The twentieth century bench and bar of Pennsylvania, volume I, Part 41

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

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M. Barton, January 11, 1858; Samuel M. Woodcock, August 2, 1858; Samuel Lyon, October 19, 1858; George A. Smith, August 4, 1860; Ross Forward, October 24, 1860; J. Nelson Sipes,* April 5, 1861; James B. Sansom, April 8, 1862; I. H. McCauley, April 8, 1863; J. W. Dickerson, January 17, 1868; J. B. Cessna, January 17, 1868 ; H. E. Shaffer, August 7, 1868; William Adams, January 11, 1870; J. R. Durborrow, April 5, 1870; John A. Hyssong, April 5, 1870 ; John A. Robinson, April 7, 1870; W. Scott Alexander,* October 19, 1870; M. A. Points, April 5, 1871; H. D. Tate, April 7, 1871; G. W. Z. Black, April 10, 1871; D. S. Elliott, April 7, 1874; James M. Weakley, October 5, 1875; Charles A. Barnet, October 5, 1875; W. Lee Woodcock, October 6, 1875; John C. Graham, January 11, 1876; W. H. Sechler, April 10, 1877; John A. McKec, June 11, 1877; Wm. B. Skinner, June 11, 1877; John C. Alexander, October 8, 1878; Dwight Marcey, October 9, 1878; Wm. McGovern, June 9, 1879; George W. Skinner, June 9, 1879; Thomas F. Sloan,* June 10, 1879; John P. Sipes,* October 9, 1879; W. Rush Gillan, October 21, 1879; W. J. Zacharias, April 11, 1882; F. Mc- Naughton Johnston, October 8, 1883; M. Williams, April 16, 1884; E. Homer Cun- ningham, January 13, 1885; George W. Ath- erton, April 7, 1885; R. C. McNamara, Au- gust 11, 1885; M. R. Shaffner,* August 11, 1885; John H. Jordan, October 13, 1885; L. H. Beers, October 15, 1885; T. Speer Dickson, March 16, 1886; Jere B. Cutchall, June 16, 1886; McClellan D. Skinner, Jan- uary 16, 1889; John H. Miller, October 7, 1889; John M. Reynolds, January 14, 1890; E. M. Pennell, January 14, 1890; James K. Lewis, March 20, 1890; George B. Daniels,* October 10, 1890; H. C. Madden, January 10, 1893; Walter K. Sharpe, October 10, 1893; Win. S. Hoerner, January 9, 1894; Harry Cessna, June 11, 1895; W. S. Saddler, October 9, 1895: Albert L. Lehman, October 9, 1895; S. W. Kirk,* October 6, 1896; Irwin

W. SCOTT ALEXANDER.

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FULTON COUNTY

C. Elder, March 15, 1897; Wmn. Alexander, June 15, 1897; Charles W. Mclaughlin, October 4, 1897; Charles Henry Wissner, October 4, 1897; Charles A. Suesserott, October 11, 1901.

Walter Scott Alexander was born March 13, 1847, in Broad Top township, Bedford county-now Wells township, Fulton county. He received his education in the common schools and at Tuscarora academy, in Juniata county. He entered the Huntingdon Globe printing office, but was compelled to aban- don the business, and engaged in teaching. He was principal of the McConnellsburg high school for the last three years of his teaching. Ile studied law with Hon. John Cessna, of Bedford, and was admitted to the Fulton county bar October 19, 1870. On his admission to the bar, he went to Ohio, where he practiced one year, then returned to Mc- Connellsburg, where he has since practiced his profession, excepting two years spent in Altoona. He has devoted considerable at- tention to journalism and politics, and in 1872-73 was editor and proprietor of the "Fulton Republican." He was elected dis- trict attorney in 1876, and in 1886 he was elected State Senator in the Thirty-sixth district, composed of the counties of Bed- ford, Fulton and Somerset.

