The twentieth century bench and bar of Pennsylvania, volume I, Part 36

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

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born at Hudson, N. Y., in January, 1752, and was the oldest son of Darius and Ruth (Cur- tiss) Mead, natives of Connecticut. In 1774 he married Agnes Wilson, of Northumber- land county, Pennsylvania. In 1785 he re- moved to Sunbury, Pa., and purchased sev-

eral tracts of land in the Wyoming valley. In 1786 he was appointed by Governor Mc- Kean, major general of the Fourteenth, and later of the Sixteenth division of the Penn- sylvania militia, and was afterwards reap- pointed to the same position by Governor Snyder. In the war of 1812-15 General Mead rendered most effective military serv- ice at Erie and other places. During the disturbances in the Wyoming valley and the disputes about the title of lands, General Mead was attracted to the rich valley of French creek in northwestern Pennsylvania and visited the same in 1787. In the spring of 1788 he with several others moved with their families to the place subsequently named in his honor. Soon after settling in the place he purchased from the state and obtained patents for three large tracts of land in the French Creek valley, upon parts of which Meadville is located, and at an early date built in Meadville a water-power saw mill and later a grist mill, the first in western Pennsylvania, and operated both most successfully for several years. In 1796 General Mead and Thomas Rees were ap- pointed by Governor Mifflin justices of the peace for Crawford and Erie counties, the terms of their office being "so long as he should live and behave himself well."

Upon the organization of Crawford county, March 12,1800, General Mead was appointed associate judge; he resigned the following December and was reappointed in 1803, and served continuously on the bench until his death in August, 1816.

General Mead was a generous, noble and patriotic citizen. Without much opportunity to attend school, but appreciating the value of education, he early fitted up at his own

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expense a block house in Meadville and in that building the first school in Crawford county was opened in 1798-99. He was mainly instrumental in raising the four thousand dollars to build and establish the Meadville academy and was also one of the charter members in founding Allegheny col- lege, as well as one of its most generous ben- efactors. General Mead possessed an active and vigorous mind, ever active and con- stantly occupied with the offices of life, which richly entitled him to the first posi- tion in the gift of his adopted state. He was the leading spirit of the pioneer band who first settled in the valley of French creek. His name will forever be perpetuated in the city of Meadville, which he founded and fos- tered during the first years of its existence, and his name will be gratefully cherished as one of the pioneer fathers.

John Kelso, the other associate judge at the organization of the court, was a pioneer of Erie county and occupied a prominent place in its civil and military history. He was a brigadier general of militia in the war of 1812-15.

Two associate judges assisted the presi- dent judge from the organization of the county until the office was abolished by the constitution of 1873, though the judges then in office could fill out their full terms. The incumbents were not required to be learned in the law, and in every instance were hon- orable, intelligent business men.

The following is a list of the associate judges of Crawford county, with their terms of service from its organization until the office was abolished :

David Mead, March, 1800, to December, 1800, September, 1803, to August, 1816; John Kelso, March, 1800, to September, 1803; William Bell, December, 1800, to Sep- tember, 1803; Wm. Clark, September, 1803, to December, 1818; John Brooks, 1817 to 1830; James Burchfield, 1819 to 1830; Ste- phen Barlow, 1831 to 1845; John H. Work,

1831 to 1848; John P. Davis, 1845 to 1850; Thomas L. Lowry, 1848 to 1857; John Dick, 1850 to 1853; Samuel S. Adrain, 1851 to 1856; Thos. J. Lowry, 1853 to 1858; Thos. Van Horne, 1856 to 1857; Kennedy Davis, 1858 to 1863; James E. Patton, 1858 to 1863; Wm. Davis (re-elected), 1863 to 1878; Wm. S. Crozier, 1863 to 1868. Edward H. Chase, 1868; re-elected in October, 1873, died be- fore close of his term.

Prior to October, 1850, the several judges were appointed by the governor Under the provisions of an amendment of the constitu- tion in March, 1850, the judges were to be elected by the people and commissioned by the governor.

Under the provisions of the constitution of 1874 the office of associate judge was abol- ished in all countics which constituted a single judicial district. Associate judges in office at the time of the adoption of the con- stitution shall continue in office until the ex- piration of the term for which they have been elected. By the provisions of the act of February 24, 1870, Crawford county was made a separate district to be called the Thirtieth judicial district and to have one judge learned in the law. The provisions continue until the present time.

