The twentieth century bench and bar of Pennsylvania, volume I, Part 79

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

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his profession and its requirements and never seemed happier than when crowded with work that would have overwhelmed other men. Self-reliant and aggressive, with imperturbable equanimity and suavity, he would step from one case into another dur- ing the sessions of the court with a smooth- ness and ease born only of entire confidence, and whether victory or defeat was his har- vest, when the trial was over the same amia- ble good nature and cheery smile beamed in his expressive features. He had his office at his residence, but he never allowed busi- ness to engross time he felt should be de- voted to his family or his friends. "Intel- lectually he was the peer of the ablest. In capacity for rapid absorption of a case, ar- rangement of facts in their proper relation and in the application of principles to faets, he greatly excelled." With a eourage that knew no wavering, and an en- ergy and vim but rarely equaled, he never- theless recognized the wisdom of caution, especially when opposed by lawyers of abil- ity. He told the writer on one occasion, during his latter years, that the older he grew in experienee the more he appreciated the prudenee of having consulting counsel in eases involving any questions of doubtful determination, "as the vigilanee and judg- ment of two men are usually more trust- worthy than those of one." He enjoyed the society of his family, his friends and asso- ciates with the zest of a devotee. He died June 15, 1886.

Charles B. Wallace, Esq., was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, and was of English extraction. His father was a farmer and the son was engaged in the same occu- pation during the years of his youth. He, however. received a good education and for a number of years taught sehool. He began the, study of law with Hon. Thaddeus Ste- vens at Laneaster and completed his course with Judge Durkee at York. He was ad- mitted to the bar in February, 1849, and

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was in continuous and successful practice from that tine until his death in 1895. Quiet and unobtrusive, he did not figure so promi- nently as a trial lawyer, but as a counselor he had a large clientage. He was a finan- cier of ability and had been president of the City bank to the time of his death.

During the first decade of Judge Fisher's administration, we note Erastus S. Weiser and John Gibson, admited in 1851, Henry L. Fisher in 1853, who is now the oldest liv- ing member; William Hay, in 1858, James W. Latimer, 1859, and John W. Bittinger, in 1860, all of whom became prominent prac- titioners, and three of them, Gibson, Lati- mer and Bittinger, were elevated to the bench.

Erastus S. Weiser was born in York in 1826. He received a thorough education, first at the York county academy, then at Pennsylvania. college, and subsequently at Yale college, where he graduated in 1849. He read law with John G. Campbell, Esq., and upon his admission at once entered upon a good practice, which rapidly grew into a lucrative one, but in the prime of his career he died, after being at the bar twenty years. Had he been permitted to live and retain his health he would no doubt have attained a position far up toward the head of the pro- fession.

William Hay, Esq., was born in York, Au- gust 15, 1835, of one of the oldest and most highly respected families in this community, his ancestors having been prominently iden- tified with the growth and development of local affairs in business and professional lines for four generations before him. He was educated at the York county academy and Pennsylvania college at Gettysburg, graduating from the latter in 1856. He read law in the office of Evans & Mayer and was admitted to practice November 1, 1858. Im- inediately after his admission he formed a partnership with the Hon. Thomas E. Coch- ran, which continued until the death of the

latter. Mr. Hay was a man of culture and refined taste and exceedingly courteous and considerate in his intercourse with his fel- low-men. In his practice he was earnest, industrious, skillful and vigilant in behalf of his clients and stood for all that was elc- vating and ennobling as a lawyer and a man. In love with his profession, he refused to stoop to trickery or deception and devoted his best efforts to the study of its principles and the exemplification of its merits. Dur- ing the whole of his career the firm of which he was a member was recognized as a leader at the bar, in practice, ability and profes- sional honor and integrity. In the noonday of an honorable and successful practice he died in May, 1885.

During Judge Fisher's second term we find appearing on the records the names of Silas H. Forry, Martin S. Eichelberger, James Kell, Levi Maish, George W. McEl- roy, Pere L. Wickes, George W. Heiges and Frank Geise.

Silas H. Forry was born in York in 1838, received his education in the common schools and York county academy, read law with V. K. Kccsey, Esq., and was admitted to the bar in 1861. His business was princi- pally in the orphans' court and as counsel for individuals and corporations, in whichi departments he had an extensive practice. He was a financier of ability. He died in 1897.

Martin S. Eichelberger was admitted in 1861, and although of eminent ability and unusual accomplishments, practiced but lit- tle, devoting his time chiefly to literary pur- suits.

