The twentieth century bench and bar of Pennsylvania, volume I, Part 28

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

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1806, and the latter a native of Wyoming, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, born Jan- mary 5, 1805. They were married at Wyo- ming April 14, 1831.

During his boyhood Edward clerked in his father's store and attended the public schools; he afterwards attended Wyoming seminary at Kingston, Pa., and still later was a student of Oxford academy in Che- nango county, New York, becoming profi- cient in the English studies, higher mathe- matics and Latin. He began his legal studies. in the law school of Judge McCartney at Easton, Pa., afterwards studied in the office of Harrison and Caleb E. Wright, at Wilkes- Barre, and in August, 1855, was admitted to the Luzerne county bar. Opening an office in Scranton, Mr. Merrifield engaged in a general civil practice and carried it on with good success. He was for about two years (1875-77) associated with Henry A. Knapp, under the firm name of Merrifield & Knapp, but otherwise has conducted his practice in his own name, becoming widely known as a safe and reliable counselor and a skillful trial lawyer. He has been connected with many litigated cases involving questions of vital importance; for example, the case in- volving the Hyde Park bounty tax; another touching the question of the election of poor directors; another relating to the appoint- ment of the first president judge of Lacka- wanna county ; also the Equity case, contest- ing the legality of the new county act, and many others. To him perhaps more than to any other one man is due the credit of the establishment of Lackawanna county. Du- ring the long and trying controversy he was ever ready with his pen, his purse and his time for the attainment of the object.

Mr. Merrifield is a Democrat in politics, but has given no special attention to office seeking. In 1870 he was Democratic candi- (late for the office of recorder of the mayor's court of Scranton, candidate for judge of the court of common pleas of Lackawanna

county, in 1884; and in 1894 and 1896 was put forward by his party as a candidate for the United States Congress.

Mr. Merrifield is a man of financial ability, has been connected with various public en- terprises ; is a large land owner, and in the true sense, a man of large affairs as well as an able and successful lawyer; withal he is modest and unassuming and universally re- spected and beloved. He is a man of fine literary tastes and attainments and has con- tributed to the public press many able arti- cles of popular interest. He was for a long time president of the Law and Library As- sociation, and with his family is affiliated with the Episcopal church.

On November 20, 1855, Mr. Merrifield married Miss Arcelli J. Eldridge, of Owego, N. Y. Their only child, Jessie M., is the wife of Mr. John H. Blackwood, and resides in Washington, D. C. (Sketch by R. B. Twiss.)

Hon. John Handley, formerly president judge of the Forty-fifth judicial district, came to Scranton in 1860. He was entirely reticent as to his nativity or his age, but is supposed to have come originally from Ire- land. Hc commenced the study of law at the Columbia college law school and finished his course at Washington, D. C., where he was admitted as an attorney to the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia. He was admitted to the Luzerne county bar August 21, 1860, and immediately opened an office at Scranton. In a few years he established a lucrative practice, especially during the Civil war, when he was engaged as attorney for men who had been drafted into the mili- tary service, and as such acquired consider- able wealth. In 1874 he ran on the Demo- cratic ticket, and was elected additional law judge of Luzerne county. After the creation of Lackawanna county and a subsequent act making it a separate judicial district, he being a resident of the latter county, was by virtue of the law commissioned president judge thereof, in which position he officiated

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during the remainder of his term. In 1884 he was an independent candidate for re- election but was defeated by Judge Arch- bald. His judicial career was not eminently successful. His conception of law was con- sidered crude, often incongruous, and gave rise to a great deal of adverse criticism. As a business man and money getter his success was remarkable. He carly foresaw the pos- sibilities of Scranton, invested largely in real estate, and in a comparatively short time amassed a great fortune. Aside from his fierce opposition to the creation of Lacka- wanna county, he was public spirited, and was a liberal contributor to the various churches and public charities. Judge Hand- ley was married when he came to Scranton, but a separation took place not long after. He died in February, 1895. His remains were buried in Winchester, Virginia, accord- ing to the directions contained in his will, and to which town he bequeathed the bulk of his property.