Attorney General, Etc .- From 1800 to 1850 this official was known by the title of deputy attorney general and the incumbent was ap- pointed by the attorney general of the state. In 1850 the office was made elective and the title changed to district attorney. The fol- lowing have filled the office since the organ- ization of the county :

Henry Baldwin, 1800 to 1804; Edward Work, 1805 to 1806; William Wallace, 1807 to 1808; Patrick Farrelly, 1809 to 1820; Ralph Martin, 1821; George Selden, 1822 to 1823; David Derickson, 1823 to 1829; John W. Farrelly, 1830 to 1836; Gaylord Church, 1837 to 1840; W. H. Davis, 1841 to 1843; Edward Shippen, 1844 to 1846; J. Porter Brawley, 1847 to 1848; Darwin A. Finney,

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1849 to 1850; A. B. Richmond, 1850 to 1853; George W. Hecker, 1853 to 1856; Henry C. Johnson, 1856 to 1859; D. C. McCoy, 1859 to 1862; C. R. Marsh, 1862 to 1865; Harvey Henderson, 1865 to 1868; Samuel M. Davis, 1868, resigned carly in 1869, and Frank P. Ray appointed to serve until election in Oe- tober, 1869; James W. Smith, 1869 to 1872; Jolin J. Henderson, 1872 to 1875; L. C. Beat- ty, 1876 to 1879; George F. Davenport, 1879 to 1881; John B. Compton, 1882 to 1884; A. G. Richmond, 1884 to 1887; James D. Rob- erts, 1887 to 1891; Wesley B. Best, 1891 to 1894; B. B. Piekett, 1894 to 1897; Phillip Willett, 1897 to 1900; Willis R. Vance, 1900, resigned in October, 1901, and Wesley B. Best appointed to fill vacancy for the unex- pired term.

Henry Baldwin was born in New Haven, Conn. He graduated at Yale college in 1797, read law with Alexander Dallas, of Philadelphia, and was there admitted to the bar in 1799; eame to Meadville early in 1800 and assisted in organizing the first court. In 1814 he moved to Pittsburgh. In 1816 Mr. Baldwin was elected to Congress and served continuously in that body until 1828. In 1830 he was appointed by President Jackson associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. This position he held until his death in 1844.

Patrick Farrelly was a native of Ireland, where he was educated. He came to Ameri- ca in 1798, studied law in Lancaster, Pa .; in 1802 removed to Meadville and was ad- initted to the bar in July, 1803. In 1805 he was appointed register and reeorder of Crawford county and clerk of the Orphans' Court. In 1806 he was married to Elizabeth Mead, daughter of Gen. David Mead. Mr. Farrelly was elected to the Legislature in 1811 and served as major of militia in the war of 1812-15. In 1820 he was elected to Congress and re-elected thrice in succession, and died at Pittsburgh on his way to Wash- ington in February, 1826.

Ralph Martin read law and was admitted to the bar in Bueks county, Pa., and came to Meadville in 1801. In 1812 he received a major's commission in the regular army and served efficiently in the war of 1812-15. He was elected to the Legislature in 1815 and served three terms in that body. Subse- quently he returned to the eastern part of the state.

Alexander W. Foster, a prominent and able lawyer, eame to Meadville in 1800 and was admitted to the bar in October of that year. In 1804 he and Roger Alden were the principals in the only duel fought in Craw- ford county. The meeting took place on the bank of French Creek, a little below Mead- ville, and Major Alden was wounded in the cneounter. Dr. Kennedy, of Meadville, and Dr. Wallace, of Erie, were the surgeons in charge. The event created intense exeite- ment in Meadville and vicinity.

George Selden read law with Hon. Horace Binney in Philadelphia and was admitted to the bar in that eity in 1817 and in 1819 he eame to Mcadville. He was an able lawyer, successfully engaged in several kinds of business besides the practice of law. He re- moved to Pittsburgh in 1830 but returned to Meadville in 1835 and died soon after his return.

John Stuart Riddle, son of James Riddle and Ariana Stuart Riddle, born Feb -. ruary 15, 1801, at Chambersburg, Pa. He was educated at Union college, Connecticut, read law with his father Judge James Riddle at Chambersburg, and was admitted to the bar at that place. Soon after his admission to the bar he moved to Meadville and was there admitted to the bar about 1828 and entered at onee upon a vigorous and successful prae- tice. April 30, 1833, he married with Jane Bemis, daughter of Dr. Daniel Bemis of Meadville. Mr. Riddle was a gentleman of great ability, most excellent culture, a dili- gent student and soon took a leading position at the bar of Crawford county ; respected and

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honored by all who knew him. In addition to his profession he became an extensive dealer in real estate and acquired title to large bodies of land in Crawford and adjoining counties. He died suddenly July 7, 1850, at Jones Hotel in Philadelphia, leaving a for- tune to his only daughter, Ariana S., who later intermarried with Col. Thomas B. Ken- nedy, a prominent railroad official at Cham- bersburg, Pa.

