USA > Pennsylvania > The twentieth century bench and bar of Pennsylvania, volume I > Part 45
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line bills. Judge Corbett, while represent- ing a district then the heart of the oil ter- ritory of the state, was expected to take an active part in supporting measures before the Legislature on these subjects. This he did as to the pipe line bill, but he refused to speak on behalf of the anti-discrimination bill, as he believed, as drawn, it was uncon- stitutional, and the history of subsequent legislation on this subject in Congress sup- ported the view taken by Judge Corbett at that time. His refusal to act in opposition to his convictions to please a few was used against him, and his service in the Senate was limited to one term.
In January, 1885, he was appointed presi- dent judge of the Eighteenth judicial dis- triet, by Governor Pattison, to fill the va- caney caused by the death of Hon. James G. Knox. and served during that year. He brought to the discharge of the duties of that office the same ability and integrity that characterized all his actions through life. One of the most important cases that came up before him remains in the reports as a monument of his legal ability. In the case of Commonwealth ex rel. the Attorney Gen- eral vs. The N. Y., L. E. & W. R. R. Co., 114 Pa. 340, the state sought to escheat the lands of the defendant company. Eminent counsel appeared on both sides of the case. After hearing the argument Judge Corbett took the case from the jury. An appeal was taken, and the Supreme Court reversed the ruling of the lower court. Two years after- ward, in Commonwealth vs. N. Y., L. E. & W. R. R. Co. et al., 132 Pa. 591, the same question came before the higher court, an.l after a reargument the court reversed its former ruling. The Supreme Court then or- dered a reargument in the first case, and in Commonwealth vs. Railroad Co., 139 Pa. 457. reversed their former ruling and adopted the views taken of the case by Judge Cor- bett.
Judge Corbett's love for dumb animals
was particularly noticeable to those who knew him. Very frequently in passing from the court house to his office would he speak to a dog, or to a horse tied to a hitching post. So familiar was he with these fellow crea- tures that a delivery horse of a neighboring grocery store would prick up his ears when- ever the judge came in sight. Most of the children in Clarion knew him, and it was unusual for him to pass a small child with- out noticing it. In his profession he was es- pecially spoken of for his kindness to his fellow members of the bar, and particularly to the beginners, in always having time to talk with them over hard points in their practice.
On January 22, 1895, Judge Corbett tried a case in the Common Pleas of Clarion county, in which he made a long and ex- haustive argument. He retired that night in very good spirits, expecting to commence another case the following morning. About dawn of the next day he was stricken with paralysis. Then followed fifteen days dur- ing which part of the time he was conscious : at other times in his delirium he was trying again the legal battles of his past life, ask- ing the court or the jury, in the name of jus- tice, to remember the favorable points of his client's cause, and to overlook wherein he had failed. Pleading, as he was wont to do, for the supremacy of mercy, justice and truth, the strong and noble spirit of William L. Corbett passed into the presence of his Creator, seeking "no reward but the crown for duty done."
We cannot close this short sketch of such a character in a more fitting manner than to quote the resolution of the bar of Jefferson county : "That of him we can truthfully say that he was an honest man. a law-abiding man: that he proved himself in the several courts to be an attorney of sound learning and ability, faithful alike to the court and to his client : that he used no falsehood, and never retarded the administration of jus-
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tice for either lucre, malice, or to obtain an unfair advantage." .
This sketeh is taken from "Commemora- tive Record of Central Pennsylvania."
William Shaw, a young married man, left his trade of cabinetmaking in Clarion to study law under D. W. Foster, and was ad- mitted in December, 1847, and died soon after. He was a bright beginner and gave promise of success.
James Boggs is a native of Plum town- ship, Allegheny county. He took a Greck and Latin course at a select school and stud- icd law under his brother, the late Judge Boggs, of Armstrong county, and was admit- ted in Kittanning in 1848. He immediately afterwards took up his residenee in Clarion. Hle was a partner with Mr. Lathy from 1852 to 1855, and with William L. Corbett from 1860 to 1865. He was twice eleeted district attorney.