James Kell was of Scotch-Irish parentage, born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylva- nia; read law with Henry L. Fisher, Esq., then a leading practitioner at the York bar, and was admitted January 10, 1862, from which time he was in active and successful practice until his death, a period of thirty- seven years. He took a very active part in

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political matters and was the acknowledged leader of the Republican party in the county for a number of years, and received nummer- ous appointments in recognition of party fealty. He also held the office of register of wills for a while in 1887, by appointment of Governor Hartranft, and was postmaster from 1884 to 1888. He identified himself with educational movements and was a valued member of a number of fraternal organiza- tions. He was a close student, careful and observant in all he did, affable and courte- ous, and had a fund of reminiscent narrative at his command that made him a charming conversationalist.

Hon. Levi Maish was born in Conewago township, York county, November 22, 1837, and received his elementary education in the county schools. He subsequently at- tended the York county academy, after which he learned the trade of machinist. He was next a soldier in the war of the rebel- lion, rose to the rank of colonel, and made a very creditable record. He had taken up the study of law in 1861 under D. J. Williams, Esq., and after being mustered out of the service, resumed his legal studies at the law department of the university of Pennsyl- vania. IIe was admitted to the bar in 1864. He was Pennsylvania German by birth, and from the German sections of the county, largely by reason of his exceptionally kind and obliging manner, he at once acquired a large practice. He was a member of the Legislature in 1866 and 1867, and a member of Congress from 1875 to 1879, and again from 1887 to 1891. He commanded a re- spect and influence rarely attained by a member of the lower house with a term of service so short. He was tall, with a robust voice and stately carriage and attracted at- tention wherever he appeared. He was an omnivorous reader, had a very retentive memory and conversed entertainingly on lit- erary, scientific and a wide range of other subjects. He was a conspicuous example of

what an American boy, without wealth or influence to assist him, may accomplish.

George W. McElroy was a native of Lan- caster county, received his early education in the common schools, read law with Col. Reah Frazer, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and was there admitted in 1846. Ile subse- quently removed to Meadville, Pennsylva- nia. In 1861 he entered the army and con- tinued in service in various capacities until 1864, when he located at York, was admit- ted to the bar in December of that year and continued to practice until his death in 1887. From 1883 to 1886 he was district at- torney. IIe was a versatile writer, was for several years editor of the Lancaster "Intel- ligencer," and was also for some time iden- tified with the "True Democrat" of York. IIe was of portly form and was one of the best off-hand speakers at the bar.

George W. Heiges, Esq., was born in Dills- burg, York county, May 18, 1842. He was of German extraction, but being born and reared in an English speaking community, he did not speak the former language with facility. IIe was educated in the public schools and York county academy. In his youth he worked awhile at the trade of a painter, but soon abandoned it to follow educational pursuits. He taught for some time in the York county academy and in a local normal school, and subsequently was principal of the York Classical and Normal institute. He read law with D. J. Williams. Esq., and was admitted to the bar in 1867. He soon acquired a remunerative practice and a high standing at the bar. He repre- sented this county in the Legislature in 1873 and 1874 and later was twice elected chief burgess of York. As a lawyer he was learned, able and industrious and extremely careful and thorough in guarding the inter- ests of his clients. As an orator he excelled most of his contemporaries of the local bar. He was tall, of fine presence, courteous and deferential almost to a fault. He had been in-

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doctrinated into the old school idea of pro- fessional ethics, and when in the noonday of his career practice began to show symp- toms of losing its features as a learned pro- fession and assume the characteristics of commercial traffic, he rigorously set his face against the innovation. About this time he became the tutor of the writer in his prepa- ration for admission to the bar, and there was no point of law or practice that he more frequently referred to or more earnestly en- deavored to impress than the duty of a law- yer who sought to maintain a proper degree of respect for himself and his profession to stand by the ancient landmarks of the pro- fession. His practice was not as extensive as that of some others, but this was not be- cause of any lack on his part either of abil- ity, industry, laudable ambition or devotion to his profession. He was a gentleman by nature, supplemented by culture, and seemed never to have learned how to be rude to his fellows.

