The twentieth century bench and bar of Pennsylvania, volume I, Part 60

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

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A Democrat in his political opinions, Mr. Hart has held numerous offices of honor and trust. In 1874 he was elected distriet attorney of Lycoming county, and re-elected in 1877. In 1882 he was elected to represent the district compris- ing Lycoming, Columbia, Sullivan and Montour counties in the state senate, and served in that capacity four years, be- ing on the judiciary committee, the commit- tee on municipal affairs and education and other important committees. Mr. Hart has uniformly been a stanch advocate of Dem- ocratie measures and a firm supporter of his

party and its principles. He was alternate delegate to the Democratic national conven- tion in Chicago in 1884, and in 1888 repre- sented the Sixteenth Congressional district in the Democratic national convention at St. Louis, and cast his vote for Grover Cleve- land. On November 5, 1901, he was elected president judge of the Twenty-ninth judicial district, composed of the county of Lycom- ing for a term of ten years.

Mr. Hart's religious affiliations are with the First Presbyterian church of Williams- port, of which his wife, also, is an active member.

ASSOCIATE JUDGES.

A clause in the constitution of 1790 pro- vided for the appointment by the governor of "not fewer than three nor more than four judges" in each county, who during their continuance in office should live in the county. When Lycoming county was or- ganized, Governor Mifflin appointed William Hepburn, James Davidson, Samuel Wallis, and John Adlum, dating their appointments April 15, 1795. The judicial machinery of the new county was by them set in mo- tion, they having chosen William Hepburn president. On February 16, 1798, John Ad- lum resigned, and Samuel Harris was ap- pointed on the same day to fill the vacancy. In October of the same year, Samuel Wallis died, and in the following December John Fleming was appointed in his place.

In April, 1803, the number of associate judges was reduced to three in each county in case of a vacancy happening in the num- ber already serving. By the act of Febru- ary 4, 1806, a similar provision was intended to reduce the number of associate judges to two. Up to 1838, associate judges were ap- pointed for life, but the constitution of 1838 reduced the term of service to five years, and rendered it necessary that nominations made by the governor be confirmed by the senate. In 1850, the judiciary including the

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LYCOMING COUNTY

associate judges became elective, and the constitution of 1873 abolished the office of associate judge in counties forming a sepa- rate jndieial district.

In addition to the associate judges above named JJohn Cummings was appointed July 2, 1821; Dr. Asher Davidson, November 16, 1823, he being appointed to succeed his father. Dr. James Davidson; Thomas Tag- gart, and John Thomas, March 27, 1841; Thomas Taggart and Solomon Bastress, March 28, 1846; Willian Ellmaker and John Smith, April 1, 1851. The law of 1850 now intervening, making the office elective, the following were chosen: 1851, Solomon Bastress and Apollos Woodward; 1856, C. D. Eldred and William Piatt; 1861, H. B. Pack- er and James G. Ferguson ; 1866, John Smith and George P. Lore; 1871, Huston Hepburn and W. P. I. Painter.

In passing it may be mentioned that the line of associate judges begins with William Hepburn, who was appointed in 1795, and ends with his son, Huston Hepburn, all with- in the period of eighty years.

THE BAR.

From the time Lycoming county was or- ganized its bar has always taken a high rank. At all times men of great strength and influence were numbered among its members. Its judges were all men of ability, and many important cases of wide interest were decided within its borders. In politics the bar has been very active. Its members have filled many important offices. James Pollock became governor of Pennsylvania, Charles Huston, Ellis Lewis, and James Arm- strong became justices of the Supreme Court. Henry C. MeCormick and Ellis Lewis served as attorneys general of the state. William Cox Ellis, Joseph B. Anthony, James Gamble, William H. Armstrong, R. J. C. Walker, and Henry C. McCormick were members of Congress. Charles Huston, A. V. Parsons, Ellis Lewis, J. B. Anthony, John

W. Maynard, Samuel Linn, James Gamble, Benjamin S. Bentley, H. II. Cuunnin, John J. Metzger, S. C. Wingard, John II. Mitchell, Max L. Mitchell, and William W. Hart at- tained to the judicial position. Robert Me- Clure, A. V. Parsons, J. B. Anthony, James W. Quiggle, Robert Fleming, Henry John- son, Robert P. Allen, W. W. Hart, and Verus H. Metzger were State Senators. Besides these it is a rare occasion when some one or more members of the bar have not held a position in the lower house of the state legislature, or some other im- portant political position.

