USA > Pennsylvania > Butler County > History of Butler County, Pennsylvania. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 11
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
ever, did not deter him from reading Coke on Little ton, for he went diligently to work and acquired a knowledge of the language in which the book was written. The young attorney quickly gained a large practice, and had numerous clients in Armstrong and Venango Counties, as well as Butler. At the time he . lin, Penn was admitted to practice, and for a number of years after, many of the most important suits in the courts of Butler and adjoining counties were contests for the possession of land, growing ont of confused title. Mr. Bredin had a great reputation for his success in this class of suits, and his thorough and minute knowl. edge of the intricate land laws applying to Western Pennsylvania gave his opinion great weight in the es- timation of the people. He was one of the ablest lawyers of his time. Practicing at the bar during a period when it numbered among its members such men as Henry Baldwin, afterward a Judge of the Supreme Court of the United States, Gien. Ayres. William Wilkins, afterward a Judge of the United States District Court and Minister to Russia; Walter Forward, afterward Secretary of the Treasury of the United States; John Banks, John J. Pearson, Daniel Agnew, Joseph Buffinton, Samuel Purviance, Alex. W. Foster, Jolin Gilmore and Samuel A. Gilmore. He was recognized as the equal of any of them.
Although extensively engaged in the practice of his profession, the subject of our sketch gave much attention to other matters. He became possessed of considerable real estate, and always had an active in- terest in public affairs.
Judge Bredin was an ardent friend of the com- mon school system, and was a very efficient factor in its success, as well in the borough as in the county: he was for over ten years a School Director and Presi- dent of the board. A distinguishing trait in his character was his large generosity and benevolence, and his liberal aid in every enterprise that tended to promote the welfare of the county. He was an up- right Judge and a devoted father and friend. In company with his elder brother, Maurice Bredin, he carried on, during the years from 1824 to 1830. the Butler Repository, an able Democratic Republican newspaper .* In 1831, on the formation of the Seven- teenth Judicial District, composed of the counties of Butler, Beaver and Mercer, he was appointed Presi- dent Judge of said district by (fov. Wolff, and was re- appointed by Gov. Porter in 1841. Various Asso- ciate Judges served with him from time to time. At one period, both of his associates were like himself, natives of the County of Donegal, freland. They were John Duffy and James Bovard. Although the three members of the bench were of the same nativity, they represented three different religions denomina-
tions, Andge Bredin being an Episcopalian, Judge Duffy a Roman Cathohe, and Judge Bovard a Pres byterian. Judge Brodin occupied the bench untit his death, which occurred May 21, 1851. He was mar ried. in 1829, to Miss Nancy Mebelland, of Frank Eleven children were the offspring of this union, three of whom died in childhood, and six are now living in Butler Borough, viz., Judge James Bredin, Nancy (Mrs. I. J. Cummings), Dr. Stephen Bre lin, Margaret (Mrs. L. Z. Mitchell), Elvira (Mrs. Edwin Lyon) and Joseph B. Bredin, Esq. The old- est of the family. Jane (Mrs. Ebenezer MeJunkin). and George M. are deceased. The latter died in the army.
George W. Smith was born in Mercer County, Penn., in the year 1806. He came to Butler, and was at one time employed in the woolen factory, then car- ried on in connection with the MeNeil (now Walter's) flouring-mill. He read law with Gen. Ayres, and soon took a prominent rank at the bar. He was a Whig in polities, and, with S. A. Purviance and C. C. Sullivan. became one of its most active leaders. His name was on several occasions used by his friends in connection with political positions. He always had a good support. He represented this (Butler) county in the Legislature. He was the candidate of his party for Congress in 1848, but fell a few votes short in the district, being beaten by his Democratic neighbor, Hon. A. Gilmore.
He removed to Kansas in 1855, and took an active part in the stirring scenes that took place during the years that followed. He was elected Governor under the Lecompton Constitution by that portion of the Free-Stato men who deemed it wise to take part in that election (another portion of the party resolved to treat the election as a fraud, and stayed away). He was afterward elected to the Legislature, and was once chosen Speaker of that body. He was afterward chosen Police Judge for the city of Lawrence, which position he held till his death, which took place on the 28th of September, 1878. Ho was an outspoken. warm-hearted man; his life was an active one. His early education was limited, but nature had done much for him. He was at home with a jury, and could always make the most of the facts, when sub mitting his client's cause to their keeping. His wid ow still survives: she lives in the suburbs of Law. rence, Kan.
