The twentieth century bench and bar of Pennsylvania, volume I, Part 87

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

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602

THE BENCH AND BAR OF PENNSYLVANIA

Company D, Eighteenth Pennsylvania Mili- tia, and in Company I, Thirtieth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers.

Henry H. Grimm, born at Freeburg, June 30, 1845, educated in the public schools and a graduate of the Freeburg Academy. In 1869 commenced the study of law in the office of A. C. Simpson, Esq., and completed his course under the instruction of James W. Knight, Esq. Admitted to practice in December, 1871. In 1876 Mr. Grimm was elected district attorney, and during his term was a prosecuting attorney in the famous Kinstler murder trial.

Albert W. Potter is a native of Hunting- don county, and was born at Shirleysburg January 7, 1847. He received his education in the public schools and at the Kishacoquil- las seminary in Mifflin county. In carly manhood Mr. Potter taught school in Juni- ata, Huntingdon, Blair and Mifflin counties. He studied law under the instruction of George W. Elder, Esq., at Lewistown, and was admitted to practice in Mifflin county April 1, 1872. He at once located in Selins- grove, in the county of Snyder, where he has resided ever since. In 1875 Mr. Potter was the county attorney, which office he held for several years, and has been repeatedly nom- inated for Congress.

William P. Sharp, born at Selinsgrove July 20, 1849, educated at public schools and Mis- sionary Institute; studied law under Charles Hower, Esq., and was admitted February, 1874.

Henry G. Deitrich, born October 22, 1836, and is a native of Union, now Snyder coun- ty. Educated at the public schools at the Freeburg Academy and Missionary Insti- tute; studied law under Horace Alleman, Esq., and was admitted to the Snyder coun- ty bar in December, 1875.

Albert M. Pfahler was born in Somerset county October 28, 1850; died at Middleburg August 18, 1879; educated at public schools and Pennsylvania college at Gettysburg; at-

tended medical lectures at St. Louis, Mo .; taught school in West Virginia and Illinois; located in Snyder county in 1868; studied law in the office of Simon P. Wolverton at Sunbury, and was admitted to the Northum- berland county bar in 1873, and in Snyder county in 1875.

Jacob Gilbert, a native of Snyder county, was born November 6, 1852; educated in the public schools and at Central Pennsylvania college at New Berlin; taught school eight years, and in 1874 commenced the study of law under the instructions of Thomas J. Smith, Esq., and admitted at the May term, 1876, and has since resided at Middleburg.

Charles P. Ulrich, born in Penn township, Snyder county, January 31, 1853; educated in the public schools, and for a while attend- ed Seminary institute, Selinsgrove, and Muhlenberg college, Allentown; commenced the study of law under the instruction of Charles Hower, Esq., and was admitted to practice at the February term, 1878.

Samuel J. Pawling, born in Penn township, Snyder county, June 24, 1866; died Novem- ber 19, 1900; he was educated in the public schools and in the Lafayette college; for a number of years he devoted his time and at- tention to teaching; read law under the in- structions of A. W. Potter, Esq., and Hon. Simon P. Wolverton, and was admitted to practice in the courts of Snyder county in the year 1894; for several years Mr. Pawling served as county attorney, being selected by the commissioners; though removed in early manhood, he gave promise of great use- fulness.

Frederick E. Bower, born at Selinsgrove January 21, 1846; attended the public and select schools of Middleburg; a graduate of Bucknell university, Lewisburg, in the class of 1869; studied medicine in 1869 and 1870 with Dr. P. R. Wagenseller as preceptor; in 1870 and 1871 taught natural science in the Keystone academy in Factoryville, Wyom- ing county ; in 1874 graduated from the Cro-

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SNYDER COUNTY

zer Theological seminary, in Delaware coun- ty, and became pastor of a Baptist eongrega- tion at Morgantown, W. Va .; in 1876 Mr. Bower began the study of law under the in- struction of John P. Cronimiller, Esq., at Middleburg, and was admitted to practice May, 1878; in the fall of 1882 Mr. Bower was elected distriet attorney, and in 1885 was re-elected.