The first lawyers located in Lycoming county were John Kidd, who was the first prothonotary of the county, clerk of the oyer and terminer, clerk of the quarter ses- sions, clerk of the Orphans' Court, register of wills, and recorder of deeds; Charles Huston, who afterwards became a justice of the Supreme Court; and Robert MeClure, famous in the early days as a lawyer. Some of Williamsport's prominent citizens today are his descendants. James Gilchrist was a busy lawyer concerned in nearly all the cases up until 1800.

Charles Hall was another lawyer of note, and a prominent landowner of properties between Muncy and Montoursville.

William Cox Ellis was an eminent law- yer and a brilliant orator. He served four years in Congress.

Francis C. Campbell came to the bar in 1812, where he achieved distinction. He was a gentleman of the old school, and a man of much influence.

Anson V. Parsons practiced law for many years in the county, having an office at Jer- sey Shore. He afterward became president judge of Philadelphia county. "Parsons' Select Equity Cases" is a lasting monument to his ability.

James Armstrong was the leader of the bar in his day. Ilis forceful oratory, his witty argument, and his telling jokes could

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THE BENCH AND BAR OF PENNSYLVANIA

always be counted on to fill the court house, and to elicit universal applause. He became a judge of the Supreme Court in 1857, and died in 1867.

John W. Maynard was usually pitted against Judge Armstrong, they trying nearly all the cases in the county while actively en- gaged in the practice of the law. Judge Maynard never had a superior at the Ly- coming county bar in a knowledge of legal principles and niceties of the law. He was famed also for his courtesy and suavity of manner. He was one of the judges of Al- legheny county, and president judge of Northampton and Lehigh counties.

William H. Armstrong, the son of James Armstrong, inherited the legal talent of his father, and caused it to increase. He is famed as one of the finest orators, if not the finest, Lycoming county has had for fifty years. He was in Congress from the district from 1868 to 1870, and was appointed com- missioner of railways by President Arthur in 1881. He has retired from active prac- tice, and lives in Philadelphia.

Samuel Linn became the partner of W. H. Armstrong in 1867 under the firm name of Armstrong & Linn. Together they built up a great practice, until they went far and be- yond any other firm in their day so far as fees were concerned. Judge Linn was pres- ident judge of the Sixteenth judicial district for a time. In his legal practice he was witty, a good story teller, and almost in- vincible before a jury. His manner was sim- ple and his character loving. He died in 1890, ripe in years and rich in honors.

Henry Johnson, Williamsport. - The sub- ject of this sketch, who was born of Revo- lutionary stock, June 12, 1819, was a native of Newton, Sussex county, New Jersey, and a son of Samuel Johnson, who died in 1820. His mother was a granddaughter of General Daniel Brodhead, from whom she inherited a tract of land at Muncy, Pa., whither she removed with her family of five children in

1841. Mr. Johnson was graduated from Princeton college in 1837, then spent three years studying law under Hon. Whitfield S. Johnson, secretary of state of New Jersey, and in 1841 passed an examination before the state Supreme Court judges and was ad- mitted to the bar. He at once opened an office at Muncy, in Lycoming county, where he rapidly rose to an honored place in his profession and for nearly fifty years carried on an extensive and lucrative general prac- tice.

Mr. Johnson always took a commendable interest in matters of public interest, and while devoted to his profession, gave more or less time and attention to political mat- ters. He was an ardent supporter of Zachary Taylor for the presidency in 1849 and served as one of the presidential electors from Penn- sylvania. On the organization of the Repub- lican party in 1856, he became identified with it, and in 1861 was elected to the State Senate from the district comprising Lycom- ing, Union, Clinton and Centre counties. He served during the years 1862, '63 and. '64, and during the last named year was chair- man of the judiciary committee, and also for a considerable time served as speaker pro- tempore of the Senate. Mr. Johnson was an earnest and effective worker in the Senate. He prepared and introduced a bill for the amendment of the constitution providing for election by soldiers in the field, which was adopted by a large majority. His record throughout was worthy and honorable. He was a private in Company K, Fourteenth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers Militia, declining all official honors. He was also a member of Post No. 66, Grand Army of the, Republic, and of Muncy Lodge, No. 299, Free and Accepted Masons.

In November, 1890, Mr. Johnson removed from Muncy to Williamsport, where his last days were spent, his decease occurring on August 11, 1895.

