USA > Pennsylvania > Prominent and progressive Pennsylvanians of the nineteenth century. Volume I > Part 6
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GEORGE B. ORLADY.
After having been a member of the Bar of his County for only three years, Judge Orlady was elected District Attorney, an office for which he was admirably fitted both by reason of his natural ability and his thorough experience. This was in 1878, and in recognition of his faithful services and his entire fitness for the office, he was again honored with an election in 1881, giv- ing to the office of District Attorney one of the best administra- tions it ever had. In 1884 he was elected for the third term, and by that time had attained the reputation of being one of the most brilliant lawyers in Huntingdon County, while the integrity of his official administration was known far and near. After having con- tinued in the practice of law for a period of less than ten years from the time he left the office of District Attorney, he was com- missioned Judge of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania on the first day of July, 1895. The legal authorities of Pennsylvania recognized in the new Judge one of the most active and able on the Bench, and, in November, 1895, the people expressed their sat- isfaction at the choice by electing him to remain upon the Bench for a period of ten years, a term which he is now serving in a most satisfactory manner, from both a professional and public point of view.
On February 21, 1877, Judge Orlady was married to Mary Irvin Thompson, daughter of Dr. Hardman Phillips Thompson, of Curwensville, Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, whose family was one of the best known in that section of the State. They have had three children, one daughter and two sons.
Astar &. H.
JOHN JERVIS WICKHAM.
OHN JERVIS WICKHAM was born in 1844, in County Meath, Ireland. He came with his parents to the United States when he was little more than five years of age. The Wickhams, once arrived in this country, determined to settle in Pennsylvania and located at Beaver, where the subject of this sketch attended the common schools and, afterwards, the Beaver Academy. During the War of the Rebellion he served in the United States Military Telegraph Corps. He was captured in battle, and for four months was a prisoner of war. At the close of the strife he was recommended by General George H. Thomas and other prominent officers for an appointment in the regular army for faithful ser- vices and bravery. (See Plum's "Military Telegraph in the Civil War.") He remained, however, on the staff of General Thomas as cipher expert until the fall of 1867, when he resigned and re- turned to Beaver, there to begin the study of law. He was admitted to the Bar in 1869, and practiced successfully until 1884, when he was nominated by the Republican party, without opposition, for President Judge of the Thirty-sixth Judicial Dis- trict, composed of Beaver County. He was elected to the office by a large majority and served on the Bench with distinction. In 1894, at the written request of all the actively practicing law- yers of his district, without regard to party, he was again a can- didate for Judge. He was re-nominated without opposition, and was re-elected. Less than a year later he was appointed by Gov- ernor Hastings as one of the seven judges of the newly created Superior Court of Pennsylvania. He was nominated for the same place by the Republican State Convention and elected thereto in
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the fall of 1895. Judge Wickham has always taken a warm in- terest in the progress of the Republican organization. His nomi- nation was a tribute, however, not alone to his fealty to the Republican cause, but, as well, to his thoroughness as a jurist and his record while on the local Bench.
In 1874 Judge Wickham married Lida J., daughter of Charles D. and Abigail K. Hurlbutt, of Beaver. The issue of this mar- riage has been two sons and two daughters. Judge Wickham gives all his attention to the duties of his honorable office, and is recognized as one of the ablest members of the Pennsylvania ju- diciary.
The Rembrandt Eng Co. Phila
HOWARD J. REEDER.
Q UALITIES of mind and mental perception not usu- ally united in one individual, for the possession of which Judge Howard J. Reeder, of Easton, has become noted, have set the seal of merit upon his entire career. Judge Reeder, who, not alone in Northampton County, but throughout the entire State, is widely known as a courteous gentleman and worthy citizen and a keen, far-sighted lawyer, is one of the distinguished members of the Superior Court Bench. As a factor of this important judicial body Judge Reeder has won high praise, and his administration of justice has been so eminently worthy that he has come to be recognized as one of the strongest individualities of Pennsyl- vania's legal body. His record on the Bench in Northampton County, and since, in his more exalted position as a member of the Superior Court, has been a brilliant one, indicating his pos- session of a fine judicial mind, high integrity and rare mental ability.
