USA > Pennsylvania > The twentieth century bench and bar of Pennsylvania, volume I > Part 70
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91
J. M. THOMPSON.
483
BUTLER COUNTY
many years he was a partner of John M. Thompson. In polities he is a Republican, but has never held office. Ile is prominent in Grand Army eireles, and during the years 1902-3 he was grand commander of that or- ganization for the Department of Pennsyl- vania. He married the daughter of Lieuten- ant-Governor and Ex-Congressman Hoskins of Attiea, New York, and has two children, Dr. George Scott of the United States Army and Robert Scott.
Livingston McQuistion, fourth son of Wil- liam and Mary McQuistion, was born in But- ler, May 16. 1849, and was educated in the public schools and Witherspoon Institute. He is a grandson of John MeQuistion, one of the first settlers of Butler county. Living- ston read law in the office of L. Z. Mitchell, and while doing so he taught school. Ile was admitted to the bar of Butler county on June . 10, 1870, since which the he has been ac- tively engaged in the practice of the profes- sion at Butler, the last few years having also an office at Pittsburg. In 1874 he was elect- ed district attorney. In 1882 he was the candidate of his party for Congress in his county, but the district nomination went to another. In 1902 he was the candidate of his party for judge. but was defeated by Judge Galbreath, his party being in the minority. For several terms he has held the office of school director in Butler, being an ardent friend of the common school system. In 1880 he was a delegate to the National Democratic convention, which nominated General Hancock for President. He has fre- quently been a delegate from Butler county to state conventions. In politics he has always been a Democrat. is greatly in de- mand as a stump speaker and stands high in the councils of his party in the state. He is connected with Butler Lodge, F. & A. M .: is a member of the Chapter and Com- mandery, and is also a member of the K. of P. and the B. P. O. E. In January, 1874, he
was married to Miss Sue Beam, of Harmony. and has one son, C. L., also a member of the bar.
Clarence Walker was born in Butler, March 24, 1848, the son of Nathaniel and Sarah (Slater) Walker. Ile received his primary education in the public schools, afterwards attending Witherspoon Institute in Butler. He read law with JJudge MeJun- kin and was admitted to the bar of Butler county in March, 1871. Ile has ever since been actively engaged in the practice of the profession in Butler. He is one of the man- agers of the Pure Oil Company. Politically he is a Republican, but has never held office. In 1877 he married Elizabeth M., daughter of Judge MeJunkin, and their children are as follows: Wayne MeJunkin, Victor B., Helen. Lucile, Clarence L., and Elizabeth.
George R. White was born in Butler in 1848, the son of Rev. William White. D. D., for many years rector of St. Peter's Protest- ant Episcopal Church of Butler, and of Mary (Bredin) White. George acquired an aca- demie education, and read law in the office of Judge James Bredin. He was admitted to the bar of Butler county in March, 1871. since which time he has been engaged in the active practice of his profession.
Kennedy Marshall, son of Samuel and Mary (Gilliland) Marshall, was born in Adams township, Butler county, July 21. 1834. His father was for many years asso- ciate judge of Butler county. Kennedy en- tered the freshman class of Jefferson College in 1854. He left college at the close of his junior year, in 1857, and entered the law office of Marshall & Brown, in Pittsburgh, as a student. Thomas M. Marshall of that firm was his uncle and A. M. Brown was his cousin. He was admitted to the bar of Alle- gheny connty about June 1, 1859. He was married to Anna E. Totten of Pittsburgh, July 21, 1859. In October. 1860, he was elected to the legislature in Allegheny county. In
484
THE BENCH AND BAR OF PENNSYLVANIA
4
1872 he removed to Butler, where he has since resided.
Washington D. Brandon, son of John Welsh and Ruth Ann C. (Beighley) Brandon, was born in Connoquenessing township, But- ler county, on November 1, 1847. The Bran- dons came from England to America in the seventeenth century. William Brandon, great-grandfather of Mr. Brandon, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and was engaged in the battle of Brandywine. John Welsh, another great-grandfather, was also engaged, and was wounded in the same bat- tle. John Brandon, the grandfather of Mr. Brandon, was a soldier in the war of 1812.
Mr. Brandon was educated in the public schools of his native place, attending also in the winter of 1862-3 the public school in Cranberry district, Mercer county, from 1863 to 1865; two years he attended With- erspoon Institute, Butler: from 1865 to 1868 he attended Washington and Jefferson Col- lege, graduating from that institution in the class of 1868. During the winter of 1868-9 he taught a select school at White Oak Springs, Butler county, and the two years following he taught in the Witherspoon In- stitute, Butler. In March, 1869, he registered as a law student in the office of Hon. E. McJunkin, and was admitted to the bar of Butler county in March, 1871. After his admission he remained for two years in Judge McJunkin's office, and then for a short time, was in partnership with Clarence Walker. Since then he has practiced upon his own account.