Robert Sutton was raised in Indiana county. He was educated at Jefferson col- lege, and admitted to the bar at Clarion in 1850. In 1853 he formed a partnership with William L. Corbett, and in 1857 with B. J. Reid. In 1860 he retired from the legal pro- fession and became a Presbyterian elergy- man. He married Miss Andrews, of Frank- lin, a sister of the wife of Amos Myers.
Hon. W. W. Barr was a native of Penns Valley, Center eounty, and was born in 1827. He was educated at Dickinson seminary, Wil- liamsport, Pa. In 1850 he began the study of law in the office of Joseph Alexander, in Lewistown, Pa., and was admitted to the bar there in 1852. He came to Clarion in 1853, and began the practice of law, and soon ac- quired a lucrative business. Mr. Barr was twice eleeted district attorney. In 1861 he was elected county treasurer, and in 1864 he was clected a member of the Legislature, and re- eleeted in 1865, serving two full terms. IIe was again twiee elected distriet attorney in 1869 and 1872, and was for many years a member of the town council. In all these
positions he served with integrity and abil- ity. On the death of Judge Wilson, Mr. Barr was appointed by Governor Pattison judge of the Eighteenth judicial district. Mr. Barr was a public-spirited eitizen. Ile assisted to organize the first agricultural so- eicty in Clarion county. His pleasant and genial traits made him many friends.
Judge Barr met a tragie death. On the night of the 26th of February, 1900, the largest fire in the history of Clarion broke out on the north side of Main street, and burned a large section of the business part of the town. Judge Barr's office was in the burned distriet. Great cxeitement prevailed. and Judge Barr, while attempting to save some of his effcets in his office, fell dead. Probably no man in the town had as great a host of warm friends as Judge Barr. His prevailing trait was benevolence and kind- ness. He practically retired from the prac- tiec a year or two before his death, but stayed the most of his time in his offiec. Ilc had a large and well-selected library, which he generously donated to his fellow members of the bar. This gift was highly appreci- ated. In consequence of this donation, and to preserve the memory of the donor, the members of the bar organized an ineorpo- rated library association under the title of the W. W. Barr Library Association of Clar- ion, Pa. This association seeured for this donation of books a large and convenient room in the court house, where the library is now kept. It is a great convenience to the court and the members of the bar, and as long as it exists Judge Barr will be held in grateful remembranee.
James B. Knox was born at Knoxville, Tioga county, Pa., November 4, 1831. He received a liberal education and read law with his only brother, Hon. John C. Knox, at Franklin, Pa. He was admitted to the bar and eame to Clarion in 1853, and com- menced an active practiee. In 1855 he mar- ricd .Jennic Z. Stehley, of Harrisburg, Pa.
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This union was blessed with six children, five of whom survive. At the beginning of the Civil war, Mr. Knox entered the service of his country as captain of Company E, Thirty-ninth Regiment, Tenth P. R. V. C. He was promoted to major in 1862, and later to the command of his regiment. On ac- count of failing health he resigned his posi- tion, obtained his discharge November 23, 1863, and returned to home and the practice of law. He participated in numerous fa- mous battles of the rebellion, including Mal- vern Hill, Fredericksburg and Gettysburg. One incident at Gettysburg illustrated the bravery of Mr. Knox. He wanted to ascer- tain the position of the enemy in the Devil's Den, and for this purpose stood on a rock, exposed to the enemy's fire, and told his men to keep down-that it was dangerous. While standing there, a shell struck a branch of a tree only a few feet from his head. His fare- well address to his men at the close of his last dress parade was quite a touching scene. His remarks were full of pathos and patri- otisnı.