John B. Wallace was a native of New Jer- sey, where he read law with his uncle, Hon. Jolin Bradford, at one time attorney general of the United States. He moved to Philadel- phia in 1815 and practiced successfully. He married a sister of Hon. Horace Binney. In 1821 he moved to Meadville and engaged ac- tively in the practice of law in the several courts. He served in the Legislature from 1831 to 1834. In 1835 he returned to Phila- delphia and there he died. Mr. Wallace was a very able lawyer and became eminent in the profession throughout the state. He was attorney for the Holland Land company for several years.

Charles Wilbur Benedict, Titusville, Pa., son of Leander L. Benedict and Julia A. Benedict, born in Priceville, Ohio, Septem- ber 1, 1862. He was educated at Pleasant- ville, Pa., studied law, and was admitted to the bar at Franklin, Pa., August 24, 1884, and to the bar at Meadville, January 10, 1887, and is actively engaged in successful practice in this district.

Edward Work was one of the first attor- neys admitted to the bar at the organization of the courts in Crawford county. He con- tinued to reside in Meadville for a number of years, engaged in many kinds of business in connection with his professional work, amongst which was that of postmaster for several years.

Steele Semple of Pittsburgh rode the cir- cuit in early times and attended every ses- sion of the court in Meadville for many years. He was a lawyer of marked ability

and regarded by his contemporaries as a prodigy of eloquence and learning.

Among the prominent attorneys in Mead- ville, who practiced law in the later part of the nineteenth century and passed away be- fore the dawn of the twentieth, mention should be made, amongst others, of :

Hon. Hiram L. Richmond, who was born in Chautauqua County, New York, in May, 1810. He was a son of Dr. Lawton Rich- mond, an eminent physician in Chautauqua and Crawford counties. In 1834 the family moved to this county. The subject of this sketeh entered Allegheny college, and in 1836 was a student at law under Hon. David Der- ickson and was admitted to the bar in Febru- ary, 1838. In 1872 he was elected to Con- gress by the largest majority ever given in the district. Mr. Richmond was a dilligent student, a fluent and graceful talker, a good lawyer, and for many years enjoyed a lucra- tive practice. He died in Meadville Febru- ary 19, 1885.

Hon. Darwin A. Finney was born in Ver- inont in 1814, came to Meadville in 1840, and attended and graduated from Allegheny col- lege. He read law with Hon. Hiram L. Rich- mond and was admitted to the bar in 1845. Mr. Finney was a very able lawyer, and had the finest analytical mind of any member of the bar in the county and soon after his en- tering upon the practice of his profession se- cured a very large and influential clientage. Mr. Finney was elected to the State Senate of Pennsylvania in 1855 and served in that body with marked ability until 1861. In 1866 he was elected to Congress, but before the expiration of his term went to Europe to recuperate his health and there died in 1868.

William Reynolds, son of John and Jane J. Reynolds, was born in Meadville, Pa., April 25, 1820; he was educated at Jefferson col- lege and Allegheny college and graduated there in 1837. He studied law and was ad- initted to the bar of this county in April, 1841, but devoted most of his attention to

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business enterprises. In 1850-51 he was man- aging director of the Meadville, Allegheny and Edinboro Plank Road company. In 1852 Mr. Reynolds became interested in the project of bringing a line of railway through Crawford county, connecting the railroads of New York and Ohio. Various negotia- tions were carried on during the next five years, and in May, 1857, the Meadville Rail- road company was ineorporated, the fran- chises and work of the Pittsburgh company were transferred to it and Mr. Reynolds was elected president of the new company and engaged in the work of construction. His company purchased the franchises of the Erie & New York City Railroad company and changed the name to the Atlantie & Great Western Railroad company, with Mr. Rey- nolds as president. The railroad was eom- pleted to Meadville in October, 1862. This enterprise from its inception to its eomple- tion, a grand trunk line from Salamanca, N. Y., through Meadville to Youngstown, Ohio, now part of the main line of the Erie Rail- road, was largely due to the ability and en- ergy of Mr. Reynolds. In 1866 the ehar- ter of Meadville was changed from a borough to a city, and Mr. Reynolds was elected the first mayor. He is now and has been for many years the president of the Meadville Gas & Water company, of the Meadville Library, Art and Historical association, trus- tee of Allegheny college, director of the Mer- chants National Bank and continues to main- tain his mental and physieal vigor.