Politically Mr. Brandon is a Republican, but has never sought or held office. He has built up a very large general practice. and is attorney for the Butler Savings and Trust Company. the Forest Oil Co., the South Penn Oil Co., the National Transit Pipe Line Co., the Butler Light. Heat and Motor Co., the Butler Water Co., the Standard Steel Car Co., and other corporations, His connection
with these companies indicates his high standing as a lawyer. He is largely inter- ested in the leading industries of the con- munity. He is a director in the Butler Sav- ings and Trust Company, a director and vice- president in the Guaranty Safe Deposit and Trust. Company, and a director in other in- stitutions. For years he was successfully engaged in the oil business, and was one of the promotors and a director in the Bald Ridge Oil and Transportation Company, the pioneer oil company of the county.
May 27, 1875, he married Clara B. Camp- bell, daughter of James Campbell, then a retired merchant of Butler. They have five children : Margaret, Elora, John Welsh. James Campbell, and Howard Allen.
Mr. Brandon has been active in religious and benevolent work. He is an elder in the First Presbyterian Church of Butler, and was superintendent of its Sunday School for over twenty years. He is a director in the Y. M. C. A. Is a trustee of Grove City Col- lege, and a director of the Western Theo- logical Seminary of Allegheny, Pa.
A. T. Black, son of John Black, was born in Marion township, Butler county, Decem- ber 31, 1847. He studied law with his broth- er, George A. Black. then of Kansas City. Mo., and was admitted to the bar of that city December 22, 1872. He was admitted to the har of Butler county in March. 1875, since. which time he has practiced his profession in Butler.
H. H. Goucher, son of H. B. and Eliza J., Goucher, was born at Richmond. Ohio, May 9, 1847. He was reared on a farm in Scrub- grass township. Venango county. He ob- tained his education in the common schools, attending Wilmington College for a short time. In 1871 he commenced the study of the law in Franklin, Pa., with J. H. Donly. and was admitted to the Venango county bar in January, 1873. In April of the same year he located in Butler, where he has ever since
Eng thy WT Bather Allya M.
485
BUTLER COUNTY
practiced his profession, with the exception of five years, from 1883 to 1888, during which time he was located at Warren, Pa., and Seattle, Wash., and a portion of the time was engaged in the lumber business in con- nection with the practice of his profession. In 1878 he was appointed register in bank- ruptey, and held that office until 1883. He has also been a school director. August 1, 1876, he married Bertha A. Kehn, and has three children: Edwin L., Laura D., and Mabel E.
John Henry Negley was born in Butler, February 7, 1823, and was the son of John and Elizabeth Ann (Patterson) Negley, pioneers of Butler county. He was educated first in the old Butler Academy, and then, in 1841, he entered Washington College, where he remained for three terms. In the spring of 1843 he commenced the study under Judge John Bredin, and was admitted to the bar March 25, 1845. In March, 1848, he was appointed deputy attorney-general for Butler county, which office he held for about one year. In 1850 the office, as that of dis- trict attorney, became elective, and he was the first district attorney elected in the coun- ty, holding the office for three years. In 1855 he became proprietor and editor of the Democratic Herald, which he published un- til July, 1858. In 1861 he was appointed enrolling officer for Butler county, an office established to enroll names of those subject to draft, which office he held about one year. In October, 1863, he was elected as a Repub- lican to the legislature, and was twice re- elected, serving three years. In April, 1869, he purchased the Butler Citizen, which he edited and published until 1888. He was married July 8, 1847, to Mary Harper, to which union were born eight children, as follows: Elizabeth A. H., widow of Rev. L. H. Geshwind; William C., now editor of the Butler Citizen; John H .; Joseph P .; Mary Stella : Martin Luther, who was drowned in
1884; Felix C., and Edgar Hayes, an attor- ney of the Butler bar. Mr. Negley is a Lutheran.
James Bredin McJunkin is the only son of Judge E. McJunkin. He read law in the office of his father, and was admitted to the bar of Butler county on March 11, 1875, since which time he has practiced his profession in Butler, part of the time in partnership with Judge Galbreath. He has been greatly interested in the public schools, serving as school director. He has also been a member of the common council of the town.