Frank Geise, Esq., was born in Paradise township, York county, May 22, 1837, and was of German parentage. His boyhood was spent on the farm and his educational facili- ties were the common schools. After a term in a hardware store, he attended the York county academy and later the Cumberland Valley institute, teaching school in the mean- time. In 1861 he enlisted in the army and continued in service five years, attaining the rank of captain. Upon his retirement he was appointed a clerk in the interior depart- ment at Washington, and while thus em- ployed utilized spare time in the study of law. He attended Columbia law college, from which he graduated in 1869, and at once came to York and was admitted to the bar. He soon acquired a good practice and also took a leading part in politics. Two years after his admission he was elected prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas, which office he held for three years. When he had been at the bar about fifteen years

he entered into partnership with E. D. Zieg- ler and Joseph R. Strawbridge, from which some years afterwards Mr. Ziegler withdrew, the firm consisting then of Geise & Straw- bridge, which continued until the death of Mr. Geise. As a lawyer Mr. Geise was ca- pable, thorough, energetic and successful, and the firms of which he was a member enjoyed an exceptionally large clientage. He was unusually public spirited and progres- sive and a number of enterprises and insti- tutions, industrial and charitable, owe their existence and success, in part, to his initia- tive and support. He contributed to the support of educational, religious and char- itable purposes to such an extent that it sometimes bore heavily upon his financial re- sources. At the time of his death he was mayor of the city of York, in which office he had instituted many reforms and changes looking toward a better and more economical administration of municipal af- fairs.

Then there were D. J. Williams, admitted in 1859, who was district attorney from 1869 to 1872, and his immediate successor in the office, John Blackford, admitted in 1870, who had read law with John L. Mayer, and who was law partner of Judge Stewart; D. Bigler Bailey, admitted in 1873; William H. Kain, admitted in 1875, and William J. Ful- ton, admitted in 1884; all of whom were men of marked ability but died comparatively young. Had they been allotted the average period of active practice they would, in all probability, have inscribed their names high on the roll of honor and success. Stephen J. Boyd, admitted in 1893, at sixty-three years of age, who was at the bar but six years, but deserves mention, not so much because of his career as a lawyer as on account of the conspicuous part he acted in other walks of life. He was of Scotch-Irish extraetion, born in Peach Bottom township, York county, and grew up on his father's farm, availing himself of the educational facilities afforded

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by the common sehools and academies in the neighborhood, and afterwards attended the State Normal sehool, at Millersville, Pa. For fourteen years he taught sehool, and was superintendent of public instruetion of the eounty from 1869 to 1872. He was an enthu- siastie advocate of popular edueation and was almost eonstantly engaged in some work intended to promote that eause. In 1867 and 1868 he represented the county in the Legislature and took a lively interest in the educational legislation during that period. He framed and seeured the passage of the bill for the ineorporation of the York and Peach Bottom Railroad company (now the York Southern), and was the ehief insti- gator of its eonstruetion and establishment. He had previously formulated and seeured the passage of the aet for the incorporation of the York and Chaneeford Turnpike eom- pany, and was ever alert and aetive in the line of the material development of the see- tion of the eounty from which he originally hailed. He was editor of the "York Ga- zette" for some years and devoted eonsider- able time and attention to literary work. He compiled and published a work entitled "In- dian Loeal Names," giving also their signifi- eation, which is the most authoritative work on the subjeet extant. In his praetiee at the bar he displayed the same energy and vim that eliaracterized him in other departments, but before he had fairly established himself his health failed and he died in 1899.

Hon. Jeremiah S. Black, who had been elief justiee of Pennsylvania, and also at- torney general of the United States under President Buehanan, and his son, Chauneey F. Blaek, later lieutenant governor of Penn- sylvania, were admitted in 1861, but did not engage in aetive praetiee here.

John L. Long, now a member of the bar of Philadelphia and an author of distine- tion, was born in Hanover, York eounty, read law here and was admitted in 1881.

Among others of prominenee not hereto-

fore referred to, admitted here, but whose work in the profession was more largely elsewhere, may be mentioned Hon. Fred- erick Watts and Hon. Samuel Hepburn, both of whom have been on the beneh in Cumber- land eounty ; Judge David Wills, Robert G. McCreary, David McConaughy and James McSherry, of Gettysburg; Hugh M. North and Edward Champneys, of Laneaster; Wil- liam A. Sponsler, of Perry, and John M. Bailey, afterward judge in Huntington eounty, all of whom were admitted from thirty to three seore years ago.

