USA > Pennsylvania > Northumberland County > History of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania > Part 27
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132
* Linn's Annals of Buffalo Valley, p. 365.
+ Thid. p. 323.
# Reminiscences of Early Times and Events, pp. 32-33.
247
THE BENCH AND BAR.
ever known. He was a close student, and prepared his cases thoroughly. As a public speaker his manner was agreeable, and in addressing the court or jury he could state a case with such clearness as to carry conviction without the aid of rhetorical embellishment.
Hugh Bellas was born near Belfast, Ireland, April 26, 1780, and came to America at the age of nine years with his father, George Bellas, who settled in Fishing Creek township, Northumberland county, Pennsylvania. There he grew to manhood, and, as the family was in straitened circumstances, enjoyed but meager educational advantages. At the age of sixteen, having evinced a disposition to engage in other pursuits than farming, he entered the store of his uncle at Philadelphia. On the 12th of September, 1796, he was indentured to Robert Irwin, merchant, of Northumberland, with whom he was employed until he attained his majority. During this period he formed the acquaintance of the Rev. Joseph Priestley, whose writings he transcribed for the press, receiving in return for his services the loan of books for a prescribed course of reading. As a clerk he so far enjoyed the confi- dence of his employer as to be placed in charge of a branch store at Dan- ville; and at the close of his apprenticeship he engaged in merchandising at Northumberland several years. His legal studies were begun under Jona- than Walker, and continued in the intervals of his employment as clerk and merchant. About the year 1803 he applied at Bellefonte for admission to the bar, but encountered the most determined opposition from the lawyers of the district, who were almost unanimously Federalists while the young appli- cant was an active Democrat. They based their objection upon the fact that he had not actually studied in the office of Mr. Walker, but in a store; by the advice of his preceptor, Mr. Bellas renewed his application at Sunbury, retaining Daniel Smith in his interest. The examination was of the most rigid character, but he passed the ordeal successfully and was duly admitted. Simon Snyder was present on this occasion, and the bearing of the young lawyer, as well as his evident ability, impressed him most favorably .*
Thus embarked upon his professional career, he brought to his work the same unflagging energy and indomitable spirit that characterized his early struggles. He was appointed prothonotary of Northumberland county in 1809, and served until 1818. In the course of his long career at the bar he was connected with some of the most protracted litigation in this part of the State. Governor Snyder retained him in the famous Isle of Que cases, begun at Sunbury in 1804 and ended at New Berlin in 1824; the case of Mann us. Wilson, in which proceedings were first instituted at May term, 1814, and which was not finally adjudicated by the Supreme Court until 1850, was also continued during this long period by his persistence and tact. Although the active participant in many an acrimonious legal and political contest he enjoyed in his old age the universal esteem and respect of his colleagues at
*Linn's Annals of Buffalo Valley, pp. 365-367.
248
HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY.
the bar, and died at Sunbury, October 26, 1863, one of the last survivors of the bar of Northumberland county in the first decade of the present century.
E. G. Bradford, " from all accounts, a lawyer of very considerable ability," was "a tall, heavy, portly man of a commanding appearance," as described by John F. Wolfinger .* He was prosecuting attorney for Northumberland county from April, 1809, to"January, 1821, from January to April, 1824, and probably also from 1806 to 1809, from which it is evident that his profes- sional career in this county began early in the present century. He resided at Sunbury in the substantial brick building on Market street that is now the residence of Samuel J. Packer, 2d. After leaving this county he re- moved to York, Pennsylvania, and died of apoplexy at Pottsville, May 17, 1836, in the sixty-second year of his age.
