USA > Missouri > Cole County > Jefferson City > The Bench and bar of St. Louis, Kansas City, Jefferson City, and other Missouri cities : biographical sketches > Part 46
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 46
USA > Missouri > Jackson County > Kansas City > The Bench and bar of St. Louis, Kansas City, Jefferson City, and other Missouri cities : biographical sketches > Part 46
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Young Hobbs was a regular attendant of the public school until his sixteenth year. He early displayed an excessive fondness for study, and at times pursued his task under adverse circumstances, being for a long time afflicted with inflam- matory rheumatism. After closing his studies in the public schools, he entered the university at Burlington, low., where he made rapid progress in his studies, and such was his desire for knowledge that he remained after his means were
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exhausted, detraying his expenses by manual labor. Finding, however, that such labor required too much of his time, he returned to New London and engaged in teaching, continuing that vocation until he had accumulated money sufficient to enable him to attend the university another year, during which time he devoted his attention at intervals to the study of the law
At the opening of the war of the rebellion, in rot, he left school, and enlisted as a private in company K, 6th lowa infantry. He remained with his regiment about six months, most of the time in Missouri, where he participated in Fre- mont's campaign against Price, marching through Missouri over the Ozark Mountains, following the retreat of Price into Arkansas, Being rendered unfit for service by the return of his old complaint, inflammatory rheumatism, he was discharged in January, 1862. He then returned home, and engaged in teaching. Three months later, upon the call of President Lincoln for three hundred thou- sand men, he discontinued Ins school, and assisted in raising company K, 25th Iowa infantry, and was elected second lieutenant of the same. He was afterward promoted to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of his captain. He com- manded his company during the three days' night in the rear of Vicksburg, under General Sherman, in 1802, and also at the battle of Arkansas Post, January 11, 1803. At both of these battles his uniform was pierced with balls, and at the latter his regiment sustained a heavy loss of men. Among the many killed was George W. Wilson, a brother -in-law of Captain Hobbs.
Upon his return home he pursued his law studies, which had been interrupted by the war, and was admitted to the bar by the district court of Henry county, at Mount Pleasant, lowa, of which Hon Francis Springer was presiding judge. Hle soon established himself in the practice of the law at Fort Madison, Iowa, and in 1870 was elected city attorney, without opposition. During the succeed- ing two yours be filled the position of clerk of the district and circuit courts. In this be formed a partnership with Ion I M Casey, with whom he continued in practice until 18So, building up an extensive and prosperous business.
In 1873 Mr. Hobbs was elected president of the school board, and in the year following, county superintendent of public schools. In 1875 he was elected by a very large majority to the general assembly of Iowa, and rendered valuable and efficient services as a member of that body In 1870 he was democratic nominee for congress. During the campaign, at the earnest request of the national dem. erratic committee, he spent ten days in Indiana, advocating the cause of democ- racy, and, as testified to by the state central committee of Indiana, contributed largely to the triumph of " Blue Jeans Williams" at the October election.
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Although Mr. Hobby is a democrat, he never allows party prejudice to bias his better judgment. He is a member of the Odd-Fellows and Masonic fraterni- ues. In 1876 he was made district deputy grand master of the former, and for three years was master of the Masonic Lodge at Fort Madison, Iowa, his former home.
Mr. Hobbs was married August 24, 1862, to Miss Sallie Estella Smith, a lady of fine native abilities and rare accomplishments. They have had two children, both daughters, now fourteen and sixteen years of age respectively. Mr. Hobbs is a gentleman of rare social qualities; is of fine personal appearance, active and energetic. He is an excellent citizen. He is a gentleman of warm and enduring friendship, and is highly prized by all who know him.
In the spring of 1880 Mr. Hobbs settled in Saint Louis, and continued the practice of his profession, where he is rapidly building up an extensive business. Ilis reputation as a political speaker makes him in great demand during impor- tant campaigns. To some of these demands he has responded, at the earnest solicitation of personal friends, but realizing, as he says, that the law is a jealous mistress, he has as a rule declined to do so.
In 1883 he formed a copartnership with Theo. H. Culver, under the firm name of Hobbs and Culver. This partnership is now subsisting, and they are doing a prosperous business.
HON. C. C. BLAND. ROZLA.
