USA > Pennsylvania > McKean County > Bradford > Illustrated history of Bradford, McKean County, Pa. > Part 6
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practiced his profession until 1897. He spent a year in Klondike, returning to Bradford in 1899 and has since been connected with the law firm of Mullin & Mullin.
E. WALLACE MULLIN,
Was born at Port Allegheny, in 1874. He gradatued from the Bradford High school in 1892; spent three years studying law in the office of Mullin & Mullin and was admitted to practice December 10, 1896. He was also admitted to the United States district court at Williamsport in 1897. He is the junior member of the law firm of Mullin & Mullin. In politics he is an independent republican.
RUFUS BARRETT STONE
Was born in Groton, Mass , November 24, 1847. Both his father and mother were descend -. ants of Revolutionary soldiers and his parental ancestry was in- termarried with the families of Warren Prescott and Greene. His father was a carpenter and in the Fremont campaign of 1856 was elected a member of the House of Representatives of the Massachusetts legislature. Mr. Stone graduated at Law- rence Academy and took a special course at Williams Col- lege. During the era of South- ern reconstruction he was for some years in the United States Internal Revenue service in Mississippi. He was admitted to the practice of law in that WM. B. CHAPMAN. Deceased. state, appointed a United States Commissioner and subsequently Chancellor of the Seventeenth Chancery district of Mississippi. In 1876 he removed to Bradford. He was president of the first Republican club in this city, chairman of the Republican county committee in 1878, member of the State Republican committee in 1881, alternate delegate to the National Republican Convention of 1884; but he has never held any political office. He was one of the founders of the Bradford Evening Star, the first president of Pompelon Club, an honorary member of the veteran association of the "Bucktail"' regiment; active in the organization of the Board of Trade and of the Bradford Hospital, influential in the adoption of the gravity system of water works and in the establishment of several manufacturing, oil and mining enterprises. He was president of the Bradford Manufacturing Company, treasurer of the Bradford Glass Works,
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chairman of Knapps Creek Oil Co., Limited, promoted the organization of the Bradford, De Golier and Smethport R. R. Co., projected over the Kushequa route, but afterwards absorbed by the B. B & K. R. R. Co. and actively identified with the Equitable Petroleum Co., Limited. He has been for twenty years a member of the Board of Trustees of the State Hospital for the Insane at Warren, is now vice-president of the Bradford Board of Trade, president of the following organizations: Conemaugh Gas Co., Carnegie Public Library of Bradford, Bradford Hospital, Star Publishing Company and is actively engaged in the practice of law.
HON. A. G. OLMSTEAD.
WILLIAM BROOKS CHAPMAN.
Captain Chapman, as he was best known amongst his associates was born at Cleveland, October 8th, 1826. When quite a young man he went to Conneaut, Ohio, when on October 14, 1847, he was married to Cynthia Olds. He was admitted to the practice of law at Columbus, Ohio, in 1852 and continued in active practice until the beginning of the Civil War, when he enlisted and was elected 1st Lieutenant of the 2nd Ohio Light Artillery, was promoted to captain, and wounded at the battle of Pea Ridge. After the close of the war, he made his home at Conneaut, Ohio, until 1873, when he moved to Erie, Pa., remaining there until April. 1878, when he came to Bradford. He soon became actively identified with the community and rose rapidly in the confidence and esteem of the people. He died October 27, 1895.
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HON. A. G. OLMSTEAD.
Judge Olmstead, the present president judge of the 48th judicial district, composed of the counties of Mckean and Potter, was born at Masonville, Delaware county, New York, in 1827. His early life was spent at the place cf his birth, working upon a farm and attending the district school during the winter. His education was completed at the Coudersport Academy and his legal course was pursued in the office of Hon. S. Mann at Coudersport, Pa., at which place he was admitted to practice in 1850. In 1862 he was elected to the State Legislature representing the counties of Tioga and Potter, and in 1863 represented his district in the Pennsylvania senate.
In 1887 he was nominated and elected upon the Republican ticket, additional law judge of the Fourth Judicial District, which district was later divided and upon which he became the president judge of the 48th Judicial
HON. S. F. WILSON.
HON. T. A. MORRISON.
District, composed of the counties of Mckean and Potter. Upon the expiration of. his first term, he was again nominated and elected for a succeeding term which has not yet expired.
HON. STEPHEN F. WILSON.
