USA > North Carolina > History of North Carolina: North Carolina biography, Volume V > Part 92
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HON. WILLIAM T. DORTCH. "Among the great lawyers to whom North Carolina owes much for influence for good upon the legal profession was William T. Dortch. Though enjoying a large prac- tice, he did not deem that the pecuniary rewards were the sole objects of a lawyer's profession. 'While successful in public life and attaining, among other honors, the position of Confederate States Senator, he did not permit ambition to swerve him from his duty. His face and figure bespoke power, restrained by moderation. In character, and I might almost say in lineaments,
he recalled that ideal of the great race from which he sprung, the first William of Orange, the liber- ator of Holland, the opponent of Alva and of all intolerance in state and in religion. Mr. Dortch was a strong man, conscious of his power but mod- erate in its use. He achieved without effort a fore- most place at the bar and in the state. His mem- ory will always be found in veneration by both."
These were the words used by Chief Justice Clark of the North Carolina Supreme Court in accepting the portrait of Hon. William T. Dortch presented on May 23, 1916, by Hon. Henry G. Connor. In his speech of presentation Mr. Connor reviewed at length the career and attainments of the subject of the portrait which now hangs in the Supreme Court chambers, and while the address cannot be quoted in its entirety, it is appropriate to the memory of the great lawyer that the most salient points should be gathered together and preserved in this section of the History of North Carolina.
William Theophilus - Dortch, a son of William and Drucilla Dortch, was born on his father's plantation in Nash County, five miles from Rocky Mount, August 3, 1824. He grew up in an agricultural community, in which there was neither large wealth nor poverty, but honest work and plain, healthful manner of life. During his early years he attended the neighboring schools, and at the appropriate age was sent to the Bingham School, then located at Hillsboro, under the super- intendence of William J. Bingham. The whole- some discipline and the spirit of supervision in this excellent institution were as important as its curri- culum, and altogether the Bingham School was and is a splendid training ground for men who have become prominent. Having completed his course of study there Mr. Dortch took up the study of law under Bartholomew F. Moore, then living at Halifax, North Carolina, Diligent at his studies, at the January term, 1845, he was ad- mitted by the Supreme Court to practice in the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, and a year later, as provided by the rules, received his license as an attorney and counsellor in all the courts of the state. The first three years of his professional life were spent at Nashville in the county town of his native county.
During the year 1848 he removed to the new and rapidly growing town of Goldsboro, which recently had been made the county seat of Wayne County. There he spent the remaining forty years of his life. He attended the courts of Wayne, Johnson, Lenoir, Greene, Edgcomb and Nash counties and also of Wilson County after its formation in 1855. From the first Mr. Dortch became closely aligned with the democratic party. He was elected to the House of Commons from Wayne County at the session of 1852 and returned to the session of 1854, serving as chairman of the judiciary committee. Many of the most prominent men of North Caro- lina during the middle of the last century were members of the Legislature of 1854. He again represented his county at the session of 1858. During that session occurred the historic debate upon the proposition to enact a charter for a rail- road connecting the North Carolina Railroad at Greensboro with Danville, Virginia. At the session of 1860 Mr. Dortch was chosen speaker of the House of Commons. Upon the passage of the Ordinance of Secession, May 20, 1861, and the ratification of the Constitution of the Confederate States, he was, with Mr. George Davis, chosen
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Confederate States Senator. He held this position during the life of the Confederacy, giving to the administration of Mr. Davis his loyal support.
At the age of forty-one, at the fall of the Con- federacy, Mr. Dortch had rendered valuable ser- vice to the state and held high and honorable position. By the passing of the issues and the change in conditions which had engaged his atten- tion he was like others similarly situated, con- fronted with problems in his private and public relations growing out of the results of the war. Like all others who had either favored the course pursued by the majority or "gone with the state"' and loyally supported the cause to which he ad- hered, Mr. Dortch with that sorrow and regret which came to all sincere Southern men, accepted the result in absolute good faith and conformed to the requirements of the National Government to enable himself to resume his civic relations and the practice of his profession. Such property as he had saved from his practice during the years preceding the war was swept away, his law library was partially destroyed by Federal troops when they entered Goldsboro. He had married early in life and found himself confronted with the duty of providing for the support and education of a large and growing family. Like all who had ren- dered service to his state, Mr. Dortch was politic- ally disfranchised, and until pardoned pursuant to the plan adopted by the National Government, was deprived of the rights of citizenship.