William H. Dill, born in Warwick, Orange county, N. Y., August 5, 1841; was educated at Rutger's college, New Brunswick, N. J .; located in Freeburg, Snyder county, in 1867. and devoted his time to teaching; read law under the instruction of William H. Gra- ham, Esq., and was admitted to praetiee Sep- tember 26, 1876; he served in the war of the rebellion from 1862 to the close: is now de- eeased.

Newton I. Potter, born in Center county January 27, 1856; died at Selinsgrove Janu- ary 29, 1885; commenced the study of law under the instruction of his brother, Albert W. Potter, and was admitted to the bar of Snyder county in 1878.

William E. Housewerth, born at Selins- grove November 7, 1853; educated in the public schools and in the classical depart- ment Missionary institute, now Susquehanna university; in 1878 Mr. Housewerth began the study of law under the instructions of Charles Hower, Esq., and was admitted at the Deeember term, 1880; he opened his of- fice at Sclinsgrove, where he is still engaged in active practice ; in the year 1900 by reason of his literary ability and work Mr. House- werth had conferred upon him by the Penn- sylvania college at Gettysburg the honorary degree of A. M.

James G. Crouse, born at Selinsgrove July 13, 1856 ; in 1865 he, with his parents, moved to Middleburg, where he still resides; he re- eeived bis cducation in the public schools at Middleburg and at the Kutztown Normal school; in 1879 he commenced the study of law under the instruction of A. M. Pfahler,

Esq., and completed his course under Jacob Gilbert, and was admitted to the Snyder county bar September, 1881.

F. S. Simpson, born at Selinsgrove Febru- ary 5, 1860; received his education in the public schools and at the Bloomburg State normal sehool; read law in the office of his father, A. C. Simpson, Esq., and was admit- ted to practice December 12; 1881.

Harvey E. Miller, born at Selinsgrove April 10, 1862; educated in the publie schools and at the Missionary institute; began the study of law in 1881 in the office of A. W. Potter, Esq., and was admitted to the bar December, 1883.

Martin L. Snyder, born and raised in Penn township, Snyder county; educated in the publie schools and Missionary institute ; read law with A. W. Potter, Esq., and E. C. Mitehell, Esq., of Philadelphia ; was admitted to the bar at the Deecmber term, 1883.

Jay G. Weiser, born at Mahantango, Juni- ata county; was edueated in the publie schools at the Millersville State Normal school and in the law department of the university of Pennsylvania; from the last named institution he was graduated in 1882, and was admitted to the Philadelphia county bar; on December 23, 1886, he located at Middleburg and was admitted to practice in the courts of Snyder county.

James M. Baker, a native of Snyder eoun- ty, born November 30, 1861; educated in the public schools and at Ada, Ohio, where he took a full seientific eourse and was grad- uated as civil engineer in 1886; studied law under the instruction of Andrew Reed, Esq .. at Lewisburg, Pa., and in 1890 was admitted to practice in Mifflin county ; in March, 1891, he located at Beaver Springs, and was ad- mitted to the bar of Snyder county.

George W. Long, a native of Northumber- land county, read law under the instructions of Charles Hower, Esq., and was admitted to practice in Snyder county in May, 1891 : died at Selinsgrove October 21, 1900.

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THE BENCHI AND BAR OF PENNSYLVANIA

Frank S. Glass, a native of the county, was born at Freeburg September 2, 1853; re- ceived his education in the public schools, the Freeburg academy, Millersville state normal school and under a private tutor in New Haven, Com., studying the languages ; he was graduated from the State Normal school in 1873; in 1877 he was graduated from the Columbia college law school, and was at once admitted to practice in the Su- preme Court of New York; he practiced for ten years in the city of New York, after which he returned to his native place and was admitted to the Snyder county bar in 1892.

William K. Miller, a native of Snyder coun- ty ; educated in the publie schools; read law in the office of Simon P. Wolverton at Sun- bury, and was admitted to the bar of Snyder 'eounty September, 1892.