Almon B. Richmond, son of Dr. Lawton Richmond and Sarah Richmond, was born at Allenville, Ind., April 25, 1825. He was edu-' cated at Allegheny college in Meadville; af- ter graduating therefrom at the head of his class he was engaged in lecturing through the country on chemistry and philosophy, studied law and was admitted to the bar in April, 1848. He was elected district attor- ney in 1850 and served with marked ability to the end of the term. Mr. Richmond has

fine abilities and eulture, was a diligent student, with the finest and best memory, which he cultivated to the highest degree ; he was a most eloquent and popular lecturer on the sciences, temperance and law, and was justly known throughout the country as an able advocate and especially as a lawyer for the trial of criminal cases. He has been engaged in the trial in many different courts of over one hundred cases of homieide.

Joshua Douglass, son of Joshua and Mar- tha Douglass, of New England, was born near Rochester, N. Y., August 1, 1826. In 1832 the family moved to Meadville, Pa. The sub- ject of this sketeh attended district school and later the Meadville academy, graduating there in 1848; went overland to California in 1850, returned in 1851, and taught distriet school in 1851-2. Mr. Douglass studied law under Hon. A. B. Richmond, and was ad- mitted to the bar of Crawford eounty in April, 1854, entered into partnership in 1856 with Hon. Darwin A. Finney and continued same for eleven years, admitted to the Su- preme Court of the state in 1856, to the United States Cireuit and Distriet Court for the Western District of Pennsyl- vania in 1858, and later to the Su- preme Court of the United States. Mr. Douglass was a member of the board of school controllers of the city of Meadville, Pa., from 1855 to 1864. He is now and has been for many years one of the trustees of the Meadville Theological school. In 1852 he was a delegate to the Free Soil national con- vention at Pittsburgh, that nominated John P. Hale for president of the United States. He was also a delegate to the Republican na- tional eonvention at Minneapolis in 1892 that nominated Benjamin Harrison for president. He was president of the Bank of Crawford County in 1865-67, and prepared the pro- ceedings to change from a state to a national bank. In 1866 and on he was one of the or- ganizers, directors and the solieitor of the Allegheny Transportation company. The pro-

Joshua Douglass

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CRAWFORD COUNTY

moters of this company laid the first iron pipe in Pennsylvania for the transportation of petroleum from the wells to the railroads and boats for transportation to market. Soon after the experiment proved successful other lines of pipe were laid in the western Penn- sylvania oil distriet. Most of these other lines were purchased and others consolidated and the name of the company changed in 1871 to the Pennsylvania Transportation company. Many lines of pipe were laid and many thousand barrels of oil transported by this company's lines. In 1876 the company resolved to construct pipe lines for the trans- portation of petroleum from the western Pennsylvania oil district to the Atlantic sca- board and procceded to execute bonds in the sum of $1,000,000, secured by a mortgage upon the franchises and property of the com- pany, to secure same and to appropriate the procceds to the construction of pipe lines to the seaboard. The whole concern subsc- quently absorbed by the Standard Oil Co. Mr. Douglass was solicitor for the company during its entire existence and . successfully conducted its legal business and very many litigations for the company, growing out of its extensive business opera- tions. In 1870 he managed the reorganiza- tion of the Union & Titusville railroad, was the solicitor and one of the directors of the company and connected with the construc- tion and operation of the road from Union City to Titusville and successfully conducted much important litigation connected with the extensive operations of this company. The same year he was one of the promoters, direc- tors and the solicitor for the Titusville & Petroleum Centre railroad and for several years successfully conducted important liti- gation which involved the existence of the company and the construction of the road. In 1889 he visited the Paris exposition and journeyed through many parts of Europe.

Mr. Douglass has been and still is a dili- gent student; his conduct of the legal busi-

ness of the several enterprises with which he has been connected, the conduct of his office business, and his clients' business in the sev- eral courts has thoroughly engrossed his time and energies. He is still engaged in the prac- tice of his chosen profession.

B. B. Pickett, son of Benjamin and Lydia Ophelia Pickett, was born October 8, 1822, at Andover, Ohio. He attended public schools, Cannonsburg college, Pennsylvania, and Al- legheny college; afterward taught school sev- eral years, read law with Senator Wade and Judge Renmey, and was admitted to the bar at Jefferson, Ohio. Later Mr. Pickett moved to Newcastle, Pa., where he served as district attorney of Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, for three years, then moved to Meadville and was admitted to the bar here in February, 1865. He has retired from ac- tive practice, turning his business over to his son, B. B. Pickett, Jr.