David O. Walker's name is frequently found on the records of the Common Pleas from 1524 to 1530. but we have failed to find any minute of his admis sion, nor have we learned whether he was a student in this county or not. He was a brother of Mr. Jona than Walker, a well-to do farmer of Buffalo town ship. this (Butler) county, recently deceased. He
*See Chapter IX
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
may have read law with Gen. Ayres, but the possibili- ty is that he and his brother (James Il. ) both read law with their uncle, Hon. Jonathan Walker, of Pittsburgh, the father of Hon. Robert J. Walker, who became a citizen of Mississippi at an early day, and who was Secretary of the Treasury under Polk.
Both families of the Walkers were prominent. Of the family to which David O. belonged, we have four strong men 'in their different spheres, Jonathan and William became prominent citizens and land-owners of Butler County. James H. became one of the lead ing members of the local bar of Erie, he had an eventful professional life, and died while presiding over the Constitutional Convention of 1873, and David O .. the subject of this notice. They are all now deceased.
James Thompson was born in Middlesex town- ship. Butler County, Penn. In ISIS, he was playing the part of " printer's devil " in the office of the But- ler Palladium. In 1825, he still worked at the case. but soon after became a law student in the office of HIon. John Gilmore. About this time. Samet Gil- more returned from college and became a student in the same office (his father's). Before his admission to the bar, Thompson removed to Kittanning and fin- ished his primary course of primary law-reading in the office of Thomas Blair. He afterward removed to Erie, and became at oner a leader in his profession and his party (Democratic). He became a legislator: at one time was Speaker of the House; afterward, member of Congress, and, finally, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the State.
Soon after the expiration of his term (ten years) as Judge, while he was making an argument in an im- portant case in court, he sank to the floor in a state of exhaustion and never recovered. He was an able jurist. a pure Judge, and, through life, a highly es- teemed citizen. Two of his brothers, William and John, still survive him, and remain citizens of his native county.
John Galbreath has been described by a cotempo- rary, who says that when he first came to Butler, he found him a young lawyer. He afterward established the first newspaper ever published in Butler; it was called the Butler Palladium: he afterward removed to Erie, where he took rank as a lawyer and became Judge of the courts of that county,
The following biographieal sketch of Hon. Joseph Buffington, we take from a history of Westmoreland County, which composed part of his judicial district:
Joseph Buffington, for many years President Judge of the district of which Westmoreland County was a part. the " Old Tenth. " was born in the town of West Chester. Chester Co .. Penn . on the 27th of No- vember, 1803. and died at Kittanuing on the 3d day of
February, 1572. The ancestors of Judge Buffington were Friends or Quakers, who left the county of Mid dlesex, England, and came to the Province of Penn- sylvania shortly before the proprietary, and settled near Chadd's Ford, in Chester County, near the site of the battle of the Brandywine, where his grand father, Jonathan Buffington, had a grist-mill during the Revolution. His father, Ephraim Buffington, kept hotel at West Chester at a tavern stand known as the " White Hall," a venerable hostelry and cele- brated through that region for many years. It was here that the subject of this sketch was born, and lived until his tenth year, when his father, in hopes of bettering his fortunes in the West, left West. Ches- ter, came over the mountains and settled in Pine Creek, about five miles above Pittsburgh, on the 1l legheny River. It was during this journey that the travelers passed through Greensburg, and it was at the old McQuade House, if the writer mistakes not, afterward for many years his favorite stopping-place. that Judge Butlington first saw a soft coal fire.
When about eighteen years of age. he entered the Western University at Pittsburgh, then under the charge of Dr. Bruce, at which place he also enjoyed the instructions of the venerable Dr. Joseph Stockton. After pursuing a liberal course of studies, he went to Butler. Penn., and for some time prior to studying law, he edited a weekly paper called the Butler Re- pository, and in company with Samuel A. Purviance, afterward a well-known attorney of Allegheny County and Attorney General of the Commonwealth, he en- gaged in keeping a small grocery store. Soon after- ward, he entered, as a student of law, the office of Gen. William Ayres, at that time one of the most celebrated lawyers in Western Pennsylvania, and un- der whose careful training he laid a thorough foun- dation for his chosen life work.