For twelve years he devoted his entire time and energy to the practice of his profession, giving to his large clientage his untiring and devoted service. He took a deep interest in and in such manner as he could gave the democratic party his aid in its struggle for supremacy in the state and relief from the evils brought upon the people by the reconstruc- tion policy of the dominant party. At the election of 1878 he responded to the call of his party and people to represent the district composed of Wayne and Duplın counties in the Senate. He was re- elected to the sessions of 1881 and 1883, being chosen president of the Senate at the session of 1879, and serving as chairman of the Judiciary Committee at the session of 1883. As the session of 1881 the necessity for codifying the statute law of the state was manifest. The Revised Code of 1854 with Battle's Revisal of 1875, had become of little practical value by reason of the numerous and radical changes in the statutory law. The Legis- lature directed that the entire statute law be codi- fied, incorporating such amendments and changes as had been made since the last revisal. For this very important work Mr. Dortch, as chairman, Hon. John Manning and Hon. John S. Henderson, were appointed a commission. No better or wiser selections could have been made. All of the mem- bers were lawyers of large experience, accurate learning and industry. That the work was well done is manifest not only by its acceptance and adoption, without change, by the General As- sembly of 1883, but by the judgment of the bench and bar of the state. Mr. Dortch gave to the duties of the position his most careful considera- tion and active service. The Code of 1883 was the authoritative evidence of the statute law of the state for twenty years and until the adoption of the Revisal of 1905. This was the last and crown- ing public service rendered by him to the state. During his service in the Senate 'Mr. Dortch was the author of a number of important public stat- utes. As a legislator he was conservative, watchful of the public interest, and attentive to the proceed-
ings of the Senate. He was the author of the "Dortch Bill" providing for enlarged facilities for the common schools.
Mr. Dortch was named by Governor Vance in 1877 on the board of directors of the Western North Carolina Railroad, a work in which the peo- ple of the state, especially the West, were deeply interested, and to the building of which by the state the administration was committed. Its com- pletion was to mark the consummation of the North Carolina system, adopted and begun with the construction of the North Carolina and At- lantic and North Carolina Railroads, and the realization of the vision of the people of the state of a transportation system connecting with the sections, beginning in the mountains and terminating at the ocean. Many difficulties were encountered, the cost was very large, and the peo- ple of the eastern counties were restless under the burden. The wisest and most patriotic men of the state held various views in regard to the best course to pursue. In 1880 a proposition was made by northern capitalists to purchase the property and complete construction of the road. When the matter came up before the Legislature at a special session Mr. Dortch strongly opposed the sale but was overborne by a majority of the Legislature. The sale was made and the road finally completed. Even then Senator Dortch endeavored to safeguard the future interests of the people of North Caro- lina by a provision protecting the people from any unjust or inequitable imposition of traffic charges or rates, but this proposed amendment was de- feated. It was the loyalty of Mr. Dortch to the welfare of the people of the state and his courageous stand in the face of defeat to secure to them the benefits which were expected by those who had labored for the establishment and main- tenance of a North Carolina system of transporta- tion, giving to the people of all sections fair and equal rates of traffic, which is of interest in esti- mating the value of his public service.
It is, however, as a man and a lawyer that we find in his character and conduct those qualities which we think upon most pleasantly. Mr. Dortch was not given to speculation or refinement in the practice of the law; he was not a reformer, in the usual and ordinary sense in which that term is used. He found a larger interest in using, in the administration of justice, the methods and pro- cedure which he found in existence than in devis- ing new ones. Trained in the common-law pro- cedure in force in our courts prior to 1868, he opposed the new Code of Procedure, as did many others of the lawyers of his age. When, however, it was adopted, he familiarized himself with its principles and provisions and came to recognize its value. To him the definition of the complaint as a "concise statement of the facts" constituting his clients cause of action and the answer as an equally concise denial, with such matter of defense as he intended to rely upon, was easily adopted. His pleadings were models of conciseness, clear- ness, and freedom from evidential and irrelevant matter.