In 1856 Mr. Johnson married Margaret,

Henry flison

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youngest daughter of Enoeh Green, of East- on, Pa., and a sister of Hon. Henry Green, late chief justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.

Robert P. Allen was undoubtedly one of a quartet of lawyers, all of whom by their friends were considered leaders of the bar in their day. This quartet was Allen, Parsons, McCormick and Metzger, and they, no doubt, fairly divided the honors of leadership for a number of years. Mr. Allen was a highly cultured gentleman, suave in manner, and undaunted by temporary defeat. Industri- ous and painstaking, he seemed to shine best when pressed hardest by his adversary. He was largely interested in corporation practice, had been a state senator, and en- joyed the confidence of the community in every way. He was a high-minded Chris- tian gentleman of the best school, and died in 1890, much lamented, and at the height of his professional eareer.

Harry C. Parsons was another one of this famous quartet. His was undoubtedly the most effcetive oratory at this bar in reeent years. He had the faculty of emphasizing the salient points of a given easc as they should be emphasized. He had a magnetic manner, a jovial, open, frank, engaging dis- position. He was always largely engaged in corporation work, and for years had been the honored president of the West Braneh National bank. Ile was a son of Anson V. Parsons, already mentioned, and leaves a son, Harry C. Parsons, a young man, a pres- ent member of our bar, to lengthen the chain of legal inheritance to the third generation. Mr. Parsons died in 1898, sorely missed by the bar and the community at large.

Henry C. McCormick differed from the other members of this famous quartet in some important respeets. He was most methodical in his legal practice and a most indefatigable worker. It may safely be said that preparation in its highest degree was typified in Henry C. McCormick. Although

not highly educated when he came to the bar, he was a great student and became in time a man of learning. Ile served his dis- triet two terms in Congress, and was attor- ney general of Pennsylvania under Governor Hastings. His praetiec extended throughout central Pennsylvania, and even beyond the state, and was probably the most lucrative at the time of his death of any member of the bar. IIe was a man of pleasant manner and of forceful character, and filled the various positions to which he was called with abso- lute fidelity and honesty. He was largely en- gaged in publie affairs relating to his city and county, and at his death, which oc- curred ou the 26th day of March, 1902, he was missed as perhaps no other citizen of his day would have been missed.

The present bar is composed largely of young men. There are but one or two who are even thought of as old, and they are but elderly men. The present membership has learned to look upon the bar, as it has been. as a sacred inheritance. They are striving to uphold the good name heretofore made by its members who have passed to the great beyond. Measured by preparation, honesty, vigor, industry, and diligence in the legal calling, we believe that our bar (though young) is second to none in the state of Pennsylvania.

The following sketches were prepared by the publisher.

William Douglas Crocker, Williamsport .- The subject of this sketch was born in Buffalo, N. Y., September 19, 1851, to Wil- liam W. and Eleanor (Rumsey) Crocker, both of whom were natives of New York state. The father was engaged in business in Buffalo till 1870, after which he removed to Pennsylvania, and for many years was engaged in life insurance. Our subject's paternal grandparents were John and Ardel- issa Crocker, the former a native of Vermont. and the latter of New York. His maternal

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grandparents were Aaron R. and Sophia (Phelps) Rumsey, natives of Vermont and New York respectively. Until he was fif- teen years old, William attended the public schools, then prepared for college, attending a private sehool until 1869, when he entered Yale college, from which he was graduated with the degree of B. A. with the class of 1873.

Young Crocker began his law studies at the Albany Law school, then studied in the office of John M. Ganson at Puffalo, N. Y., and finished his eourse in the office of Messrs. 'Allen & Gamble at Williamsport, Pa. . He was admitted to the bar in 1876, and, open- ing an office, built up and carried on his practiee at Williamsport in his own name, until 1885. During the next five years he was associated as a partner with Judge Samuel Linn under the firm name of Linn & Crocker. On the death of Judge Linn in 1890, Mr. Croeker resumed practiee alone and has so continued to the present time, 1903. While his praetice has been general in character, it has for the most part been eon- fined to the eivil braneh and largely in the line of municipal corporation matters. His praetice has been somewhat extensive and embraeed numerous eases of importanee and loeal note.

Mr. Croeker is a Republican in his political opinion, but has never been specially active in political affairs. IIe was elected eity soliei- tor in 1890 for a term of two years, and again eleeted in 1894, serving by re-election until 1898. At the present time he is serving as elerk of the United States Cireuit Court of the middle district of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Croeker is interested in publie enter- prises and is president of the Citizen's Water company, of Canton, Pa. His religious affili- ations are with the Trinity Episcopal church, of Williamsport.