During his student life. he married Miss Catha- rine Mechling. a daughter of Hon. Jacob Mechling. a prominent politician of that region and for many years a member of the House of Representatives and Senate of Pennsylvania. Mr. Mechling was original- ly a native of Westmoreland County, and was married to Miss Drum, au aunt of Hon, Augustus Drum, Member of Congress from Westmoreland, of Gen. Richard Drum, United States Army, and of Maj. Si mon Drum, who was killed in the Mexican war.
In the month of July, 1826, he was admitted to practice in Butler County, and in the Supreme Court, on September 10, 1828. He remained at the Butler bar for about a year, but finding, at length, that the business was largely absorbed by the older and more experienced practitioners, he determined to sopk some new field of labor, and finally settled upon Armstrong County, to which place he removed and settled at
1
Je Breding reding
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
Kittanning, where he resided contomately mall he- death. Here his industry, integrity and close appli cation soon brought him to the front of the bar, and although the first years of his professional life were ones of hardship and narrow means, yet in a few year's he was in possession of a practice that absorbed all his time and afforded a good income
When coming to manhood, Judge Buffington took u strong interest in politie- At the inception of the Anti Masonic party. in ISI, or thereabouts, he be came one of its members, and served as om of the delegates to the National Convention of that body. which met at Baltimore in 1532, and nominated Will iam Wirt for the Presidency. During the a year- he was several times nominated for the position of State Senator of member of the House of Representatives. bnt without snecess. his party being largely in the minority.
In IS10, he joined the Whig party, taking an ac tive part in the election of Gen. Harrison, and serving as one of the Presidential elector- on the Whip ticket.
During the years that intervened from his coming to Kittanning, nutil ISI, Judge Buffington was closely engaged in the line of his profession Pa- tient, laborions and attentive, full of read and energy for his client- causes, he had acquired an extensive practice. He was constantly in attendance upon the courts of Clarion, Jefferson. Armstrong and ludimna. and his services were often in demand in other conn ties. He was connected in all the important land trials of that region, and his knowledge of this intri cate branch of the law was thorough and exhaustive. Said one of his life long friends: " Tospeak of Judge Buffington's career as a lawyer would be a history of the Judicial contests in this section of the State for more than a quarter of a century. He had a large practice in Armstrong, Jefferson. Clarion and Indiana Counties, the courts of which counties he regularly at tended. It was my pleasure to be with him, either as assisting or opposing counsel, in many of these counties. It may not be forgotten that in those early times in the judicial history of Middle Western Pen sylvania the bar constituted a kind of paripatetice as sociation, all and each contributing his share to the social enjoyments of the occasion and to the instrue tion of the unlearned in law, of the obligations that were improved upon them. These mions at different places created necessarily many happy reminiscences. But, like the schoolmaster of the village. " the very spot where once they triumphed is forgot "
It cannot be forgotten or denied that Judge Butlington was a conscientious, fair dealing and up right lawyer. He had imlubed so largely of the privileges and excellences of the profession knes su
that to lom cheynery so frand te loscale: 000.
In the fall of 1512. bulge Enter 00 war . le ul District composed of the cacties of Antrags Bit ler. Clearthe Id and Habe ma. hier anpetite but i Longo of Clearfield Comply elected, in the same district, to competitor being Mr McKennab, of Indiana County shipof the House he voted with the Wing- mall an
extension of slave territory
His fellow townstan and wann per cgil friend. Hon. W. F. Johnston, having Fun derte Governor, he appointed Judg Burlington, in ISE to the pool tion of President Judge of the Ightsouth of them District, composed of the counties of Clarion, Ilk. Jefferson and Vesang. This position he held until ISit, when he was defeated in the Judicial election by Hơn. John C. Knox, the district being largely Democratic.
