Indiana County, Pennsylvania, her people, past and present, Volume I, Part 75

Author: Stewart, Joshua Thompson, 1862- comp
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 930

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giving names of resident and non-resident members of the bar, but no dates of admission, as well as notes or sketches of some members of the bar in the past, "and from which the writer has quoted what has been said of some of the resident members of the bar in the early history of the courts."

PRESIDENT JUDGES

Hon. John Young, of Greensburg, West- moreland county, 1806 to 1836.

Hon. Thomas White, of Indiana, Indiana county, 1836 to 1847.

Hon. Jeremiah M. Burrell, of Greensburg, Westmoreland county, June, 1847, to March,

Hon. John C. Knox, of Tioga county, June, 1848, to December, 1851.

Hon. Jeremiah M. Burrell, of Greensburg, December, 1851, to 1855.

Hon. Joseph Buffington, of Kittanning, Armstrong county, June, 1855, to April, 1871.

Hon. James A. Logan, of Greensburg, West- moreland county, June, 1871, to January, 1875.

The Legislature of 1874 made Indiana county a separate district, as the Fortieth,

Hon. Harry White, of Indiana, January 1, 1885, to January 1, 1895. Reelected 1894, served second term from January 1, 1895.

Hon. S. J. Telford, of Indiana, succeeded Hon. Harry White January 1, 1905.

Judge John Young, of Greensburg, who presided over the courts of the Tenth Judicial district, was a native of Scotland, was tall and of a commanding and dignified appearance, a polished gentleman of the old school, and filled the position some thirty years. He resigned

Thomas White, of Indiana, was appointed

ute thereof made. The minutes of the court during this time have been misplaced or lost. judge to fill vacancy caused by the resigna- In the local history of the county is found a tion of Judge John Young. As the constitu- roll of attorneys as reported up until 1859, tion of the State then was, Judge White was

383

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

appointed for life or, as the technical expres- full term until January 1, 1895; having been sion of his commission is, "dum bene sese reelected in 1894, he served two terms. gesseret" (while he behaves himself). But S. J. Telford, of Indiana, was elected in 1904, and entered upon the duties of his office, January, 1905. a new constitution was framed in 1838, which changed the term of president judges to ten years. Under this change Judge White's term expired Jannary, 1847. Francis R. The first record of Criminal court held in Indiana county is at March sessions, 1807. Shunk, a Democrat, being governor, refused to reappoint Judge White, who was a Whig, The first case tried-No. 1, March sessions, although a large majority of the people of 1807-is Commonwealth v. William Wilkins, charged with assault and battery. Defendant found guilty. the district petitioned for his reappointment. The Senate, however, having a Whig ma- jority, rejected all the Governor's nominees At June sessions, 1807, Samuel Riddle and Walter Forward were admitted "as attorneys of this court." for the vacancy. When the Legislature ad- journed no one was commissioned to succeed Judge White. But Governor Shunk ap- June 8, 1807, Samuel Massey was appointed and qualified as deputy attorney general be- fore John Young, President Judge. pointed Jeremiah M. Burrell for a year to hold the courts. This created legal contro- versy. To avoid further controversy, and at The first civil case originating in Indiana county is the case of George Weir v. John O'Conner, No. 1, December term, 1806. Alex- ander appeared for the plaintiff; Armstrong for defendant. This was an appeal from the docket of Justice William Hamilton. The case was tried June 9, 1807, and a verdict rendered in favor of the plaintiff for $8.10. the request of Judge White and his friends, John C. Knox of Tioga county was appointed in the spring of 1848 to fill the vacancy, and moving to Kittanning presided until Decem- ber term, 1851, when under the change in the constitution making judges elective Judge J. M. Burrell was elected in the fall of 1851 president judge of the district and served until 1855, when he resigned.

Judge Joseph Buffington, of Kittanning, Armstrong county, was appointed to fill vacancy caused by Judge Burrell's resigna- tion and was elected iu 1856, serving a full term, and reelected in 1866, resigning in 1871. He died February 3, 1872. He had served as judge of the Eighteenth Judicial district, com- posed of Clarion, Elk, Jefferson, Venango and Mercer, by appointment. Had been pre- vionsly elected and served two terms in Con- gress. In 1852 was nominated by the Whig State convention for Supreme judge, but was defeated.

James A. Logan, in May, 1871, was ap- pointed judge to fill the vacancy, and after- wards was elected as judge of said district; and filled the position until 1879, when he resigned to accept the appointment of assist- ant general solicitor of the Pennsylvania Rail- road Company, and subsequently became gen- eral solicitor of the said company. He died October 29, 1902.