HOWARD J. REEDER belongs to a family prominent in politi- cal and social circles for several generations. Upon both sides of the house there have been frequent examples of the sterling worth of its members and their value to the community at large. An- drew H. Reeder, the father of the subject of this biography, was one of the pioneers of the Republican party, and was known in its affairs throughout the country before its latter-day development had even been figured upon. He attained national fame as the first Governor of Kansas, filling that office through many trying circumstances with much honor to himself and considerable credit to the administration which had appointed him as its repre-
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sentative. Judge Reeder's mother was a woman of great force of character, a leading spirit in charitable work in Easton and an enthusiastic supporter of everything that could promote the cause of the Union and aid the soldiers at the front during the Civil War. She was a zealous adherent of the Christian faith. Under influences like these Howard J. Reeder, who was born in Easton, in December, 1843, grew to manhood. He was educated at private and boarding schools until 1860, when he entered the Sophomore Class at Princeton. In October of the following year, while a junior at that college, he secured his father's consent and enlisted in Company A, First United States Infantry. He was made Second Lieutenant and sent to the coast of Florida and later to Missouri. Under the command of General Pope he participated in the battles of New Madrid and Island No. 10. He was wounded at the former place, and, after returning home, resigned in 1862, but, as soon as he was able, he re-enlisted, which was during the invasion of Pennsylvania, the same year. This time he went out as Adjutant of the One Hundred and Fifty-third Pennsylvania Regiment and was Captain of Company G. He was then a youth of not quite twenty years, and with his command participated in the battles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, leading his com- pany at both of these important engagements. He showed great ability as an officer, and his superiors invariably found him de- pendable.
When he returned home Judge Reeder began the study of law in the Harvard Law School, at Cambridge, Massachusetts. He graduated in 1865 with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. In January, 1867, he was admitted to the Bar of Pennsylvania and began to practice. About four years later he became a law part- ner with his brother, General Frank Reeder. In the spring of 1881 he was appointed by Governor Hoyt to serve for one year as Judge in the several courts of the Third Judicial District, to fill a vacancy occasioned by the passing of the bill creating an additional Judge in the Third Judicial District. At the expiration of his term he resumed the practice of law with his brother. His ability as a Judge having already been established, he was, in the
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fall of 1884, elected to permanent service on the Bench, his term of office beginning the following April. His election was a per- sonal tribute to his efficiency and to his record as a dispenser of justice, as he was the only Republican chosen on the ticket and was elected by the handsome majority of 1,100, the usual Demo- cratic majority being more than three times that number. In 1894 he was a candidate for re-election, but was defeated by H. W. Scott by about 200 votes. The following spring he was ap- pointed Judge of the Superior Court by Governor Hastings, and, in the fall of that year, was elected a member of the body.
In early life Judge Reeder was officially identified with the old Borough of Easton, serving as Councilman for a period of twelve years, during which time he always advocated and advanced the best interests of his fellow citizens. He was President of that body for several years. In 1872 Governor Hartranft appointed him on the first Fish Commission of Pennsylvania, in which capacity he served for many years, resigning only when he was elected to the Bench. He took considerable interest in the work, and it was through his influence that the bill for appropriations was passed in the Legislature. In 1872, when the State Conven- tion met and nominated Governor Hartranft, Judge Reeder was Chairman of the meeting, which was one of the largest ever held in the State. In 1876 he attended, as a Delegate, the National Convention at Cincinnati, when President Hayes was nominated, and four years later attended the Chicago Convention, when Presi- dent Garfield was nominated.
Judge Reeder is a Grand Army man. He was the first Com- mander of old Bell Post, of Easton, and is now a member of Grand Army Post Lafayette, Easton. In 1871 he was Commander of the Department of Pennsylvania. Judge Reeder was married in 1867 to Miss Helen Burke, a daughter of the late William Burke, who was also a native of Easton and one of the old settlers. Two children have been born to Judge and Mrs. Reeder, Leila Burke Reeder, who was wedded, November 17, 1897, to James W. Fox, District Attorney of Northampton County; and J. Knight Reeder, of Philadelphia.