NE of the best judicial minds on the circuit bench is that of Hon. C. C. Bland, circuit judge of the eighteenth judicial circuit. . He was born Feb- ruary 9, 1837, in Ohio county, Kentucky; the son of Samuel E. and Margarette (Null) Bland. He is a brother of Hon, K P. Bland, congressman from Missouri, who has made the name historic by means of his advocacy of the bill making the standard dollar of 4121g grains legal tender; it is familiarly known as the Bland dollar.
Judge Bland was educated at Arcadia, Missouri; read law, and was admitted to the bar in 1860, and commenced practice at Salem, Dent county. He removed to Rolla, and formed a partnership with his brother, Hon. R. P. Bland. He was elected judge of the eighteenth judicial circuit in 1879, which office he holds at the present time. He is an admirable judge; his mind is subtle and refined, and he sustains a reputation for candor, firmness and honesty that few ever attain. He is very popular with the bar and the people
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At the breaking out of the civil war, Judge Bland was made captain of the 32d Missouri infantry, and served two yours. He took part in the battles of Chickasaw River, Arkansas Post, siege of Vicksburg, and Jackson, Brandon and Camp Hill, in Mississippi. He was also in the battles of Missionary Ridge, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, siege of Atlanta, and Jonesboro.
Judge Bland has been twice married; the first time in 1867, to Miss Lutidia Gotzkoutz, and the second time in May, 1872, to Miss Hattie Keene.
JAMES K. BRUGLER.
BUTLER.
AMES K. BRUGLER was born August 16, 1837, in Columbia county, Pennsyl- vania. He was raised on a farm, and educated at Union College, Schenec- tady, New York, from which he was graduated in 1861. He read law with Mathew Hale Jones, of Easton, and Colonel John G. Freeze, of Bloomsburgh, Pennsylvania, and was admitted to the bar in March, 1865, at that place. He began practice in Philadelphia, where he continued until 1808. He then removed to Bates county, Missouri, where he has been engaged in the practice of his pro- fession ever since, giving his entire and undivided attention to that vocation. Mr. Brugler is a well read lawyer, well posted in all of the intricacies of his pro- fession. He has a keen, analytic mind, and a retentive memory. He is a close, logical reasoner, and makes a strong argument.
In 1862 he was married, at Bloomsburgh, to Miss Fannie Brower. They have three sons and one daughter. The eldest son, Brower, is reading law in his father's office. The second son, Eddie, is studying for the Episcopalian ministry at Seabury Hall, Faribault, Minnesota.
JOSEPH DICKSON.
SAINT LOUIS.
T' THE subject of this sketch was born in Ireland, October 29, 1846, and is the son of William T. Dickson. His parents migrated to America when Joseph was three years old, and settled in New York city. In 1855 they removed to Dixon, Illinois, remaining there until 1862, where our subject enjoyed the benefits of the public schools, and received a good literary education. He at- tended Harvard University at Cambridge, Massachusetts, and graduated from the law department of that institution in 1867, and was admitted to the bar
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in Saint Louis in March of that year. He immediately began practice by him- self, continuing three years, when he formed a partnership with Hon. Gar- rett S. Van Wagoner, now judge of the criminal court of Saint Louis, which partnership continued two years, doing an extensive business. He was then associated as a partner with George M. Smith, under the firm name of Smith and Dickson. After the formation of this partnership Mr. Smith removed to Albany, New York, and Mr. Dickson practiced by himself again about two years, and then formed a partnership with Wells II. Blodgett, which partnership has con- tinned up to the present time ( 1884). Mr. Blodgett is the general solicitor of the Wabash, Saint Louis and Pacific Railway Company, and Mr. Dickson is the local solicitor for the same company. He was married, June 30, 1874, to Miss E. Robertson, sister of Bishop Robertson, of the diocese of Missouri. They have two children.
HON. ROBERT F. WINGATE. SAINT LOUIS.
