USA > Pennsylvania > Union County > History of that part of the Susquehanna and Juniata valleys, embraced in the counties of Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Union and Snyder, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. V. 1, Pt. 2 > Part 38
USA > Pennsylvania > Mifflin County > History of that part of the Susquehanna and Juniata valleys, embraced in the counties of Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Union and Snyder, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. V. 1, Pt. 2 > Part 38
USA > Pennsylvania > Snyder County > History of that part of the Susquehanna and Juniata valleys, embraced in the counties of Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Union and Snyder, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. V. 1, Pt. 2 > Part 38
USA > Pennsylvania > Perry County > History of that part of the Susquehanna and Juniata valleys, embraced in the counties of Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Union and Snyder, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. V. 1, Pt. 2 > Part 38
USA > Pennsylvania > Juniata County > History of that part of the Susquehanna and Juniata valleys, embraced in the counties of Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Union and Snyder, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. V. 1, Pt. 2 > Part 38
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HON. JAMES H. GRAHAM was the first judge under the elective system. His predecessor was his competitor for the seat upon the bench. The administration of his judicial duties had received the commendation of the public, but the politi- cal complexion of the district was Democratic, and Judge Watts was defeated and Judge Gra- ham successful.
Judge Graham was elected October 6, 1851, for the term of ten years, and then became a candidate for re-election, and the Hon. Fred- erick Watts was again his competitor. He was again successful in a party vote, and took his scat for another term of ten years. He was a man of judicial mind, with a strong intellect, high integrity, and entirely fair in his adminis- tration of justice. In Judge Graham's court, if a suitor had a just cause, he would win, and a man with a bad case was sure to fail. His charges were models of brevity and perspicuity, clear and logical. The opinions of many more modern judges bristle with citations, but Judge Graham simply stated the law and seldom cited the authority. He was a judge of dignified de- meanor, and fully conceived the import of Blackstone's definition of a court-" a place where justice is judicially administered."
Judge Graham was a man who had the cour- age of his convictions, and when he reached his conclusions he placed himself broadly and fear- lessly upon the record, and thus courted a review of his rulings and opinions. He was a man of grave and imposing appearance, and his charges were always delivered with solemnity and dig- nity, befitting the minister of justice in his tem-
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ple. After the expiration of his second term he located in the city of Pittsburgh for the prac- tice of law.
Ile was an honest man, an able jurist, and a conscientions and upright judge, and, at the close of a long and useful life, he died full of years and honors, in Carlisle, which for more than half a century had been his home.
Hos. SAMUEL HEPBURN was appointed president judge of the Ninth Judicial District February 2, 1839, for a period of ten years, by Governor David R. Porter.
By an act of the Legislature of Pennsylvania,. passed March 9, A.D. 1847, the Common Pleas business of Dauphin County was given to Judge Hepburn, and, by an arrangement with Judge Eldred, of the Dauphin District, Judge Hep- burn took the civil list cases, and Judge Eldred the criminal cases.
Judge Hepburn was held in high estimation by the members of the bar of the counties where he held courts. When he held his last court in Dauphin County, at the expiration of his ten years, the bar met, passed and forwarded to Judge Hepburn most complimentary resolu- tions, which they had unanimously adopted.
Some one in Juniata who knew him well when on the bench said he was young, hand- some and brilliant. He was quite a young man when he went upon the bench, and in the very vigor of manhood he resumed the practice of his profession.
He also was successful after he again entered upon the practice. We saw him a very few years ago arguing a very important case before the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, and upon that occasion his intellect shone forth in all its brightness, and as a speaker he exhibited great force and power.
It is said that one of the elements of success in Judge Hepburn was a remarkable memory. An acquaintance of the writer informed him that he had occasion to examine a rare law-book in Judge Hepburn's office a few years ago, and the judge asked what principle of law he was seeking. The gentleman informed him. Said the judge: " I invoked that principle in the case of Law vs. Patterson" (1. W. & S.), a case tried forty-four years ago, and at once
went to a pigeon-hole and laid his hands upon the brief which he had used upon the trial.
In the beautiful town of Carlisle, where he has lived so long, he still resides, after a long and busy life, in a green old age, peacefully watching the lengthening shadows.
Hos. FREDERICK WATTS was a resident of Carlisle, and at the expiration of the term of Judge Hepburn was appointed president judge of the Ninth District by Governor W. F. John- ston, 17th of March, 1849. He discharged the duties of the position with great acceptance. Ile was a man of fine appearance, of grave and dignified demeanor, of strong mind, a clear and forcible reasoner, ripe erudition and great in- dustry.
In his contests with Judge Graham the dis- triet was Democratie, and for that reason, both being acceptable, Judge Watts was defeated.