Ebenezer Greenough was born in Massachusetts, December 11, 1783. He graduated from Harvard University in 1804, and came to Pennsylvania within a short time thereafter; immediately upon his arrival at Wilkesbarre he accepted the principalship of the academy at that place, and during his connection with this institution began the study of law with Ebenezer Bow- man. In the latter part of 1806 he came to Sunbury, completed his profes- sional preparation under Charles Hall, and was admitted to the bar of Northumberland county, January 19, 1808. Endowed with intellectual qualities of a high order, his educational advantages had been superior to those of the generality of lawyers at that day, and his ability in the profession placed him within a few years at the head of the local bar, a position which was successfully maintained until his death, December 25, 1847. Thoroughly familiar with the land laws of Pennsylvania, he particularly excelled in the trial of ejectment cases for the determination of titles under conflicting sur- veys; and, while he was concerned in nearly every important case of this nature in Northumberland and the adjoining counties of Pennsylvania dur- ing the period of his professional career, he did not confine himself to this particular class of litigation, but was as frequently employed and equally successful in civil and criminal cases of a general character. In argument he was clear, logical, and forcible, and in the later years of his life frequently assisted attorneys from other counties in the Northern district in the presen- tation of their cases before the Supreme court. His self-possession was remarkable; in the most exciting controversy he remained calm and collected, and never permitted his attention to be distracted from what he regarded as the essential principles involved in a cause. He possessed great skill in cross examination, and seldom failed to elicit the testimony desired from the most obstinate and recalcitrant witnesses. In addressing a jury he invariably appealed to the judgment rather then the feelings, and so simple, plain, and methodical was his manner of presenting a case that his position could scarcely be misapprehended. He was a Whig in politics, and was elected to
*Northumberland County Legal News, Volume I. No. 3.
249
THE BENCH AND BAR.
the legislature in 1831; with this exception he never occupied official position, but devoted his entire attention to the duties of his profession, in which he attained conspicuous and deserved success.
Daniel Scudder was a native of New Jersey; in 1815 he came to Milton, read law with Samuel Hepburn at the same time as Joseph B. Anthony, and was admitted to the bar at Sunbury on the 26th of November, 1817. He married the daughter of Daniel Smith, who inherited the fine farm of her father just below Milton, and there they resided some years. In 1821 he was elected to the legislature; in 1824-27 inclusive he was again returned, and was active in advocating the construction of canals in central Pennsylvania. He assumed office as deputy attorney general for Northumberland county at August sessions, 1828, and filled that position until his death in January of the following year.
James Hepburn was a son of one of the early merchants of Northumber- land and brother to Samuel Hepburn, of Milton. He was admitted to the bar at Sunbury on the 19th of August, 1819, and began the practice of law at Northumberland, where he was president of the bank and bridge company and otherwise prominent in business affairs. Thence he removed success- ively to Baltimore and Philadelphia; at the former city he was president of the Tidewater Canal Company, and during his residence at the latter he seems to have given more attention to his profession than at any time during his previous career. Governor Pollock appointed him State reporter, and the first one hundred eighty-two pages of I Casey (Pennsylvania State Re- ports, Volume XXV) were compiled by him, with the exception of three cases. Not long after his appointment to this position he died at Philadel- phia, December 25, 1855.
Samuel J. Packer was born in Howard township, Centre county, Penn- sylvania, March 23, 1799. He received his education at a local school of the Society of Friends, under the superintendence of his father, and learned the trade of printer at Bellefonte. Subsequently he was engaged in a journalistic capacity at Harrisburg, where he reported the proceedings of the legislature and formed the acquaintance of Simon Cameron, between whom and himself a warm friendship always thereafter existed. In 1820 he came to Sunbury and established the Publick Inquirer, which advocated the re-election of Gov- ernor Findlay and was continued several years. During this period he en- gaged in the study of the law under Hugh Bellas, and was admitted to the bar of Northumberland county on the 23d of August, 1823. He at once entered upon the practice of his profession at Sunbury, and by assiduous attention to its duties early attained a leading position among the members of the bar. Thoroughness and care in the preparation of his causes and a closely argumentative style uniformly characterized his work. As a public speaker, particularly upon political occasions, he attained considerable dis- tinction, and possessed in large measure the faculty of converting others to his views.
250
HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY.