Under the new constitution which was in effect in 1873, by which Indiana county be- came a separate judicial district, now the For- tieth, John P. Blair, of Indiana, was the first elected judge of the said district, and served his full term, until January 1, 1885.

Daniel Stanard, the first resident attorney of the bar of Indiana county, was born 1784, near Bennington, Vt .; located in Indiana in 1807, was well known as an attorney in west- ern Pennsylvania ; was engaged in the practice of his profession some thirty years. He re- tired from practice in 1836, and died at Indiana March 4, 1867.

From 1807 until 1819 the only resident at- torneys were Daniel Stanard, James M. Rid- dle and James M. Kelly. James M. Kelly was a native of Indiana county, and read law with George Armstrong, of Greensburg, Westmore- land county. After his admission to the bar he returned to Indiana and engaged in the practice of his profession. He and Daniel Stanard were among those named as trustees by the Act of 28th of March, 1814, incorpo- rating Indiana Academy ; was elected as (Fed- eralist) a member of the Legislature of Penn- sylvania ; was a noted attorney, and had a brilliant but brief career. He died in 1820.

Ephraim Carpenter was born at Sharon, Vt., August 10, 1788. When a young man he taught in the academy at Greensburg, Pa., where he read law and was admitted to the bar, and located in Indiana in 1819, and com- menced the practice of his profession. He served several years, by appointment, as deputy attorney general of the county; was

Harry White, of Indiana, was in 1884 elected judge of said district, and served the also a practical surveyor: he continued in the

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

practice of his profession until his death, June concerned in a large number of the early eject- 10, 1860.

Hugh Brady, a native of Indiana county, read law with Daniel Stanard, and was ad- mitted to the bar June 27, 1820.

Richard B. MeCabe, a well-known attorney, was born in Cumberland (now Perry) county, Pa., on the 5th of August, 1792. From 1815 he was for a number of years engaged in clerk- ing and as manager of several iron works. In 1820 he went to Harrisburg, where he was employed in the office of the secretary of State, and while thus engaged he read law, and was admitted to the bar. After his admission he removed to Huntingdon, Pa., where he com- menced the practice of his profession, subse- quently removing to Blairsville, Indiana profession, and enjoyed for most of his time a lucrative practice. He was appointed and served one term as prothonotary of the county. Appalachian, an independent political journal. His historical articles found a place among the standard writings of his time. His reputation as such became national. He died January 10, 1860.

Thomas White read law in the office of Wil- liam Rawle in the city of Philadelphia, and after his admission to the bar, in 1821, located in Indiana, and commenced the practice of his profession. He was then aged about twenty- one years, and was very soon in successful practice. He was also agent of George C'ly- mer, who owned a large quantity of land in Indiana county. He was appointed president judge of the Tenth Judicial district in 1836, succeeding Judge John Young, and served his full term, until 1847. He was an eminent lawyer, a just judge, and presided over the several courts of his district with distinguished ability. He was instrumental in establishing the Indiana County Agricultural Society, was one of its main projectors and supporters, and its president from its origin until his death. He devoted much of his time to agricultural pursuits. Judge White died on the 22d day of July, 1866, in his sixty-seventh year.

William Banks was born near Mifflintown, now in Juniata county, at that time Mifflin county, Pa., and studied law in the office of his brother Hon. John Banks, at Mercer, Pa. He commenced the practice of law at Indiana in 1824, and for many years was a leading member of the bar. He became a forcible advocate, concise and sometimes eloquent. He was fond of scientific studies, was well versed was incorporated. He was one of the direct- in the law, was an able counselor, and was ors and subsequently president of this bank. 25

ment suits brought in Indiana and adjoining counties. His opinion on legal questions was sought, not only by clients, but by his fellow members of the bar. He was prothonotary of the county from 1828 until 1833; a member of the Legislature, and was deputy attorney general of the county in 1836, by appointment. After serving in the said several offices he totally abjured holding office, and pursued the practice of his profession until his death, August 10, 1871.