In 1873 Mr. Knox formed a partnership with James T. Maffett, which continued until he took his seat on the bench, January 1, 1882, having been elected to the judge- ship of the Eighteenth judicial district in the fall of 1881. He performed the duties of his office faithfully until his death, December 2, 1884. He died at his post while holding court at Brookville. The disease, asthma, which carried him away, was contracted during his military service in the army. In all respects Mr. Knox was a model citizen, upright in all his dealings, and highly re- spected by everybody. As a judge he was popular and able, and as a husband and father he was the model of devotion and af- fection.
Charles L. Lamberton began the practice of law in Clarion in 1851. Hle came from the eastern part of the state and practiced a short time in Brookville before coming to
Clarion. He was popular and well known, and generally called Colonel Lamberton. His bent was more to the arena of politics than the drudgery of the law. He was elected to the State Senate in 1861. After the expira- tion of his term he removed to Philadelphia, and finally to New York.
Theophilus Strattan Wilson was born at Strattanville, Pa., in 1837. He was the old- est son of Samuel Wilson. deceased. IIe was educated at Allegheny college. In 1857 he registered as a law student in the office of George W. Lathy, and was admitted in 1861. He immediately commenced the practice of the law at Clarion, and in 1872 formed a partnership with George A. Jenks, of Brook- ville, under the firm name of Wilson & Jenks. This union made an exceptionally strong firm. The firm had a large and Incra- tive business, and was concerned in almost every case of prominence during its exist- ence. Mr. Wilson was an excellent office lawyer, and understood well the law, while his partner, Mr. Jenks, was specially skillful as a trial lawyer. This combination of talent made the firm conspicuous in the law busi- ness while it existed, and during that time the firm enjoyed a larger share of the legal business of the district than any other firm. At the November election, 1885, Theophilus S. Wilson was elected president judge of the Eighteenth district and took his seat on the bench, January, 1886. At that time the dis- triet consisted of the county of Clarion, with the county of Jefferson attached, and Judge Wilson held court in both counties. In July, .1891, Mr. Wilson, while holding court for Judge White in Indiana. was suddenly taken ill and died there on the 6th day of July, 1891.
With the development of the oil business in Clarion county, about 1871, a field of new legal business came to the front. Many novel cases arose for which there was no precedent. This brought to Clarion a large influx of attorneys, many of whom settled in
Theophilus S Mitson
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the several oil towns in the county. Up to that period in the legal history of Clarion county the law business had been rather monotonous, and was of the usual eharaeter ineident to farming seetions. On the crim- inal side of the court a few cases are con- spieuous. The first murder ease in the his- tory of the county ereated mueh interest. This was the murder of Jared Lewis by Charles Curtis, alias Logue. Associated with Curtis was one Ira Shotwell. These two men were a part of a band of organized thieves and desperadoes, who plied their calling in western Pennsylvania and Ohio. Shotwell assumed the name of Ira Davis. After stopping for a time in several parts of the county, they went to the vicinity of Callensburg. Many robberies followed their eoming. Lewis was shot by Logue in an at- tempt to arrest the latter, and soon after- wards died from his wounds. The county offered $500 reward for the men. A singular coincidence happened touching their arrest. With the assistance of Pittsburgh detectives, both Logue and Shotwell were captured. Logue was captured in Crawford county by the sheriff of Mercer county, and Shotwell was captured near Laporte, Ind .; and this singular coincidence is that both parties ar- rived in Clarion with their prisoners on the same day and within a few hours of each other, and neither had heard of the other's eoming. Logue was convicted of murder in the first degree and sentenced to be hung. The case was reversed in the Supreme Court and on the second trial he plead guilty of murder in the second degree, and was sen- tenced to the penitentiary for twenty-two years. Logue died after serving five years. Shotwell was tried as accessory to the mur- der, convicted and senteneed to sixteen years in the penitentiary.
After Logue's trial, the most notable erini- inal case was that of Commonwealth against David L. King. King was tried for the mur- der of James C. Davis, at St. Petersburg.