During the last quarter of a eentury we find the names of J. W. Simonton and John H. Weiss, judges of Dauphin eounty ; Samuel Hepburn, Jr., and F. E. Beltzhoover, of Car- lisle ; Judge B. F. Junkin, of Perry eounty ; Lyman D. Gilbert, of Harrisburg; Samuel H. Reynolds, of Laneaster; F. Carroll Brew- ster, of Philadelphia, who at various times liave graeed our eourts with their presenee.

Here we elose the sketeh of those of our brethren who have passed away. It is not pretended that it is in any sense full and complete as to those referred to, nor that those here omitted are therefore deemed un- worthy of notiee. On the contrary, it is ad- mitted that owing to the lapse of time sinee many of them have left the stage, due prom- inenee in exaet proportion to merit eould not be given. Limit of spaee at our disposal also dietated that we endeavor to "ehoose with diseretion out of the plenty that lies be- fore you."

Of the living we forbear to write, leaving that task to a future ehronieler, whose op- portunity it will be to write about lawyers as exeellent and men as good and true as "moral times afford." The profession has in the past attraeted and will in the future eall into its ranks master minds, who see in it the bulwark of liberty, the mainstay of institutions, and if not always the pioneer of progress, an ever ready guide and guardian to link arnis with the most advanced move-

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ments, and, if worthy, secure their stability.

Well may the best talent be devoted to its service. And if some of us have not shone with the luster of the brightest lights at the bar, we nevertheless partake of the glory of its achievements. The honor of the bar lies not so mueh in the exploits of a few eon- spicuous members as in the sum of its abil- ity, to which all of honorable standing con- tribute. The sublimity of the firmament consists less in the brillianey of the meteors that flash aeross it now and then than in the sum total of the less glaring but steady lights, always found, eaeh in its appointed plaee. At the celebration of a famous vic- tory a subordinate officer exhibited more than the average degree of rejoicing, and being asked what part he had taken in the battle, replied, "Only a lieutenant, but I stood by the guns to the end." Even so in our case; if we have faithfully discharged our duty as we found it, devoted our talents and best efforts to the serviee of our elients and the maintenance of a high standard of professional ethies, integrity and honor, we may as legitimately rejoice in the triumphs of enlightened jurisprudenee, although our station may have been only that of a lieu- tenant, as do the more pieturesque majors, eolonels and brigadiers. Devotion and fidelity to duty nowhere win brighter laurels than in the dignified practice of the profes- sion of the law.

The present resident practitioners, with the respective dates of their admission, are as follows:

Henry L. Fisher, August 22, 1853; Arthur N. Green, January 27, 1858; James B. Zieg- ler, August 24, 1864; John W. Heller, Feb- ruary 13, 1865; Hugh W. MeCall, August 27, 1866; Edward W. Spangler, Mareh 4, 1867; Hugh H. MeClune, March 18, 1868; Hiram S. MeNair, November 4, 1868, Ed- ward D. Ziegler, November 4, 1868; Edward Chapin, August 26, 1872; Nevin M. Wanner, August 26, 1872; Eli Z. Strine, February 24,

1873; Daniel K. Trimmer, October 23, 1874: George B. Cole, December 29, 1875; Horaee Keesey, Deeember 13, 1876; Charles M. Wolff, May 4, 1877; William H. Sitler, De- cember 17, 1877; Edward D. Bentzel, Sep- tember 20, 1878; Samuel C. Frey, July 14, 1879; Smyser Williams, September 15, 1879; Richard E. Cochran, September 15, 1879; Henry C. Niles, June 4, 1880; Philip J. Rau, May 26, 1881; George E. Neff, July 13, 1882 : William A. Miller, October 7, 1882; N. Sar- gent Ross, October 24, 1882; George S. Schmidt, June 30, 1884; John F. Kell, July 14, 1884; Joseph R. Strawbridge, Angust 25, 1884; Charles A. IIawkins, September 15, 1885; Charles E. Ehrehart, November 20, 1885; James G. Glessner, July 2, 1888; E. E. Allen, August 6, 1888; John N. Logan, Sep- tember 23, 1889; Robert F. Gibson, May 26, 1890; George W. Baeon, August 29, 1890; William B. Gemmill, June 1, 1891; Robert J. Lewis, August 3, 1891 ; John A. Hoober, Sep- tember 28, 1891; William G. Allen, Deeem- ber 24, 1891; Charles J. Dellone, February 29, 1892; Robert J. F. McElroy, Deeember 19, 1892; J. St. Clair MeCall, September 18, 1893; Bright R. Paxton, October 23, 1893; John E. Vandersloot, October 23, 1893; John F. Sprenkel, October 23, 1893; Jere S. Black, December 4, 1893; William L. Ammon, Au- gust 27, 1894; Allen C. Wiest, August 27, 1894; Henry C. Brenneman, August 22, 1895; Carl Henry Shambach, August 22, 1895; E. Dean Ziegler, November 19, 1895; Frank M. Bortner, November 17, 1896; David P. Klinedinst, December 20, 1897; Samuel K. McCall, December 20, 1897; J. Howard Manifold, December 20, 1897; J. Edgar Small, December 20, 1897; John L. Rouse, December 20, 1897; Robert C. Bair. January 2. 1899 ; C. W. A. Rochow, January 2, 1899; Edward G. Myers, January 8, 1900; Francis L. Farquhar, May 30, 1900; Willian E. Bushong, Angust 27, 1900; John G. Mil- ler, September 24, 1900; Raymond P. Sher- wood, January 4, 1901; John J. Bollinger,