In 15:2, he was nominated by the Whig State Convention for the Andgoship of the Supreme Court in the general overthrow of the Whip parts that re sulted in the defeat of Gen Scott for the Presidency that year, had g Buffington was defeated. la comput itor being the late Chief Justice Woulwird of Ln
The same year, he was appointed by President Fillmore thief Justies of Utah Territ ory, they just or Janixed He was strongly urged by the Promsylent personally to accept, as the posting was a frying one. and the administration wished it to be filled by some one in whom it had confidences it's great de france from civilizat m, and the enstone of the country. which were so abberrent to his ile, led him low ever, to decline the proffered honor
On the resignation of Hon Who Mmiry Birel. Judge of the Tenth District, he was appointed to that position, in the fall of 1535, by Lin Fillek with whom he had been a follow number of l'ago and with his appointment commeneed a phone and 10 its citizens. that lasted int I hi- bath
In the fall of IS, he wrote to fill the p tion to which he lind berg app del, frater f ten years opposition dechter to nanina e thi ch the sb. of their they can tate for the Proches. Buchanan. a speed friend of trapper The position be hellerte Isdo while x sem
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
This he resigned in 1871, when failing health ad monished him that the Judicial labors, already be- yond the power of any man, were too great for one who had passed the meridian of life and had borne the heat and burden of the day, whilst others more vigorous had fallen by his side. It was hard, indeed, for one whose mind was skilled to greatness and trained to labors to listen to the demands of a feeble frame, whilst yet the mind was in the vigor and strength of maturity. But, sustained by the con- sciousness of duty well done, and cheered by the united voice from withont, proclaiming his life's mis- sion to the public nobly performed, he left the battle. field of life, and lived (as was his wont) amid the brighter joys of social and domestie love, himself the center around which the affections of a dear home clustered. He was again in private life, after forty- six years' connection with the bench and bar of the commonwealth. to the thoroughness and industry of which the State Reports for the forty years preceding are silent and eloquent witness.
Surrounded by friends and every comfort of life, the following year passed quickly. but, as in the ease of many an overworked professional man, the final summons came without warning. On Saturday. Feb- ruary 3, 1872, he was in his usual health, and, on rising from dinner, went to an adjoining room, aeross which he commenced walking, as was his wont. His wife, coming in five minutes afterward, found him lying on the sofa. in the sleep that knows no waking. He was buried with the services of the Episcopat Church, of which he had been an attendant, officer and liberal supporter for many years.
Of Andge Buffington as a lawyer we have spoken. As a citizen. he was public-spirited: and as a neigh- bor, he was kind and sympathetic. All his inter- course with his fellow-men was marked with a cour- tosy and quiet dignity, that impressed one as being in the presence of one who was a gentleman in the true sense of the word. His memory is a rich legacy to friends who survive,
Samuel Anderson Purviance was born in Butler. Butler Co., Penn., January 10. 1809. His father, John Parviance, Esq .. was a member of the Butler bar, who had served in the war of 1812 as Colonel of a volunteer regiment. Col. Purvianer died at an early age, leaving surviving him a widow and seven chil- dren -three sons and four daughters. Samuel 1. was the second son and child. Upon him and his brother devolved the responsibilities of maintaining and raising the large family which their father's death had left wholly unprovided for. At that time, West- ern Pennsylvania was comparatively an unsettled ro- gion. Mr. Purvianee's early days were spent in ear- rying the surveyor's chain, and in clerking in the
offices of the Prothonotary, Sheriff and Commission- ers of Butler County, and in such other similar em- ployment as choice or opportunity offered to him. In this manner, he earned his living, meanwhile educat- ing himself as best he could, and diligently pursued his studies as a law student in the office of Gen. William Ayres, of Butler, then one of the ablest law- yers in Western Pennsylvania. In 1528, before he had attained his legal majority, he was admitted to the bar and entered at once upon the active practice of his chosen profession, and continued in that practice until 1876 -- a period of nearly half a century -- when he retired to private life. Soon after his admission to the bar, he was appointed by the Attorney Gen oral of the State Prosecuting Attorney for Warren County, Penn. He remained in Warren about two years. most creditably discharging the duties of his office, and forming friendships which he cherished through life. He returned to Butler and resumed the practice of his profession in that county, and contin- ned to maintain a leading place at the bar, until 1859, when he removed to Pittsburgh, where he continued in successful practice until his retirement, in 1876.