Aretus H. Winton was born in Hyde Park, Pa., now part of Scranton, November 17, 1838, and died on the 2d day of February, 1896. His father was William W. Winton, a prominent business man and capitalist of Scranton ; and his mother Catharine, dangh- ter of Henry Heermans. The subject of this sketch received his education at Wyoming seminary, Phillips academy and Williston seminary, Massachusetts, and graduated at Mt. Washington college, the valedictorian of his class. He read law with David R. Ran- dall, and was admitted to the bar of Luzerne county, August 22, 1860, then entered the office of Judge Garrick M. Harding at Wilkesbarre. His first plea at the bar was in the celebrated Corwin murder case, which immediately established him as a forcible and eloquent pleader. He afterwards opened an office in Scranton, where he was admitted to the Mayor's Court on the 1st of October, 1866. He was engaged either as associate or leading counsel in many of the important

cases, both civil and criminal. He was methodical in his business, and a brilliant advocate. In polities he usually acted with the Republicans. In 1877 he was nominated by the State Prohibition party as its candi- date for justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. For a number of years he was treasurer of the Seranton Law & Li- brary Association and held the same position in the Cour de Lion Commandery. Mr. Winton was one of the most effective work- ers and uncompromising advocates for the success of the establishment of Lackawanna county. He married Alice, daughter of Samuel P. Collings, late of Wilkesbarre, on the 9th of May, 1865. Their children are Catharine (now married to Dr. Murray) and Elsie B. C. Winton.

Milo J. Wilson was one of the most re- liable lawyers of Scranton. He was a native of Factoryville, Wyoming county. Pennsyl- vania, and was born January 31, 1838. He is a descendant of revolutionary stock. Ilis father was Doctor John Wilson and his mother Elsa (Capwell) Wilson. IIe was educated at Waverly academy, Pennsyl- vania, and New York Central college, where he graduated in the class of 1858. The same year he entered the law offices of R. B. Little and W. M. Post at Montrose, Pa., and was admitted to the Susquehanna county bar August 20, 1860. He then went to St. Louis, Mo., where he practiced his profession until the spring of 1862, when he joined the Ninety-fourth Regiment, Ohio Volunteers. Among other engagements Mr. Wilson was in the battles of Perryville and Murfresboro, and subsequently became sergeant major in Fortress Rosecrans, where he served until the end of the war. In 1867 he came to Scranton and opened a law office, where he was admitted to the Mayor's Court at Feb- ruary term, 1868; and became a member of the Luzerne bar April 9. 1868. He formed a co-partnership with C. G. Vanfleet under the name of Wilson & Vanfleet. In the

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spring of 1875 Mr. Wilson was the Repub- lican candidate for mayor of the city. Al- though in the minority party he came near being elected. No man enjoyed the con- fidence and esteem of his fellow citizens more than he. As a lawyer he was learned, upright and able. During the latter years of his life he was attorney for the Scranton Savings Bank & Trust Company. He was married to Ellen S. Warren August 29, 1865. He died October 14, 1898, universally be- loved.

Ira H. Burns is one of the most unique characters and ablest lawyers of Lacka- wanna county. He is a native of Clifford, Susquehanna eounty, Pennsylvania, which has been somewhat bountiful in its supply of lawyers for Seranton. He is of Scotch-Irish desecnt and was born July 19, 1842. He is a son of Ellery and Harriet (Clawson) Burns, and was educated in the public schools of Herriek and at the academy at Great Bend, Pa. He entered as a student in the law office of Bentley & Fiteh at Mont- rose, Pa., and was admitted to the Susque- hanna eounty bar at the August term of court, 1864. In 1866 he opened an offiee in Scranton and was admitted to the Mayor's Court on the first of October of the same year. On the 21st of January, 1868, he was admitted to the Luzerne county bar. Mr. Burns ranks very highly as a lawyer and a eitizen, and to enumerate the important eases in which he has figured both in the County and State Supreme Court, would be a work of supererogation. He was one of the counsel for the private coal operators before the celebrated Anthracite Commission, and the final plea that he made was universally regarded as one of the ablest and most argumentative that was presented. In his earlier days he devoted considerable time to writing Demoeratie editorials. He wields a caustic pen, and always commanded atten- tion. He was the eandidate of his party for the legislature in 1876. He filled the

position of city solicitor of Scranton for twelve or fifteen years. On the 31st of January, 1867, he married Eveline F. Barnes, by whom he has a family of seven children.

