The twentieth century bench and bar of Pennsylvania, volume I, Part 27

Author:
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago, H. C. Cooper, jr., bro. & co.
Number of Pages: 1102

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deatlı, which occurred December 9, 1899. His first wife was Maria White of Columbia eounty, New York, who died December 2, 1872. His second wife was Louisa Z. Hurl- but, of North Adams, Mass., by whom he had one son, Douglas H. Ward, now a member of the bar.

Daniel Rankin .- The subject of this sketeh, born in 1821, was emphatically a self- made man. He eame to Providence in the middle forties, from Centre eounty, Pennsyl- vania, and worked as a journeyman tailor. Ile had very limited educational advantages, but devoted his spare time to reading and improving his mind. In due time he entered as a student at law in the office of Charles H. Silkman, and was admitted to the bar of Luzerne eounty August 7, 1850. He soon developed into a shrewd, practical and brainy lawyer, meeting with unusual sue- eess. He was admitted a member of the Mayor's Court of Seranton at the time of its organization and in 1867, on aeeount of fail- ing health, was elected elerk of the eourt. He died in 1869. Mr. Rankin was a pro- nouneed Demoerat and no man swayed a greater influenee. He was a great reader, with a remarkably retentive memory, and easily took rank as one of the able lawyers of northeastern Pennsylvania. He was mar- ried and left one son.

Hon. Peter P. Smith, one of the judges of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania, is a na- tive of Honesdale, Wayne. eounty, Pennsyl- vania. He was born on the 2d of June, 1851. He was edneated at the Honesdale aeademy, graduating in 1868. He then entered as a student at law in the office of Samuel E. Dimmiek, at one time attorney general of the state, and was admitted to the Wayne eounty bar on the 7th of May, 1874; and to the Luzerne bar the same year. In 1875 he was elected distriet attorney of Wayne eoun- ty, serving his term with ability and satis- faetion to the people. In polities Mr. Smith aeted with the Demoeratie party and was its

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representative in many conventions. He was prominent in the convention that first nom- inated Robert E. Pattison for governor of Pennsylvania. In 1890 he was appointed su- perintendent for the enumeration of the cen- sus in Lackawanna and Wayne counties. Shortly after lic removed his office to Scran- ton, where he soon established a large busi- ness. Ile was very studious and thoroughly devoted to his profession. Ile at one time prepared and read before a meeting of law- yers an essay on the police powers of the State, which for learning and ability at- tracted universal attention. In 1892 he was appointed one of the additional law judges of the courts of Lackawanna county, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of Hon. John F. Connolly. Here he developed the qualities which go to make the efficient and capable judge. In 1895 he was one of six who received the Democratic nomination for the office of judge of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania. Under the cumulative system of voting provided in the act, but one of a minority party could be elected, and Judge Smith showed his popularity in the state by receiving a majority of the Democratic vote. His career upon the bench has been eminent- ly successful, his opinions showing great re- search, written in a concise and very intel- ligible style. He is married and has a large family, to whom he is very devoted.

Eugene W. Simrell was born in Scott town- ship, now Lackawanna county, October 3, 1851, son of Warren W. and Frances C. (Decker) Simrell. He was educated in Gard- ner's commercial college at Scranton, Wyo- ming seminary, and the State Normal schools at Bloomsburg and Mansfield. In 1873 he entered the Albany Law school and gradu- ated in 1874. He came to Scranton and opened an office, where he was admitted to the bar in the Mayor's Court, September term, 1874. In 1875 he was appointed by the United States District Court a commissioner for the Western district of Pennsylvania. In

1879 he was nominated by the Republican party and elected district attorney of Lacka- wanna county, filling the position with credit to himself and the entire satisfaction of the people. He died shortly after. Mr. Simrell was an exceedingly popular young man and had he lived would undoubtedly have had further honors bestowed upon him.

Hon. Dwight N. Lathrope, the subject of this sketch, was a resident of Carbondale, Pa., where he lived during his professional life. He was born at Sherburne, New York, on the 28th day of July, 1811, the son of Salmon and Aurelia (Noble) Lathrope. He received his education at the Wilkesbarre academy and read law in the same town with the Hon. John N. Conyngham. He became a member of the Luzerne county bar on the 5th of November, 1833. Very soon after he established an office in Carbondale and en- tered into partnership with Hon. Lewis Jones under the firm name of Lathrope & Jones, which continued a great many years. The firm was very prosperous and accumulated considerable wealth. Mr. Lathrope was re- markably industrious and a sound, reliable lawyer. In 1870 he was appointed recorder of the Mayor's Court of the city of Carbon- dale, and elected by an almost unanimous vote in the following October. He made an upright and able judge, but was cut off carly in his judicial carcer, having died the 8tlı of October, 1872. He was Republican in politics but very conservative, and com- manded the respect of all classes. He was married on the 1st of July, 1838, to Harriet Ridgway. A sketch of his son, William W. Lathrope, appears elsewhere.