T' THE subject of this sketch is a native of Kentucky. He was born in Boone county, January 24, 1822, the son of John and Emma (Benham) Wingate. His paternal grandfather was wagon master in the war of the revolution, and his maternal grandfather was a captain in that memorable struggle. They were of English descent on both sides. The father of our subject removed to Louis- ville, Kentucky, thence to Gallatin county, Illinois, when Robert was twelve years old. He attended private schools, and finally completed his education at Mount Vernon, Illinois. He then went to Columbus, Indiana, and studied law under Hon. William Herrod, and was there admitted to the bar in 1843. He then began practice at Mount Vernon, Ilinois, and was favored with a good business. He remained there until the winter of 1853 4, when he removed to Saint Louis, where he has since remained in the practice of his profession. He has been a member of the state legislature several terms. December 1, 1863, Mr. Wingate introduced a resolution into the house of representatives of Missouri (and it was the first one of the kind in this country), aiming to abolish slavery throughout the United States permanently. It was passed, and in obedience to that resolution a copy of the same, embodying instructions to the senators and representatives from Missouri to use all honorable means to induce two-thirds of the senators and representatives in congress to propose an amendment to the constitution of the United States, which should be in effect the same as the thir- teenth, fourteenth and fifteenth amendments to that instrument now in force.
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Thus it will be seen that Mr. Wingate was the pioneer in this movement, as far as any legislative move was concerned Mr Wingate was elected attorney general of Missouri in 1864, and was judge advocate general of Missouri during the war. He was a true Union man during that struggle. His coadjutors were General F. P. Blair, S. T. Glover and other men of that class, who were instru- mental in saving Missouri to the Union
General Wingate was married to Miss Mary Ridgway, daughter of Caleb Ridgway, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her mother was a daughter of Judge Lloyd, of New Jersey. They had four children, three of whom were sons, only one of whom is now living, Earnest Wingate, M.D , a physician in active practice at The Dalles, Oregon. He is a young man of excellent attainments, and is con- sidered a very scientific member of his profession. General Wingate is so well known that any comments from us would seem superfluous. He seems to be a gentleman of comprehensive mind, has a reputation as an orator, and is easy, soc'lal and entertaining in his intercourse with .di
THOMAS QUICK. SAINT LOUIS
T THE subject of this sketch was born near Belleville, Saint Clair county, Illi- nois. He is the son of Aaron Quick, and his mother's maiden name was Miss Lady Preston His father was formerly a school teacher and a large land owner The Prestons are from Virginia, and one of the oldest and best tami- lies of that state. His maternal grandmother was a Rigdon, of Maryland. Mr. Quick was educated at MeRendree College, Lebanon, Illinois. He studied law with George Trumbull, now of the Chicago bar, and was admitted to the bar in 110. He commenced practice soon after at Waterloo, Monroe county, Illinois, in partnership with Hon Joseph Gillespie, afterward circuit judge of Belleville circuit, continuing two years. He represented Monroe county in the legislature m 1851 2, and held the position of master in chancery, under the appointment of Judge Underwood, several years. He then practiced alone five years, doing an extensive business. He then removed to Belleville, and formed a partnership with Hon. William H. Underwood, formerly a circuit judge of the Belleville dis- tritt. This partnership continued about eighteen months. He then formed a partnership with Hon. John Baker, now United States minister to Venezuela. They practiced together one year. Mr. Quick was appointed bank commissioner
5 4
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of the state of Illinois in 1857. It was a time when many state banks were in operation, and the duties of the commissioner were quite arduous, Mr. Quick gained the reputation of being a conscientious and efficient officer, and prompt in the discharge of his duties. He held that office about eight years. In 1858 he retired to a farm at Irvington, Washington county, where he attended to no law business except to accommodate his friends He had a class of law stu- dents, however, most of the time. He went trom that place to Richview, Illinois, and in July, 1874, he removed to East Saint Louis, where he remained two years, and returned to Belleville, where he remained until February, 1881. He then removed to Saint Louis, Missouri, where he has remained ever since. Mr. Quick is a good lawyer, and devotes his time to the practice of his profession. He has quite a taste tor literature and literary pursuits. He is an author of some renown. He possesses quite a genius for poetry, and has a volume nearly ready for publication.
Mr. Quick has been twice married. His first marriage occurred October 1, 1845, to Miss Evelina S. Thrift. She died in 1876. He had by her six children, four of whom are yet living. He was married a second time, February 6, 1881, Lo Mis Mary E. Miles, the widow of Stephen W. Miles, Junior. Mr. Quick is a gentleman of fine presence, and he possesses fine social qualities.
CALVIN VIRGIL. BUCKLEY. SPRINGHILLD.