While Mr. Dortch was a safe and wise counsellor, an accurate and well informed lawyer, giving close attention to all interests committed to his care, it was in the courthouse and before the jury that his pre-eminent ability and finest powers found their fullest expression. From the impaneling of the jury, the reading of the pleadings, until the rendition of the verdict his interest increased, his mind became ever more active and alert-he was
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at his best. With his case thoroughly prepared, the order of introducing his evidence logically ar- ranged, the weak points in the armor of his ad- versary anticipated, and exposed by the adroit and skillful cross-examination of witnesses, when the moment came for going to the jury he was master of the situation and usually the victor when the verdict was rendered. He wasted no time nor weakened his cause in the mind of the jury in fight- ing over irrelevant and immaterial preliminaries. He dealt frankly with the court, fairly with coun- sel, knowing when to make concessions, waive for- malities, and preserve the substantial rights of his clients. He was always in command of the liti- gation, securing and retaining the confidence of his client; he did not hesitate to assume responsibility and managed the cause from start to finish as a skillful commander, granting such favors to op- posing counsel as he deemed just, making such admissions as in his judgment were proper, and taking the responsibility for the result.
The work of the legislator is at best but tenta- tive, and for a day; of the judge, ever undergoing examination, criticism, and frequently rejection; of the lawyer, evanescent and soon forgotten. But the man -- that which for the want of a more ac- curate description we call the spirit, the soul, the essence-lives forever, and is projected into the current of and affects human life. The questions which we ask of every man, How did he use the opportunities which success brings ?- if failure and defeat overtake him, How did he bear himself, and with what degree maintain his integrity ?- to these questions, applied to the life of Mr. Dortch, a satisfactory answer may be given.
As a citizen he was obedient to the laws of his state and country, and taught others to be so. Mr. Dortch was not given to professions of friendship nor seeking the confidence of others; and yet no man was more strongly attached to those whom he admired, and no man ever doubted his absolute loyalty nor hesitated to confide in his integrity. To his chosen friends, and all who enjoyed his con- fidence, he was ready to give assistance to promote their welfare and happiness, preferring to do so in his own quiet unobtrusive manner. Probably for no one, not of his own household, did he have more affectionate regard than for Judge Strong, with whom for many years he held most intimate per- sonal and professional relations; resident of the same town until the latter moved to Raleigh, prac- ticing at the same courts, differing in temperament and cast of mind, and yet having each for the other a strong, manly affection. Judge Strong wrote of him: "It seems that nature had formed a special place in my heart which he only could fill. * He was indeed one of the bravest, * truest, best and greatest men that I have ever known. ''
The most sacred relationships of life brought to ham the purest pleasures, accompanied by respon- sibilities the discharge of which taxed his splendid mental, moral and physical powers-all of which he wisely conserved that he might devote them to the demands of duty. He placed a proper estimate upon money, seeking to acquire it only as the just reward for honest service, and to use it for the benefit of those to whose welfare and happiness he had devoted his life. He was in the best sense of the word a prudent man; his personal habits were those of a man who understood his duty to preserve his health; in nothing did he indulge to excess. He did not seek ease, but found pleasure in labor. He was an unusually industrious man,
having but little patience with those who sought to live without work. Sincere and loyal himself, he had no sympathy with and but little toleration for insincerity and disloyalty in others. As with all men of strong character, the currents of his life ran deeply and quietly. His was in all re- spects a striking, unusual personality, impressing itself upon all with whom it came in contact. While not given to humor, his quiet smile gave un- mistakable evidence of appreciation of a good story. His conversation when with friends, in his home, around the fireside, on circuit, or on a walk before or after court, was interesting and en- lightening. He was not a reader of many books, but well informed in regard to current events. He was more interested in what men did than what they wrote.