Miles I. Potter, born at Atkinson Mills, Mifflin county, July 29, 1865. He received his education in the publie schools and at the Delmont academy, in Westmoreland county. In 1893 he commenced the study of law un- der the instruction of his brother, A. W. Pot-

ter, Esq., and at the JJune term, 1895, was admitted to the bar of Snyder county.

Emanuel E. Pawling, born in Penn town- ship, Snyder county, September 6, 1870. Educated in the public schools and at La- fayette college. Read law in the office of F. E. Bower, Esq., and was admitted to prac- tice in the courts of Snyder county in 1896.

Samuel M. Snyder, a native of York coun- ty, educated in the publie schools and Sus- quehanna university; read law under the instructions of Charles P. Ulrich, Esq., and was admitted to the bar in April, 1896.

H. H. Bower, born at Middleburg, Snyder eounty, educated in the publie sehools, is a graduate of Bucknell university, studied law with his father, F. E. Bower, Esq., and was admitted to praetiee January 21, 1901.

Austin Francis Gilbert, a native of Snyder county, born June 6, 1876; edueated in the public schools at Middleburg and was grad- uated from the Franklin & Marshall college with the degree of A. B., June 10, 1898. Studied law in the office of his father Jacob Gilbert, and was admitted to the Snyder county bar January 21, 1901.

WILLIAM P. WELLS.

605

FAYETTE COUNTY

BY SAMUEL T. WILEY

The civil and legal history of Fayette county had its dawn in the struggle between the crown colony of Virginia and the pro- prietary province of Pennsylvania for po- litical supremacy over the present territory of southwestern Pennsylvania.

The earliest legal business was transaeted at Carlisle or Bedford under colonial laws as modified by statutes imperial and pro- vincial, and then beneath the brown rafters of Robert Hanna's log cabin court house, which was burned by Indians July 16, 1782.

Virginia on February 21, 1775, by "His Majesty's writ and with a commission of oyer and terminer and dedimus" opened an Augusta county court at Ft. Dunmore (Pitts- burgh) and the next year made the territory of Fayette county now cast of the National Road a part of her Yohogania county, and Fayette west of that road was placed in her Monongalia county whose first court house was built near New Geneva, in Fayette county. An armed force of Virginians went to Hannastown (four miles from Greens- burg) and arrested the Westmoreland county court when in session, and Virginia magistrates were arrested by the Pennsyl- vanians.

The first Court of Common Pleas for Fay- ette county was held in the sehool house at Uniontown, December 23, 1783, by Philip Rodgers and five associate justices. He was succeeded as presiding justice by Alex. Me- Clean. John Allen, Robert Ritchie, Edward Cook. The bar was composed of lawyers from Greensburg, Pittsburgh and Washing- ton, Pa.

William Pope Wells, whose career at the bar ended some fifty years ago, was one of the most brilliant lawyers in Fayette county in his time. With meager advantages, but with a genius for hard work, he surmounted obstacles that would have disheartened many, and come to be recognized as a lawyer profoundly learned in the law, and skilled in the practice of his high profession.

He was a native of Greensburg. Pa., and was born on December 22, 1811, his mother being a sister of the Hon. Richard Coulter, who served on the Supreme beneh of Penn- sylvania from 1846 to 1856. He attended the common schools of Greensburg in his early boyhood, and later studied at JJefferson college, Cannonsburg; he then turned his at- tention to the study of law, and in 1831 was admitted to the Fayette county bar.

Mr. Wells resided at Philadelphia for some time in his early manhood, but in 1840 set- tled at Uniontown, where he made his home and conducted a successful law practice till his deeease, which occurred on April 2, 1859. A conscientious and able lawyer, a forceful. pleasing and convincing speaker, and by his charm of manner he won the confidenee of a wide range of close friends. He attained a high place in his profession and left as a last- ing legacy the influence and example of a noble life.