Philo C. Gritman, a practitioner in the courts of Lackawanna county, was born at Sherburne, Chenango county, New York, Oc- tober 29, 1828. He was admitted to the bar of Luzerne county on the 10th of November, 1848. His father was Dr. William S. Grit- man and his mother Joanna Callender. Mr. Gritman was educated at Franklin academy,

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Hartford, Conn., and Dewey Collegiate insti- tute, and read law with T. P. Phinney, at Dundaff, Pa., and D. N. Lathrope, of Carbon- dale. He was at one time the principal of the Lackawanna institute at Carbondale, and subsequently distriet attorney of the Mayor's Court of Carbondale for a number of years, and was a member of the legislature from Luzerne eounty in 1857-58. Mr. Gritman re- sided at Carbondale, Lackawanna county, Pennsylvania, where he died in the early part of 1903.

Hon. Edward N. Willard is a native of Conneetient and was born at Madison, April 2, 1835. His father was James Willard and his mother Susan, nee Clanning. His educa- tion was obtained in the common sehools and at Lee's academy, Madison, Conn. He com- meneed the study of law in the office of Ralph D. Smith of Guilford, Conn., and from there went to the New Haven law sehool and graduated. In September, 1857, he was ad- mitted to the bar at New Haven. Shortly after he eame to Seranton, Pa., and was ad- mitted to the Luzerne county bar, November 17, 1857. He was not long in establishing a good reputation as a lawyer and in seeuring a fair elientage. He was attorney and seere- tary of the borough of Seranton for four years and officiated for a similar term as at- torney and seeretary for the eity after its incorporation. He volunteered in the Union army the first of September, 1864, and be- came captain in a company belonging to the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh regiment of United States troops, where he served un- til Deeember, 1865. After the elose of the war he was judge advocate in the Second division, Twenty-fifth army corps. In 1867 he was appointed register in bankruptcy for the Seranton Congressional distriet. The of- fiee was administered with entire satisfae- tion. In due time he became attorney for a number of large corporations doing business in this section, which gave him an extensive practice. Mr. Willard is an able lawyer, eau-

tious and safe as a counsellor, and earnest and persuasive as an advocate. In 1895 he was appointed one of the judges of the Su- perior Court of Pennsylvania, and at the ensuing election he was elected for a full term. While the duties of the office were ably performed, its occupancy beeame irk- some on acount of taking him from his home and family, so in September, 1897, he re- signed and returned to the practice of law. It is unnecessary to refer to the cases in which he has been leading counsel, suffice it to say they have been numerous and in- portant. He has engaged at different times in large business enterprises which have been suceessfully managed, and helped to add to a bountiful competence.

Mr. Willard was a potent factor in the es- tablishment of Lackawanna county, and will ever be remembered for his material aid and personal labor during this trying eontro- versy. Socially he is genial, and, especially with brother members of the bar, deservedly popular. He married Ellen Hower, of Seran- ton, June 4, 1860. They have one daughter, who is the wife of Major Everett Warren.

Meredith L. Jones, son of Judge Lewis Jones, was born in Carbondale, Pa., April 30, 1840. He completed his education at the Luzerne institute, Wyoming, Pa., and studied law in the office of Lathrope & Jones at Car- bondale. He was admitted to the Luzerne county bar November 15, 1869, praeticed at Wilkesbarre for a short time, then removed to Scranton. He joined the army early in the war, and became first lieutenant of Com- pany E, 149th Regiment Pennsylvania Vol- unteers. He was aide-de-camp on the staff of General Doubleday during the Chancellor- ville and Gettysburg battles. On the third day of the latter his horse was shot from under him. Subsequently he was made cap- tain of Company B, One Hundred and Forty- ninth Regiment. His mother was Anna M., daughter of William Gibson of Otsego coun- ty, New York. He was married to Delia S.

M.G. and

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Mitchell, May 10, 1864. They have one daughter. Mr. Jones is now practicing in New York City, but spends a portion of his time in Scranton.