Augustus Drum was born at Greensburg, was a graduate of Jefferson College, studied law under John B. Alexander, located in Indi- ana in 1831, and commenced the practice of his profession. In 1839 was sworn in as deputy county, where he continued the practice of his prosecuting attorney for Indiana county. He was a successful lawyer and a gentleman of pleasant social qualities and fine literary taste. He was a member of the Democratic party, In 1846 he was editor and publisher of The and took an active part in politics, and was to some extent a newspaper writer; was editor in 1834 of the Inquirer, a Democratic journal published at Indiana ; its publication was con- tinued for several years. He served one term in Congress. He removed to Pittsburg in 1856, and was there engaged in the practice for some time. He died at Greensburg, Pa., September 17, 1858.

Joseph J. Young was born at Greensburg, Westmoreland county; was a son of Judge Young; was admitted to the bar and located in Indiana in 1833. He was engaged in the practice of his profession for some years, was agent and owner of a large body of land in Indiana county. He retired from practice, and died at Indiana.

John Myers was a native of Somerset county, located in Indiana in 1835. Was a member of the bar and pursued the practice of law. Served one term as prothonotary, and afterwards continued the practice of his pro- fession until his death.

William M. Stewart was born at Franks- town, Huntingdon county, in 1817. Was a graduate of Jefferson College, Pennsylvania. He read law with Judge Reed, of Carlisle, Pa., and also with Judge White, of Indi- ana, and was admitted to the bar of Indiana county in 1839. He soon became prominent in his profession and acquired a large prac- tice; was engaged in the banking business under the firm name of Sutton & Stewart, at Indiana, from 1854 to January, 1864, at which time the First National Bank of Indiana

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

He was also, in 1869, concerned in the organ- law for some time. Was a soldier in the Mex- ization of the Indiana County Deposit Bank ; ican war, promoted colonel. After his dis- charge from service came to Indiana and en- gaged in the practice of his profession, and continued therein until his decease, in 1859. was one of the directors and the first president of the bank. He afterwards, in 1873, removed to Philadelphia, where he was a partner in the banking house of B. K. Jamison & Co., and where he pursued the practice of his pro- fession until his decease.

Alexander Taylor was born at Indiana in 1822; was a graduate of Jefferson College ; read law with William Banks, was appointed deputy attorney general for Indiana county in 1848. Had retired from practice for many years prior to his death, July 12, 1893.

G. P. Reed was admitted to the bar in 1847; was associate editor of the Indiana Register in 1846, in which business he was engaged until 1852, when elected a justice of the peace for the borough of Indiana, in which office he served for several terms. Since deceased.

Edmund Paige was born near Dartmouth, Devonshire, England, in 1820. Came to this country in 1831 ; read law with William Banks, and was admitted to the bar of Indiana county. Was a practical surveyor. In 1852 he was elected district attorney for Indiana county ; was reelected and served the second term, also served several terms as county surveyor. The latter part of his life was devoted principally to surveying. He was very familiar with original warrants and surveys of the county. He died some years ago.

Stewart Steel, for many years a resident of Blairsville, Indiana county, was consul at Dundee, Scotland, from 1845 to 1849. De- ceased.

Titian J. Coffey, a resident attorney of Indiana for a number of years, was associated with Judge Thomas White in the practice of law; was elected State senator in 1856, and served during term. Was deputy attorney general of the United States from 1861 to 1865. He was a popular advocate at the bar

Deceased.

Matthew Taylor, born in Indiana; read law with William M. Stewart; was admitted to the bar; removed to Erie, where he was en- gaged in the practice of the law until his decease.

Pliny Kelly was born in Indiana county. Read law with Judge Thomas White, and was admitted to the bar in 1843. Was a soldier in the Mexican war; after his discharge re- Levi McElhoes, a native of Indiana county, admitted to the bar. turned to Indiana, and engaged in the practice read law with' William M. Stewart, and was of his profession for some time. In 1849 went to California.

Samuel S. Blair was born in Indiana; read mitted to the bar. Removed to Hollidaysburg, Blair county, where for many years he was

William A. Todd, a native of Indiana law with Judge Thomas White, and was ad- county, read law with IIon. Thomas White, and was admitted to the bar in 1843. After his admission he removed to Ebensburg, Cam- engaged in the practice of his profession. He bria county, and formed a partnership with was one of the leading lawyers in the State, and had represented his district in Congress several times. He died some years ago. Ed. Hutchison, and under the firm name of Hutchison & Todd pursued the practice of

A. W. Taylor was born at Indiana March 22, 1815, was educated at Indiana Academy and Jefferson College. He left college in 1836 to fill an appointment as clerk in the office of his father, Hon. John Taylor, surveyor general of Pennsylvania. He held the ap- pointment for three years, then entered the Law School at Carlisle, Pa .; afterwards con- tinued his law studies in the office of Judge Thomas White, at Indiana, and was admitted to the bar in 1841, and entered immediately upon the practice of his profession. He served two terms as prothonotary of the county. He took an active part in politics in the organ- ization of the Republican party ; was a mem- ber of the Legislature in 1859 and 1860 ; served five years as president of Indiana County Agricultural Society. In 1872 was elected a representative in the Forty-third Congress, served on the committee on Railways and Canals. In 1873 was elected one of the trus- tees of the Agricultural College of Pennsyl- vania. He continued in the practice of his profession until his death, May 7, 1893.