John Nelson Sipes was born in Licking Creek township, Fulton county, April 23, 1837. He was educated in the common schools and at a private school at Hancock, Md., and at Juniata academy, Shirleysburg, Pa. He studied law under William C. Logan, and Cessna & Barton, in McConnells- burg, and was admitted to practice in the courts of the county April 5, 1861. He was twice elected district attorney, in 1864 and 1873, and served several years as county solicitor. Mr. Sipes was the first native of the county who received his legal education. within the county to be admitted to the Ful- ton county bar. He is at present president of the Fulton County bank.

Thomas Franklin Sloan was born in Tod township, Fulton county, August 26, 1848. After receiving a common school education, he learned telegraphing, being one of the pioneer operators. In 1864 he became man- ager of the Atlantic & Ohio Telegraph com- pany, at McConnellsburg, and, in 1866, when the company merged into the Western Union, he became manager of the latter company, which position he now holds. He read law with Hon. W. Scott Alexander, in McConnellsburg, and was admitted to prac- tice June 10, 1879.

Milford Ray Shaffner was born in Brady township, Huntingdon county, October 5, 1856. He received his education in the com- mon schools and at Wittenburg college; studied law with Brown & Bailey, of Hun- tingdon, and was admitted to the Hunting- don county bar in October, 1881, and to the Fulton county bar August 11, 1885.

John Pittman Sipes was born in Licking, Creek township, Fulton county, January 25, 1857. He was educated in the common schools and at the Shippensburg State Nor- mal school, and for six years taught in the public schools of Fulton county. After reading law with George H. Spang, of Bed- ford, and Smith & Robinson, in McConnells- burg, he was admitted to the bar October 9, 1879. He served six years as clerk to the county commissioners, was twice elected district attorney, in 1882 and 1888, and served twelve years as county solicitor.

George Barton Daniels was born in Lick- ing Creek township, Fulton county, Feb- ruary 5, 1864. He was educated in the common schools and county normal schools ; read law with John P. Sipes, in McConnells- burg, and was admitted to practice October 10, 1891. He served as clerk to the county commissioners for six years, and was twice elected district attorney, in 1897 and 1900.

Samuel Wesley Kirk was born in Dublin township, Fulton county, July 2, 1861. He was educated in the common schools and

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THE BENCH AND BAR OF PENNSYLVANIA

state normal schools, and for a time was engaged in farming and teaching. He grad- uated from the Dickinson law school, at Carlisle, in 1896, and on October 6, 1896, was admitted to the Fulton county bar. On No- vember 6, 1900, he was elected to the House of Representatives of Pennsylvania, and on November 4, 1902, lie was re-elected.

OFFICES OF THE COURT .- SHERIFFS.

Elected in 1850, Jacob Bernhard; 1853, Samuel Michaels; 1856, Dennis Daniels; 1859, David F. Chestnut; 1862, David Fore; 1865, Benjamin N. Sterrett; 1868, John Hill; 1871, John J. Morton; 1874, Benjamin N. Sterrett; 1877, George J. Pittman; 1880, Noah K. Linn; 1883, J. Alfred Rummel; 1886, David V. Sipes ; 1889, William H. Pitt- man; 1892, Jere Mason; 1895, Frank Mason ; 1898, Daniel Sheets, and 1901, Daniel C. Fleck.

PROTHONOTARIES.

The prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas is also register of wills, recorder of deeds, clerk of the Court of Quarter Ses- sions, Oyer and Terminer, and Orphans' Court. The offices have been filled by the following persons: Elected in 1850, George

Wilds; 1853, Solomon Mason (died in office) ; 1854, Jacob Reed (appointed, vice Solomon Mason, deceased) ; 1854, T. W. B. McFadden ; 1857, Robert Ross; 1860, William C. Mc- Nulty ; 1863, John A. Robinson ; 1866, same; 1869, Robert A. McDonald; 1872, same; 1875, same; 1878, same; 1881, William H. Nelson; 1884, same; 1887, James P. Waltz; 1890, same; 1893, Frank P. Lynch; 1896, same; 1899, same; 1902, George A. Harris.

DISTRICT ATTORNEYS.