Hon. Henry M. Edwards, a son of John and Margaret (Morgan) Edwards, was born in Wales, February 12, 1844; he eame to the United States in 1864 with his parents, wlio settled at Seranton. Henry received his edu- eation in South Wales and took the degree of B. A. at London university, England, grad- uating with the class of 1863. He studied law in the office of and under the direction of the late Hon. F. W. Gunster, and was admit- ted to the bar in November, 1871. In 1875 he formed a partnership with Judge Ward, which continued for five years. As a Repub- lican, Judge Edwards has always taken an aetive part in party work, and in 1885 was eleeted distriet attorney, and re-elected in 1888. He was elected additional law judge for Lackawanna county for a term of ten years and in 1901 beeame president judge of the Common Pleas Court.

In 1865 Judge Edwards beeame engaged in journalism and spent one and one-half years on the "New York Tribune;" then for four years was engaged in publishing a Welsh paper at Seranton. On November 3, 1870, he was married at Scranton to Miss Jennie Richards, and to them have been born three ehildren.

George H. Squier, a lawyer and prae- titioner at Carbondale, Laekawanna county, was born at Nicholson, Wyoming eounty, Pennsylvania, October 8, 1836. He is a de- seendant on his mother's side of the famous General Greene, one of the patriots of the Revolution. He was educated at Hartford academy, Pennsylvania, and Susquehanna seminary at Binghamton, N. Y. He read law in Tunkhannoek, Wyoming eounty, Pennsyl- vania, in the office of A. K. Peekham. He was admitted to the bar of the Mayor's Court at Carbondale, where he opened an office. He was clerk of the same court from 1867 to

1870, and district attorney thereof from 1873 to 1876. He was admitted to the Luzerne county bar September 16, 1872, and held for one term the office of auditor of said county. He was married to Flora Wilson, April 9, 1861. His second wife was Laura C. Gates, to whom he was married May 13, 1876. He has two sons.

Hon. John P. Kelly, a native of Pennsyl- vania, was born at Oliphant, Luzerne (now Lackawanna) county, January 30, 1862. His father, John Kelly, a native of Ireland, im- migrated to the United States in 1840, and married Ellen Downey, who was also a na- tive of Ireland, in Massachusetts, and moved to Luzerne county about 1849, where John was born. He attended the eonnnon schools of that county and was graduated from the Seranton high school in 1879. In the fall of the same year he entered the office of John B. Collings as a student at law, and was admitted to the bar of Laekawanna county in April, 1883. In the fall he entered the office of Hon. John F. Connelly, late ad- ditional law judge, who at that time was dis- triet attorney, as his assistant. In 1888 he formed a partnership with Joseph O'Brien, under the style of O'Brien & Kelly; this was dissolved in April, 1900, when Mr. Kelly was appointed by Governor Stone additional law judge to fill the vacaney eaused by the death of Hon. F. W. Gunster. In the fall of 1901 Judge Kelly was cleeted judge to succeed himself, for a term of ten years. A Demo- crat in politics, he has taken an active inter- est in the eouneils of his party, and in 1888 was cleeted to the legislature. In 1891 he was elected distriet attorney for a term of three years.

Jeremiah D. Regan was born in Canaan, Wayne county, Pennsylvania, May 4, 1835. He practiecd law in Scranton and died a number of years ago. He was educated in the university of Northern Pennsylvania at Bethany, and at St. Joseph's college, Penn- sylvania. He read law with Michael Regan

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at Wilkesbarre, Pa., and was admitted to the Luzerne bar August 19, 1867. His parents were Michael and Catherine (Tobin) Regan, both natives of Ireland. He was married to Mary North, January 1, 1867. They had a family of three children.

Hon. Lewis Jones was a very prominent lawyer at Carbondale and Scranton prior to the formation of Lackawanna county. He was born in Exeter, Pa., August 28, 1807. He was educated at the Wilkesbarre acad- emy in Luzerne county, and studied law with Chester Butler, and was admitted to the bar on August 5, 1834. His father was Lewis Jones, born October 25, 1771, and who mar- ried Sarah Benedict of Pittston, Pa., Decem- ber 15, 1794. The subject of this sketeh while residing in Carbondale was prominent in getting the town incorporated as a city, and was ever an ardent advocate for the di- vision of Luzerne county. In 1855 he re- moved to Scranton. Prior thereto he had been a partner with D. N. Lathrope under the name of Lathrope & Jones, which firm ac- quired a great reputation as industrious, faithful and able lawyers. Some time after Mr. Jones removed to Scranton, he was ap- pointed recorder of the Mayor's Court, which office he filled very acceptably ; after which he retired from general practice, and moved to the city of New York. On the 15th of June, 1836, he married Anna Maria Gib- son, a native of Springfield, Otsego county, New York. They had two children, W. Gib- son Jones and Meredith L. Jones, both law- yers. The former, who has recently died, in a measure abandoned the practice of his pro- fession, and became a dealer in real estate in the city of Scranton. The latter is a prac- titioner in the city of New York.