Thomas Sutton, Sr., was born at Indiana ; was admitted to the bar, 1841; was appointed deputy attorney general for the county of Indiana in 1843. Subsequently he removed to Clarion, Clarion Co., Pa., where he was engaged in the practice of his profession until his decease.

John Potter was admitted to the bar on the 24th of March, 1845, on presentation to the of the Supreme court of the United States.

court of his commission as deputy attorney general for Indiana county. Sworn accord- ingly by prothonotary.

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

John Stanard, son of Daniel Stanard, was associated with Robert Gibson in the practice born in Indiana; read law with Thaddeus under the firm name of Weir & Gibson; and Stevens, and was admitted to the bar; re- subsequently was appointed chief justice of turned to Indiana and commenced the practice Idaho Territory. Deceased.

of his profession, in which he was engaged for some years. Removed to Wichita, Kans., where he died.

Thomas E. Morgan, a native of Indiana county, read law with Augustus Drum, and was admitted to the bar 27th of December, 1852. For a short time in practice at Indiana,

William Houston, Jr., was born in Indiana, and read law with Augustus Drum. Was and afterwards removed to Illinois. Deceased. admitted to the bar of Indiana county, and William M. Coulter, born in Indiana, read law with Augustus Drum, and was admitted was engaged for some time in practice at Indiana. Afterwards removed to Tennessee. to the bar August 2, 1853; was in practice but

Robert Sutton was born in Indiana, and a year or so previous to his death.

was a graduate of Princeton College. Read law and was admitted to the bar. Was en- gaged in practice at Indiana for some time. Afterwards removed from Indiana, and re- sided at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he died.

James W. Johnston, a native of Indiana county, a member of the bar, for some years in practice at Indiana. He afterwards re- 1854. Removed. moved to Tennessee.

John Conrad, a native of Indiana county ;

Samuel A. Douglass was born in Indiana in a member of the bar; read law with A. W. 1827 ; was educated in the common schools and Taylor. Removed to Brookville. Indiana Academy. For some years was en- G. W. Bonnen, a member of the bar, a resident of Blairsville. Know nothing more about him. gaged in teaching and clerking. He read law with William M. Stewart, and was admitted to the bar at September term, 1851 ; was after his admission again engaged in clerking for a year or more at Buena Vista Furnace, and in 1854, in the District court of Indianapolis, Ind. He commenced the practice of law at Indiana in 1855. He was elected secretary of the council of Indiana borough in 1856, and

IIon. Harry White was born in Indiana. A graduate of Princeton College, read law with his father, Judge Thomas White. Was admitted to practice in 1856. After his admission commenced the practice of his pro- fession, and became a member of the law firm of White & Coffey. Early in life served continuously as secretary and solicitor, he took an active part in political affairs; with the exceptions of the years 1857-1861 has held many important political positions. In 1863 was State senator, and also from 1866 to 1874; was a delegate at law to the Constitutional convention of 1873. He also represented his district two terms in Con- gress. He was mustered into the service of and 1863, until September, 1895, making a service of thirty-six years. He was appointed deputy collector of Internal Revenue of the Twenty-first district of Pennsylvania in March, 1869, and held the position for three years. Was mustered into the United States the United States in 1861 as major of the service July 1, 1863, as a private of Company I, transferred to Company H, 2d Battalion. Infantry, six months Pennsylvania Volun- teers, and was honorably discharged the 25th of January, 1864. After his discharge re- sumed the practice of his profession. He is a member of Indiana Post, No. 28, Grand Army of the Republic.