Mr. Dortch was of that temperament which we find in quiet, reserved men upon whom the ex- periences of life make a deep impression. He did not care, nor did he know how, to cast them off. He rather met them bravely, and carried them to the end. Upon such men the wear and tear of life tells strongly.
He continued to work to the end, and drew upon his weakened resources until on November 21, 1889, at the age of sixty-five, he quietly and with gentle resignation slept.
Mr. Dortch in early manhood married Miss Elizabeth Pittman of Edgcombe. The children born to them were: Harrod Pittman Dortch, Isaac Foote Dortch, Miss Corinne Dortch, Mrs. Mary D. Scholfield, William T. Dortch, Mrs. Annie D. Hill, Fitzhugh L. Dortch. For his second wife Mr. Dortch married Miss Hattie Williams, of Berry- ville, Virginia. Their children were: Allan W. Dortch, Helen W. Dortch, James Tyson Dortch and Miss Selene W. Dortch.
WILLIAM THEOPHILUS DORTCH, son of William T. and Elizabeth (Pittman) Dortch, was born in Goldsboro, Wayne County, North Carolina, April 9, 1862. He was educated in the schools of his county, at the Bingham Military School and at the University of North Carolina. He read law at the University of Virginia and the University of North Carolina, and was licensed to practice in 1884. Immediately thereafter he formed a partner- ship with his father, the late Hon. W. T. Dortch, at Goldsboro, which continued until his father's death in 1889, and he and Judge William R. Allen then became partners, which relationship continued until Judge Allen was elected one of the judges of the courts of the state, when the partnership of Dortch and Barham was formed, his associate being John Langhorne Barham.
On May 8, 1889, he married Miss Elizabeth Lewis, oldest daughter of General William Gaston Lewis. They are the parents of the following chil- dren : Elsie, wife of R. R. Faison, of Goldsboro, who is a captain in the U. S. Army; William T., Jr., who died while a student at the University of North Carolina; Gaston Lewis, now a lieutenant in the U. S. Army; Mary, a teacher; Hugh, sergeant in the U. S. Army; Lewis; Anna Lewis; Charles; Redmond Pittman and Helen. The three soldiers named above are now serving their country in France.
Mr. Dortch was appointed by President Wilson in December, 1913, U. S. marshal for the Eastern District of North Carolina, and the administration of his office has given entire satisfaction to the Government. The new duties imposed upon the office as the exigency of the war have been oner-
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ous, but they have been performed diligently and with success. In the primary election held on June 1, 1918, Mr. Dortch was nominated as the demo- cratic candidate for the House of Representatives of the Third Congressional District, and no doubt is entertained of his election.
He is intensely loyal to his friends and to the cause he advocates, and his address and affable manners have made him very popular in his home county and in the state. He has appeared in prac- tically all of the important cases in his circuit for the last twenty years and has been eminently suc- cessful, which is due in a large measure to his power of analyzing evidence, and his clear, strong, forceful presentation of his cause. He has taken an active part in the politics of his section and the state since he became of age, and has rendered valuable service to his party.
JOHN LANGHORNE BARHAM in the dozen years since he began practice at Goldsboro has attained not only front rank as a lawyer, but also some of the noteworthy honors of public life. He repre- sented his district in the State Senate from 1909 to 1913, and while in the Senate was chairman of the educational committee. His service in that capacity was of conspicuous benefit to the state, and some very important and far reaching legis- lation was enacted in behalf of the schools and bearing the impress of his work and study as chairman of the educational committee.
He has taken an active interest in politics in the state and his success has been marked. He was manager for the Honorable George E. Hood in the congressional nomination for the Third District and also for the Honorable W. T. Dortch for the same position in June, 1918, and was successful in both instances. His management of the last named campaign and the contest that followed has placed him in the forefront of the honorable and success- ful politicians of the state. He is a lawyer of unquestioned ability and is recognized as one of the foremost advocates in Eastern North Carolina.
