronounced on his readings, and it is the opinion of those who have heard him that he would have been a star in that art, had he chosen it for a profession. He gave lectures and readings for the benefit of the southern sufferers in various portions of the state, raising a large amount, which was for- warded to them. In 1871 he was nominated by the democrats for judge of the city court, to which position he was elected by a large majority. He became very popular among the good people of Saint Louis, independent of party, on account of the fearless and impartial manner in which he meted to criminals their just punishment, but from another class he received the title of " the terri- ble judge," which sobriquet still clings to him. At the end of his first term he was reflected by an overwhelming majority, which was received to a great extent hom the republicans, who indersed his conduct on the beach. Judge Cullen had not been slow to punish crime or expose fraud and corruption, either in high or low places. He had excented the law firmly against the gamblers, who, with others whose displeasure he had gained, including the mayor of the city, attempted to bring about his impeachment in 1874, but he was acquitted by the common council, by the votes of his political opponents. He remained on the beach two and a half years after this incident, until August, 1877, when he declined to hold that office longer. He then returned to the practice of the law, to which he has given his attention ever since. Although Judge Cullen was an ex-confederate, and is a democrat, in 1882 the United States circuit court appointed him to the
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position of United States commissioner for the eastern district of Missouri, which position does not at all contact with his practice at the bar. Judge Samuel Freut remarked to Judge Cullen, when he attempted to thank him for the honor, " Never mind, you are not appointed as a personal favor. Your public judicial career commends you to the court, and this is a public indorsement of it, and the United States requires the services of such an officer, and that's all of it."
Judge Cullen is a thorough lawyer, well versed in every department of his profession. He possesses an oratorical power, magnetism and fluency that is enchanting. He is a cogent reasoner, and has a happy delivery. He is deliver- ing a course of lectures on "Crime in Great Cities," in which he recounts many scenes and incidents in his checkered and romantic career, and proves the dan- gets which surround municipal government,
Judge Callen was married, in 1867, to Miss Winona Barbour. She is descended from the Virginia and Kentucky family of Barbout They have two children, Matthew Barbour and George A
HON. MALCOLM G. MCGREGOR. CARTHAGE
J UDGE MCGREGOR is a native of Ohio, and was born January 15, 1843, in Medina county. His father, John McGregor, a native of Scotland, immigrated to this country about the year 1819. He was a finely educated gentleman, has. img received special training in the languages in London, England. He was master of five different languages, and was far advanced in the sciences. He became a popular educator, and was extensively known on the Western Reserve, as it is called, in Ohio. He died when our subject was but five years old. He removed with his mother to Canton, where hus elder brother edited a newspaper He worked in a printing office five years all of the time, excepting about two years. He was in the same business in Bucyrus. He received a good practical education in the public schools, including Latin and the sciences, to which he has made extensive additions by general reading.
When he was twenty years old he went to lowa, where he followed teaching. He began to read law with Charles M. Dunbar, at Maquoketa, Jackson county. and afterward went to Kansas City, and read law with his brother-in-law. Hon. I W Jenkins: was admitted to the bar in raso, and commenced practice in March of that your at Carthage, Missouri, where he still results. He was made one of
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the judges of the county court; held the office of city attorney part of one year, and was elected ein uit judge m aSko, which office he still holds.
Judge MeGregor is an attable gentleman. He is keen and bright; grasps the subject matter at issue readily, and he masters the delicate questions of the law with care and accuracy. He has the utmost confidence of all. He is admired tor his legal lore, true manhood, and uprightness.
He was married at Carthage in May, 1868, to Miss Octavia Stephenson, a lady of superior excellence and wifely qualities, but his home was saddened by her demise. She was called to the land of cherubim in July, 1882, leaving two inter- esting daughters.
CLAUDE D. JAMISON.
KOL.I.A.
T THE subject of this sketch is a native of Missouri. He was born at Steelville, Crawford county, and at the present writing, 1884, is thirty three years of age. Ile is the son of Robert P. and Mary E. G. (Early) Jamison, and a brother ot F. M. Jamison, of Crawford county. He received his education in the schools and academies of his native county. He attended the law department of Wash- ington University at Saint Louis, and was admitted to the bar in 1871. Hle began practice in Steelville, and removed to Kolla in 1873, where he is doing a good business,
Mr. Jason is a rising young man, and possesses ability and force of char- deter that will elevate bin in his profession He was married, in 1874, to Miss Maria Cormac
CHRISTOPHER T. DAVIS.