Hon. William H. Stanton was another of the judges of Luzerne at the time of the ercation of Lackawanna county, and a resi- dent in the territory of the latter, and who under the statute beeame a judge thereof. He was born in New York in July, 1843. His father, William Stanton, eame at an carly date to the Lackawanna valley, where his son William H. attended the public sehools and completed his education at St. Joseph's college, Susquehanna county, Penn- sylvania. He read law with Hon. W. G. Ward, was admitted to the bar in September, 1868, and was elected prosecuting attorney of the Mayor's Court of Scranton in 1872 and 1874. In 1875 was elected a Senator of Pennsylvania and in 1876 was chosen a rep- resentative in Congress to fill an unexpired term. In 1877 he was made the candidate of the Labor party for judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Luzerne county and was elected. He resigned the position in 1879 and thereafter praeticed his profession at Scranton, Pa. He did not seem to have that judicial temperament necessary for the successful judge. Polities was his forte. As a politieal writer he was ready and decidedly able. In 1870 he became the editor of the Seranton Daily Times, which he conducted with marked ability for about two years. He was subsequently a frequent contributor to other publications. He married Anna M. Allen, August 16, 1869, by whom he had five children. He died at Scranton, Mareh 28, 1900.

Hon. Willoughby W. Watson .- One of the busy lawyers of Seranton is W. W. Watson, a native of New Milford, Pa., born October 6, 1842. He is the son of Walter and Can- dace Watson and was edueated in the sehools of his native town, Susquehanna seminary, and Millersville State normal

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school. He began the study of law in the office of Bentley & Fitch, two noted lawyers of Montrose, Pa. In November, 1868, he became a member of the Susquehanna county bar, where he practiced successfully for a number of years. In the meantime he was elected county superintendent of com- mon schools for Susquehanna county, and subsequently was elected to the Senate of Pennsylvania, in which body he took quite a prominent position. After the establish- ment of Lackawanna county he came to Scranton and opened an office, where he entered into the general practice of law and became identified with several corporations. The large clientage which Mr. Watson has is a sufficient indication of the care in which he takes charge of the interests entrusted to him and of the able manner in which he presents his cases in court. He is the senior member of the firm of Watson, Diehl & Kemmerer. Mr. Watson is closely identified with the Traders' National Bank, one of the stable banking institutions of the city. On the 26th of November, 1868, he was married to Annie M. Kemmerer. His son, Albert L., is a partner in the firm above noted.

Albert L. Watson is a son of W. W. Wat- son, whose sketch is found elsewhere. He was born at Montrose December 6, 1876. He was educated at Lawrenceville, N. J., and in Amherst college, Massachusetts. He was a law student in the office of Watson & Diehl, with whom he is now a partner, and was admitted to the Lackawanna bar December 10, 1902. He married Miss Mable Wheeler, January 9, 1902.

Joseph F. Gilroy is a native of Williams- port, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, where he was born November 3, 1872. He is the son of John G. and Frances M. (Seybert) Gilroy and was educated at the high school of his native place, and at Dickinson college, Carlisle. He was a student at law in the office of H. C. MeCormick, Williamsport; the Dickinson law school; and became a member

of the Cumberland county bar in June, 1896. He is now a member of the Lackawanna bar and is practicing at Scranton. September 4, 1902, he married Virginia T. MeIntyre.

Everett Warren was born in Seranton. Pa., August 27, 1859, son of Harris Franklin and Marion Margery (Griffin) Warren. His father was one of the early settlers of the town, locating there in 1853, when the popu- lation comprised less than one thousand. The boy received his education at the public schools, and in order to prepare himself for admission to college, studied Latin and Greck in Merrill's academic school, paving for his tuition with his earnings as a carrier boy for the Scranton "Republican and Times," then conducted by Augustus Chase. He afterwards acted as clerk and office boy, first in A. H. Winton's law office, afterwards in that of Hand & Post, paying over three- fourths of his modest salary to Mr. Brank Bentley, who was tutoring him for Yale dur- ing his spare time in the evenings. Entering the university under difficulties in 1877 Mr. Warren distinguished himself in his literary and forsenic studies and graduated in 1881. A year later he was admitted to the bar, and entered into partnership with E. N. Willard under the firm name of Willard & Warren. to which in 1892 Judge H. A. Knapp was admitted as a third member. In 1881 Mr. Warren enlisted as a private in Company A. of the crack Thirteenth Regiment of the Pennsylvania National Guard, under Cap- tain, now Lieutenant Governor, Louis A. Watres. After three years' service in the ranks, he became sergeant-major, then ad- jutant, and finally judge advocate of the Third brigade, with the rank of major on Gen. J. P. S. Gobin's staff. After a con- tinuous service of over ten years. Major Warren resigned as judge advocate in 1891 and withdrew from the guard. When, in 1887, in the old Chickering hall, in New York, there assembled the first convention of the newly-organized National League of