Elected in 1850, William P. Schell (re- signed) ; 1851, John J. Bonnett (appointed, vice Wm. P. Schell, resigned) ; 1852, Enoch G. Day; 1853, James B. Boggs; 1856, John W. Reges; 1858, Charles M. Barton; 1861, Henry G. Smith : 1864, J. Nelson Sipes (re- signed) ; 1865, George A. Smith (appointed, vice J. Nelson Sipes, resigned) ; 1866, John R. Donahoo; 1869, same; 1870, John A. Rob- inson; 1873, J. Nelson Sipes; 1876, W. Scott Alexander; 1879, William B. Skinner; 1882, John P. Sipes; 1885, F. McNaughton . John- ston ; 1888, John P. Sipes; 1891, MeClellan D. Skinner ; 1894, F. McNaughton Jolinston ; 1897, George B. Daniels; 1900, George B. Daniels.

COLUMBIA COUNTY

281

COLUMBIA COUNTY

BY JOHN G. FREEZE

The senior bar of Columbia county may be more properly comprised within the time of the erection of Columbia eounty in 1813, and the ereetion of Montour eounty out of part of Columbia in 1850, covering a period of nearly forty years, beyond which time the professional life of very few lawyers extends -- and this for another reason, that those ineluded in this list are all dead! It may be mentioned here that not a member of the bar, nor a president judge nor an associate who was alive when the present writer eame to the bar, is now living. As will be seen, many of them have been long dead-so long that scareely a faet ean be given of the aetive life of a majority of them : so true it is that the life of a successful lawyer is without incident for the biographer. Elo- quenee, ingenuity, forensie display, even great legal learning, are ephemeral and soon become traditional; and e'en the spot where many a time they triumphed is forgot. The witty repartee, the masterly eross-examina- tion, the overpowering argument, and the happy occasion for their display come to a man perhaps but onee in a lifetime; and he is remembered for some great effort, while years of toil and study and preparation pass unknown and unregarded,

Who ean tell now the gibes and flashes of merriment that were wont to set the counsel table on a roar, and bring a smile to the grave judicial brow? The old eourt erier? Alas! and alas! he too has gone from his accustomed plaee, and with him have gone tradition and story. All of these men but one were known to the writer, more or less intimately-need it be said here that they

were the soul of honor, of unimpeachable integrity, of unquestioned professional purity ? The truth is that no man can be a successful lawyer who is not above the sus- pieion of anything unprofessional-true to the court, true to the elient, true to himself, and it must follow as the night the day he cannot then be false to any man.

Robert Cooper Grier, LL. D., was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, March 5, 1794. He was educated by his father, the Rev. Isaae Grier, until at the age of seven- teen he entered the junior elass of Dickinson college. He graduated in 1812, and, after teaching a year in the college went to Northumberland, Pa., whither his father had removed in 1806, to take charge of an aead- ery there. On the death of his father in 1815, young Grier, then only twenty-one years of age, succeeded him as prineipal of the academy, and in the intervals of his pro- fessional duties studied law. He was ad- mitted to the bar in 1817, and began the . practice of his profession in Bloomsburg, Pa. In 1818 he removed to Danville, where he pursued his profession with energy and sueeess, supporting his mother and ten brothers and sisters, whom he liberally edu- eated. During the twenty years that fol- lowed he attained great eminenee in his profession, and when, in 1838, he was appointed presiding judge of the Distriet Court of Allegheny, the appointment was recognized by the legal profession as one eminently fit to be made. His ability as a judge was so manifest that President Polk, in 1846, appointed him to the Supreme Court beneh, in place of Justice Henry Baldwin,

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THE BENCH AND BAR OF PENNSYLVANIA

deceased. For twenty-three years Justice Grier filled this important position with great learning and ability. His opinions both in the Circuit Court and the Supreme Court were always marked by sound judg- ment, profound legal knowledge, and thor- ough integrity and conscientiousness. His opinion, in 1851, of the points in the case of Castner Hanway, charged with resisting the execution of the Fugitive Slave law, was characterized by the firmness, integrity and high sense of justice which were his well known attributes as a judge. The prisoner was declared "not guilty" and was dis- charged. In the Dred Scott case, the opinion of Mr. Justice Grier was with the majority.