In 1885 Mr. Crocker married Miss Clara S. Andrus, by whom he has two sons, Douglas A. and Dana R. Mrs. Croeker is prominent

among the leading women of Williamsport and active in women's work.

Walter C. Gilmore, a native of Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, was born November 26. 1859, to John and Rachel (Willits) Gil- more, both natives of Pennsylvania, and farmers by occupation. The father was a man of commanding influenee in his com- munity, and especially aetive in local po- litieal affairs. Our subject's grandfather, Thomas Gilmore, born in the north of Ire- land, of Scotch-Irish aneestry, immigrated to this country while a single man just prior to the Revolutionary war. He served as a soldier in that conflict, and was under Wash- ington at the crossing of the Delaware, par- ticipated in the battle of Monmouth, and was with Genereal Sullivan in his famous expe- dition against the Indians in New York. After his marriage, he settled in Pennsylva- nia, in the section where the children have sinee continued to live. On his mother's side our subject comes of Quaker lineage of Eng- lish origin, representatives of his mother's family having settled in Lyeoming eounty at an early day.

Walter spent his boyhood on his father's farm, assisting in the farm work and attend- ing the commnon sehools until he was seven- teen years old. He pursued his preparatory studies at Muney Normal sehool, and in 1880 entered LaFayette college at Easton, Pa., where he was graduated in 1884 with the degree of B. A., and later received the de- gree of M. A. He took a high stand in college and received the prize for excellence in English in his junior year, and also a prize for excellence in connection with his exam- ination in Shakespeare, and gave the vale- dietory address of his class. Young Gilmore then spent one year-1884-85-as assistant principal of Lenox academy, Lenox, Mass .. and the two following years was principal of the Williamsport high school. During the same time, he was registered as a student in the law office of Hon. R. P. Allen, of Williams-

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W. C. GILMORE.

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port, and devoted his vacations and other spare time in study, and in July; 1887, was admitted to the bar. Opening an office he at once began his praetiee at Williamsport, and has always carried it on in his own name. While his practice has been general in char- acter, through his connection with the office of district attorney, to which he was elected in the fall of 1892, he was brought into eon- tact with a line of criminal praetiec, which, without solicitation on his part, has led to his being retained in numerous noteworthy criminal cases and given him a wide reputa- tion as a most successful trial lawyer and advocate. He is known for his untiring per- sistenee and enjoys a large and Iuerative practice, especially in the Orphans' Court.

Mr. Gilmore has always been active in the affairs of the Democratic party, and besides the office of district attorney has been hon- ored with numerous positions. Ile is a cam- paign worker and speaker of recognized ability and influenee. In 1890 and '91 he served as chairman of the Democratic county committee. Mr. Gilmore is attorney for the Montgomery First National bank, and solici- tor for the Williamsport sehool board. He is a thirty-seeond degrec Mason, a Knight Templar and a member of the Mystie Shrine ; also belongs to the Delta Kappa Epsilon eollege fraternity, and the Phi Beta Kappa society. Ilis religious affiliations are with St. Paul's Lutheran church, of Williamsport.

In 1884 Mr. Gilmore married at Williams- port, Miss Jennie Rentz, daughter of Charles A. and Sarah A. Rentz, of Lycoming county. They have three children, viz. : Edmund, Anna and Helen.

Charles Bartels, Williamsport, is a de- scendant from a long line of noble ancestors. On his father's side they were Germans. During the reign of Frederick the Great, they were taken prisoners under Frederiek's army and sent to France. Subsequently escaping, they made their way to England, thence to the United States, settling at the

headwaters of the Susquehanna river in New York state. Later, his grandfather removed to New Jersey and settled near Germantown. Charles, Sr .. father of our subject, was here educated, studied law and was admitted to practice. He located at Flemington, where he practiced for a great many years and became one of the Icading attorneys of that place.

Elizabeth IIart Bartels, mother of Charles, Jr., was a native of New Jersey; one of her ancestors, John Hart, was the last colonial governor of Virginia under Lord Hardwiek. Colonel Joseph Hart of Bucks county, Penn- sylvania, was a noted warrior in the Revolu- tionary army.