T Il rising young lawyer whose name heads this sketch is another of the intellectual, polished and refined gentlemen produced by the great state of Kentucky. He is a son of Marion S. Buckley, of Fort Smith, Arkansas, a mer- chant well known and highly respected for his intelligence. The subject of this sketch was born in Simpson county, Kentucky, January 28, 1854. In his boyhood he attended school, and clerked in his father's store. He entered William Jewell College at Liberty, Missouri, from which he was graduated in 1877. He attended the law department of the State University at Columbia, graduating in 1878, and was admitted to the bar the same year, and began practice right away at Fort Smith, Arkansas, and was favored with an extensive patronage in both state and federal courts, where he continued in practice until April, 1883. He then removed to Springfield, Missouri, where he again entered into a brisk practice. He has been very successful in all of his cases.
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Mr. Buckley is thoroughly posted in the law, both as to statutes and adjudi- cated cases. He prepares his cases with great diligence and skill, and generally comes into court with authorities directly in point. He is indefatigable in research of authorities. He has an analytic mind, and is an eloquent advocate.
Mr. Buckley is an affable gentleman, bearing the impress of culture and a liberal education, and he is destined to occupy a high position at the bar.
COLONEL WILLIAM C. KELLY.
T THE subject of this sketch is a native of Tennessee; he was born November IS, 1836, in Murray county, and is the son of Hardy Kelly. His mother before marriage was Elizabeth Shelton. His maternal grandfather was an emi- nent physician in Tennessee, and an author of considerable repute. He was the author of " Shelton's Domestic Medicine," a work well known and widely circu- lated. His father was a Methodist preacher of considerable prominence. Young Kelly was educated in the common schools principally, but he has added materi- ally to what he learned in schools by general reading and observation. He com- menced reading law at the age of eighteen years, under the directions of James 1. Spring, at Fort Smith, Arkansas. In 1855 he was admitted to the bar in Springfield, Missouri, and commenced practice in Green and adjoining counties in the thirteenth judicial circuit, where he continued two years. He then located at Marshfield, Webster county, where he remained until the breaking out of the war in 1801. He then joined the state guards, and was elected major of the 1st Missouri regiment, in McBride's brigade, which joined the army under General Price. He was at Wilson's Creek, Dry Wood and Lexington.
In about six months after that he was appointed by General Price to recruit a regiment in Missouri and Arkansas. He raised eight companies, and was elected lieutenant colonel. But General Hindman reorganized the army, discharging all the officers who had been elected, and filled their places by appointment. But an officer of the ability of Colonel Kelly would not remain idle; he was appointed by General Price to conscript troops for the confederate service for the sub-dis. triet of Arkansas, which position he filled up to the raid of 1864. He was then placed on the staff of General Marmaduke, and a part of the time was in com. mand of about one hundred men, and was a scout for that general. After the war was over Judge Price of Springfield, Missouri, and Colonel Kelly formed a
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partnership, and opened a law office at Batesville, Arkansas, where they practiced two years. Judge Price then went to Springfield, and Colonel Kelly came to Kolla, where he has remained in the practice of his profession up to the present time.
Colonel Kelly has been prosecuting attorney of Phelps county twelve years. He has been corporation attorney for the city of Rolla, and is the local attorney for the San Francisco Railroad Company.
Colonel Kelly is an admirable prosecuting attorney, being one of the few ofli- cers who shows no partiality in performing the duties incumbent upon him. ile is a gentleman of strict integrity, and is a lawyer of ability, a fluent speaker, and his conduct of a trial is such as to challenge the admiration of all. He has been twice married, first in 1856, to Miss Margarett Ducilla Ross. She died January 20, 1881. He was married a second time, March 22, 1883, to Mrs. Mary Jane Ellis. He has six children living.
GEN. EWING Y. MITCHELL.
RO11.1
T' DIE subject of this sketch is a native of Missouri. He was born near Potosi, Washington county, February 18, 18;1, the son of Richard Mitchell, a native of Kentucky, who removed to Boonclick county, afterward Howard county, Mis- souri. He was a merchant and a prominent politician. He held the office of sheriff several terms in Boonelick and Washington counties. Young Mitchell spent his early days in agricultural pursuits. He improved his spare time studying law, and was admitted to the bar in September, 1857. He was elected prosecuting attorney for the eighteenth judicial circuit in 1858, which office he held until .1861, when he was made a colonel in the confederate army. He took part in the battles of Wilson's Creek, Lexington, Pea Ridge, and in all of the battles of the kids of isop.