Judge Grier was originally a Federalist, but, though not a strenuous partisan, had aeted with the Democratic party until the Civil war, when he gave to the government a firm and unquestioning support in its great struggle for existence. In 1869, having suf- fered for some time from infirm health, he resigned his seat on the bench. In private life Judge Grier was highly esteemed for his integrity, patriotism and purity of character. He died in Philadelphia, September 25, 1870.

John Cooper was the son of Thomas Cooper, M. D., LL. D., born in London, Eng- land, in 1795, educated at Oxford, and sub- . sequently emigrated to Pennsylvania. That date has not been ascertained, but on the passage of the Act of 24 February, 1806, entitled "An Act to Alter the Judiciary System of the Commonwealth," by which the state was divided into ten judicial dis- tricts, Governor Mckean appointed Thomas Cooper president judge of the Eighth-the Northumberland district. John was prob- ably prepared for the bar under his father's tuition ; he managed a large practice for many years, and upon retiring from the bar was elected to be associate judge of Montour county. He was an able and learned lawyer and an eloquent man.

Alem Marr was by tradition the first law-

yer to settle in Danville. He graduated from Princeton college in 1807, and, having fitted himself for the practice of the law, came to Danville in 1813. The same tradi- tion reports him as a good lawyer and care- ful and successful practitioner. He repre- sented the Ninth district in Congress in 1829-31. The date of his retirement from the bar has not been ascertained; nor the date of his death, which occurred on his farm near Milton, to which he had retired, many years ago.

Legrand Bancroft is reported to have come from Massachusetts, and to have been related to the historian, George Bancroft. He located in Danville and practiced in Columbia and adjoining counties. After the erection of Montour county he came to Bloomsburg, and after a year or so removed to Pottsville, and thence subsequently to some part of the west where he had a daughter residing. He was a very positive man in his opinions and views, an able law- yer and a brilliant and eloquent debater.

Paul Leidy was born in Hemlock town- ship, Columbia county, Pennsylvania, No- vember 21, 1813. He acquired his education in the common schools of his neighborhood. The early part of his life was devoted to agricultural pursuits; from the age of six- teen to twenty-four he followed the business of a tailor; subsequently he taught school for some years. Hle studied law with John Cooper, Esq., and upon his admission to the bar opened an office in Danville. He showed himself conscientious and capable and soon acquired a paying practice. He was for five years district attorney of Montour county. He was for some time superintendent of the common sehools of the county; and in all these positions showing himself conspicu- ously able. He was, in 1857, elected a mem- ber of the Thirty-fifth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Hon. John G. Montgomery. He served as a member of the committee on roads and canals. He

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COLUMBIA COUNTY

married a daughter of Sheriff William Kitehen, by whom he was the father of several ehildren.

James Pleasants loeated early in Cata- wissa. He was a tall, fine-looking gentle- man, a pleasant companion and an exeellent lawyer. IIe commanded a large practice during his whole professional life. All the important litigation on the east side of the river was in his hands and records show that the largest number of the estates were in his eharge. He prepared his cases with great care, he knew their strong points and elung to them with unflinching tenaeity-that and his ingenuity as a eross examiner, won for him many eases. Mr. Pleasants was never married, and when he left the bar and Catawissa he left no family ties and no one to be interested in his history. From Cata- wissa he went to Milton, Northumberland county, where he had a brother Charles re- siding, but neither the time nor place of his death have been aseertained.

Morrison Elijah Jackson was born in Ber- wiek, Columbia county, Pennsylvania, on the 10th day of February, 1817, and died on Wednesday, July 23, 1879. He obtained his edueation mainly by his own efforts and began the study of the law in his twentieth year with John Cooper, Esq., at Danville. He was admitted to the bar of his eounty November 16, 1840. He opened an office in Berwick, and continued the practice of his profession in Columbia and adjoining eoun- ties until his death. At the time of his death he was the oldest member of the Columbia eounty bar and president of the bar asso- eiation. His praetice was large and luera- tive and he held a high place at the bar. In polities he was a Demoerat, and repre- sented the county in the Legislature in 1852. He was for years a member of the borough couneil, a director of the First National bank, a trustee on behalf of the state of the Bloomsburg normal school, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal ehureh.