Judge Alexander Addison was appointed in 1791 as president judge of the Fifth Ju- dicial distriet. comprising Fayette and three other counties. He held his first term of court at Uniontown, in September. 1791. served from 1791 to 1803, and his associate

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THE BENCH AND BAR OF PENNSYLVANIA

judges were Nathaniel Breading, Isaae Mea- son, James Finley, Edward Cook. Judge Ad- dison administered justiee with dignity and ability, was strongly opposed to the whisky insurrection which was in his distriet, and was removed by impeachment on charges of preventing Associate Judge John B. Lueas from addressing Allegheny eounty juries. Alexander Addison was born in Ireland in 1759, was graduated from Edinburgh, served a short time in the Presbyterian ministry before reading law, served twelve years on the beneh, was unjustly impeached, and died November 27, 1807. He was a man of ehar- aeter, eulture and seholarship. Prominent resident members of the bar were: Judge John Kennedy, who was graduated from Diekinson eollege with Roger B. Taney, and afterwards beeame a justiee of the State Supreme Court ; John Lyon (1771-1837) and General Thomas Meason (1776-1813). The first resident member seems to have been Thomas Hadden (1770-1826).

Judge Samuel Roberts served from 1803 to 1818, when he was placed over a new dis- triet. He was a native of Philadelphia, a courteous gentleman and a satisfactory judge. IIon. Andrew Stewart, John M. Aus- tin and the elder Judge Ewing were admit- ted to the bar during his term.

Judge Thomas H. Baird served from 1818 to 1838 (Fayette eounty now being plaeed in the Fourteenth distriet) and his associate judges were Samuel Nixon and Charles Por- ter. Judge Baird was a man of legal ability and great determination. He debarred seven attorneys in 1835, but the state Supreme Court ordered their restoration, and he re- signed in Deeember, 1837. He was born åt Washington, Pa., November 15, 1787, and died November 22, 1866. Speaking of the bar then Hon. Henry Clay Dean said: "But Pennsylvania produeed no greater men than they who made their reputation in Union- town-John Lyon, the metaphysieian; John Kennedy, the natural orator and jurist;

Judge James Todd (1786-1863), the self- made man; John M. Austin (1784-1864), the quiekest lawyer in court; Nathaniel Ewing, the elder, who lived in his library; Judge John Dawson (1788-1875), the Aristedes of the court; General Joshua B. Howell, of per- suasive power with juries; John H. Deford, the successful; Hon. Andrew Stewart, my preceptor and friend and Congressional eon- temporary of James Buchanan; R. P. Flen- niken, the most satisfactory minister to Den- mark; Colonel Samuel Evans (1800-1886), whose life is a monument; the poetie, Wells (Wm. P., 1811-1859) ; the generous Oliphant (E. P.), and the elassie Veeeh (James, 1808- 1879). Dean missed John Bouvier, author of the great law dietionary; Alfred Patter- son (1807-1878), an authority on knotty law points ; and Jaeob B. Miller (1799-1878), the veteran editor ; while Andrew Stewart "Tar- iff Andy" (1791 to 1872), and John Little- ton Dawson (1813 to 1870), the author of the "Homestead Bill," left aetive praetiee to achieve national reputation in the wider field of polities.

Judge Nathaniel Ewing, Sr., served from 1838 to 1848. His associate judges were Rob- ert Boyd, Eli Abrams, James Fuller and John Huston. Judge Ewing was an able jurist and a just judge, a man of stainless eharaeter and a pillar in the Presbyterian ehureh. Several times he obtained from the Supreme Court of the state a reversal of its deeisions and on this aeeount was ealled the "Law Giver" of western Pennsylvania. Judge Ewing was born July 8, 1794, graduated from Washing- ton eollege, married Jane, seeond daughter of Judge John Kennedy, and died February 14, 1874. During his term Thomas R. David- son (1814-1875), Daniel Kaine (1811-1885) and Alfred Howell were admitted to the bar and beeame able and prominent lawyers.