PETER P. SMITH.
REATER than ever, the Bench of Pennsylvania to-day unites many individual forces in its com- position, and one of the most admirable factors of its strength is Peter P. Smith, of the Superior Court, who has been prominently before the people for a number of years as a leader in legal thought and an active participant in public affairs.
PETER P. SMITH was born at Honesdale, Wayne County, Pennsylvania, on June 2, 1851. He is the son of Owen Smith and Catharine Murtaugh, who were married at Honesdale, in 1846. The parents of Judge Smith were natives of Ireland, who came to America early in life, and located at Honesdale, where they resided nearly all their remaining years. Nine children were born to them, five of whom are still living. The father was in the employ of the Delaware and Hudson Company for many years, and later engaged in the mercantile business, at the close of which, in 1873, he ceased active pursuits. Judge Smith received no other outside aids to education than those which the Honesdale High School afforded; but his real education, largely self-directed, has been part of his life work. His diligent application and rapid advancement in his studies were marked, and his graduation brought him the honors of his class. For a few years he assisted his father in the mercantile business, and at the age of twenty took up the study of law. To this new intellectual research he brought that same earnestness of purpose and diligence of appli- cation that had marked his school days. He passed his examina- tion and was admitted to the Wayne County Bar on May 7, 1874. In June of the same year he was admitted to practice at the
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Luzerne Bar. He was subsequently admitted to practice at the courts of most of the northeastern counties of the State, where his practice extended. He also practiced in the United States courts at Philadelphia and New York.
In 1875-a trifle more than a year from the time he was admitted to the Bar-Mr. Smith was nominated for the office of District Attorney of Wayne County by the Democratic Party, and was elected by a large majority. He conducted the business of the office with marked ability, making a record so creditable that, in 1878, he was unanimously re-nominated for the same office. His private practice, however, had assumed such proportions that he declined to stand as a candidate. In 1880 he was appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, as Supervisor of Census of the Fifth Census District, comprising eleven counties in northeastern Pennsylvania, and the thorough and systematic way in which his work was done called forth a special commenda- tion from Superintendent Walker. In 1887, Judge Smith decided to make his permanent home in Scranton, and removed with his family to the anthracite metropolis, where he found a greater opportunty for the exercise of his legal training. Here he at once became a force at the Bar, and his high reputation as a lawyer drew to his office an extensive clientage.
On December 23, 1892, Mr. Smith was appointed Additional Law Judge of Lackawanna County, by Governor Pattison, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Judge John F. Connolly. In September following he was unanimously nominated for the office by the County Democracy, but at this, and a subsequent election in 1894, when he was also unanimously nominated for the County Judgeship, the opposition to Democracy, arising from national issues, produced its natural effect on local politics, resulting in his defeat. At the Democratic State Convention, held at Williamsport, September 12, 1895, he was nominated for Judge of the Superior Court. At the polls, he led his party ticket and was the only candidate of his party elected, receiving 287,631 votes-6,214 more than was cast for the next highest candidate on his ticket. Judge Smith's career on the Bench marks him as an able jurist. His
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opinions, while on the Lackawanna Bench, attracted much atten- tion, and he was recognized as among the ablest of the Common Pleas Judges. The promise then given has been signally fulfilled since his elevation to the Superior Court. As a member of the appellate tribunal, his opinions exhibit a striking breadth of view, grasp of principles, maturity of thought, and vigor of expression. His judgments are based on an accurate and extensive knowledge of the authorities bearing on the questions involved, a keen dis- crimination between the essential and the non-essential in the evidence, and a logical application of the governing legal princi- ples to the facts presented. They command, in a large measure, the confidence of the profession, and contribute to the meritedly high standing of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania.