Judge Wilson was born in Columbia Township, Bradford County, Pennsylvania, September 4, 1821, received his education in the district schools of Bradford county and completed it at Wellsboro Academy. He read law under Hon. James Lowry and was admitted to practice in Wellsboro, February 20, 1845. In 1862 he was elected to State Senate and in 1864 to Congress from the Tioga District, being re-elected to Congress again in 1866, and in 1871 he was appointed additional law judge and was shortly after his appointment elected for the term of ten years and was additional judge of the
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fourth judicial district, composed of the counties of Potter, Tioga, Cameron and Mckean until 1881, when his term expired. In 1884 he was appointed by President Arthur, associate justice of the Supreme Court of New Mexico nad served until July, 1885. After his retirement from the Supreme Court of New Mexico he returned to Wellsboro and in 1887 was appointed president judge to succeed judge Williams and served until 1889, after which time he pursued the practice of law in Wellsboro until his death which took place March 30, 1897.
HON. THOMAS. A. MORRISON.
The career of judge Morrison is a very happy illustration of the possibilities open to every man of industry, integrity and ability. He was born in Pleasantville, Pa., on May 4, 1840. His early education was obtained
NELSON B. SMILEY.
JAMES GEORGE.
Deceased.
at the common schools, supplemented by the academy and Normal school. On July 12th, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Company A, 121 Regt. Pa. Vols. and was discharged on April 22d, 1863, by reason of loss of left arm at shoulder joint, resulting from wound received at Fredericksburg, Va.
Returning from the service, he read law at Franklin, and Pleasantville, Pa. and was admitted to practice at Franklin, November 6, 1875. In September, 1879, he removed to Smethport and soon was the possessor of a large practice as well as the confidence and respect of all those with whom he came in contact.
On September 19, 1887, he was appointed judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the 48th Judicial District, composed of the counties of Mckean and Potter, and in November of the same year was elected to the same office, his term beginning January 1, 1888. In 1897, he was re-elected for a further term of ten years, having been the unanimous choice of the Republican party of the district.
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NELSON B. SMILEY.
It is the lot of but few men to create so marked an impress on a community, in so brief a time, as did Mr. Smiley. His residence in Bradford beginning in 1878, and ending with his death on September 7th, 1886, would have afforded but scant time for an ordinary man to have achieved so firm a place in the respect and confidence of all who knew him. Born in Venango county, March 9th, 1843, he was a young man when he was taken away, but in this short span, he had reached a point of personal and professional reputation which would have been an ample reward for a long life of effort.
JAMES. GEORGE.
James George, one of the prominent practitioners of the Mckean county bar, was born in Crawford county, Pa., August 4, 1850. His education in the public schools of Crawford county was well supplemented by a college course at Allegheny college of Meadville, Pa., from which institution he graduated in 1875. Three years later he was admitted to the bar of Crawford county and in 1879 he came to Bradford, where he has since been engaged in the practice of his profession.
Mr. George ranks high among the attorneys of Mckean county and enjoys the respect and confidence of the community in which he resides. He is identified with numerous important business interests, which he manages in connection with his law practice.
WILLIAM WALLACE BROWN.
William Wallace Brown, for many years a leading member of the Mckean county bar, and otherwise distinguished among the eminent men of the state of Pennsylvania, was born at Summer Hill, Cayuga county, N. Y., April 22, 1836. He is of Scotch and English ancestry. His parents, Rasselas W., and Mary Brown, were natives of New York, emigrating to Pennsylvania in 1838 and in the wild forest country, building up a home.
The subject of this sketch was the second son of a family of six children. Ambitious to acquire an education, he entered the Smethport academy when but sixteen years old and commenced his struggle up the steep and difficult pathway that leads to fame and fortune. He wokred night and morning to pay his board. Lacking funds even to pay his tuition, he supplied the deficiency by building the academy fires and ringing the academy bell. One time, listening to a lecture by Prof. W. C. Kenyon, then president of Alfred University, he was forcibly impressed with the demonition "Young Man do your best," and adopted it for a life motto. Determining to take a college course he borrowed $32 of Col. A. I. Wilcox and tramped fifty-one miles to the nearest railroad station to take the train to Alfred University. By teaching school summers, clerking, etc., he worked his way to within two months of graduation day. Just then Fort Sumpter was fired upon and he, in company with twelve other college students hastend to enlist in the army of the Union. His first enlistment was in the Southern Tier Rifles which subsequently became a part of the twenty-third New York Regiment. In December he was transferred to the famous Pennsylvania Bucktalis, serving as a member of
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company C until the expiration of his term of enlistment. He was in numerous battles and skirmishes. At Antietam, South Mountain, Shantilla, Fredericksburg and the second battle of Bull Run, he was an active participant.