From the time he came to Northumberland county until his death, Mr. Packer was a prominent figure in her political history. On the 27th of Janu- ary, 1824, he was commissioned as prothonotary, holding that office until 1829, and on the 20th of April in the latter year he was inducted into office as deputy attorney general, serving until the following November. In 1830 he was elected to the State Senate for the term of four years, and, although one of the youngest members of that body, he took a leading part in the dis- cussion of many of the public measures which received its consideration. His legislative incumbency was marked by great activity, especially in supporting enterprises designed to promote the development of the material resources of the State, of which the Danville and Pottsville railroad was the most impor- tant in the district he represented. Its construction from Sunbury to the Shamokin coal field was the direct result of measures introduced by him in the Senate and passed by the legislature through his influence. As chair- man of a special committee on the coal fields of Pennsylvania, he prepared the first legislative report ever promulgated upon that subject. This report is able and exhaustive, and relates to both the anthracite and bituminous regions. It treats of the origin and development of the mining industry and its vital relation to manufacturing and commercial interests in general, the location and extent of the different coal fields, the facilities of transportation enjoyed by each, and the limitations and restrictions which the legislature might with propriety impose upon the corporate powers and privileges of railroad, mining, and navigation companies. The report possesses great value, not only as a compilation of facts relating to the history and condition of the coal trade and of the inexhaustible mineral resources of the State, but also as an expression of conclusions and convictions derived from a thorough study of the great legal and economic questions involved.
In 1834 Mr. Packer was the Whig candidate for Congress from the dis- trict embracing Northumberland county, but died on the 20th of October in that year at the early age of thirty-five.
Joshua Wright Comly, who was admitted to the bar of Northumberland county on the 17th of November, 1830, and has survived all the officers of the court and attorneys of this bar at that date, was born at Philadelphia, Pennsyl- vania, November 16, 1810, son of Charles and Sarah (Wright) Comly, and a descendant of Henry Comly, an English Friend, who immigrated to Bucks county, Pennsylvania, in 1682. He was reared in the Quaker faith, attended the local schools and the College of New Jersey at Princeton, and in 1827 began the study of law at Milton under Samuel Hepburn. After his admission to the bar he located at Orwigsburg, Schuylkill county, but subsequently removed to Danville, where he has since resided, although his practice for some years embraced many of the most important cases in North- umberland county. In 1851 he was the Whig candidate for judge of the Supreme court.
251
THE BENCH AND BAR.
James Pleasants, born at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 11, 1809, received his education principally under the Rev. David Kirkpatrick at Milton, read law with Hugh Bellas, and was admitted to the bar of North- umberland county, April 21, 1831. He located at Catawissa, Columbia county, Pennsylvania, within a short time thereafter, but was frequently concerned in important cases in Northumberland county, either individually or as assistant to his brother, Charles Pleasants; about the year 1850 he located at Sunbury, but removed to Radnor, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, some six years later, and there he died, September 5, 1874. In Mr. Wolfinger's " Reminiscences," he is described as " a tall, slim man, of a very pleasant countenance and social disposition," who " spoke and argued his cases before the court and jury with considerable ability."* Defective hearing interfered greatly with the discharge of his professional duties.
Charles Pleasants, brother to James, was born at Philadelphia, Pennsyl- vania, March 31, 1807; he also attended Kirkpatrick's academy at Milton, but read law under James Hepburn, of Northumberland, and was admitted to the bar at Sunbury on the 16th of April, 1832. He married a daughter of Hugh Bellas, with whom he was frequently associated in professional work. On the 2d of February, 1836, he was commissioned as prothonotary of the Supreme court for the Northern district, then composed of the coun- ties of Northumberland, Luzerne, Lycoming, Bradford, Mckean, Potter, Tioga, Susquehanna, Columbia, and Union, and held that position until his resignation twenty-nine years later. He died at Radnor, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, May 24, 1865.