Andrew G. Williams, son of John G. and Caroline (Snyder) Williams, was born in Richmond, Virginia, September 8, 1840. In 1842 his parents removed to Allegheny coun- ty, Pennsylvania. He learned the trade of a nailer. In 1861 he enlisted in the army, his command being mustered into the service as Company E, Sixty-third Pennsylvania volunteers, and at second Bull Run he was commissioned second lieutenant. In the spring of 1863 he was placed in command of Company F, and subsequently at the head of his old company, where he remained until the close of his term of service. He was twice wounded, first at Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862, in the head and hand, and at the Wilderness, August 6, 1864, in the left tem- ple by a minie ball. He participated in the following engagements: Yorktown, Wil- liamsburg, Seven Days' Fight before Rich- mond, Harrison's Landing, Second Bull Run, Groveton, Chantilly, Fredericksburg, Mud March, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Bristoe Station, Culpepper Court House, Kelly's Ford, Mine Run, and the Wilderness. After his return home on account of his severe wounds, he was unable to work at his trade. He entered Duff's Commercial College at Pittsburgh, and also read law at home. In 1867 he again worked at his trade, still keep- ing up his law studies. In 1875 he came to Butler, read law with Judge Greer, and was
186
THE BENCH AND BAR OF PENNSYLVANIA
admitted to the bar the same year. He soon formed a partnership with Alexander Mitell- ell, which connection is still maintained. In polities Mr. Williams is an ardent Repub- lican. In 1890 he was elected to the legisla- ture, serving two years. In 1900 he was elected to the state senate, of which body he is still a member. He has been twice mar- ried. His first wife was Lucy A. Lee, who died in August, 1870, leaving three children : Carrie L., wife of A. G. Graham; Jessie A., wife of Lester C .. Patterson, and Anna S., wife of Proctor V. Smith, all of whom are dead. His second wife was Emma S. Ram- age. Their children are : John G., Benjamin R., Andrew G., Jr., and Mary E. Mr. Wil- liams is a Mason, and Past Master of Zere- datha Lodge; he is also connected with Alle- gheny Chapter, and is P. E. C. of Allegheny Commandery No. 35, K. T., and a member of Syria Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He is a member of Butler Encampment No. 45, U. V. L., and of A. G. Reed Post No. 105, G. A. R., of Butler.
Joseph B. Bredin was born in Butler, De- cember 24, 1846, and is the youngest son of Judge John and Nancy (McLelland) Bredin. IIe obtained his education at the Butler Academy and the Pennsylvania and Michi- gan State Agricultural Colleges. He then, for a time, studied medicine with his brother, Dr. Stephen Bredin, and attended lectures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York. For a time then he engaged in the business of a druggist in Iowa and Minne- sota. Hle then read law in the office of George R. White, and was admitted to the bar of Butler county in 1875, since which time he has been practicing in Butler. He married Mary Speer, and to them have been born two sons, James and Norman.
Porter Wilson Lowry, son of Alexander and Margaret (Spear) Lowry, was born in Butler on Februry 12, 1855. His father, Alexander Lowry, son of Alexander and
Margaret (Bouslough) Lowry, was born Feb- ruary 18, 1814, in Iluntingdon (now Blair) county, Pennsylvania, and moved to Butler on September 30, 1850, where he resided until his death on June 24, 1895. His mother. Margaret (Spear) Lowry, daughter of Wil- liam and Jean (Lindsay) Spear, was born in Williamsburg, Blair county, Pennsylvania. in 1821, and died at her home in Butler on December 11, 1886.
Mr. Lowry was educated in the Butler public schools and at the Witherspoon Insti- tute, Butler. He read law in the office of E. McJunkin, and was admitted to the bar on March 15, 1875. Mr. Lowry is an ardent Republican, and is a leader in his party in the county, but he has never been a candi- date for any political office, save in 1891. when he was elected as a member of the proposed constitutional convention. He was chairman of the Republican county commit- tee in 1894. He is a member of and an elder in the First Presbyterian Church of Butler. He is a member of and Past Master in Butler Lodge No. 272, A. Y. M., and a member of and Past High Priest in Butler R. A., Chap- ter No. 273. He was married on January 30. 1890, to Mary Watson Hazen, only daugh- ter of Judge Aaron L. and Amelia Watson IIazen, who died March 20, 1891, and was married on June 17, 1896, to Jeannette MI. Brown, daughter of John W. and Emeline Brown. They have three children: Alex- ander, Margaret and Jeanette.
W. H. Lusk, son of Dr. Amos and Agnes S. Lusk, was born at Harmony, Butler coun- tv, May 11, 1853. His education was ob- tained chiefly under the instructions of his father and of Prof. J. R. Tetzel, of the Zelie- nople Academy. In August, 1875, he com- menced the study of law with W. D. Bran- don, and he was admitted to practice at the bar of Butler county October 24, 1877, since which time he has diligently and successfully followed the practice of his profession in
Partes W. Lowry
481
BUTLER COUNTY
Butler county. He married, in 1882, Matilda Endres, and has three children, Arthur II., Amy M., and James L.