He held the important and responsible posi- tion of State reporter, and ten volumes of State reports bear his name.
As an instance of his capacity for industry when State reporter, he had a large and Inerative practice, and his time during the day was eu- tirely ooenpied with his clients, and the evenings were occupied with the duties of reporter. Mrs. Watts informed a friend of the writer that for a week at a time the judge would not leave the office at night, but when the small hours of the morning stole on he would snatch a few hours of sleep in his sofa in the office.
Judge Watts was for a considerable period United States commissioner of agriculture, and resided in the city of Washington. In the dis- charge of this duty he was exceedingly accept- able.
In the county of Cumberland he has stimu- lated agriculture, and taught the farmer to magnify his vocation.
Judge Watts is a man of broad legal learning, and possesses a large fund of general knowledge, is a citizen of great public spirit, and is spend- ing the evening of a long and honored life in Carlisle, possessing to a high degree the con- fidence and esteem of his neighbors, and having a strong hold upon the people of old Cumber- land. We have now reached ground with which we are more familiar. The shadows
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which obsenre the far-away and the old dis- appear with the new.
JUDGE BENJAMIN F. JENKIN was a native of Cumberland County, and was graduated from Dickinson College, at Carlisle, and after his graduation he entered upon the study of the law. Upon his admission to the bar he located for the practice of his profession in New Bloom- field. At the outset of his professional career he encountered great difficulties, from the fact that the lawyers from Cumberland County had been conducting all the important litigation.
HIe, however, soon wou success and promi- neuce at the bar, was elected district attorney of Perry County, and served as a representative in Congress for the York, Cumberland and Perry district.
In 1871 he was elected as president judge of the Ninth Judicial District, then composed of Cumberland and Perry Counties, and after the establishment of the new Forty-first Judicial District, April 9, 1874, he was nominated and elected as president judge of the courts in that district. It was Democratie by a large majority, and his friends believed he could not win ; but, animated by the same courage and hope which characterized him in former contests, he sie- ceeded. After the expiration of his judicial term he resumed practice at the bar, and is now one of the leading lawyers in Central Pensyl- vania.
HON. CHARLES A. BARNETT .- Among the many able men who have graced the bench and administered the law in Juniata County, there are none who have served with greater acceptance, evinced more ability and exhibited greater fairness and impartiality than the Hon. Charles A. Barnett, of New Bloomfield, the pre- sent presiding justice of the Forty-first Judicial District.
Judge Barnett has shown himself to be a man of learning, thoroughly trained in the law, aud possesses in an eminent degree the qualities which fit him for a judicial position.
Hle has a mind thoroughly disciplined by a broad general scholarship, substantial and extensive acquirements in the tore of the law, with a judicial temperament remarkably eqnable. With a great store of patience,
an excellent listener, anxious to be thoroughly enlightened in the case, animated with a desire to do that which is right, he seems the well- rounded judge, and no suitor in his court feels that the president judge has done ought than fair in the trial of his case.
Among his brother-judges in the State he is held in high esteem and he is much in demand to hold their courts.
Judge Barnett is very domestic in his tastes, and exceedingly devoted to his family.
During the summer mouths he devotes part of his time to working on his farm, believing that a well-worked body produces a well-work- ing mind. He has completed the one-half of his term, and bids fair to stand among the fore- most of Pennsylvania's distinguished jurists.
The following persons have held the position of associate justices in Juniata County :
Hon. Daniel Christy and Hon. Benjamin Kepner, 1831-42.
Hon. John Beale and Hon. William McAlister, 18-12-47.
llon. James R. Morrison and Hon. James Frow, 1847-51.
Hon. John Dimm and Hon. John Crozier, 1851-56. Hon. David Banks and Hon. Evard Oles, 1856-61. Hon. Joseph Pomeroy and Lewis Burchfield, 1861-66.
Hon. Thomas J. Milliken and Hon. Samuel Watts, 1866-71.
Hon. John Koons and Hon. Jonathan Weiser, 1871-76.
Hon. Noah A. Elder and Ilon. Francis Bartley, 1876-81.
Hon. Jacob Smith and Hon. Cyrus M. Hench, 1881-86.
At the first court held, December 5, 1831, at the meeting-house in Mifflintown the following persons were admitted to practice in the several courts of Jumiata County :
Elias W. Hale. Hamilton Alricks.
Ezekiel 1. Dunbar. James Burnside.
James Mathers. Samuel Creigh.
Andrew Parker. Ephraim Banks.
Charles W. Kelso. Benjamin Patton.
Samuel MeDowell. James Me Dowell.