Mr. Barham is a native of Virginia, having been born at Newsons in Southampton County January 19, 1879. His parents were Joseph Lewes and Bettie (Langhorne) Barham. His father is both a farmer and banker and was a member of the Constitutional Convention of Virginia in 1900 and 1901. John L. Barham had a liberal education, attending Randolph-Macon College and the Uni- versity of Virginia, and in 1903 was licensed to practice law after taking the course from the law department of the University of North Carolina. On April 6, 1903, he located at Goldsboro and soon afterward formed a partnership with William T. Dortch under the name Dortch & Barham. This firm has built up a large and successful clientele. For five and a half years Mr. Barham served as city attorney at Goldsboro.
He belongs to the Kappa Alpha college frater- nity, is a past exalted ruler of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of Goldsboro, and is a member of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church. On April 26, 1906, he married Miss Hannah Dewey, of Goldsboro. The two children of their marriage are: Charles Dewey and Bessie Langhorne. Mr. Barham married for his present wife Bessie Bron- son, of New Haven, Connecticut. They have one child, Katherine.
ANDREW WATSON GOODWIN, M. D. It is more than thirty years since Dr. Goodwin began prac- tice as a physician and surgeon at Raleigh. Those
have been years of real service. He has worked constantly and unselfishly not only for the good of the profession but for the welfare of humanity, and consequently it is hardly possible to measure his career accurately by the honors and distinctions he has won, considerable though they are.
Born at Raleigh September 15, 1863, Doctor Goodwin apart from his own important attain- ments in the profession has a very interesting an- cestry. He is a member of a family that has been in America more than three centuries. His line- age goes back through numerous generations to Sir John Goodwin, whom the Colonial history of Old Virginia states, was member of one of the expeditions that came to that colony in the year 1607. Between the historic figure and later gen- erations one link is missing in the genealogy, and Doctor Goodwin has so far not found time to make the research required in the colonial records of Virginia to supply the data, though of the fact itself there is no reasonable doubt.
Doctor Goodwin also had a Revolutionary an- cestor. This was William Goodwin, who was born in North Carolina in 1739 and died in Wake County of this state in 1837. His patriotic service was rendered as a private in the First North Carolina Battalion, and he afterwards re-enlisted. The North Carolina colonial records, Vol. 16, page 1066, show his enlistment as a private in 1777, while Vol. 15, page 750, show his re-enlistment in 1779. He was a man of remarkable vigor and vitality, as is shown by the fact that he lived to be almost a century old. In 1763, in Chatham County, North Carolina, he married Winifred Thoroughalkile. Their children were named Demsey, Jesse, Henry, Alstey, William, James, Nancy, Elizabeth, John, Martha, Rebecca and Winifred.
Among these the line is carried to Doctor Good- win through the son William, who married Sallie Straight. She died in 1871. The next generation was represented by Simeon P. Goodwin, who was born in 1820 and died in 1901. He married in 1843 Adelia Yates, who was born in 1820 and died in 1903. They were the parents of Doctor Good- win, who is therefore a great-grandson of the patriot who was with the North Carolina troops in the establishment of independence.
Doctor Goodwin's father was a carpenter by trade and also a farmer. Doctor Goodwin re- mained at home during his early years, and in- stead of attending school had the advantages of instruction from his cultured mother. He grew up in a period of North Carolina history when the state was still poor from the devastations caused by the war, and he therefore came into intimate fellowship with toil when a boy. He worked on the farm and after he entered school he paid his own way by work in vacation terms. He entered the public schools in 1878, at the age of fifteen, and later was a student in the Raleigh Male Academy. He remained in school until he was twenty and also had special instruction outside the regular school courses under Professor Fray, a very eminent educator. He borrowed money to pay his expenses through medical school, and thus a stead- fast ambition has brought him to the high posi- tion he now enjoys in medical circles.
For fifteen months Doctor Goodwin studied medicine under Dr. W. I. Royster at Raleigh. In September, 1885, he entered the Bellevue Hospital Medical College of New York City and was gradu- ated M. D. in 1887. In April of the same year he began his long and fruitful practice at Raleigh.
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