In 1869 he settled in Springfield, Missouri, in the practice of the law, doing a good business until 1877. He was then appointed adjutant general of the state, by Governor Phelps, which position he filled with marked ability four years. He then came to Kolla, where he has been actively engaged in the practice of the law ever since that time.
General Mitchell has a comprehensive mind, and possesses excellent judg- ment. He is a logical reasoner, and conducts his cases well. As a citizen no man stands higher. All have the utmost confidence in him. General Mitchell has been thrice married, and the issue of these three marriages has been twelve children, six of whom are at the present writing, 1831, living
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His first wife was a Miss Fannie Thomas, a sister of Hon. John L. Thomas, judge of the twenty-sixth cirenit. They were married in 1553. He was married a second time, in 1863, to Mrs. Lydia . Cloyd In 1867 he was married to Miss Corrine Medley.
General Mitchell's daughter, Virginia, is the wife of Hon. R. P. Bland, mem. ber of congress from Missouri, whose sketch appears in this volume
HON. HORACE H. HARDING. CARTILAGE
() NE of the most accomplished and crudite members of the Missouri bar is Horace I. Harding. He was born July ;1, 1833, in Morrow county, Ohio, the son of Chauncey C. Harding, one of the earliest settlers in central Ohio. His grandfather, Hon. Amos J. Harding, gave name to a large settlement in Richland county, known to this day as the Harding settlement. His mother before mar- riage was Miss Rachel Story, a lady of rare mental powers, who was widely known for ber practical good sense and many Christian virtues. She was the daughter of Nehemiah Story, a near relative of the celebrated jurist, Joseph Story, of the United States supreme court. Nehemiah Story was a man of learning and high standing socially and politically. His grandchildren, scattered over many western states, embrace a score of lawyers, including the subject of this sketch.
Horace II. Harding was educated at Farmer's College, near Cincinnati, Ohio. Hle studied law in the office of Hon. Belamy Storer, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and was admitted to the bar in the United States circuit court, southern district of Ohio, in 1857, and came to Missouri that year, and was admitted to practice in the United States supreme court in 1800. He was connected with the law depart- ment of the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad Company, and its successor, the Saint Louis and San Francisco railway, fourteen years, and was several years general solicitor of the Missouri and Western Railway Company. His practice has been very largely in corporation law.
In 1861, having in the meantime removed to Nebraska City, Nebraska, he was adjutant general of that territory, with the rank of lieutenant colonel. He assisted in the organization of two regiments, which were sent to the front, and he afterward served in the United States service as judge advocate in the depart- ment of the Platte until 1864 His health partially failing, he went to the western
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territories and the Pacific coast, spending several years there, and in New York. Finally, in 1868, he again settled in Missouri. He is permanently located in Carthage, where he has resided fourteen years, having acquired a competency, and he is regarded as one of the most substantial citizens in southwest Missouri. He always speaks out plainly and unequivocally on all public questions. In politics he is a very decided republican, but he has never held or sought public office except that he was mayor of the city where he resides.
In iSSo he was nominated by the republican party as a candidate for attorney general of the state, and made an active canvass of several congressional dis- triets, at which election five republicans were elected to congress.
As a lawyer Colonel Harding ranks high. He is very thorough in all of the departments of his profession, and as a corporation lawyer he has no peer in western Missouri. He is a close student of authorities, has a retentive memory, an analytic mind, and well balanced judgment. He is a good trial lawyer, and his arguments to both court and jury are lucid, logical and convincing. The grace and propriety of his delivery are equal to the copiousness and felicity of his diction. He is an orator of considerable distinction, and a citizen who has the utmost confidence of all who know him
In 1857 he was married to Miss Mary Frances Webb, of Madison, Indiana. They have three children, Stella, Fannie and Paul, all of whom are living.
HON. ALEXANDER MARTIN.
SAINT LOUIS.
T HIS gentleman is a native of Mississippi, and of Irish descent. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor (1855), and of the law department of Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, class of 1857, and prize essayist of the same. In $858 be settled in Saint Louis, where he de- voted himself to the practice of his profession until he was appointed to his . present position of supreme court commissioner. He was professor in the Saint Louis law school for nine years, and was corresponding editor of the " American Law Register," of Philadelphia, for the state of Missouri, for twelve or thirteen years. No one of the commissioners has a better mind than his, more clear, more logical, more profound; and as a writer, he has few peers on the supreme bench. His character in all respects, legal, judicial and mond, is of the higher class.
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