67th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers; passed through the various grades to colonel of regiment. Was discharged February 22, 1865. Brigadier general March 2, 1865 .. Was a prisoner from June 15, 1863, to September 29, 1864. Was elected judge of the Fortieth Judicial district, Indiana county, in 1884, and served his full term. Was reelected in 1894 and served his second term ending Jan- mary 1, 1905. He was for many years in the practice of his profession, and was one of the leading members of the bar, and a successful lawyer. He has held the position of member of board of directors of the State

Hugh W. Weir was born in Indiana county. and read law with Augustus Drum, and was admitted to the bar at December term, 1851. Commenced the practice of his profession at Saltsburg, Indiana county, where he re- mained a few years, removed to Indiana, and pursued the practice for a number of years, Normal school at Indiana; a stockholder in then removed to Pittsburg, where he became the First National Bank, and also of Indiana

William Murry, a member of the bar, read law with Judge Thomas White, and was ad- mitted September 27, 1853; removed to Ebens- burg, Cambria Co., Pennsylvania.

Lewis M. Stewart, a native of Huntingdon county, read law with William M. Stewart, and was admitted to the bar September 25,

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HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

County Deposit Bank, and the owner of a flicted a wound in his side, and at second large body of land in Indiana county ; and is battle of Bull Run he received a painful gun- interested in the material development of the county. He is a member of Indiana Post, No. 28, Grand Army of the Republic.

shot wound. After passing through the cam- paign against Vicksburg uuder Grant, and the campaign in East Tennessee under Burn- Joseph M. Thompson was born in Indiana August 2, 1832; was educated at Indiana Academy and Jefferson College; read law with William A. Todd, and was admitted to the bar June 19, 1855. After his admission side, suffering from fever disabled him from further service, and he was honorably dis- charged on the 31st day of May, 1864. In 1865 he commenced the practice of his pro- fession at Indiana, and having the ability, commenced the practice of law. In 1856 he learning and knowledge of the law he soon acquired a large practice, and was a success- ful lawyer. In 1874 he was elected president judge of the Fortieth Judicial district, In-

was associated with Hon. S. M. Clark and John F. Young in publication of Indiana Messenger, then a Democratic journal, fav- oring the election of James Buchanan for diana county, over which he presided with president. He was a brilliant advocate, a ability. At the end of his term, January 1, genial companion, and faithful friend. He 1885, he resumed and continued successfully died August 1, 1884.

James Mathews Coleman was born in and director, solicitor and president of the Indiana county; read law with William First National Bank of Indiana. He died Banks, was admitted to the bar December 27, January 19, 1913.

1855, and was in practice for a number of years. He is still living. .

H. B. Woods, a resident member of the bar for a number of years, an associate editor of the Indiana Register; elected dis- triet attorney of the county. Removed to Gettysburg, Pa., in 1860, afterwards to Read- ing, Pa., where he continued the practice of his profession. He died in 1866 or 1867.

Hon. John P. Blair was born in Indiana in 1833. A graduate of Washington College ; Blair, of Hollidaysburg, Pa., and was admit- ted to the bar in 1856. After his admission he located at New Castle, Lawrence county, Pa., where he practiced until 1859, when he was elected district attorney of that county. He resigned when the Civil war broke out and enlisted in Company F, 12th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. At the end of three

private, and was elected first lieutenant of Company I, 100th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. He held this position until after the battles of second Bull Run, Chantilly and Antietam, when the company was consoli-

commissioned captain. After the capture of Hilton Head and Beaufort he was detailed from the company to act as provost marshal and judge advocate general of the Port Royal district, which position he held until his brigade was sent North to join Mcclellan on the Peninsula. He was twice wounded; at first assault on the enemy's earthworks in the rear of Fort Sumter, in Charleston har- bor, a grapeshot struck his sword and in-

the practice of law. He was a stockholder

Hon. Silas M. Clark was born at Indiana in 1834; was prepared for college at the Indiana Academy, and graduated at Jeffer- son College in the class of 1852, having en- tered junior class two thirds advanced. He taught the Indiana Academy several years, read law with William M. Stewart, and was admitted to the bar in 1857. After his ad- mission he was associated with Mr. Stewart in the practice of law, under the firm name of Stewart & Clark. He was elected a sena-

tion of 1873. For a number of years was a director of the public schools. He was one of the projectors and founders of the State Normal school at Indiana of which he was a member of the board of trustees, and the secretary and president of the board for most of the time during, the latter part of his life. . In 1886 Lafayette College conferred

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Indiana County, Pennsylvania, her people, past and present, Volume I, Part 75

Author: Stewart, Joshua Thompson, 1862- comp Publication date: 1913 Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 930

Author: Stewart, Joshua Thompson, 1862- comp
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Chicago, J. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 930