About fifteen murder trials have occurred in Clarion county, but no one was ever exe- euted in the county. Fully one-half or more of the trials resulted in acquittal. Since the King trial the most notable murder trials were the Everhart and Kiser cases.
The Standard Case .- The most noted case ever brought in this district never came to trial. The interests involved were of great magnitude and of national concern, and is familiarly known as the Standard ease. It was a prosecution for conspiracy instituted on the 24th day of April, 1879, by B. B. Campbell, of Parnassus, Pa., president of the Oil Producers' Association against John D. Rockefeller and numerous others. The charge alleged that the defendants had eon- spired "to cheat and defraud the citizens of- the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the publie, by confederating together to seeure the monopoly and prevent lawful and legiti- mate competition and to injure the oecupa- tion and business of producing and selling erude petroleum, by compelling the owners and producers thereof to sell the same to the aforesaid defendants and their confederates below its actual market value." The infor- mation was made before Squire Shanafelt, then residing at Clarion.
Upon an affidavit of the then distriet at- torney, W. A. Hindman, Esq., stating the nature of the case, and the distant resi- dences of most of the defendants, leave was granted to present the indietment to the grand jury at the May term, 1879, without a preliminary hearing. Some of the defend ants, resident in Pennsylvania, appeared and gave bail, and an attempt was made to bring in others. non-residents, by means of a requisition. The prosecution in this ease was represented by Roger Sherman. of Titusville; Wilson & Jenks, William L. Corbett, and Knox & Maffett, of Cla- rion. For the defendants appeared Lewis C. Cassidy, of Philadelphia; A. B. Riel- mond, of Meadville; D. T. Watson, of Pitts-
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burgh; S. C. T. Dodd and C. Heydrick, of Franklin; F. B. Guthrie, of Titusville; James Campbell, B. J. Reid, and Boggs & Weidner, of Clarion. Before the time set for the trial the defendants constructed a private tele- graph line from Edenburg to Clarion for their own exelusive use during the trial. The case was settled in December, 1879, by the defendants agreeing to comply with the de- mands of the prosecution. This resulted in an elaborate contract between the Pro- ducers' Union, the Standard combination, and the railroad companies. This case was reported at length by the eommittee of Con- gress appointed to investigate trusts, and is found in Report No. 3112 of the first session of the Fiftieth Congress. The costs and fees amounted to $40,000.
What might be called the third generation of lawyers ineludes those admitted between 1865, and 1886, both inclusive. In 1865 were admitted Joseph H. Patrick, J. T. Hindman and George S. Kelly; 1866, William, E. Lathy; 1868, William Kinzer of East Brady, Pa .; 1870, John McMurray; 1871, William H. Frampton, Clarion ; 1872, D. S. Herron, Parker; J. S. MeKay, G. S. Crosby, O. E. Shannon. Charles F. Fay, St. Petersburg ; R. B. Bell, West Freedom; James T. Maffett, Clarion ; 1874, William D. Burns, J. B. Pat- rick, Samuel K. Clarke, M. A. K. Weidner, Clarion, and T. F. Rithey; 1875, George F. Kribbs, John W. Reed, John F. Shanafelt, Clarion; 1876, William A. Hindman, A. C. McComb, William II. Ross, Frank R. Hind- man, James J. Frazier, Clarion; O. P. Hop- per, John F. Gealey, W. A. Selby, John F. Selby, Edenburg: H. MeSweeny, Wm. A. MeCormick, St. Petersburg; Harris Finley, Shippenville; D. E. Brenneman, Elk City ; Heber Donalson: 1877, S. M. Crosby, J. W. Walker, John A. Wilson, John K. Wilson and S. L. MeKee, Edenburg; E. L. Johns, Elk City; Rodman F. Pugh, St. Petersburg; O. E. Taylor, Turkey City ; Jasper E. Wood, M. M. Meredith, A. B. Reid, Clarion; 1878,
W. M. Boggs, Edenburg; Robert D. Camp- bell, Samuel W. Calvin, Clarion ; 1879, Lewis F. Barger, Edenburg; 1881, James Q. Swee- ny, G. G. Sloan, Clarion ; 1883, F. J. Maffett, Clarion; John M. Van Vliet; 1884, Samuel F. Glasgow, St. Petersburg; 1886, T. J. Van Giesen, Edenburg; Charles P. Craig, New Bethlehem; Harry R. Wilson, Clarion; George S. Chadman.