Hon. Edward C. Newcomb, a native of Pennsylvania, was born in Benton township, Lackawanna county, to Charles, a native of Connecticut, and Sarah (Brownell) New- comb, a native of New York state. Edward received his education at Kingston academy

at Factoryville, Pa., and Wesleyan university at Middletown, Conn. He studied law at Scranton in the office and under the direc- tion of E. W. Simrell, and was admitted to the bar of Lackawanna county in April, 1881. A Democrat in political opinion, he was elected judge of the Common Pleas Court for Lackawanna eounty in November, 1901, for a term of ten years.

James Mahon, a familiar figure in the courts of Lackawanna county, is the son of Patrick and Catharine (Kelly) Mahon, who emigrated from the county of Mayo, Ireland, in 1829, and settled in Carbondale, Pa., where James was born on the 17th of March, 1837. He was educated in the public schools. and read law in the office of Daniel Rankin. Ile was admitted to the Luzerne county bar on the 6th of January, 1865, and commenced the practice of law at Scranton, where, with the exception of a few years' residence at Wilkesbarre, he has since lived. He was elected prosecuting attorney of the Mayor's Court of Scranton in 1866, which office he filled acceptably to the people and with credit to himself. In 1876 he was the Dem- ocratic candidate for state senator from the district composed of Lackawanna and part of Luzerne county. He was at one time in partnership with the late Judge Ward and has been connected with many important cases, both civil and criminal. He is a pains- ' taking lawyer and a good citizen. Mr. Mahon was married to Margaret A. Heffron, May 25, 1866. They have one son and two daughters living.

Cornelius Smith was born October 25, 1838, in the county of Cavan, Ireland. His father was John Smith, who came to Albany, N. Y., at an early date, and thence went to Penn- sylvania. His son Cornelius was educated at the academy at New Berlin, Union county, Pennsylvania. About 1861 he entered the law office of George Hill at Sunbury, Pa., and was admitted to the bar of Northumberland county in November, 1863, where he prac-

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tieed a little less than a year, removing to Pottsville, Pa., in 1864. He came to Seran- ton the latter part of 1868 and was admitted to the bar at the February term, 1869. He soon became prominent as a criminal lawyer. He was attorney in the eclebrated riot cases which grew out of the strike of 1877, and was principal counsel in a number of homi- cide eases in this and adjoining counties. He held the office of eity attorney for one term. He was at one time the candidate of the Den- ocratie party for prosecuting attorney and in 1898, was the candidate of the Labor party for judge of the court of Common Pleas. He figured not only as a criminal law- ver, but had undoubted ability as a civil practitioner, and was engaged in many im- portant eases. His knowledge of law was very extensive-he was a cogent reasoner, and was at his best in the elucidation of a law question. He was sineere in his convic- tions, courageous in their advocacy, some- times to the extent of indiscretion. He died in 1902. He was married to Margaret A. Mahon, January 31, 1864, by whom he had two daughters and a son, the latter J. Stan- ley Smith, a lawyer now practicing in Phil- adelphia.

Frederick Fuller, son of George Fuller, was born in Montrose, Pa., March 13, 1837. His mother was Mary, daughter of Samuel Barnard. Frederick was educated at the Montrose aeademy. He commenecd reading law with F. B. Streeter, was in the office of E. N. Willard for a time, and finished with Earl Wheeler at IIonesdale, Pa., where he was first admitted to the bar. He eom- menced praetiee at Seranton and was adınit- ted to the Luzerne bar November 13, 1860. In 1871 he was elected an alderman, which office he continued to hold for about thirty years. It is needless to say that his per- formance of the duties of the office was emi- nently satisfactory. During the war he was lieutenant of Company I, Fifty-second Regi- ment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, and aeting

signal officer in the Army of the Potomae. In 1896 he was appointed a director of the poor of the Scranton district, which position he still holds. He married Laura P. Gay on the 6th of June, 1866. They have two sons, Fred P. and Theodore S.

David C. Harrington is a native of Jewett, Green county, New York, born December 8, 1834. His father was James Harrington, who came to Scranton some time in the fif- ties and engaged in the mereantile business. His mother was Emeline H., daughter of David Chase. David C. was educated at the public schools, read law in the office of George D. Haughawout at Seranton, and was admitted to the bar of Luzerne county May 7, 1860, when he formed a partnership with W. G. Ward. In 1862 he moved to Wilkes- barre, and bceame a partner of Caleb E. Wright. In 1870 he went to Philadelphia, but has since returned to Scranton, where he is now attending to the law department of the International Correspondence Sehiool. Hle married Ann J. Kemmerer, September, 11, 1856. They have nine children.