Mr. Bartels, our subject, was educated at the Trenton (New Jersey) academy, and at Lawrenceville, where he graduated in 1860. He then came to Williamsport and entered as law student in the office of Clinton Lloyd; after remaining here for a time, he entered Cambridge Law sehool, where he was gradu- ated in 1867 with degree of LL.D., and was admitted to the bar at Boston in the same year. He soon after returned to Williams- port and was admitted to the Lyeoming county bar, where he has since enjoyed a good practice in the county, state and fed- eral courts.

A Republiean, he has taken an aetive part in politics, and though never seeking any office, has been a member of the state eentral committee. Mr. Bartels is a member of the Masonic fraternity, has been interested in large oil industries and is counsel for the Tide-Water Pipe Line company. He has been connected with the Standard Coal and Coke company and the large Coke works at Cale- donia, Elk county.

Born at Flemington, N. J., October 27, 1842, and married at Williamsport, Pa., in 1869, to Miss Mary, daughter of Thomas Bell, of Pittsburgh, Pa. They have two sons and two daughters and are members of the Episcopal church.

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Thomas Mason Bacon Hicks, Williamsport, whose father, William Watkins Hicks, was born in England and came to the United States with his parents when a young boy, and settled on the Juniata river near Hunt- ingdon, Pa., was edueated and ordained as minister in the Methodist Episcopal church, and was also missionary to India in 1860, now retired, and whose mother, Clara Hart Hieks, died in 1876, when our subject was bnt thirteen years of age, was born Novem- ber 26, 1863, in Greenwich, Conn. He was edueated in the public schools and at the Media academy, located at Media, Pa., at the Dickinson seminary at Williamsport, gradu- ating from the preparatory course in 1882, after which he entered Dickinson college at Carlisle, Pa., graduating in the class of 1886. Ile registered as a student in the law office of Petrikin & MeNeil, at Huntingdon, and was admitted to the bar of Huntingdon county in June, 1887. Hle came thence to Williamsport, and was admitted to the Ly- coming county bar in July, 1887, and prae- tieed his profession singly until 1894, when he formed a partnership with W. H. Spencer. This alliance continued under the firm name of Hicks & Spencer until April 1, 1899, when it was dissolved. Ile has since continued in active practice in all the courts of the county with marked success.

An active member of the Republican party, he has been a member of the select council of Williamsport, and in 1889 was a candidate for district attorney. Affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church, he takes an active interest in all church matters.

Mr. Hieks was united in marriage at Williamsport. in 1888, to Miss Alice H .. daughter of Rev. Il. C. Cheston, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church. To this happy union has been born five sons, four of whom are living.

Jeremiah Clinton Hill, Williamsport. - Among the prominent and influential fami- lies of Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, for

more than one hundred years, the Ilill and Steck families have held a prominent place. John Hill, who was born in Berks county on May 24, 1789, passed his life near Hughes- ville, and died on May 1, 1873, at the age of eighty-six years. Catherine Steck, who was a daughter of Deltzer D. Steck, was a native of Lycoming county. These were the pater- mal grandparents of our subject. He was born at Hughesville, on June 11, 1841, to Dr. George and Rachel (Hughes) Hill, the for- mer born January 14, 1816, in Lycoming coun- ty, being widely known as a skillful physi- cian. Ilis death occurred on November 27, 1896. The mother, who was a native of Columbia county, Pennsylvania, died in 1894.

Jeremiah received his early education in the common schools, and after completing his preparatory studies, entered the Pennsyl- vania college at Gettysburg, whence he was graduated in 1864. He pursued his law studies at Williamsport, in the office and under the direction of Messrs. William and J. Il. Armstrong, and in November, 1867, was admitted to the bar. Opening an office at once, at Williamsport, he carried on his practice in his own name until 1895, when he associated with himself his son, H. Russell, under the firm name of J. C. and H. Russell Hill. Mr. Hill's practice, general in charac- ter, has embraced a wide range of notewor- thy cases and brought him into prominence as both a wise counsellor and also a skillful and successful trial lawyer and advocate.

A Republican in political sentiment, Mr. Hill formerly took an active part in the affairs of his party. and in 1868 was a candi- date in the office of district attorney. For a number of years he served as chairman of the Republican county committee, was also city solicitor, member of the Williamsport common council and for three years served as president of the board. . Mr. Hill was one of the organizers of the Edison Illuminating companies of his city, and is treasurer of the West Branch Building and Loan association.

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The twentieth century bench and bar of Pennsylvania, volume I, Part 60

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