From 1886 down to the present time were admitted to the Clarion bar what we may eall the fourth generation of lawyers. Be- ginning this generation in 1887, the first is Don Carlos Corbett, who was admitted in that year; 1888, A. L. Ivory, George J. Reid; 1890, John T. Reinsel, George F. Whitmer; 1892, J. A. F. Hoy, Samuel F. Brush ; 1893, John S. Shirley, Albert A. Geary, W. H. Hoekman; 1895, Harry M. Rimer, Suzanne S. Beatty; 1896, Ambrose C. Brown; 1897, J. C. McFarland, Daniel W. Geist; 1899, John W. Maffett, W. J. Geary, Theo. S. Wil- son; 1900, Harry E. Rugh, Lewis Collner; 1901, Frank L. Harvey.
Bernard J. Reid was born at Youngstown, Westmoreland eounty, Pa., in 1823; taught school at an early age, and in 1842 came to Clarion for the purpose of opening a select school, which he did; but soon relinquished the sehool to establish the Iron County Dent- ocrat, whichi, in 1844, was consolidated with the Republican. In the following year Mr. Reid retired. Mr. Reid was a practical sur- veyor, and in 1845 became county surveyor. In 1847 he left Clarion and went to St. Louis, and from there to California, as a pioneer of 1849. He returned to Clarion in 1852, read law with Thomas Sutton, and was admitted in 1853. He formed a partnership with Mr. Sutton, which lasted from 1857 to 1860. In 1861 Mr. Reid raised a company and went into the army, returning in August, 1862. In July, 1863, he raised another company for a six months' service, and was elected major of his regiment. Mr. Reid formed a partner- ship with Joseph II. Patrick, which lasted
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from 1865 to 1869. In 1871 Mr. Reid re- moved to Titusville, Pa., and finally to Erie, Pa., and returned to Clarion in 1877. Major Reid, as an attorney, is a man of marked ability. He is a man of great industry, never losing sight of any of the details. On account of his experience as a surveyor, he became specially fitted for causes involving disputes about lines and boundaries of land.
David Lawson, the only member of the second generation of lawyers who still re- sides and practices at Clarion, was born in Madison township, Clarion county, in 1833, and was educated at Elders Ridge academy, in Indiana county. He is a son of Hon. James B. Lawson, deceased, who was an early settler in that part of Clarion county. David Lawson began the study of the law in 1856, with Campbell & Lamberton, and was admitted in 1858, and for some time afterwards was in partnership with Mr. Lamberton. In 1869 Mr. Lawson moved to Wisconsin, but returned in 1871. Mr. Law- son filled the office of district attorney twice, and is an experienced and painstaking law- yer.
George A. Jenks, while not listed on the roll of Clarion attorneys, is a prominent member of the Clarion bar, and practiced regularly as an attorney of this bar while a partner of Mr. Wilson. Since then he was frequently called to assist in important cases. (See sketch in Jefferson county.)
William P. Jenks succeeded Judge Camp- bell in 1871. William Parsons Jenks was born at Punxsutawney, Pa., and died at Brookville April 25, 1902, in his eighty-first ycar, and was the son of Dr. John W. Jenks, in that place. In 1843 he went to Brookville to read law with his brother, D. B. Jenks, and became an attorney in September, 1845. (See Jefferson county.)