William C. Findley, son of Samuel and Sarah Findley, was born in Clay township, Butler county, on March 23, 1854. Hle at- tended West Sunbury Academy and Grove City College. He read law in the office of George A. and A. T. Black, and was admitted to the bar June 3, 1878.
F. J. Forquer, son of William and Mar- garet Forquer, was born February 27, 1857. He attended the West Sunbury Academy and Duff's Commercial College at Pitts- bnrgh. He read law in the office of his broth- er, William A. Forquer, and was admitted to practice in 1879.
Alexander Murray Cornelius was born in Worth township, Butler county, December 6, 1844. He attended the Academy at West Sunbury, and later Witherspoon Institute. Ile became a clerk in the prothonotary's office in Butler, read law in the office of W. D. Brandon, and was admitted to the bar in 1880. He was married June, 1869, to Mary M. Kelly, daughter of Amaziah Kelly, of Worth township. They have six children : Clara E., Raymond S., Margaret J., Florence, Lawrence K., and Jesse.
Frank X. Kohler, son of Gabriel and Re- genia Kohler, was born in Butler. He attend- ed St. Peter's parochial school in Butler, and subsequently attended Witherspoon Institute of the same place. He pursued his legal studies in the office of Charles MeCandless, and was admitted to the bar in 1882.
James B. Mates, son of Amos and Mary A. Mates, was born in Muddyereek township, Butler county, September 2, 1859. He was edneated at Witherspoon Institute, Butler, read law in the office of Charles MeCandless, and was admitted to the bar in 1883. He represented Butler county in the legislature in the sessions of 1893 and 1901. In 1887 he married Nordena, daughter of A. C. Wilson of Butler.
John D. Marshall, son of James M. and Ruth A. (Riddle) Marshall, was born in Prospect, Butler county, on June 20, 1860. He read law in the office of W. D. Brandon and was admitted to the bar in 1882. He was married December 25, 1880, to Margaret Leise.
James N. Moore, son of Thomas and Mary Moore, was born in Worth township, Butler connty, August 23, 1859. He was educated at Grove City College, graduating in 1880. He taught school for four years, read law in the office of Charles MeCandless, and was admitted to the bar September, 1882. He represented Butler county in the legislature in the sessions of 1895, 1897 and 1899, and was reading elerk of the House in the session of 1903. He married Alice, eldest daughter of Alfred Wiek of Butler.
Everett L. Ralston, son of John and Han- nah (MeCoy) Ralston, was born at Centre- ville, Butler county, June 7, 1858. He at- tended Mt. Union College and Grove City College, graduating at the latter institution in 1881. He read for the profession in the office of Charles MeCandless, and was ad- mitted to practice in 1883. In 1888 he mar- ried Carrie Helen, daughter of W. P. Smith of Centre township.
John Graham, when he died, left an envi- able reputation as a lawyer. By his eon- temporaries at the bar he was coneeded to be a lawyer of unusual attainments. He devoted himself to the eivil side of the prae- tice. He was not an orator, and the general publie did not probably rate him at his true worth. He seems never to have acquired a numerous and promiscuous clientage, but in the contests at the bar in his late days he was always in evidence. He was indefatiga- ble in the pursuit of his profession. His judgment was elear and he was a man of the strictest integrity. He therefore com- manded the confidence of the court and the respeet of the bar. Tradition has placed him, among all the members of the bar who
488
THE BENCH AND BAR OF PENNSYLVANIA
have passed away, as the leader for learning in the profession.
Ira M. Junkin, son of James F. and Mar- tha M. Junkin, was born in Butler JJanuary 13, 1860. He attended Witherspoon Insti- tute, and at the age of seventeen he was ap- pointed, by Colonel John M. Thompson. to the United States Naval Academy at An- napolis, Maryland, from which he graduated in 1881. He then spent two years on the Asiatic Station in the United States service, and after his return stood a final examina- tion, and by an act of Congress received an honorable discharge in 1883. The same year . he commenced the study of the law in the office of Ebenezer MeJunkin, and was ad- mitted to the bar April 10, 1886. In 1892 he was elected district attorney of Butler county. He has also held the office of school director in Butler. During the Spanish Am- erican war of 1898 he served as captain of Company E, Fifteenth Regiment Pennsyl- vania Volunteers.