After the war he commenced the study of law in the office of Hon. B. D. Hamlin, of Smethport, serving at the same time as register, recorder and deputy prothonotary of Mckean county. Admitted to the bar at Smethport in 1866, he was the same fall elected district attorney of the county. Subsequently he served a term as superintendent of the common schools. In 1869, he removed to Corry, Pa. While there he served three years as city attorney and two years in the city councils. In 1872 he was elected a member
HON. W. W. BROWN.
F. P. SCHOONMAKER. City Solicitor.
of the Pennsylvania legislature, a position which he held until 1876. For two sessions he was a member of the judiciary committee and was the author of the first bill to establish fish culture west of the Alleghany mountains, which became a law. In 1876 he was appointed aid de camp to Gov. Hartranft, and for years after served on the staff of the major general of the National Guard of the state. He had a continued service in the National Guard of fifteen years wtih the rank of major and colonel.
Mr. Brown removed to Bradford in 1878, where he at once entercd upon an active and lucrative practice of his profession. In 1882 he was elected to the United States House of Representatives and served in the XLVIII and XLIX Congresses. He took a conspicuous part in the opposition of the Morrison tariff bill and was the first Pennsylvania member to oppose the demonetization of silver. Other achievements were the establishment of a
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large number of post-offices and mail routes in his district, an appropriation for a United States court house and post-office at Williamsport, and the free delivery of mails for Bradford, which thus achieved the distinction of being the youngest city in Pennsylvania to have free delivery.
On resuming his law practice Mr. Brown became a member of the law firm of Stone, Brown & Sturgeon. In 1890 he retired therefrom and soon thereafter formed a partnership with F. P. Schoonmaker. under the firmn name of Brown & Schoonmaker.
Since becoming a resident of Bradford Mr. Brown has taken an active interest in the promotion of public enterprises. He procured'the charter for the city of Bradford, organized and obtained the charter for the Bradford,
D. H. JACK.
1 -
J. M. McCLURE,
Bordell and Kinzua railroad and was for many years one of its directors. He was an active member of the board of trade for several years, and served six years as president of that organization. During this period many of Bradford's most successful manufactories were established For five years he was city solicitor. In 1897 he was appointed an auditor for the war department at Washington. This position he held for two years, when he was honored with the appointment to the important position of auditor of the navy department, and is now discharging the duties of that office with conspicuous ability.
D. H. JACK.
D. H. Jack in the various spheres of his professional, social and political life may truthfully be said to enjoy in an exceptional degree the esteem and confidence of his fellow men. He was born in Butler county, Pa., in 1855
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1
and graduated from the Wesleyan University of Middletown, Conn., in the class of 1875. After his graduation he studied law and in due course of time was admitted to practice. He removed to Bradford in 1880 and has since practiced his profession here. At various times he has been associated with George A. Berry, M. F. Elliott and George L. Roberts, all prominent practitioners, but he is now practicing alone. He has many important interests in his charge. Mr. Jack is a 32nd degree Mason.
JOSEPH M. MCCLURE
Was born in Perry county, Pa., December 28, 1838. He entered the preparatory academy at Academia, Junata Co., Pa., and in 1862 became a member of the freshman class of Yale college. Four years were spent in that historic educational institution and after his graduation he took up the study of law at Mifflingtown, Pa., completing his course with McClure & Stew- art at Chambersburg and receiving his admission to the bar of Franklin county in 1867. In 1868 he removed to Harrisburg. In 1869 he was appointed assistant state librarian and during the fall of the same year was appointed to the responsible position of deputy attorney general of the state. In 1875 he again resumed practice at Allentown and in 1879 he removed to Bradford where he has since been an honored citizen.
He has served as member and president of the school board.
FREDERICK PALEN SCHOONMAKER.
The subject of this sketch was born at Limestone, N. Y., March 11, 1870. He was a student in Alfred University during the years 1885-86, in the University of Minnesota from 1886 to 1888 and Cornell University fromn 1888 to 1891, from which institution he graduated in June 1891, in the arts course.