Judge Smith was married, November 10, 1875, at Honesdale, to Miss Mary C. Griffin, also a native of that place. They are the parents of eight children, seven of whom are living, viz .: Mary G., Katharine E., Henel Gertrude, C. Eugenia, Anna Martha, Florence Julia and Paul. His home is pleasantly situated at the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Green Ridge Street, on the out- skirts of Scranton. Here his judicial work off the Bench is done, and here, too, he finds rest and comfort from the duties of the Judgeship, and, with his estimable family, is honored and esteemed by his fellow citizens.
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Husk Porter.
The 00-brandt Eng Co. Phile
WILLIAM W. PORTER.
HE Bench of the Keystone State has long been dis- tinguished for its superiority in legal attainments, and to obtain a place thereon has ever required very noteworthy and pre-eminent acquirements as a scholar not less than a thorough knowledge of statutory and common law. Since the foundation of the colonies, however, the judiciary of Pennsylvania has not been held in more deservedly high esteem than at the present time, when justice is administered in its courts by as brilliant and scholarly an array of talent as at any previous time in its history. To be selected, therefore, for a place on the Bench of the Superior Court of the State is one of the most flattering tributes that can be accorded the talents and crown the career of a member of the Bar. This honor came to William W. Porter, of Philadelphia, on the 14th day of September, 1897, when Governor Hastings appointed him as the successor of Judge Willard. Both because of his promi- nent place in the public eye and from his record as a member of the Bar, the honor was one worthily bestowed and a deserved recognition of a highly creditable career.
WILLIAM W. PORTER was born on the 5th day of May, 1856. He came of one of the best known of Pennsylvania's leading families, being a son of the late Judge William A. Porter; a grandson of David Rittenhouse Porter, twice Governor of Penn- sylvania, and great-grandson of General Andrew Porter, who was a member of General Washington's staff during the struggle for independence. His father was one of the most distinguished jurists of his day, filling successively the offices of District Attor- ney and City Solicitor of Philadelphia, Supreme Court Justice of
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the State of Pennsylvania, and Judge of the Court of Alabama Claims, at Washington. His grand-uncle, Judge James Madison Porter, of Easton, Pennsylvania, was a member of President Bu- chanan's Cabinet. His uncle, General Horace Porter, is the present Ambassador to France.
He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, in 1875, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, three years later taking the degree of Master of Arts. Upon completing his course at this cele- brated institution he entered the law offices of his father, Judge William A. Porter, under whom he acquired a thorough knowledge of legal practice. He was admitted to the Bar in 1877, devoting himself especially to the law relating to corporations and estates. He has contributed to the literature of the profession a text-book on "The Law Relating to Bills of Lading," and a brochure en- titled "Legal Responsibility of Clergymen Solemnizing Marriages in Pennsylvania;" the influence of the latter having had much to do with the enactment of the new marriage license law. His emi- nence as an attorney and his peculiar grasp of corporation law re- lating to carriers and insurance has led to Mr. Porter's selection as counsel for many well known corporations. He was of counsel for the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York in the noted Megargee case (which was four times taken to the Supreme Court of the State), and in the case of Riegel vs. the Insurance Com- pany (three times argued in the Supreme Court), which cases, perhaps, settled more insurance laws than any others in the record of Pennsylvania tribunals of justice. Mr. Porter's experience in the Orphans' Court, too, has been very extensive, and his services were sought as counsel for some of the largest estates ever settled in Philadelphia. In recent years Mr. Porter has been recognized as one of the best equipped and most capable of the younger law- yers of his city, and has brought to the Superior Bench great capacity for work and a mind habituated to a careful study of abstruse legal questions.
In politics Judge Porter has been a staunch Republican, but has held no public office save the one he now occupies. Humane and benevolent works have been given of his time, and he is
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identified with many of the best known charitable organizations of Philadelphia, among them the Union Benevolent Association, the Pennsylvania Society to Protect Children from Cruelty, the Pennsylvania Bible Society, and others. In the social world he has many noteworthy connections, and of the organizations of which he is a member may be numbered the Union League, the Society of the Cincinnati, the Scotch-Irish Society, the Sons of the Revolution, the Lawyers' Club, the Merion Club, and the Lawyers' Association, of Philadelphia.