Aaron Eli Reiber, son of Martin J. and Mary (Yetter) Reiber, was born in Butler on April 9, 1863. His ancestry is German. His preliminary education was obtained in the Butler public schools, at the Witherspoon Institute, and under the instruction of pri- vate tutors. He then attended Washington and Jefferson College one year, from there going to the University of Princeton, from which institution he graduated in 1882. Hc read law in the office of T. C. Campbell, and was admitted to the bar in 1885. He is a Democrat, and as such he was elected district attorney of Butler county in 1889, serving in that office for the years 1890-92. He is a member of the English Lutheran church, and takes an active interest in the prosperity of that organization. He has taken an active part in many of the public enterprises in Butler. He has been a director of the Y. M. C. A., and of the Butler Hospital; is a mem- ber of the Board of Directors of the Butler
Street Passenger Railway Company organ- ized, and is president of the Guaranty Safe Deposit and Trust Company of Butler. He was married June 17, 1898, to Florence Smith and has one child, Marten A. Bei- ber.
Thompson M. Baker, son of George K. and Martha Baker, was born in Beaver town- ship, Beaver county, April 24, 1862. He at- tended West Sunbury Academy and Grove City College. Hc read law in the office of John M. Russell and was admitted to the bar in September 1888. On February 24, 1887, he married Nannie E. Painter, a daugh- ter of Simon P. Painter of Clay township, Butler county.
Alfred M. Christley, son of Thomas F. and Ann C. (Hill) Christley, was born in Cherry township, Butler county, January 13, 1860. He attended West Sunbury Academy and Grove City College. He read law in the of- fice of John M. Thompson, and was admitted to the bar in 1888.
Albert T. Scott, son of Samuel and Mary S. Scott, was born in Kiskiminetas township. Armstrong county, October 21, 1856. He at- tended Elder's Ridge Academy, Indiana county and the Ohio Normal University at Ada, Ohio. He read law, in the office of Me.Junkin & Galbreath, and was admitted to the bar in 1888. June 5, 1892 he married Jean Covode, a daughter of Henry Taylor of Indiana county. In the Spanish-Ameri- can war he served as second lieutenant of Company E. Fifteenth Pennsylvania Infan- try Regiment.
Elmer E. Young, son of Simon P. and Eliza Young, was born in Summit township, But- ler county, April 9, 1864. He attended Witherspoon Institute, and then entered Washington and Jefferson College where he remained two years. In 1887 he became a law student in the office of Charles Mc- Candless, and was admitted to the bar in June, 1890. He was married, June 28, 1894.
AARON E. REIBER.
489
BUTLER COUNTY
to Bella A. Moore, daughter of Mrs. Mary M. Moore, of Butler.
A. B. C. McFarland, son of Andrew and Margaret (Marshall) McFarland, was born in Bellaire, Ohio, June 20, 1852. He attend- ed Westminster College at New Wilmington, Lawrence county, and Monmouth College, Illinois, graduating from the latter in 1875. HIe then entered Allegheny Theological Sem- inary, Allegheny City and graduated from
that institution in 1878. He was licensed to preach in April of that year, and ordained the following September, by the Butler Pres- bytery of the United Presbyterian Church. He was called as pastor of the Fairview church, Fairview, Butler county, where he remained eleven years. He then entered the office of Charles MeCandless as a law stu- dent and was admitted to the bar May 25, 1891.
190
THE BENCH AND BAR OF PENNSYLVANIA
CENTRE COUNTY
BY J. CALVIN MEYER
Territory which, prior to the year 1800, had formed a part of Mifflin, Northumber- land, Lycoming and Huntingdon counties was, by an act of the legislature, passed in the early part of that year, organized into Centre county and made a part of Pennsyl- vania's Fourth judicial district. In accord- ance with a provision of the state constitu- tion and a legislative enactment then on the statute books, it became the duty of the governor of the state to appoint not more than four nor less than three persons for judges in each county. Of these the presi- dent judge must be learned in the law. The others, who came to be called associate judges might be laymen. The president judge and any two of the others were au- thorized to hold common pleas and oyer and terminer courts, while quarter sessions and orphans' courts could be held by any two of the judges so appointed. It was a common custom in colonial days for laymen to serve as judges, and the records show that in 1749 the common pleas court in Philadelphia was held by four lay justices, Benjamin Frank- lin being one of them, and this custom pre- vailed not only in the lower, but also in the Supreme court of the province, the chief justice in some instances belonging to the lay class.
Before the days of courthouses the cus- tom was to hold courts in private houses ; and the same act of the general assembly which created Centre county provided for the holding of courts of common pleas and general quarter sessions in the house of one James Dunlap in the town of Bellefonte un- til a courthouse should be erected. Another
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.