After leaving Cornell, Mr. Schoonmaker entered the law offices of Williams & Schoonmaker of St. Paul, Minnesota, as a student and clerk. He remained there until 1893, when he removed to Bradford and entered the law offices of Hon. W. W. Brown. In 1894 he was admitted to practice in the courts of Mckean county. In 1896 he was admitted to practice in the Supreme court of the state of Pennsylvania and in 1900 to the United States Supreme court.
Immediately after his admission to the bar in 1894, he formed a partnership with Mr. Brown under the firm name of Brown & Schoonmaker, and this firm is now engaged in the practice of law in Bradford.
In 1897 Mr. Schoonmaker was appointed to the responsible position of city solicitor, in which capacity he is serving at the present time.
CARLTON J. CURTIS.
Carlton J. Curtis was born in Potter county in 1848. His early education was received in the common schools of Potter county, and finished with a course at Ulysses academy. After leaving school he commenced the study of law with the firm of Olmstead & Larrabee of Coudersport, and at the completion of his course in 1872, was admitted to the Potter county bar.
His ability as a lawyer early attracted attention and substantial public recognition was accorded him in 1874, by the election to the important position
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of district attorney of Potter county. At the completion of a three years term, he removed to Bradford where he has since been located. He was admitted to practice at the Mckean county bar in December, 1877, and also to practice in the Supreme court of Pennsylvania.
Mr. Curtis served one term as town clerk of Allegheny township.
EDWIN E. TAIT
One of the active practitioners of the Mckean county bar was born in Canada in 1851. His education commenced in the common schools of the Canadian province, supplemented by a course at the Hamilton Collegiate Institute of Hamilton, Canada, and finished;at Albert University of Bellville, Canada. He came to the oil regions in 1877, securing employment as bookkeeper in an oil concern in Butler county. He removed to Bradford in 1878 and operated as a broker on the Bradford oil exchange from 1880 to 1885. Taking
C. J. CUSTIS.
E. E. TAIT.
up the study of law he was admitted to the bar in 1883 and has since been engaged in active practice, making a specialty of corporation law. Mr. Tait is a member of the Masonic lodge of Bradford.
ROBERT L. EDGETT
One of prominent practioners of'Mckean county, was born in Howard, St. Steuben county, N. Y. He graduated from the Hornellsville High school in 1879, entered Chamberlain Intsitute at Randolph in 1881 and graduated from that institution in June 1883 and immediately thereafter he removed to Bradford. Deciding to enter the legal profession, he commenced the study of law in the offices of Berry, Elliott & Jack, in August, 1884. Completing his clerkship he was admitted to practice in the various courts of Mckean county, November 12, 1890, and at once formed a partnership with George A. Berry, under the firm name of Berry & Edgett, which firm continues up to
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the present date. Mr. Edgett was admitted to practice in the Supreme court of Pennsylvania in May, 1892, the United States court in February, 1893 and in the Superior court of Pennsylvania in November, 1896. He was also admitted to practice in Elk, Warren and Potter counties. This law firm has an extensive practice in McKean and adjoining counties as well as in United States courts and the highest courts of the state. In Mckean county litigation especially the firm will generally be found represented on one side or the other. Mr. Edgett has never aspired to hold political office, but has always been an active, earnest member of the republican party and with the leaders, directing its councils and conventions. He has been tendered the nomination of mayor of the city of Bradford, also the nomination for
R. L. EDGETT.
M. L. WILLIS.
representative in the state legislature as well as district attorney of Mckean county. All these honors he has declined preferring to retain his extensive law practice. Mr. Edgett is prominent in social as well as legal circles. He is a member of the governing board of the Country club, vice-president of the Orpheus club, past exalted ruler of the Elks, past leader of the Home Circle. Although now an exempt fireman he was for many years treasurer of Era Hook and Ladder company and a member of Central Hose company. During the years 1899 and 1900 he was president of the Northwestern Pennsylvania Volunteer Firemens Association an organization of the counties of Mckean, Elk, Warren, Crawford, Erie, Potter, Cameron and Clearfield.
MERTON LEE WILLIS.