Abraham S. Wilson. E. L. Benedict.
At the same court the thirty-seven rules adopted by the president judges of the several districts of Pennsylvania were directed to be in force nutil otherwise ordered.
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Of the above-named persons, but five lived and practiced iu Jumiata County : namely, Ezek- iel Dunbar, James Mathers, AAndrew Parker, Charles W. Kelso and Samnel MeDowell.
EZEKIEL DUNBAR was a native of Perry County, studied law in Mifflin County, and upon the formation of the county of Jumiata located in Mifflintown and remained there for a short time. Hle then removed to the State of Indiana and practiced his profession until his death. He was elected a member of the Legislature of the State of Indiana, re-elected and was chosen Speaker of the House.
JAMES MATHERS, EsQ., was early identified as a prominent member of the bar with the new county of Juniata. He was born near Newville, Cumberland County, Pa., on January 21, 1803. His parents were Joseph and Eleanor Mathers. While the subject of this sketch was a mere youth, his parents removed to Lost Creek Val- ley, in what is now Jumiata County. Here his youth was spent on a farm. His education was obtained at the neighborhood school, and at the classical school of Rev. John Hutchison, in Mif- flintown. He improved diligently his oppor- timities, and was well furnished for the duties and responsibilities of life, in consequence of his close application and sound judgment. He studied law in the office of Hon. Calvin Blythe, who in an early day practiced his profession in Mifflin County, with his office and residence at Mifflintown. He was admitted to practice in the counts of Lewistown in An- gust, 1827, and immediately thereafter opened an office in Mifflintown, where he busily em- ployed his time in better fitting himself for the practice of his profession. He acquired the con- fideuce of the people, and soon rose to a leading position at the bar. He was employed on near- ly all important cases, and was more than ordinarily successful in the advocacy of his clients' interests.
AA superficial analysis of his character, as a man and advocate, would develop sterling qual- ities of mind and heart. He was a man of in- blemished reputation. Any interest entrusted to his care was serupulously guarded. He en- joyed the fullest confidence of those who sought
his professional services, and they became his life-long friends.
Ile was a man of fine judgment. This fact gave him power with a jury, although his gifts as an orator were not of the highest order. Ilis statement of a case and presentation of an argu- ment had great weight with those who were called upon to decide the questions at issue. Being of industrious habits, his knowledge of the law was extensive, whilst he carefully kept himself abreast of the times in the knowledge of the sciences and of literature.
Ile had great influence with his clients, and in the exercise of that influence often prevented useless litigation. An eminent journalist (who in his early career was the special friend and Protégé of Mr. Mathers) remarked some years ago to the writer, that he had more influence in this direction over his clients than any lawyer whom he ever knew.
ITe was a leader in his party, and in company with others established, in 1846, the Juniata Sentinel, calling to the editorial chair A. K. McClure, at present the eminent editor of The Times (Philadelphia), a leading paper in the country. He was a man of positive convic- tions. What he believed to be right in politics and religion he advocated with all his might. Reared in the Presbyterian Church, he adhered to its doctrines and polity with unswerving fidelity.
He was an evenly-balanced man, with many admirable qualities, which compelled the respect of those who knew him. His lite was compar- atively short. He died on October 5, 1850, in the forty-eighth year of his age. He had served in both branches of the Legislature, and maintained every trust committed to his keeping.
He was united in marriage, in May, 1829, with Jane Intchison, eldest daughter of Rev. John Hutchison. Three children were born to them-John HI., who became an eminently sie- cessful lawyer in Westeru Ohio, and died on the 29th of April, 1875; Joseph II., a minister in the Presbyterian Church ; and James, a youth of fine promise, who died at the early age of twenty-two.
He was married, a second time, to Amelia Ev- ans, youngest daughter of General Lonis Evans.
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JUNIATA AND SUSQUEHANNA VALLEYS IN PENNSYLVANIA.
Four children blessed this nation, viz: Marga- ret E., wife of Hon. Lonis E. Atkinson ; Lonis Evans, who died greatly lamented by the com- munity on April 10, 1873; Orlando O., a resi- dent of Kansas ; and C. Isabella, married to W. D. Davies, Esp., of Sidney, Ohio.