John F. Wolfinger was born at Frosty Valley, Montour county, Pennsyl- vania, and educated under the Rev. David Kirkpatrick at Milton. He studied law at Williamsport, Pennsylvania, with Joseph B. Anthony as his preceptor, and was admitted to the bar of Lycoming county, August 31, 1830. In April 1832, he opened an office at Milton, and on the 20th of August in that year was admitted to practice in the several courts of Northumberland county, on motion of Samuel Hepburn. In 1833 he was appointed prosecuting at- torney for this county by George M. Dallas, attorney general of the State, and at the expiration of his term the court continued him in that office until his successor was regularly appointed. With the exception of the criminal cases in which he was concerned as deputy attorney general, Mr. Wolfinger confined his attention exclusively to civil actions, collections, and orphans' court business, in which he enjoyed a fairly lucrative practice until the out- break of the civil war; at that time he virtually retired from the active duties of the profession, devoting his time to local historical research and literary pursuits. His contributions to the Miltonian on various subjects connected with local history, and his "Recollections of the Bar of the Counties of Northumberland, Lycoming, Union, and Columbia," published in the North-
*Northumberland County Legal News, Vol. I. No. 6.
252
HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY.
umberland County Legal News, are among the more important of his pro- ductions. He died at Milton, January 13, 1891.
Henry B. Masser was admitted to the bar of Northumberland county, November 5, 1833, and is the oldest resident lawyer of Sunbury. He was born at that place, August 17, 1809, educated at the local schools, and studied law with Alexander Jordan. In 1839 he was appointed deputy at- torney general for the county, and served in that office six years with credit and ability. In September, 1840, he established the Sunbury American, and as editor and publisher of this paper he was prominently identified with the public affairs of the county during a period of twenty-nine years. Mr. Masser has also been interested in various business enterprises; he now lives in re- tirement at Sunbury at an advanced age.
Charles W. Hegins was born at Sunbury, August 15, 1812. He received his education at the Northumberland Academy, studied law under Charles G. Donnel, and was admitted to the bar of Northumberland county, Novem- ber 5, 1833. At that date and for some time previously he had been em- ployed in the office of the prothonotary at Sunbury; there he opened an office and continued in successful practice until 1851, when he was elected president judge of Schuylkill county. He was re-elected at the expiration of his first term, and served until his death, July 2, 1862. A man of fine discriminating mind and judicial temperament, he was an excellent lawyer and an able judge. In 1838 he was elected to the legislature from Northumberland county and re-elected in the following year.
William I. Greenough was born at Sunbury, May 27, 1821, son of Eben- ezer Greenough. After attending the academy of his native town and similar institutions at Danville and Wilkesbarre he entered Princeton Col- lege, graduating in 1839; his father was his law preceptor, and on the 2d of August, 1842, he was admitted to the bar of Northumberland county. Mr. Greenough has been concerned in the trial of many of the most important cases at this bar. In presenting a cause to the court he follows closely in the footsteps of his father; his arguments are terse and logical, confined entirely to the matter at issue, and calculated to convince rather than persuade. He is, however, a better counselor than advocate; for some years past he has been selected as master in chancery in many of the leading cases of this county, a recognition of his judicial qualifications no less than a compliment to his sound deliberative judgment.
Charles J. Bruner was educated at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, studied law under Alexander Jordan, and was admitted to the bar of Northumberland county, January 3, 1843. He at once opened an office at Sunbury, where he was associated with William L. Dewart for a time. As captain of Company F, Eleventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, he led the first detachment of troops from Northumberland county at the outbreak of the civil war. Subsequently he was appointed internal revenue collector for the Fourteenth Pennsylvania
Eng. by F.GKanon, YN
LA.Purdy
255
THE BENCH AND BAR.
district by President Grant, and retained that office fourteen years. Captain Bruner was born at Sunbury, November 17, 1820, and died on the 15th of March, 1885.
William L. Dewart was admitted to the bar of Northumberland county, January 3, 1843; his law preceptor was Charles G. Donnel. He was born at Sunbury, June 21, 1820, educated at Dickinson College, Carlisle, Penn- sylvania, and the College of New Jersey at Princeton, graduating from the latter in 1839. He was a prominent figure in political affairs, and was sev- eral times a member of Democratic national conventions; in 1856 he was elected to Congress. His death occurred on the 19th of April, 1888.
Charles W. Tharp was born at Milton, December 25, 1818, son of James and Phebe (Vincent) Tharp. He was educated at the schools of his native town and at Lewisburg, read law at Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, with Curtin & Blanchard, and was admitted to the bar of Northumberland county, Novem- ber 7, 1843. He resides at Milton. He was the last deputy attorney general appointed for Northumberland county, serving in that office from 1848 to 1850; in 1853 he was elected district attorney and served until 1856. He was elected to the legislature in 1865 and 1866.