Myron Park Davis, son of Hon. John P. and Mary Davis, was born March 29, 1836, in Meadville, Pa., and received his education in the Meadville schools and Allegheny col- lege. After graduating therefrom he was em- ployed as a civil engineer on the Erie & Pitts- burgh railroad. He studied law and was ad- mitted to the bar at Meadville November 23, 1859 ; was clerk in the census office at Wash- ington, D. C., 1860-63; mayor of the city of Meadville 1875; was re-elected and served two full terms; was city solicitor in 1875, and continues to successfully practice his profession.

James Wilson Smith, son of Jacob and Mary Compton Smith, was born January 5, 1840, in Wilson county, Tennessee, educated at Allegheny college, Meadville, Pa., studied law at Cumberland University at Lebanon, Tenn .: at Cleveland law school and in the of- fice of Finney & Donglass in Meadville, Pa .. and was admitted to the bar April 9. 1862. He enlisted in Company B, Eighteenth Regiment Pennsylvania Cav- alry Volunteers, September 19, 1862, was

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mustered as second lieutenant, promoted to first lieutenant and then to captain of the company, and was discharged February 25, 1864. He served in the first brigade, third division cavalry corps under Generals Kil- patrick, Wilson and Custer. These officers each commanded the Division Custer in Shenandoah Valley, 1864-5. Mr. Smith was elected district attorney of Crawford county in 1869 and served the full term, was city at- torney in Meadville 1878, 1879, 1880, 1886, 1887, and a member of the school board and treasurer many years. He continues in the active and successful practice of his chosen profession.

Franklin P. Ray, son of James and Mrs. J. A. Ray, was born July 30, 1838, near Quincy, Ill. He was educated at the public schools and Allegheny college, and after graduating there was engaged in teaching school. He studied law with Finney & Douglass, and was admitted to the bar at Meadville, Pa., August 11, 1862. Mr. Ray was a member of Company K, Pennsylvania Volunteers (W. W. Rice, captain), and was district attorney of Crawford county by appointment in 1869, was elected to the Legislature in the fall of 1902 and served through the succeeding session to the satisfaction of his constituents and fellow members. Mr. Ray is at present solicitor for the Erie railroad in the Craw- in successful practice of his profession.

George A. Chase, son of Joseph L. and ford county district, and is actively engaged . Susan J. Chase, was born December 6, 1844.

John Newton McCloskey, son of John and Margaret McCloskey, was born March 17, 1840, at Saegertown, Pa. He was educated in the common schools and at the State nor- mal school at Edinboro, Pa. After graduat- ing he was engaged several years in teaching school. He studied law and was admitted to the bar at Meadville, Pa., August 17, 1866, and continues in the active practice of his profession.

George W. Haskins, son of James B. and Jemima Haskins, was born May 29, 1842, in Randolph township, Crawford county, Penn-

sylvania, and was educated in the common schools, the Meadville academy and Alle- gheny college. After graduating therefrom he taught in the Meadville high school for several years. Afterward Mr. Haskins stud- ied law with Heancy Henderson, Esq., and was admitted to the bar in Meadville August 22, 1867. He was employed as professor of Latin in Allegheny college. Later, in company with John O. MeClintock, Esq., he engaged actively and most success- fully in professional practice.

Christian M. Boush, son of Carl M. and So- phia Boush, was born March 19, 1831, in Mundelsheim, Wurtemburg, Germany, and was educated at the Polytechnic school at Esslingen and University Tubingen, Wur- temburg, Germany. After leaving the uni- versity he was engaged in the mercan- tile business in Germany and later in the United States. Mr. Boush studied law and was admitted to the bar in Mead- ville, June 11, 1868, and has continued to practice his profession with diligence, carn- estness and success. Mr. Boush is and has been for several years clerk and treasurer of the Meadville City Hospital, is attorney and treasurer of church building funds of the Board of Home Missions of the German Rc- formed church in the United States.

in Titusville, Pa. IIe was educated in the schools of Titusville and at Allegheny col- lege, graduating therefrom in June, 1865. After this he entered upon the study of law and was admitted to the bar of Crawford county, Pennsylvania, June 3. 1868 ; January 16, 1872, to the United States Circuit and District Courts for Western District of Penn- sylvania; November 3, 1873, to the Supreme Court of this state, and March 28, 1893, to the Supreme Court of the United States. Mr. Chase was city clerk of Titusville, Pa., 1869- 72; city solicitor 1888-98; appointed United States commissioner in 1873 and continues

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The twentieth century bench and bar of Pennsylvania, volume I, Part 36

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