Engraved, by E.A.Wright, Phil.

Egling

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YORK COUNTY

July 23, 1901; James J. Logan, September 23, 1901; Walter W. Van Baman, September 23, 1901; Andrew J. Hershey, November 25, 1901; Samuel S. Lewis, January 13, 1902; Charles A. May, December 22, 1902; Elmer S. Welsh, December 22, 1902; George Hay Kain, December 22, 1902; Donald H. Yost, December 22, 1902.

The following sketch by the publishers :

Hon. E. Z. Strine, an ex-member of the House of Representatives of Pennsylvania and a prominent lawyer, was born in the village of Strinestown, Conewago township, York county, Pennsylvania, on June 11, 1842. His parents were Peter S. Strine and Margaret (Ziegler) Strine. Peter S. Strine was born in Conewago township in 1815, and Margaret (Ziegler) Strine was born in Codo- rus township in 1817. The father of Mr. Strine died in 1854 and is buried in Union ceme- tery, Manchester borough. His mother is still living and resides on the old homestead at Strinestown and is now over cighty years of age. Both were Dunkards and gave to their son a religious training from his child- hood. The great-grandfather, Peter Strine, was a native of Germany and settled in America during the middle of the eighteenth century. The latter served under General Washington in the war of the Revolution. Margaret (Ziegler) Strine's parents were of German descent, her father, Daniel Ziegler, serving as a soldier in the defense of Balti- more in the war of 1812-14.

Captain E. Z. Strine was employed on a farm during his youth. He was educated in the common schools and ranked high as a ' scholar. He came to York in March, 1862, and entered into the mercantile business, continuing that pursuit until 1872, when he registered as a law student in the office of E. D. Ziegler, Esq. On February 24, 1873, he was admitted to the practice of law in the several courts of York county. Since that time he has been engaged in successful practice.

Mr. Strine was elected a member of the Ilouse of Representatives of Pennsylvania in 1886, and represented his county with ability. He has been prominent in politics for a period of thirty years, being a Demo- crat. He has taken great interest in mili- tary affairs. He left York for Gettysburg on July 1, 1863, marched with the Fifth Corps, Union Army and Pennsylvania Re- serve Corps from Hanover to Gettysburg during the night of the 1st of July, arriving on the Gettysburg battlefield on the morning of the 2d of July. He was present with the .troops and saw the second day's battle be- tween the Union and Confederate forces. On the morning of the 3d of July he was taken prisoner by the Federal troops as a Confederate spy, but after a hearing by the military authorities of evidence offered and proof of identification, was released. These stirring war scenes and actual service in bat- tle on July 2, 1863, thereafter shaped ·Cap- tain Strine's love for military service. The following is a brief account of service ren- dered his native state and in which he showed great ability as an officer and tacti- cian : On July 12, 1866, he was commissioned second lieutenant of the Ziegler Guards, of York; May 12, 1868, the first lieutenant of the North infantry, of York; July 12, 1869, captain of the North infantry ; captain of the York Continental Rifles, late company C, Eighth regiment, N. G. P., 10th day of Octo- ber, 1870; organized the York Grays on the 4th day of July, 1875; commissioned captain of the York Grays, company A, Eighth regi- ment, N. G. P., was re-commissioned a nuni- ber of times and served until July 12, 1893, when he resigned and his name was placed on the role of honor by order of Governor Robert E. Pattison. He was present with his company and assisted in oppressing the Homestead riot.

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The twentieth century bench and bar of Pennsylvania, volume I, Part 79

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