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Republiean clubs, Major Warren was present as a delegate from the Central Republican club of Seranton, together with Hon. Louis A. Watres: and in the subsequent election of National League offieers was the unanimous ehoiee of the Pennsylvania delegation for treasurer. In the following April, when the state league organized at Laneaster, by the election of Hon. Edwin S. Stuart, of Phila- delphia, as president, Major Warren was chosen the first of three vice-presidents. At · the Reading convention, one year ago, Major Warren was again chosen one of the viee- presidents of the league, and his eleetion to the presideney at the Harrisburg convention in 1894 was a well-deserved promotion. He was re-elected in 1895. Hle is the trial law- yer for the firm, which has the largest prae- tiee in the eounty and seetion. He was mar- ried at Seranton, May 3, 1883, to Ellen Hower Willard, daughter of Hon. E. N. Wil- lard and Ellen Hower. They have one son and two daughters. (Sketeh by A. S. Cooper.)

Hon. Francis D. Collins .- The subject of this sketeh was a son of Thomas Collins, who was an associate judge of Luzerne eounty. He was born in Saugerties, N. Y., March 5, 1844. He came with his parents to Dunmore. Ile was edueated at St. Joseph's college, Sus- quehanna county, and at Wyoming seminary, Kingston, Pa. He was admitted to the Mayor's Court of Seranton at the Deeember term, 1866, and to the bar of Luzerne eounty, December 24, 1866, when he eommeneed praetiee at Seranton. Very early in life he devoted his attention to polities, and few men of his years ever met with greater sue- eess. In 1869 he was elected by the Demo- eratie party distriet attorney of the Mayor's Court. In 1872 he was elected State Senator in the Thirteenth Senatorial distriet. In 1874 became a member of Congress from the then Eleventh Pennsylvania distriet, and . taining a certain degree of popularity which was re-elected in 1876. In 1879 he was nomi- nated by the Democratic party for president judge of Laekawanna eounty and in 1888

was the nominee for Congress from the Twelfth district, but in both instances was defeated. He was an intelligent and a re- markably shrewd man, having to a marked degree that excellent qualifieation, good common sense. He died on the 21st day of November, 1891.

John M. Corbett was born at Scranton, April 11, 1868, son of James and Sarah A. Corbett. He was educated at the school of the Lackawanna and beeame a law student in the office of Hon. Lemuel Ammerman. On the 14th of March, 1902, he was admitted to the Lackawanna bar, when he opened an offiee in Scranton. He is a prominent Demo- erat and for two terms held the position of deputy eity eontroller.

John B. Collings was born in Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne eounty, Pennsylvania, December 17, 1846, and died at Seranton, Mareh 9, 1903. He was the son of Samuel P. Collings, a dis- tinguished editor and writer. His mother was Elizabeth Beaumont, daughter of Auf- drew Beaumont, an eminent politieian of the early days. John B. received his edueation at the Dana academy at Wilkes-Barre, and Wyoming seminary, Kingston, Pa. He was a student in the office of George R. Bedford, and was admitted to the bar of Luzerne eounty Mareh 2, 1870. He opened an office in Seranton in 1874, and soon beeame promi- nent in his profession. He was seeretary to his unele, Admiral J. C. Beaumont, and ae- companied him on an important European trip on one of the United States monitors. He was the Demoeratie candidate for prose- euting attorney of Luzerne eounty in 1873, also for the same offiee in Lackawanna county in 1888. He was a politieian of the old school, honest in his eonvietions, and fearless in denunciation of triekery and sham, which perhaps deterred him from at- seems to be an element for modern political sueeess. He was a great student. not only of law, but of history and literature, and

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the scintillations of his bright intellect as they came forth in his legal battles, and private conversations, stamped him as an intellectual genius. IIe was a bachelor.

Wesley H. Gearhart was born in Rush, Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, De- cember 8, 1839. He was educated at the Danville academy, Danville, Pa., and at Dick- inson seminary, Williamsport, Pa., gradua- ting from the latter in 1862. He studied law with Hon. Paul Leidy Danville, and was ad- mitted to the bar of Montour county in De- cember, 1865. After practicing at Reading, Pa., about three years he removed to Scran- ton, Pa., where he still resides. He was ad- mitted to the Mayor's Court at the April term, 1869. His practice increased rapidly, as was evidenced by a gratifying degree of prosperity. Of late years he has been connected with a large coaling operation, and to which he has devoted a great deal of his time. He was for a time in the state military service during the civil war. His father was Charles Gearhart and his mother Sarah Metler, who is still living. On the 3d of May, 1866, he married Mary E. Kipp, by whom he has four children living, Edwin W., Lillian, James K. and Mary R.

