The twentieth century bench and bar of Pennsylvania, volume II, Part 32

Author:
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago, H. C. Cooper, jr., bro. & co.
Number of Pages: 1180

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The minute of his admission states Jona- than HI. Walker as his preceptor; this was probably his uncle, Jonathan Hoge Walker, then judge of the United States Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. Aside from the above stated positions held by Mr. Walker, he devoted himself exclusively to his profession, in which he justly attained great prominence, and died without spot or ·blemish on his personal or professional char- acter.

Richard Butler Barker was admitted January 23, 1824, on motion of Neville B. Craig.

Robert Watson was admitted January 24, 1824, on motion of Alexander Brackenridge. Retired and died. at Pittsburgh, October 3, 1874.

Henry Baldwin, Jr., son of Henry Bald- win, of the Allegheny county bar, was ad- mitted April 21, 1824, on motion of James Ross. He afterwards removed to Nashville. Tenn.

Samuel Evans was admitted May 5, 1824, on motion of Henry Baldwin.

Charles H. Israel was admitted August 4, 1824, on motion of A. S. T. Mountain. His death was announced to the courts April 14, 1847, by William B. McClure and Wilson MeCandless.

William Snowden was admitted January 18, 1825, on motion of Neville B. Craig. His preceptor was Richard Biddle. Mr. Snow .. den dicd of yellow fever at New Orleans in 1828.

Isaac Murphy was admitted April 29, 1825, on motion of Trevanion B. Dallas. Pro- ceptor, Samuel A. Roberts.

Nathaniel Plumer Fetterman, son of George and Hannah (Plumer) Fetterman, was born February 4, 1804, in St. Clair (now Scott township), Allegheny county, Penn- sylvania, on a farm yet in the possession of the family. He was educated in the schools and academies of the neighborhood and city, read law with his brother, Washington Wayne Fetterman, and was admitted Au- gust 3, 1825, on motion of Samuel Kingston. Removing to Bedford county, he was elected to the Legislature three terms, and, render- ing himself unpopular with his constituents by an earnest, intelligent and effective ad- vocacy of a common school system, he rc- moved from Bedford to Beaver, and was ad- mitted to the Beaver county bar June 6, 1831. In 1849 he returned to Pittsburgh. where he spent the balance of his life. Ile died June 2, 1874, and was buried in the Chartiers cemetery. His death was an- nounced to the courts June 3, 1874, by

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THE BENCH AND BAR OF PENNSYLVANIA

Samuel A. Purviance and Robert Woods.

After Mr. Fetterman's return to Pitts- burgh he was admitted February 5, 1850, in the District Court, that court having been organized after he removed from Pitts- burgh, which aceounts for a seeming double admission as shown by the roll. In Pitts- burgh he practiced with his brother .under the firm name of W. W. and N. P. Fetter- man; and after his brother's death he prae- ticed with his deceased brother's son under the firm name of N. P. and G. L. B. Fetter- nian.

Mr. Fetterman ranked high in the profes- sion. Although his sphere was in eivil prac- tice, early in life he won prominenee in crim- inal practice. A New York Indian named Samuel Mohawk, in a drunken frenzy killed a mother and her three or four little child- ren in Butler county. Mr. Fetterman was eoneerned for the defense, and for hours de- livered a speech to eourt and jury, elear in logie and statement, ringing with eloquenee, still remembered and discussed by old law- yers and residents who heard him. At the bar meeting held after his death, Mr. Thomas M. Marshall, in speaking of him, voieed the sentiment of beneh, bar and people in de- elaring him "a sinless man."

John Galbraith, son of a Revolutionary soldier of Huntingdon county, was born there August 2, 1796. Removed with family to Butler county, read law with Willian Ayres, and admitted to the Butler bar No- vember 10, 1818, and to the Allegheny eounty bar November 7, 1825.

Located in Venango county and after- wards in Erie; was judge in the Erie dis- trict, ete.

John Glenn was admitted November 18, 1825, on motion of Riehard Biddle.

Charles Coolman was admitted December 22, 1825, on motion of James S. Craft.