David Taggart read law with Ebenezer Greenough and was admitted to the bar of Northumberland county, November 7, 1843. In 1854 he was elected to the State Senate, and served as Speaker of that body; he was also president of the Pennsylvania State Agricultural Society at one time. Dur- ing the civil war he entered the service of the war department of the national government as paymaster, and was stationed in this capacity at different points throughout the country for some years thereafter. He possessed rare gifts as a public speaker, and was frequently called upon to deliver addresses on the occasion of patriotic or anniversary celebrations. He was born, May 28, 1822, and died on the 30th of June, 1888.
William C. Lawson was born in Union county, Pennsylvania, December 3, 1817. He was educated under the Rev. David Kirkpatrick at Milton and at Delaware College, Newark, Delaware, graduating from the latter institu- tion in 1838, after which he began the study of law under J. F. Linn at Lewisburg, Union county, completing his professional preparation with Judge John Reed, of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where he was admitted to the bar in 1840. He began the practice of his profession in Greenville, Mercer county, Pennsylvania, but removed to Milton in 1843 and was admitted to the bar of Northumberland county, April 1, 1844. He has since resided at Milton, and was in active practice until 1880. Mr. Lawson has been president of the Milton National Bank and of the institution from which it evolved since July 1860.
John B. Packer was born at Sunbury, March 21, 1824, a son of Samuel J. Packer. His education was obtained principally at the Sunbury Academy, then recently established and under the charge of Cale Pelton and Frederick
15
256
HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY.
Lebrun, both classical scholars of thorough culture and great ability as teachers. From 1839 to 1842 he was a member of a corps of engineers em- ployed by the State in the survey and construction of her public improve- ments. In 1842 he entered upon the study of the law with Ebenezer Green- ough, and was admitted to the bar of Northumberland county on the 6th of August, 1844. In the following year he was appointed deputy attorney general, serving in that office three years, and from the commencement of his professional career he has occupied a prominent position at the bar, not only of his native county, but elsewhere throughout the State and before the Supreme court. In addressing the court or jury his style is lucid, logical, and argumentative, and as a public speaker he is forcible and eloquent. In the litigation resulting from contested land titles and in railroad and other causes there has scarcely been a case of any importance in this county with which he has not been professionally connected. In 1851 he was one of the organizers of the Susquehanna Railroad Company (since merged into the Northern Central), and has ever since been counsel for that corporation; for some years past he has acted in a similar capacity for the Philadelphia and Erie, Pennsylvania, Lackawanna and Bloomsburg, and other railroad com- panies, and has also been concerned as counsel in the sale and reorganization of the Zerbe Valley, Shamokin Valley and Pottsville, and other railroad properties.
Mr. Packer was elected to the legislature in 1849, re-elected in 1850, and served upon important committees in both sessions. He was a tariff Demo- crat at that time, but has been actively identified with the Republican party since 1856. In 1868 he was elected to Congress from the Fourteenth Penn- sylvania district (in which Northumberland county was embraced), and served by re-election from 1869 to 1877, having been returned on each occa- sion by a majority largely in excess of his party vote in the several counties composing the district. In the XLIst Congress he was a member of the committee on banking and currency; in the XLIId, chairman of the com- mittee on railways and canals; in the XLIIId, chairman of the committee on postoffices and post-roads, and in the XLIVth, member of the committee on foreign affairs.
As president of the Bank of Northumberland from 1857 until it was merged into the First National Bank of Sunbury, and of the latter institu- tion since its organization, Mr. Packer has sustained an important relation to local financial affairs; this connection has not, however, been permitted to withdraw his attention from the practice of his profession, and it is upon his services in public life, his eminent legal attainments, and marked success as a lawyer that his reputation is principally founded. .
George Hill was admitted to the bar of Northumberland county, January 1, 1849, and has been a resident practicing attorney of Sunbury since 1858. He was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, August 3, 1821, and
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.