In 1843 Mr. Jackson married Miss Ann S. Gihnore, who with one son and one daughter survived him. A meeting of the bar asso- eiation of Columbia eounty was convened at the court house in Bloomsburg, which was addressed by Judge Elwell, and appreciative resolutions adopted. Mr. Jackson was not an eloquent man, but his good sense and sound judgment went a long way with a jury.

Charles R. Buckalew was born in Fishing- ereek township, Columbia county, Pennsyl- vania, December 28, 1821. After receiving an academie edueation, he studied law with Morrison E. Jackson, Esq., of Berwiek, Pa., and was admitted to the bar of the same eounty at the August term, 1843. He was appointed prosecuting attorney of Columbia county in April, 1845, and resigned in 1847. In 1850 he was elected to the State Senate for the district composed of the eounties of Luzerne, Columbia and Montour, and re- eleeted in 1853. In 1854 he was appointed special commissioner to exchange the rati- fieations of a treaty with Paraguay, and made a journey to South America by the way of England.

In 1856 he was chosen a senatorial presi- dential eleetor for Pennsylvania. In 1857 he was chairman of the Demoeratie state committee, and.in the same year was re- eleeted to the State Senate for the district composed of the counties of Columbia, Mon- tour, Northumberland and Snyder. In the following winter he was nominated by the governor, and confirmed by the Senate, to be one of the commissioners to revise the criminal code of the state. This post, and the office of Senator, he resigned in the sum- mer of 1858, and was appointed minister resident of the United States at Quito, in the Republic of Eeuador, where he remained three years. On the 14th of January, 1863, Mr. Buckalew was elected a Senator of the United States for six years from the 4th of Mareh following. In 1869 he was re-elected

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THE BEACH AND BAR OF PENNSYLVANIA

a Senator for the district compos a of the connties of Northun ber aud, Montour. Co- lumbia and Sullivan In 1872 he was the nominee of the Dessathe party for the office of governor of the state but was not elected. At the sab . . lection Colonel Freeze was chosen a men le of the convention to reforin the constitution of the state, and upon the defeat of Mr. Buckalew for gov- ernor, promptly tendered to him the seatito which he had been chosen in the convention. Accordingly, on the third day of the sitting of the convention, Colonel Freeze offered i's resignation to that body, and on the next day, November 15th, Mr. Buckalew WIs selected to fill the vacancy and served dir- ing the sitting. In the same fall of 18 2, Mr. Buckalew published a work on "Proper- tional Representation, " which was edited Colonel Freeze, and issued by John Camp- bell & Son, Philadelphia.

In March, 1876, at the Democratic cony. 1- tion. at Lancaster, Pa., Mr. Buckalow wes, by acclamation, nominated to head Democratic electoral ticket of the state t. the ensuing presidential election.

During his term in the Senate of the United States, Mr. Buckalew, in addition his ordinary legislative duties, on the 1st f March, 1864, submitted to the Senate a 'Minority Report on the Repeal of the Fn 1- tive Slave Acts." Mr. Sumner subnatting the report of the majority. On the 20th f February, 1865, he submitted an ciaborite report on the subject of lighting, heating and ventilating the halls of Congress. tmn the 21st of February, 1865, he delivered his celebrated speech on "Representation In Congress." On the 15th of January, 18. 7. he addressed the Senate "On the Executive power to make removals from office"; m July 11th "On Reconstruction"; and on the same day on "Cumulative Voting"; on Jan- mary 29th, 1568. on the subject of "Recen- struction": on the 26th of March, on "The McArdle Case-Jurisdiction of the Supresue

Court": on the 3rd of March 1899, he sub- mitted a. "Report on Representative Re- form" and on the close of the proce dings, an "Opinion on the Impeachment of An- drew Johnson."