Charles Sidney Bradford, son of Samuel Fisher and Abigail (Inskeep) Bradford, was born December 16, 1804, in Philadelphia. He

was graduated from the University of Penn- sylvania with the class of 1822, read law with Horace Binney and admitted to the Philadelphia bar in October, 1825. Remov- ing to Pittsburgh, he was admitted to the Allegheny county bar, Angust 7, 1826, on motion of Richard Biddle, and practiced here until the close of 1847, when he re- turned to Philadelphia.

Since his retirement from practice here, he resided in Philadelphia, excepting about twelve years spent in Paris and Europeail travel, during which time he married Miss Helen Fisher. Returning to his home in Philadelphia, he lived there until his death, which oeeurred July 8, 1893.

Edward Despard Gazzam was born in Pitts- burgh, May 4, 1803. He was graduated from the Western University of Pennsylva- nia with the elass of 1824, read law with Riehard Biddle, and was admitted to the bar August 8, 1826, on motion of Trevanion B. Dallas. He practiced a few years with Mr. Biddle, when, on account of failing health, he abandoned the law and studied medieine, graduating from the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, and there- after followed the practice of medicine. He was a member of the National Free Soil eon- vention at Buffalo in 1848, which nominated ex-President Martin Van Buren for presi- dent, and was also the Free Soil candidate for governor of Pennsylvania the same year.

In 1855 Mr. Gazzam was the Free Soil can- didate for the State Senate from Allegheny county, but was defeated. In 1856 was again! a candidate and eleeted over Hon. Hopewell Hepburn, the Democratie candidate, and Paul A. Way, the American candidate, and was therefore the first Republican senator from Allegheny county, serving three years and declining a re-election.

Mr. Gazzam took an, aetive part in the pros- ecution of the war against the rebellion of 1861-65, notably in preventing the shipment of arms and munitions of war from the Alle-

J. B. SWEITZER.

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ALLEGHENY COUNTY

gheny arsenal to the South. In 1867 he re- moved to Philadelphia, where he died Feb- ruary 19, 1878, and was buried in the Alle- gheny cemetery, Pittsburgh.

George Selden, son of Dr. George and Olive (West) Selden, was born at Vienna, Va., in 1796. He was educated at Lexington, Ky., and read law with John B. Wallaee in Phila- delphia. Admitted to the Philadelphia bar, September 4, 1817, he removed to Mead- ville in 1818, and beeame counsel for the Hol- land Land Company. He had been a fellow student and friend of Riehard Biddle of the Pittsburgh bar.

Mr. Biddle had a personal controversy with Judge Riddle, an associate judge on our beneh, and for a while deelined to appear in court when Judge Riddle was on the bench. and he prevailed upon Mr. Selden to come to Pittsburgh and take charge of his eourt busi- ness. Mr. Selden came, and was admitted November 6, 1826, on motion of Riehard Bid- dle, and removed to Pittsburgh the next year. He returned to Meadville in 1833, and died there April 28, 1835.

Mr. Selden was a good, sound, reliable lawyer, ranked high professionally, socially and personally. He was the father of George S. Selden, afterwards a member of our bar.

James Findley was admitted January 15, 1827, on motion of John B. Alexander. IIe was secretary of the commonwealth from December 17, 1833, to December 15, 1835, and was solicitor for the eity of Pittsburgh in 1837, 1838, 1839. His death was an- nounced to the court by James Dunlop on June 23, 1843.

Wilson W. Dick was admitted January 25, 1827, on motion of Riehard .Biddle.

William H. Brackenridge was admitted April 16, 1827.

Thomas Willing Clymer was admitted April 23, 1827, on motion of Richard Biddle.

Caleb A. Alexander was admitted April 26, 1827, on motion of Samuel Gormly.

Henry Miller Watts, son of David and Ju-

liana (Miller) Watts, was born October 10, 1805, at Carlisle, Pa. He was graduated from Dickinson college with the class of 1824, read law with Andrew Carothers at Carlisle, and came to the bar there in 1826. He later removed to Pittsburgh, and was ad- mitted to our bar April 28, 1827, on motion of Henry Baldwin.