E. Heath Clark, of Brookville, Pa., suc- ceeded W. W. Barr on the bench. Judge Clark was elected November, 1891, and took his seat on the first Monday of January,
1892. He served a full term of ten years, retiring January 4, 1902. At the time of Judge Clark's election, the district consisted of the counties of Clarion and Jefferson. Some time after his election, Jefferson county was made a separate judicial dis- trict, for which John W. Reed was ap- pointed judge. Ife was subsequently elected judge of the Jefferson district, which posi- tion he still holds. Judge Clark, at the end of his term, January, 1902, returned to his old home in Brookville, where he still re- sides. Judge Clark was succeeded by Harry R. Wilson, who was elected at the November election, 1901, by a majority of about six hundred in a district which is naturally Democratic by from one thousand to twelve hundred majority.
Judge E. Heath Clark was born at Brook- ville, Pa., July 22, 1839. He is a son of the late Jesse G. Clark. The judge attended the public schools of his own town, and after- wards Saltsburg (Pa.) academy, and the New Bethlehem (Pa.) academy. He began reading law with George W. Zeigler, at Brookville, Pa., and completed his course with the late Judge W. P. Jenks and George A. Jenks. After his admission to the bar, he formed a partnership with the Jenks Brothers, which lasted for about twenty years. Judge Clark was married to Matilda McCreight, April 22, 1861.
James Boggs, heretofore mentioned as one of the second generation, still resides in Clarion ; he retired from the practice a num- ber of years ago. He is respected by all who know him. James Boggs was a sound and safe counsellor, and had a large clientage, particularly in office work and Orphans' Court business.
At this writing, April, 1902, the roll of at- torneys is as follows: James Boggs, B. J. Reid, David Lawson, James T. Maffett, Wm. D. Burns, Samuel K. Clarke, M. A. K. Weid- ner, Geo. F. Kribbs, W. A. Hindman, J. J. Frazier, J. E. Wood, R. D. Campbell, G. G.
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Sloan, F. J. Maffett, Don. C. Corbett, John T. Reinsel, Geo. F. Whitmer, W. H. Hock- man, Samuel F. Brush, J. A. F. Hoy, Jno. S. Shirley, A. A. Geary, H. M. Rimer, A. C. Brown, Daniel W. Geist, John W. Maffett, Theo. L. Wilson, W. J. Geary, H. E. Rugh, Lewis Collner, Frank L. Harvey. Of these James Boggs has retired, as stated. B. J. Reid, George F. Kribbs and W. H. Hockman have moved to Pittsburgh, and A. C. Brown to Tionesta, Pa. The others all are in prac- tice and reside at the county seat, except Daniel Geist, who resides at New Bethle- hem, and Frank L. Harvey, who resides at Foxburg, Pa.
Harry R. Wilson is the son of the late Theophilus S. Wilson and Amanda Lowry Wilson, and was born September 3, 1864, at Clarion, Pa. His ancestors for four genera- tions have lived in Clarion county. He is with one exception the youngest man elected judge of this district. His early education was obtained in the Clarion public schools and Carrier seminary. Afterwards he spent four years at Lafayette college, Easton, Pa., and graduated there in 1884. He was admit- ted to practice in the several courts of Clar- ion county, November 8, 1886, and since then has been engaged continuously in the prac- tice of the law until his election as judge. His legal business was very large, probably . the largest of any member of the bar. After his admission to the bar he associated him- self in partnership with Hon. John W. Reed, now president judge of Jefferson county, Pennsylvania, and when Mr. Reed was elected judge, C. Z. Gordon, of Brookville, Pa., succeeded to his place, and the firm was Wilson & Gordon from 1895 to December 31, 1900, when it was changed to Wilson & Brush.
Joseph H. Patrick was a native of West- moreland county, Pennsylvania, and gradu- ated at Glade Run academy in that county. After graduating he went south and en- gaged in teaching school. He was principal
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