Judge Samuel Anderson Gilmore was ap- pointed in 1848, and eleeted in 1851 for his first eleetive term, elosing in 1861. His as- sociate judges were George Meason, John

o.k.Sewing

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FAYETTE COUNTY

Dawson, Thomas Duncan and John Brown- field. Among those of prominence admitted to the bar were Colonel Thomas B. Scaright (1827-1899), author of the "Old Pike;" Judges A. E. Willson and Edward Campbell, Major Peter A. Johns, G. W. K. Minor and Colonel John Collins (1815-1901).

Colonel John Collins, whose four score and six years were spent in Connellsville, was counted among her most enterprising and worthy citizens. He was born at Connells- ville on December 7, 1815, and was a son of James and Hilda (Thorp) Collins, his father being a tailor by occupation.

John attended the public schools of his na- tive place in his boyhood, and also learned the tailor's trade, and on the death of his father, in 1841, became his successor in the business which he carried on several years. During those years, he spent a part of his spare time in the study of law. His oppor- tunities for study were greatly increased be- tween 1854 and 1857 while serving as register and recorder of the Orphans' Court, Mr. Amzi S. Fuller being his preceptor, and in 1857 he passed his examination and was ad- mitted to the bar. In 1879 and 1880 Mr. Col- lins represented his county in the state leg- islature, where he served as chairman of the committee on railroads, and as a member of the judiciary committee. He was elected a member of the constitutional convention in 1873, and was commissioned colonel of the Fayette county militia regiment by Governor Porter.

Colonel Collins was a good lawyer and con- tinned in the practice of his profession until the time of his death. which occurred at Con- nellsville in 1901.

Judge James Lindsey served from 1861 till his death in September, 1864. His associate judges were William Hatfield and Alexander Crow. He was one of the youngest and most popular judges in the state. Ile was born in Green county, November 21, 1827. Of those admitted to the bar were Judge Charles E.

Boyle, Henry Clay Dean of national repu- tation, and Thomas Benton Schnatterly (1841-1899), who left active practice to be- come a successful political leader.

Judge Samuel Anderson Gilmore served on his second eleetive term from 1865 till his death in 1873. His associate judges were Alexander Crow, Provance McCormick and D. W. C. Dumbauld. Judge Gilmore had an excellent reputation for impartiality and for legal and general learning. He was born in Butler county in 1806, read law, came to Uniontown, was admitted to the bar and died while serving on the bench, May 15, 1873. During this term Judges N. Ewing, Jr., and S. L. Mestrezat were admitted to the bar.

Judge Alpheus Evans Willson served from 1873 to 1883. His associate judges were Sam- uel Shipley, D. W. C. Dumbauld and Griffith Roberts, until 1881, when the state Supreme Court declared Fayette county not to be en- titled to associate judges any longer. Judge Willson came of distinguished Virginia an- cestry, was born in what is now Monongalia county, West Virginia, October, 24, 1828, but was reared at Uniontown, where he died Sep- tember 9, 1884, from overwork on the bench. No one disputed his ability, none doubted his integrity.

Judge James Inghram served from 1883 to 1894, but by 1887 the business was increas- ing so rapidly that the legislature provided for an additional law judge, and Nathaniel Ewing was appointed to serve as such judge till 1894. Judge Inghram is a son of Dr. Arthur Inghram, was born September 12, 1842, in Greene county, where he read law and was admitted to the bar, and since leav- ing the bench has been in practice at Waynesburg.

Judge Nathaniel Ewing succeeded Judge Inghram as president judge in 1894, and served till 1898. Judge Ewing is a grand- son of Judge Nathaniel Ewing and a son of Judge John K. Ewing, and was born at Un- iontown, June 17, 1848, was graduated from

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THE BENCH AND BAR OF PENNSYLVANIA

Princeton college in 1869, read law with his father and Judge A. E. Willson, and was ad- mitted to the bar in 1871. Sinee leaving the bench he has been engaged in active prac- tiee and has also been an important factor in the substantial improvement of Uniontown. While on the bench it was due to his eourse of action and carnest efforts that Fayette county has her present fine and modern court house and jail. Judge Ewing has just been (1903) honored by being elected as president of the Pennsylvania state bar association.