After the adjournment of the Constitu- tion ! convention Mr. Buckalew prac- tir a law in Bloomsburg and engaged in lesyre times in the preparation of a work oh ie Constitution of Peimsylvania. This bel, published in 1883, shows more the but of Mr. Buckalew's mind and his ability is a constitutional lawyer than any other of his works. It is regarded and quoted as an- thority on all questions discussed therein, and i's exhaustive m its reference to judicial decisions and the construction of legal terms and phrases contained in that hoornment

In 1849 Mr. Buckalew weg % , Per- melin Wadsworth, who survives mun, aud by whom he was the father of a son, now de- ceased, and a daughter, the wife of Levi E. Waller, Esq. Mr. Bnekalew died in Blooms- burg. May 19, 1899.

John G. Montgomery belonged to the large and influential family of that name which settled on Mahoning creek on the north bank of Susquehanna river, where the borough of Danville now stands. in about 1774. After having been admitted to the bar he opened an office in that place, and was proseentor of the pleas for Columbia county for several years. He was a large and handsome gen- tleman, of great ability a id sound learning. In 1855 he was elected a member of the Legislature of the state, where he greatly distinguished himself, and m 1856 was elected a member of the Thirty-fifth Con- gress. He attended the inauguration cere- monies attendant on Mr. Buchanan assim- ing the office of president, and was stricken with the mysterious National Hotel disease, and died at his home in Danville, Pa., April 24. 1857. aged fifty-two years. In point of a: ual ability. of sound legal learning and ef Hloquence of speech, he was second to no

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TIIE BENCHI AND BAR OF PENNSYLVANIA

a Senator for the district composed of the counties of Northumberland, Montour, Co- lumbia and Sullivan. In 1872 he was the nominee of the Democratic party for the office of governor of the state but was not elected. At the same election Colonel Freeze was chosen a member of the convention to reform the constitution of the state, and upon the defeat of Mr. Buckalew for gov- ernor, promptly tendered to him the seat to which he had been chosen in the convention. Accordingly, on the third day of the sitting of the convention, Colonel Frecze offered his resignation to that body, and on the next day, November 15th, Mr. Buckalew was selected to fill the vacancy and served dur- ing the sitting. In the same fall of 1872, Mr. Buckalew published a work on "Propor- tional Representation," which was edited by Colonel Freeze, and issued by John Camp- bell & Son, Philadelphia.

In March, 1876, at the Democratic conven- tion, at Lancaster, Pa., Mr. Buckalew was, by acclamation, nominated to head the Democratic electoral ticket of the state at the ensuing presidential election.

During his term in the Senate of the United States, Mr. Buckalew, in addition to his ordinary legislative duties, on the 1st of March, 1864, submitted to the Senate a "Minority Report on the Repeal of the Fugi- tive Slave Acts," Mr. Sumner submitting the report of the majority. On the 20th of February, 1865, he submitted an elaborate report on the subject of lighting, heating and ventilating the halls of Congress. On the 21st of February, 1865, he delivered his celebrated speech on "Representation in Congress." On the 15th of January, 1867, he addressed the Senate "On the Executive power to make removals from office"; on July 11th "On Reconstruction"; and on the same day on "Cumulative Voting"; on Jan- uary 29th, 1868, on the subject of "Recon- struction"; on the 26th of March, on "The Mc Ardle Case-Jurisdiction of the Supreme

Court"; on the 3rd of March, 1869, he sub- mitted a "Report on Representative Re- form", and on the close of the proceedings, an "Opinion on the Impeachment of An- drew Johnson."

After the adjournment of the Constitu- tional convention Mr. Buckalew prac- ticed law in Bloomsburg and engaged in leisure times in the preparation of a work on the Constitution of Pennsylvania. This book, published in 1883, shows more the bent of Mr. Buckalew's mind and his ability as a constitutional lawyer than any other of his works. It is regarded and quoted as au- thority on all questions discussed therein, and is exhaustive in its reference to judicial decisions and the construction of legal terms and phrases contained in that instrument.

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The twentieth century bench and bar of Pennsylvania, volume I, Part 41

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