Edward B. Sturges, a typical New Eng- lander, was born in Greenfield IIill, Fairfield county, Connecticut, February 15, 1845. His father was the Rev. Thomas B. Sturges and his mother was Hannah W., daughter of Chauncey Baker. He completed his educa- tion at the college of New York, then en- tered the law office of J. D. Alvord, Bridge- port, Conn., and in February, 1867, was ad- mitted to the Fairfield county bar. He sub- sequently settled in Scranton and was ad- mitted to the bar at the September term, 1869, of the Mayor's Court, and to the Lu- zerne bar August 19, 1869. He was not long in securing a large and lucrative practice. A man with a thorough knowledge of the law untiring industry, and a pleader with re- markably persuasive powers, he made a mark

in his profession that few attain; yet for all that he wearied of the practice, and drifted off into business transactions; so that he is now known as one of our most public spirited citizens and able financiers. He was instru- mental in building the Scranton Suburban Railway, one of the first electric railways in the United States; and is a leading spirit in a number of other large corporations of the city. He has at times been active in politics, not as an office seeker, but always with the view of trying to clevate the political stand- ard. In 1901 he was taken up by the Re- publican party and elected to the office of jury commissioner, which he accepted somc- what at the sacrifice of business interests, hoping that he might be instrumental in helping to select a higher standard of men for this most important duty. He is promi- nent in a number of charitable institutions of the city, and a leading member of the Green-Ridge Presbyterian church. In 1863 he volunteered, and served as a soldier in the war for the union. On the 2d of Sept., 1873, he was married to Marion Sanderson. Their children are Clarence B., George S. and Anna Sturges.

Hon. Daniel W. Connolly was born at Co- checton, Sullivan county, New York, April 24, 1847, and died at Scranton December 4. 1894. His father was John Connolly, a na- tive of Ireland; and his mother's maiden name was Ann Adelia Allyn, born in Mont- gomery, Mass. Daniel W. was educated in the public schools of Hyde Park, now the west end of Scranton. He read law in the office of Aaron A. Chase and was admitted to the bar of Luzerne county May 10, 1870, and to the Mayors' Court of Scranton at May term, 1870. He was talented and studious and soon attained a high place in the profession. He was the senior member of the firm of D. W. & J. F. Connolly, subse- quently a partner with J. Alton Davis. He was a fluent and forcible speaker. especially in the political field, where he became very

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prominent. He was a candidate for district attorney of the Mayor's Court at one time; thirce times the nominee of the Democratic party for Congress in the Twelfth district of Pennsylvania, and in 1882 was elected. He made a very creditable member. In 1885 he was appointed by President Cleveland postmaster of Scranton. His first wife died at an early date and in 1882 he married Alma, daughter of William Price, by whom he had six children.

Hon. Frederick W. Gunster, who was elect- ed one of the judges of Lackawanna county at the fall election of 1888, is a native of Lockweiler, Prussia, born September 15, 1845. His father was Peter Gunster and his mother Mary (Birtel) Gunster. They emi- grated to America in 1853 and settled in Scranton. Judge Gunster attended the pub- lic schools of Scranton and graduated with distinction at Williams college, Massachu- setts, in the class of 1867, having been ap- pointed by the faculty to deliver the philo- sophical oration. He read law with the late Judge Ward and was admitted to the Luzerne bar November 10, 1868, and to the Mayor's Court of Scranton at .September term, 1868. In 1878 and '79 he was district attorney of Lackawanna county. and in the years 1875 and '76 was a member of the House of Rep- resentatives of Pennsylvania. He at one time was solicitor of the city of Scranton, and for fourteen years attorney of the school board; and in 1872 was the Democratic nominee for presidential elector. Early in 1888 he was appointed additional law judge to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resigna- tion of Hon. Alfred Hand, and clected at the ensuing election as before noted; also re- elected for a second term in 1898. Judge Gunster was a man of great learning and a lawyer of unquestioned ability, especially as an advocate he liad few superiors. As a judge he fulfilled the duties of the office with eminent satisfaction. He was a faithful and efficient advocate in the memorable contest

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The twentieth century bench and bar of Pennsylvania, volume I, Part 28

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