He was, on May 15, 1897, the Orator of the Day on the occasion of the unveiling of the great Washington Monument, in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, dividing the honors of the platform with the President of the United States before an assembly of unnumbered thousands of people. The success of this oratorical effort raised him to a high rank among the public speakers of the day.
He has not yet had time to make a record as a Judge, but his high standing in legal circles and his activity in whatever would redound to the benefit of the community leaves little room for doubt that he will speedily be recognized as one of the most capable members of Pennsylvania's judiciary.
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ERNEST F. ACHESON.
HE intellectual and political strength of Pennsylvania has been strongly indicated during the past few years in the representative body at Washington, D. C., where Pennsylvania interests are looked after by such men as Ernest F. Acheson, the subject of this biography. Congressman Acheson, of Washington, Pennsyl- vania, by natural and easy stages stepped from the field of jour- nalism into the more exacting one of politics. As publisher and editor of the Washington Observer he wielded a potent influence in the affairs of Washington County, which later developed into a masterful command of the general interests of the Twenty-fourth Congressional District. The fact that he was endorsed five times by the Republican organization of that section of the State is indicative of the esteem in which he is held among his own people; while at the Nation's Capitol, where he meets the chosen men of the country, he is just as well fitted to occupy the position of leader as he is in his native place.
ERNEST F. ACHESON was born at Washington, Pennsylvania, September 19, 1855. His father was Alexander W. Acheson, after- wards Presiding Judge of the Twenty-seventh Judicial District, and an astute and profound lawyer. Mr. Acheson's mother was Jane Wishart, a lineal descendant of George Wishart, a Scottish martyr, who in the sixteenth century was burned at the stake. His mother was a woman of splendid character and rare mental attainments, whose devotion to the Union cause during the War of the Rebellion was an inspiration to all with whom she came in contact. The son, Ernest, was educated in the public schools of his city and at Washington-Jefferson College. He decided to
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enter the legal field and began the study of law in the office of his father, who was then on the Bench. In 1877. he was admitted to practice law and entered into the affairs of his district with an animation and zealousness that marked him for early success. This, in fact, brought about his purchase of the Washington Ob- server, in 1879, two years after he became a member of the Bar. Under his guiding hand, and through his unremitting care, the newspaper has developed wonderfully, and as he still retains an active and controlling interest, he has succeeded in making it a power in the Twenty-fourth Pennsylvania District, which he now represents in Congress. The story of the development of the Washington Observer points out the general trend of Congressman Acheson's character. He took it in hand when it was a weekly of meagre circulation, and so well did he plan its course and guide it through the difficulties of political warfare that it is now a pro- gressive and widely circulated daily, with a semi-weekly edition that is influential among a constituency much larger than the geographical boundaries of its district.
The step from journalism into politics was only a natural one for Congressman Acheson. An ardent Republican and one who believed in all the tenets of the party, he became attached to the organization of the rank and file of Republicanism in Washington County, for many years serving in various capacities with a warm fealty. One of the cardinal principles for successful political man- agement early laid down by Mr. Acheson was the doctrine that the party voters had a right to equal representation in nominating conventions. With this point in view he made a fight in several successive Republican State conventions to abolish the old and generally unfair system of electing State Delegates by Senatorial and Representative districts. His proposition was to substitute the plan of electing delegates on the basis of the Republican vote polled in each county. His plan was finally adopted by the Re- publican organization and is now in vogue. This was one of Congressman Acheson's earliest services to his party, and it led to many others. In 1884 he was selected by the Republicans of the Twenty-fourth Congressional District to represent them at the
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Chicago Convention, and on every ballot cast his vote for Wash- ington County's most distinguished son, James G. Blaine, to whose standard he manfully adhered through all the proceedings of that memorable Convention. When the St. Louis Convention was held, in 1896, he again represented the Twenty-fourth District, support- ing the candidacy of Senator Quay as first choice, and that of William McKinley when it became evident that he was the logical candidate of the party. His services in behalf of the Republican organization were recognized by Washington County when for five consecutive times he was endorsed for the Republican Congressional nomination, in 1888, 1890, 1892, 1894 and 1896.
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