He was born at Bath, Steuben county, N. Y., December 1st, 1869. His early education was received at Haverling academy, followed by a course at Hobart college, from which institution he graduated in 1895. Subsequently
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he took a course in law and political science at the Michigan University at Ann Arbor, Michigan, and later entered the law office of Hon. George Rains of Rochester, N. Y. He remained there as managing clerk until February, 1898, at which time he took the New York state bar examination and was admitted to practice in all the courts of the state. Subsequently he was admitted to practice in the United States District court at Utica. September 15, 1889, Mr. Willis removed to Bradford October 1, 1899 he was admitted to practice in the courts of Mckean county. December 23, 1889 he purchased the office and law library of the late M. H. Byles and located there for the practice of his profession. January 17, 1900 he was married to Helen, daughter of A. J. Edgett of Bradford. Mr. Willis belongs to a college
JNO. P. MELVIN.
THOS. J. MELVIN, Jr.
fraternity and is a member of the masonic and odd fellow lodges and also Rochester chapter B. P. O. E , No. 24.
JOHN P. MELVIN
District attorney of Mckean county, is one of the younger practitioners of the McKean county bar, who have rapidly obtained distinction in their choosen profession. Although only 31 years of age, he was born at Limestone, N. Y , July 17, 1870 and has crowded into his brief career, the experiences which many require years to obtain.
Mr. Melvin was educated in the Bradford public schools, graduated from Phillips Exter academy, of Exter, N. H., and was subsequently a student of Harvard college. After completing his studies he entered the store conducted by L. Emery, Jr. & Company, remaining there from 1890 to 1895. He studied law with Berry & Edgett and immediately after his admission to the bar commenced the practice of his profession in Bradford. He was chairman of the Republican County Committee of 1898, and his services to the party
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were rewarded a year later by an election to the responsible position of District Attorney of Mckean county, which position he now holds.
Mr. Melvin is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows lodges of Bradford.
THOMAS J. MELVIN, JR.
Thomas J. Melvin, Jr., junior member of the firm of Melvin & Melvin is one of the well known younger members of the Mckean county bar. Mr. Melvin was born in Bradford, July 29, 1878. He has resided in the city all his life with the exception of the time spent at school. He was educated in the Bradford public schools, a preparatory school in Boston and finished with a course of study at the Pennsylvania law school. He was admitted to the bar in October, 1899, and immediately thereafter formed a partnership with his brother under the firm naine of Melvin & Melvin.
DELPHA HARRIS.
Delpha Harris moved to Bradford in 1844 from the state of New York. He was a man of sterling worth and respected by all who knew him. Married in his early life to Miss Anna Moore of Carroll, Chautauqua county, N. Y., he was fortunate in securing a help mate who exercised a powerful influence in moulding his character for life. Miss Moore was a lady of education and refinement, a conscientious religious worker and teacher. She was one of the teachers of Hon. Reuben E. Fenton of Jamestown, who was governor of New York state during the civil war.
Mr. Harris, residing in the healthful atmosphere of Mckean county, has reached the ripe old age of 91 years and still retains much bodily vigor, and with mental faculties unimpaired, he is one of the last living links to connect the past with the present.
F. W. HASTINGS.
F. W. Hastings was born at Buffalo, N. Y. and completed his education at the Rochester University, of Rochester, N. Y. He began his professional career in 1859 as an attorney and counselor at law, and with the exception of two years, 1860-61, has been actively engaged in the practice of law. Mr. Hastings located in Bradford November 1, 1883 and has since resided here. He takes great interest in fraternal organizations and holds membership in the following: A. O. U. W., I. O. H., K. of H., K. and L. of H., I. O. R. M., K. O. T. M. and Home Circle.
C. E. JUDD
Attorney at law, the second of four children of Lucius and Harriet Cole Judd, was born in Russell, Geauga county, Ohio, March 9, 1856. His education was obtained at Chester Seminary, from which institution he graduated in 1877, having taught prior to his graduation. Leaving school he taught for a time but finally decided to become a lawyer. Arriving in Bradford in 1877, he engaged for a time in the oil business and commenced the study of law under the direction of Henry McSweeney. Completing his course in 1884 he was admitted to the bar at Smethport and has since engaged in the active practice of his profession. In October 1887, he was married to Miss Mary L. Haggerty, daughter of John Haggerty and they have one daughter Margaret Louise. In politics Mr. Judd is a republican.
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F. A. MOORE.
He remained a resident of Brad- ford during his lifetime, and after his decease, which occurred May 15, 1898, his son, Amos F. Moore, succeeded him and now has charge of the business.
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