Isaac J. Post .- One of the great lawyers who has graced the bar of Seranton was Isaac J. Post, who died on the 10th of July, 1885. Ile was born at Montrose, Pa., June '21, 1837, son of Rev. Albert L. and Eleanor ( Williams) Post. He graduated at Yale eol- lege in the class of 1860 and read law in the offiec of W. & W. H. Jessup at Montrose. He was admitted to the Susquehanna county bar January 20, 1862. He came to Seranton in 1866 and was admitted to the Mayor's Court October 1 of the same year. He entered into partnership with Alfred Hand under the firm name of Hand & Post, which continued until the senior's elevation to the bench. The busi- ness of the firm was very large, extending over the whole of northeastern Pennsylvania and embracing a great many intricate and important cases. Mr. Post was a ripe scholar, a thoroughly well read lawyer and had ability of the highest order. He had no

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ambition outside of his profession and in that he shone transcendently. In 1862 he entered the army and remained in service for one year. He then accepted a position under the solicitor of the Treasury Department at Washington, where he remained until he came to Scranton. In his social intercourse he was a great favorite. His kindness of heart and urbane treatment of all with whom lie came in eontaet was proverbial. He mar- ried Eliza B. Todd, June 23, 1868. Their children are Albert T. and Charles J. Post.

George H. Rice is a native of Springfield, Mass .. born September 22, 1866, son of Gil- bert L. and Elizabeth (Welles) Rice. An unusual circumstance connected with the family is that some member therof has fought in every war of the United States from the Revolution down to the Spanish war. Mr. Rice is a graduate of Yale college in the class of '93. His legal education was obtained at Hastings law school, San Fran- cisco, where he was admitted to practice June 12, 1894. He was district attorney of Hila county, Arizona, for one term. He came to Scranton in 1897, and was admitted to the Lackawanna bar in September of the same year. The firm is now Rice & Donnelly. Mr. Riec was married in 1896 to Agnes G. Rey- nolds.

Hon. Terence V. Powderly .- A noted man of Lackawanna county is T. V. Powderly, for many years the general master workman of the Knights of Labor. He was born in Car- bondale, Pa., January 22, 1849, of Terenee and Madge (Welsh.) Powderly, both natives of Ireland. He was educated in the public schools. In March, 1878, he registered as a student at law with I. H. Burns of Scranton. He was elected mayor of Scranton February 19, 1878, and twice re-elected. On the 5th of September, 1879, he was elected general mas- ter workman of the Knights of Labor and re-elected each year until 1893, when he re- signed the office. He then went into the of- fice of Judge P. P. Smith and was admitted

to the bar of Lackawanna county September 24, 1894. In 1895 he formed a partnership with Jolin R. Jones, which continued until August 3, 1897, when he was appointed by President Mckinley commissioner general of immigration. As general master workman he devoted his energies toward amicably set- tling disputes between labor and capital. He never ordered a strike or boycott and personally settled eleven hundred disputes between employer and employed. While he was mixed up with three different strikes which were ordered by other parties, his best energies were used in restoring peace. While commissioner of immigration he began a crusade against the persons who were fleecing emigrants and the steamship com- panies. They were powerful enough to in- duce President Roosevelt to request his resignation. Recent events have shown the wisdom of Mr. Powderly's course.

In 1893 he was appointed by Governor Pattison, commissioner for Pennsylvania to the Chicago World's Fair, but owing to the exacting duties of his office was obliged to decline. In 1888 he was elected to represent labor at the Paris exposition of 1889, but was obliged to resign. He is the author of "Thirty Years of Labor," the "History of Labor Day," and has been a contributor of able articles to the leading magazines of the United States and England for the last twenty-one years. It is expected that he will resume the practice of law for which he has shown the same marked ability exhibited in the performance of his official duties.

Mr. Powderly married Hannah Dever Sep- tember 19, 1872, who died at Washington, D. C., October 13, 1901.

Edward Merrifield, the subject of this sketch, was born on July 30, 1832, in Hyde Park, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, which now forms a part of Lackawanna county. He is a son of William and Alnira (Swet- land) Merrifield, the former a native of Dutchess county, New York, born April 22,

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The twentieth century bench and bar of Pennsylvania, volume I, Part 27

Author: Publication date: 1903 Publisher: Chicago, H. C. Cooper, jr., bro. & co. Number of Pages: 1102

Author:
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago, H. C. Cooper, jr., bro. & co.
Number of Pages: 1102