At the Butler bar, George W. Smith. Charles C. Sullivan and Samuel A. Gilmore were Mr. Purvi- aner's eotemporaries. They have all now passed away. The people of the county at every term of conrt crowded the court house to witness the forensic contests in which these young attorneys were engaged, over the disputed titles of the county, and their names beeame household words in all sections of the county. As at that time there was great confusion in the land titles of Western Pennsylvania, the business of the bar consisted mainly in trying ejectments and settling the eontlieting titles of the adverse claimants, In this field, Mr. Purviauce was perfectly at home, and was retained in almost every leading case. As he was one of the old-time attorneys who rode the cir- unit of the different counties, his reputation as a land lawyer rapidly spread through all the adjoining eoun- ties, and in Armstrong, Clarion and Jefferson espe- cially he has a largo practice. To be ranked as one of the leading lund lawyers of Western Pennsylvania, when he had such competitiors for legal honors as os- Chief Justice Thompson and Agnew, Judge Pearson. now of Harrisburg: Judge White, of Indiana; Judge Buffington, of Armstrong; Judge Banks, of Mercer; Hon. Thomas M. MeKennan, of Washington and Hon. Henry D. Foster, of Westmoreland, was no small distinetion.
Meanwhile, Mr. Purviance took an active part in polities. He was a Whig during the whole period of the existence of that party, one of its most earnest, able and unflinching supporters. He was a member of the National Convention of ISH, which nominated
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
Henry Clay for the Presidency. He was one of the founders of the Republican organization, and was a member of the Republican National Convention of 1856, which nominated John C. Fremont for the Presidency. Mr. Parviance was also a delegate from this State at large to the Chicago Convention of 1860, which nominated Abraham Lincoln, and of the Balti- more Convention of 1864, which re-nominated hin. as well as of the Chicago Convention of ES6S, which nominated Gen. Grant.
During the administration of President Lincoln, he enjoyed in a remarkable degree for one not in official position, the friendship and confidence of Mr. Lincoln and his Secretary of War, Mr. Stanton. Mr. Purviance was a member of the National Executive Committee of the Republican party from 1864 to 1868.
Mr. Purviance was always a favorite with the people, and his was a well-earned popularity, based upon sterling integrity of character. With a kind, courteous and engaging manner, a pleasing, popular address and manifest interest in everything that per- tained to the people's welfare, it could not be other- wise. He sought the recreation of polities as a relief from the severe duties of his profession, and was glad to meet the people in their publie assemblies, town and township meetings, and disenss the issues of the day. Thus he became acquainted with nearly every family in the county in which he lived, and it was one of the pleasures of his later years to trace the histories of all these families -- rejoicing in their suc- eess and sympathizing with them in their reverses.
Mr. Purviance was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1837 and 1838, ex-Chief Justices Wood- ward and Agnew and himself being the youngest members of that convention, and his colleague from Butler County being his old legal preceptor, Gen. William Ayres. He was a member of the House of Representatives of Pennsylvania, sessions of 1838- 39, a member of the House of Representatives of the United States in the Thirty-fourth and Thirty-fifth Congresses. Attorney General of Pennsylvania in 1861, and a member of the Pennsylvania Constitu- tional Convention of 1872-73. He discharged the duties of each of these important public trusts with sneh ability and fidelity as to command the approving " well done" of the people. As a member of the first Constitutional Convention, he was a champion of reform, especially pressing an elective judiciary. He was in Congress in the tronblous times preceding the rebellion, and earnestly and eloquently battled for freedom against the encroachments of the slave power in Kansas.
Other public trusts were pressed upon Mr. Purvi- ance, which he declined. President Lincoln tendered
him an important diplomatic appointment, but he had no desire to go abroad. In all the various relations of life. Mr. Parviance tilled the full measure of a true gentleman. After months of serious indisposition, he quietly passed away, on the 11th of February. 1882, full of days and surrounded by friends.
Christian Mechling, a son of Jacob Mechling, Sr .. was admitted to the bar, having road law with Hon. John Bredin, but soon after abandoned the practico.
Samuel A. Gilmoro, a son of Hon. John Gilmore. was born in Butler on the 21st of January, 1806. Ho was educated at Washington College, Pennsylvania, read law with his father and was admitted to the bar in 1827; he soon acquired a leading place in his pro. fession. He was elected to the State Legislature in 1836-37; he was afterward chosen one of the Seere. taries of the Constitutional Convention of 1538; he was appointed President Andge of the judicial district composed of the counties of Washington, Greene and Fayette by Gov. Shunk; he was afterward elected and re-elected to the same position, after the judiciary became elective, and was still discharging the respon- sible duties of the office when death took him from the midst of his labors, on the 15th of May, 1873. He was a liberal minded citizen, a good jurist and an honest man.
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