ANDREW PARKER was born in Cumberland County, Pa., May 21, 1805. He received his academic education in Carlisle, and graduated at Dickinson College in 1824. He studied law
of strong common-sense and practical wisdom. His mind was acute, robust and logical. He was a learned lawyer, especially in the principles of the law,-a man of natural cloquence and a su- perior and powerful advocate before court and jury. He was, in the discharge of duty, faith- fil, truthful and successful, and possessed of those qualities that should characterize an able and conscientious lawyer. His reputation as a lawyer and advocate was widespread and his
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in Carlisle and was there admitted to the bar in [ services were often called for beyond the limits 1826. He soon after removed to Lewistown, of his regular practice. Pa .; commenced the practice of law and was Mr. Parker was domestic in his tastes and had little ambition for public office. He was decided in his political convictions, and often, at home and abroad, gave them publie expres- sion. He was a member of the Thirty-second Congress, representing Juniata, Mifflin, Centre, Blair and Huntingdon Counties. He was a gentleman of fine appearance, dignity and inde- pendence. He was true to every honorable ob appointed by the Governor deputy attorney-gen- cral for Mifflin County. In 1831 Juniata Conuty was formed out of part of Mifflin County and he then moved to Millliutown, the county-seat of Juniata. He contimted in full practice in Juniata and Mifflin Comties until his death, and had been for years previously the leading lawyer at these bars. He was possessed
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JUNIATA COUNTY.
ligation and thus shed grace and impressiveness upon his daily life. He was married, AApril 26, 1831, to Ann Eliza Doty, of Mifflintown. He died January 15, 1861, in the fifty-ninth year of his age, leaving to survive him three sons and three daughters.
CHARLES W. KRuso practiced law for some time in Mifflin County, and upon the formation of Juniata County, removed to Mifflintown and there located. He also engaged in editing and printing a Democratic newspaper in connection with Samnel MeDowel. Ile remained in the county but a few years. He had but little jury practice. He afterwards removed to Erie, Pa., abont 1839 and was a member of the Pennsyl- vania Legislature for several terms from Eric County. He died in Erie.
SAMUEL McDowEL came from Mifflin County after the formation of Juniata County, and located in Mifflintown. He had studied law with David W. Hulings, Esq. He also, in connection with Charles W. Kelso, edited and published a Democratie newspaper. He re- mained in Juniata County for a number of years and afterwards died in Mifflin County.
The records of the county show that the following persons were admitted to practice in Juniata County after December 5, 1831 :
Jacob A. Christy, admitted December 4, 1838. Edmund S. Doty, admitted May 7, 1839. Hon. James P. Sterrett, admitted September 19, 1848. Samuel Hench, admitted in 1849.
John HI. Mathers, admitted May 4, 1853. Alexander Harris, admitted May 2, 1854.
Ezra D. Parker, admitted September, 1855. Alexander K. MeClure, admitted September 2, 1856. William C. Adams, admitted September 3, 1856. D. C. Chambers, admitted in 1858.
William M. Allison, admitted September 4, 1860. Alfred J. Patterson, admitted December, 1861. John A. Milliken, admitted September, 1862. George W. MePherran, admitted April 29, 1863. E. C. Stewart, admitted April 28, 1863. Jeremiah Lyons, admitted December, 1863. Robert Me Meen, admitted September 3, 1867. James C. Doty, admitted September 18, 1868. Hon. 1. (. Admas, admitted April 29, 1868. L. W. Doty, admitted in 1870.
Hon. Louis E. Atkinson, admitted September 6, 1870.
George A. Botdorf, admitted September 1, 1871. B. F. Burchfield, admitted September 6, 1871.
Hon. Joseph M. MeClure, admitted December 5, 1871.
John T. Nonrse, admitted September 7, 1874.
D. D. Stone, admitted September 7, 1874.
John L. Meficchan, admitted September 8, 1871. W. S. Wilson, admitted September 8, 187.1. George Jacobs, Jr., admitted May 30, 1876.
II. II. North, admitted May 30, 1876.
.E. S. Doty, Jr., admitted December 1, 1876. Albert 1. Robison, admitted December 4, 1876. Mason Irwin, admitted May 2, 1879.
Slater W. Allen, admitted May 2, 1879.
Brodie J. Crawford, admitted June 17, 1879.
Jacob Beidler, admitted February, 1880.
Ezra C. Doty, admitted December 5, 1881. J. Sargeant Ross, admitted April 26, 1882. George C. Yeager, admitted April 28, 1884. J. Warren Plette, admitted AApril 28, 1884. F. M. M. Pennell, admitted September 7, 1885.
We shall very briefly advert to each of the persons whose names have been mentioned.
JACOB A. CHRISTY was born in Jimiata County, and was a son of the IIon. Daniel Christy, who was one of the associate jus- tices of JJuniata County from 1831 to 1842. HIe studied law with James Mathers. He was an industrious, conscientious, pains-tak- ing lawyer, possessing the confidence, respect and esteem of his fellow-citizens. For a long period of years he prosecuted the pleas of the commonwealth for the county of Juniata. He was assiduons and attentive in the discharge of his trust. He was a man retiring, diffident and modest in his nature, a true gentleman, of great kindness of heart and had but little taste for the contentions of the court-room. Ilis temperament and training fitted him to care- fully and intelligently discharge the duties of an anditor, a position to which he was fre- quently appointed. He died in Mifflintown full of years and highly esteemed.