T "Ilk lawyer whose name heads this sketch is a native of Virginia, and at the present time (1884) is about thirty nine years of age. He is the son of Christopher and Martha (Edwards) Davis. Ilis maternal grandfather was a soldier in the war of 1812 He spent his youthful days on the farm and at school.
In February, 1802, be entered the confederate service as a private, and served until General Lee's surrender, at Appomattox Court House, in 1865. He was in numerous battles, including Antietam, Gettysburgh, Cold Harbor, and Peters burgh. After the close of the war he again attended school, until 1867, when he
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came west. He commenced the study of the law at Nevada, in 1870, with Ilon. S. A Wight, and was admitted to the bar in 1872, and began practice at once; was city attorney several years, and was elected prosecuting attorney in 1878, which office he now holds. He was married in 1868, to Miss Mary F. Cook. They have three children.
JOHN F. WATERS. SAINT LOUIS.
J JOHN F WATERS is a bright young lawyer. He was born at Monroeville, Tennessee, in 1859, the son of L. B. Waters, a prominent lawyer, who for- merly practiced in Louisville, Kentucky. The mother of our subject, before marriage, was Miss Jane Armstrong, His grandfather, William Armstrong, was a circuit judge in middle Tennessee, a gentleman of great legal lore and judicial acumen.
John F. Waters entered West Point Military Academy at the age of seventeen years, where he remained four years. He then attended law school at Lebanon, Tennessee, and was graduated therefrom in June, 1882. He was admitted to the bar in that state the same year, and in Saint Louis in September, 1883, where he has been in practice since that time. Mr. Waters is an energetic young man of fine address, is tall and well proportioned.
EDWARD BULER.
T' THE subject of this sketch was born September 25, 1842, near Coburg, Can- ada; son of Charles G. Buler. His mother's maiden name was Frances Boucher. The father of our subject removed with his family to Fayette, lowa, in 1856, and engaged in farming. Young Buler worked on the farm and attended public schools, and finished his literary education at Fayette Academy. Ile entered the law department of Michigan University, at Ann Arbor, and was graduated from that institution in 1867, and was admitted to the bar the same year. He then went to Dover, Arkansas, and in July of that year began the practice of his profession at that place, where he remained about one year. He then came to Lamar, where he has been actively engaged in the practice of the law ever since. He first formed a partnership with Hon. C. H. Morgan, the present representative in congress from this district, and was afterward in part
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nership with E. Chiswell. In 1882 he formed a partnership with Captain R J. Tucker, his present partner.
In 1876 Mr. Buler was elected to the Missouri state legislature. He was on the judiciary committee, and on a special committee on congressional districts. He was an industrious member, and his ability was acknowledged by his asso- ciates. Mr. Buler is well posted in every department of his profession. He is a good lawyer and an excellent citizen.
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HON. JOHN C. BROWN.
SAINT LOUIS.
ON. JOHN C. BROWN possesses versatile talents to an eminent degree. As a lawyer, soldier, statesman, or as a wise and successful railroad manager, he is almost without a peer; a gentleman of unswerving integrity, tried in the highest positions within the gift of the people of his state, with a reputa- tion as wide as this country for courage and unbiased integrity. He is no less a citizen, a neighbor and a friend, loved and prized by all who know him. Few men in this country have been so highly honored, in both civil and military life, as Ion, John C. Brown, yet he is a model citizen of the republic, great without ostentation, broad in his philosophy, yet so clear in his deductions, expressed in plain Anglo-Saxon, that all may comprehend his meaning. He is a native of Tennessee, and was born in Pulaski, Giles county, January 6, 1827. He is the son of Duncan and Margaret (Smith) Brown. His brother, Hon. Neill S. Brown, was governor of Tennessee before the civil war, and minister to Russia, under the administration of President Taylor.