Mr. Watts was deputy attorney general for Beaver county under Attorneys General Amos Ellmaker and Philip S. Markley. Hle was a member of the state House of Repre- sentatives from Allegheny eounty three sue- eessive terins (1835 to 1838), and was United States attorney for the Eastern Distriet of Pennsylvania during the administrations of Presidents Harrison and Tyler. He suc- ceeded John Lothrop Motley as minister to Austria under the administration of Presi- dent Andrew Johnson.

After his first audience with the Austrian emperor, a committee representing natural- ized citizens of the United States, residing in Austria, called upon him requesting pro- teetion for their persons and property ; stat- ing that theretofore such protection had been denied them. Mr. Watts replied that such denial was in accordance with the ac- cepted law of Europe, but that it was in di- reet conflict with the constitution, laws and policy of the United States, and that when a case arose he would follow the doctrine of the home government. Soon thereafter a Hungarian, a naturalized citizen of the United States, was drafted into the Austrian army. He elaimed intervention and a prompt letter from Minister Watts to the Austrian minister of foreign affairs led to a pro- tracted correspondence, and the Washington government sustained its minister. This was the initiary step to a treaty of which Mr. Watts prepared the protocol regarding the rights of the subjects of a foreign power to renounee their allegiance and become eiti- zens of the United States, which thereafter beeame international law.

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THE BENCHI AND BAR OF PENNSYLVANIA

After his return from Austria, Mr. Watts resided in Philadelphia until his death. which occurred November 29, 1890.

Joseph Buffington, born November 27, 1803, at West Chester, Pa. In his tenth year his family removed to Pine Creek, Alle- gheny county, Pa. He was graduated from the Western University of Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, Pa., with the class of 1825. Hle read law at Butler with William Avres, and was admitted there in July, 1826. He was admitted to the Allegheny county bar Au- gust 7, 1827, on motion of W. W. Fetterman. He settled and spent his life in Armstrong county.

Thomas Hamilton was admitted August 16, 1827, on motion of Alexander Bracken- ridge. ITis preceptor was Walter Forward. Mr. Hamilton's death was announced to the courts April 22, 1850, by Cornelius Darragh, as having occurred on Sunday, April 21, 1850.

James McCaughlin was admitted Novem- ber 5, 1827, on motion of Edward Simpson.

Chauncey P. Holcomb was admitted Jan- uary 21, 1828, on motion of Henry Baldwin.

Israel Kenton was admitted April 21, 1828, on motion of Charles H. Israel.

John Wilson Farrelly was born July 7, 1809, at Meadville, Pa., and educated in the public schools of that town. He came to the bar in Crawford county and was afterwards admitted to the Allegheny county bar April 29, 1828, on motion of Robert Burke. He was elected to the state Senate in 1828, re- · elected in 1838, and again in 1841, and was elected to Congress in 1846. He was ap- pointed sixth auditor of the Treasury by President Taylor, and served from November 5, 1849, to April 7, 1853.

Mr. Farrelly died at Washington, D. C. He was a son of Patrick Farrelly, a member of the Crawford county bar, and a member of Congress from the Meadville district from March 4, 1821, to March 12, 1826, when he died at Meadville.

William W. Irwin was admitted May 6, 1828, on motion of John Kennedy. He was mayor of Pittsburgh in 1840; a member of Congress from the Pittsburgh district from March 4, 1841, to March 4, 1843; was charge d'affaires to Denmark from March 3, 1843, to June 12, 1847. Mr. Irwin's death was an- nonneed to the courts and a bar meeting held September 15, 1856, the minute of which says he died at 3 p. m. of same day. in the eleventh ward, Pittsburgh.

Ethelbert Patterson Oliphant, son of John and Sarah (McGinness) Oliphant, was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, October 4, 1803. He was graduated from Jefferson col- lege with the class of 1825, read law with Nathaniel Ewing at Uniontown, Fayette county, Pa., and came to the bar there. He was admitted to the Allegheny county bar May 28, 1828, on motion of Walter Forward.

Mr. Oliphant was district attorney for the county of Fayette, and was a member of the state House of Representatives in 1830-31. He was associate justice of the Supreme Court of Washington territory from 1861 until 1865. He died May 8, 1884.