EDMUND SOUTHARD DOTY, ESQ., eldest son of Dr. Ezra Doty and Rebecca Worth, was born at Mifflintown Angust 22, 1815, and died at his home December 24, 1884. In 1813 he was married to Catharine N. Wilson, daughter of Hugh Wilson, of this county, by whom he had nine sons and one daughter, all of whom, save one son, who died in infancy, sur- vived him. Four of his sons studied law under his direction, and were admitted to the bar at Mifflintown, -- James Cloyd, September 18, 1868,
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JUNIATA AND SUSQUEHANNA VALLEYS IN PENNSYLVANIA.
now practicing his profession at Pittsburgh ; Lucien Wilson, at the September term of court, 1872, located at Greensburgh, Pa .; Edonid S., Jr., December 1, 1876, at this time practicing law at Millintown ; and Ezra C., December 5, 18SI, engaged with his brother, David B., in the grain and Imunber business at Mifllintown. Two of the sons, 1 .. Banks and Oscar D., are engaged in the banking business, the former cashier and the latter a teller in the First National Bank of Bedford, Pa. The daughter, Rebecca, married John M. Peoples, a prominent attorney of the Westmoreland County bar, and the youngest son, Edgar N., is living at home. He entered the sophomore class at Jefferson College, Cannonsburg, Pa., in 1834, and graduated in 1836. Shortly thereafter he entered npon the study of law under the diree- tion of his brother-in-law, Hon. Andrew Parker, and after completing the ordinary course, was admitted to practice May 7, 1839. At once he became actively engaged in his profession, and was carly brought into competition with some of the ablest jurists of the State, and from that time ou, until his last illness, continued to cu- joy a large and remunerative practice, which ex- tended to the neighboring counties of Mifflin, Snyder, Perry and Cumberland, and was also counsel in several very important cases in the Harrisburg and Philadelphia courts. He was distinguished for ability, integrity, energy, courage, devotion to the interests of his clients and for professional fidelity. As a counselor he was cautions and reliable. As an advocate he was able, carnest and at times eloquent ; with rare intuition his active mind grasped and gronped the salient points, and discarding all irrelevant matter, presented the facts of a case with singular ability. His forte seemed to be in the presentation of legal questions to the court. Few mien ogelled bho in all the attri- bute- of the lawyer. An earnest and impressive in the trial of a cause, he possessed wonderful tact in the examination and cross-examination of witnesses, and was most happy in the pres- entation of the facts to the jury.
and experience, he was one of the simplest and most unaffected in his intercourse with his fellow- men. To him all men were veritably equal, his only test of manhood being honesty, industry, sobriety and good behavior. In his charities, which were neither few nor trifling, he was in- ostentatious.
In politics he was an earnest and avowed Democrat. In municipal affairs he acted rather as a citizen than as a Democrat, and voted for the man who, in his judgment, was best quali- fied for the position ; he placed duty to the com- innity above party feeling. He was not ambi- tions for public position. But once in his life did he ask for the suffrages of his fellow-citizens, when he ran for the State Senate in 1854, and was engulfed by the Know-Nothing whirlwind of that year. He never afterwards permitted the use of his name for any political position, but still took an active part in the discussion of all political questions and represented his party in State and national conventions.
In the discharge of his Christian duties, in his carnest religions life, his chief traits of char- acter were most strikingly exemplified. Early in life he united with the Presbyterian Church in his native place. For fifty years he took a leading part in every good work. The cause of temperance found in him a most active and carnest advocate. The Sunday-school for years was sustained and rendered an efficient auxiliary of the church mainly by his personal efforts. Whilst yet a young man he was elected a ruling elder, and for nearly forty years served to the acceptance and edification of the church in this capacity. He often represented his church in the meetings of Presbytery, Synod, and sev- eral times was sent as a delegate to the General Assembly, and was no inefficient member of that body, being put upon the most important com- mittee -.
Hos. JAMES P. STERRETT was born in Mil- advocate, a wise and judicious counselor, skillful ford township, Juniata County, and was gradu- ated from Jefferson College; studied law in Lancaster City, and for a short time practiced there. He then removed to Pittsburgh, where he located and practiced his profession with Although possessed of the brightest abilities, trained to their fullest development by education great succes. After some years he was elected one of the president judges of the courts of the
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