Our subject is of Scotch ancestry. Both of his grandfathers served in the patriot army during the revolutionary struggle. He was educated in Jackson College, Columbia, Tennessee, from which he was graduated in 1846. He read law with his brother in Nashville, and was admitted to the bar in September, 1848, and immediately commenced practice at Pulaski, where he continued up to the breaking out of the civil war, doing an extensive business, and gaining dis- tinction as a learned counselor and an advocate of great merit. He entered the confederate service in the spring of 1861, as captain, and was promoted succes- sively to colonel, brigadier general and major general.
He served throughout the war, was made a prisoner at Fort Donelson, taken to Fort Warren, and was exchanged in time to join General Bragg in his cam-
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paign into Kentucky. He was wounded at the battle of Perrysville, and was at the battle of Murfreesborough, but not having recovered from his wounds, he was made commander of the post. He was in all of the skirmishes incident to Bragg's campaign; was in the battles of Chicamanga and Missionary Ridge, and all of the engagements under Johnston, around Atlanta, then at Rough and Ready, Jonesboro and Lovejoy Station. He was with Hood in his campaign in Tennes- see, and was wounded at Franklin, and was with General Joseph E. Johnston at the time of his surrender at Greensboro, at the close of the war, Governor Brown was made president of the constitutional convention in Tennessee, and was the first democratic governor elected after the close of the war.
He was unanimously nominated for governor in 1870, by the democrats. The resources of the state had been greatly wasted by the war, accumulating an enor- mous public debt, and default had been made in the payment of interest, the public credit was low, and the resources for current expenses were almost ex- hausted Governor Brown took the statesmanlike ground that the public debt should be paid, and with proper effort that object could be accomplished. He was elected by a majority of forty thousand, and unanimously renominated and reflected in 1872. During his administration from 1871 to 1875, the bonded debt of the state was reduced from about forty-there millions of dollars to a little more than twenty millions of dollars. A large floating debt was paid, and the state reestablished its credit by resuming the payment of its current interest, after funding its past due obligations at par. High encomiums were pronounced on Governor Brown's able administration, throughout the state. Among the many brilliant intellects claiming a notoriety in the good old state of Tennessee, Gov- ernor Brown takes the front and highest rank.
In the spring of 1877, soon after the inauguration of President Hayes, Gov- ernor Brown was on an advisory commission with General Hawley, of Connec- tient, Judge C. B. Lawrence, of Minois, Wayne Mcveigh, of Pennsylvania, and Ilon. John M. Harlan, of Kentucky, now of the United States supreme court, and sent to New Orleans, to harmonize and pacify contending factions that were maintaining two distinct and separate state governments. The complete success of that commission, and its doings, are a part of the history of this country, and need not be repeated here.
It was due to the sagacity and arduous labors of Governor Brown, in behalf of the great Texas and Pacific system, that adequate legislation was obtained, and that eastern capitalists were induced to aid in the construction of the great high-
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way from the Atlantic to the Pacific, through Texas toward California, a route unexposed to snows and frosts, attracting the trade of California and the trans- Cordilleras to the great waters of the United States, and opening the commerce of the republic of Mexico to our enterprising merchants. He was made general solicitor for the consolidated system, which includes the Missouri Pacific system, with the Missouri, Kansas and Texas, and the Texas Pacific, New Orleans and Pacific, and International and Great Northern, and he continued in charge and superintendence of the construction of the Texas Pacific from Fort Worth to El- Paso, with headquarters at Saint Louis, until the line was completed, in the winter of 1881-2.
General Brown is a very able lawyer, with broad, comprehensive views. He is lucid and logical, and an orator of great power. He is at present general solici- tor of the Gould Southwest railway, and also vice president of the Texas and Pacific railroad.
Hle married Miss Bettis Childress, a niece of Mrs. James K. Polk. They have One son and three daughters.
HON. CHARLES LYMAN LEWIS. KIRKSVILLE.
T HIE judge of the probate count of Adair county, with whose name we have headed this sketch, was born in the town of Candor, Tioga county, New York, July 20, 1839, being a son of Asahet and Abigail E. (Bishop) Lewis. Both parents were natives of Connecticut. In 1847 the family immigrated to Illinois, and settled at Newark, Kendall county, where Charles obtained a common-school education. He taught, off and on, and held a clerkship in a store, alternating between these two callings for two or three years, then read law at Ottawa, with Cook, Glover and Campbell, and was admitted to practice in 1864. He returned to Newark, and for two years was prosecuting attorney for the corporation of that village.