Judge Charles Edmund Boyle was born at Uniontown, February 4, 1836, read law, was admitted to the bar in 1861, served two terms (1865-66) as a member of the legislature and two terms (1882-86) as a member of Con- gress. In 1888 he was appointed chief jus- tice of Washington territory, where he died while serving, at Seattle, Deeember 15, 1888. His career illustrates the fact that a trinity of massive intellect, indomitable will and ceaseless labor wins enduring snecess. He died in the land of sunset skies, where ocean- ward rolls the mighty Columbia. He sleeps in the beautiful and historic valley of the Mo- nongahela, where riverward flows the gentle Redstone.

Judge Stephen Leslie Mestrezat, LL. D., served as judge from 1894 to 1898, when he beeame president judge, which office he re- signed in 1899 before being elected as an as- sociate justice of the Supreme Court of Penn- sylvania for a term of twenty-one years, upon which he is now serving. Justice Mes- trezat was born in Greene county February 19, 1848, was graduated from the law depart- ment of Washington and Lee university in 1871, and admitted to the Greene county bar. He soon came to Uniontown, and two years later beeame the law partner of Hon. Charles E. Boyle, after which, by his own efforts, his snecess was assured and his rise rapid.

Judge Edmund Homer Reppert went on the bench as judge in 1898, and has served as

president judge since Judge Mestrezat's res- ignation in 1899. His term will expire in 1908. Judge Reppert is a son of Benjamin F. Reppert, and was born October 28, 1855, in Fayette county. He was graduated from Bucknell college in 1877, read law with Judge Nathaniel Ewing, was admitted to the bar in 1883, and practiced law until his elevation to the bench in 1898.

Judge Samuel Evans Ewing served by ap- pointment as judge during Deeember courts, 1899, to fill the vaeancy oecasioned by Judge Mestrezat's resignation. Judge Ewing is a son of Judge John K. Ewing, was born April 4, 1852, graduated from Prineeton college and was admitted to the bar in 1876.

Judge Robert Emory Umbel went on the bench as judge January 1, 1900, and is in di- rect line for the president judgeship not later than 1908. Judge Umbel is a son of Rev. Samuel C. Umbel and was born in Fayette county July 11, 1863. He read law with Boyle and Mestrezat. was admitted to the bar in 1887 and practiced law until he went on the bench.

Judge John Kennedy Ewing was commis- sioned to fill out Judge Lindsey's unexpired term and served from November 19, 1864, to December, 1865. Judge Ewing was born at Uniontown, December 15, 1823. was gradu- ated from Washington college in 1842, read law with his father. Judge Nathaniel Ewing. Sr .: was admitted to the bar in 1846, and sinee leaving the beneh has not practieed very actively on account of ill health, but has been largely interested in lands and banking and the coal and iron industries. He was largely instrumental in securing the building of the Southwestern Pennsylvania railway. He is a Presbyterian, and the ercetion of the present beautiful and costly Presbyterian church of Uniontown is largely due to his efforts.

James Clark Work, Uniontown, is recog- nized among the enterprising and progres-

JOHN COLLINS.

J. K. Com-bel. New York

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FAYETTE COUNTY

sive lawyers of Fayette county, and by faith- ful and eonseientious work in his profession has attained well deserved loeal prominence.

He is a native of Dunbarr township, Fay- eite county, and was born on February 8, 1859, the son of John and Sarah (MeLaugh- lin) Work, his father being a prosperous farmer.

James spent his boyhood working on his father's farm, and attending the distriet schools during the winter months. IIc was an apt seholar, and in 1880 was prepared to enter Waynesburg college, where he was graduated in the early summer of 1884. In the autumn of that year young Work entered the law department of Michigan university, and there spent one year; in the following fall he joined the senior elass in the law de- partment of Yale university, where he was graduated in June, 1886, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws.

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The twentieth century bench and bar of Pennsylvania, volume I, Part 87

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