In 1867 Mr. Lewis moved to his present home, and in a short time had a fair practice. He was city attorney in 1877 79, and was elected to his present county office, already mentioned, in the autumn of 1882, for the term of four years. As probate judge he attends to the duties of his office with promptness and care, and so far as we can learn, is giving good satisfaction to the public. He has a good reputation for correctness in all his dealings, whether official or private. He is a
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republican, and has usually taken quite an active part in politics, repeatedly can- vassing the county, and speaking in most of the towns
He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for a score of years or more; is an earnest Sunday school worker, attentive to church duties, and a man of good impulses and generous feelings
LEVIN HL. CAMPBELL. WARRENSBURGH
T THE subject of this sketch is the son of Levin H. Campbell and Mary P. (Jones) Campbell, and, as were they, is a native of Maryland, his place of birth in that state being the town of Easton, Talbot county, November 7, 1800. After completing a thorough course at laston high school, he occupied two years as teacher in one of the public schools of his native county. Following this he read law with Charles H. Gibson and Charles W. Baker, of Easton, Mary- land, where. December 2, 1882, he was admitted to the Talbot county bar. He also became a member of the Johnson county bar, Missouri, being admitted in February, 1883. Since the last date Mr. Campbell has practiced law with Mr. S. P. Sparks, as partner, at Warrensburgh, Missouri, and has already acquired a favorable reputation among his confreres, and the public generally. Politically Mr. Campbell is biased in favor of the democrats,
He married Miss Virginia Hollyday at Easton, Maryland, January 9, 1884.
HON. JAMES B. HARRISON.
THE subject of this sketch was born July 7, 1853, at Lebanon, La Clede county, Missouri; son of B. B Hansson and Perrellpie P. (Dodson) Harri-
Son. His father was a prominent merchant at Lebanon. His grandfather, James Harrison, was one of the pioneers of Missouri, and was the first county judge of Pulaski county.
James B. was educated at Lebanon and Rolla School of Mines, and attended the law school at Columbia, and was graduated in 1877. He was admitted to the bar at Lebanon, and began practice at Waynesville in the spring of that year. He removed to Rolla in January, 1881, where he has been in practice since; was elected probate judge of Phelps county in April, 1882, and is the present corpo- ration attorney for the city of Rolla.
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Judge Harrison is a thorough lawyer, has a comprehensive mind, and has good judgment. He is thoroughly honest and upright, and has the universal confidence of all He was married February 21, 1881, to Miss Addie Hill, daugh- ter of Hon V. B. Hill, former page of the sixth circuit.
WESLEY C. HOBBS.
SINT LOUIS.
W LESLEY C. HOBBS is one of the younger members of the Saint Louis bar, who has gained a reputation for ability in his profession, integrity, and true manhood, second to none. He is well posted in legal principles, possesses a sound practiced judgment, and is an outtor of power and eloquence. His mind is subtle and analytic, and inclined to be judicial in its nature, capable of hear- ing both sides of a question, and drawing correct conclusions. He is remarkable for clearness, and although possessing a vivid imagmation, inclined to be practi- att, logical and consistent. He was born February 3, 1842, in Des Moines county, lowa; the son of Warren C. Hobbs and Susanna (Johnson) Hobbs. His forefathers were of English descent, and settled in Maryland under Lord Balti- Both of his great grandfathers were active participants in the revolution- ary war. His great-grandfather, Joshua Hobbs, removed to Kentucky soon after the close of the war of independence, and in after yours was elected to the general assembly of that state. The father of our subject is a native of the latter state, and was born in 1Sup. In 1835 be removed to Springfield, Illinois, where he settled. He began the study of medicine, graduating three years later. During his residence at Springheld he was intimately acquainted with President Abraham Lincoln, and Stephen \ Douglas, and always held them in high esteem. July 15, 1839, he was married to Miss Susanna Johnson, a handsome and accom- plished lady, and soon after settled in Des Moines county, lowa, where their eldest son, the subject of this sketch, was born. Soon afterward the family removed to New London, in Henry county, lowa, where his boyhood was
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