Thomas Williams was born August 28, 1806, at Greensburg, Westmoreland county, Pa., eldest son of Robert and Agnes (Singer : Williams. He was graduated from Dickin- son college. Pennsylvania, with the class of 1825, studied law with Richard Coulter, of Greensburg, Pa., and later with John Ken- nedy at Pittsburgh, Pa., from whose office he was admitted to the bar August 7, 1828, on motion of Robert Burke. Returning to Greensburg, he practiced there until the spring of 1832, when he removed to Alle- gheny county, where he lived and followed his profession until his death.

Mr. Williams was senator for Allegheny and Butler counties in the Senate of Penn- sylvania in the sessions of 1839, 1840 and 1841, and was a member of the state House of Representatives in the session of 1860-61.

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ALLEGHENY COUNTY'

In 1862 he was elected to Congress from the Twenty-third distriet, composed of that part of Allegheny county north of the rivers with the counties of Armstrong and Butler. He was re-elected in 1864 and in 1866, serv- ing during the Civil war and the reeonstruc- tion of the states following the war of the rebellion. He was a member of the judiciary committee and one of the committee ap- pointed by the Ilouse of Representatives to conduet the impeachment of President An- drew Johnson. His labors on that eommit- tee broke his health and he returned to his home in Allegheny City, where he died June 6, 1872, and was buried in the Allegheny cemetery, Pittsburgh, Pa. His death was announeed to the courts on the day of its oc- currence by James I. Kuhn.

Mr. Williams was a prominent figure in the courts and before the people through his day and generation. He had the eourage of his eonvictions and never surrendered on law, faet or political issue, until one party or the other eould fight no longer. He had fine command of language and was a politi- eal speaker of great foree. In court work he was strong and aggressive. His eongres- sional life was a marked suecess; he ranked high with senators and representatives of all politieal parties.

Alfred Patterson, son of John and Re- becea (Oliphant) Patterson, was born De- eember 24, 1805, in Fayette county, Penn- sylvania. He was graduated from Jefferson college with the elass of 1826, and was ad- mitted November 10, 1828, on motion of John MeDonald. Later Mr. Patterson re- moved to Fayette county and was admitted there in October, 1831. He spent the greater part of his professional life at the bar of Fayette county. Late in life he removed to Pittsburgh and engaged in business there. IIe died at Natehitoehes, La., December 16, 1878, and was buried in the Allegheny een- etery, Pittsburgh.

Stephen Colwell was admitted April 20, 1829, on motion of John MeDonald.

Daniel Agnew was born at Trenton, N. J., January 5, 1809. Ilis family removed to Pittsburgh, where he was graduated from the Western University of Pennsylvania with the class of 1825. He read law with Henry Baldwin and W. W. Fetterman, and was admitted April 21, 1829. Ile removed to' Beaver, where he spent the balance of his life.

George W. Buchanan was admitted April 21, 1829, on motion of Walter Forward. Pre- ceptor, Samuel A. MeCoskry.

Walter H. Lowrie, LL. D., son of Matthew B. and Sarah (Anderson) Lowrie, was born March 31, 1807, at a spot on the bank of the Allegheny river, now forgotten, while his parents were moving from the northeastern part of Butler county to Pittsburgh. He was edueated at the Western University of Pennsylvania, graduating with the degree of B. A. in June, 1836; he received the de- gree of LL. D. in 1856 from Washington eol- lege. He studied law with Hon. Charles Shaler and with Hon. Walter Forward, and was admitted to the bar at Pittsburgh, Pa., August 4, 1829. In August, 1846, he was ap- pointed by Governor Shunk judge of the Distriet Court of Allegheny county, a posi- tion made vacant by the elevation of Judge Grier to the Supreme Court of the United States. Judge Lowrie was elected, in Octo- ber, 1851, judge of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, and commissioned for the term of twelve years. In December, 1851, he was commissioned chief justice of the Su- preme Court of the state for the term of six years, his term elosing in December, 1863. He was succeeded by Hon. Geo. W. Woodward as chief justice. In 1870 Craw- ford county was taken from the Sixth judi- cial distriet and created the Thirtieth. Judge Lowrie was elected, in the fall of that year, president judge of the new dis-

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THIE BENCH AND BAR OF PENNSYLVANIA

triet, and presided at Meadville on the bench with great ability, until, after a brief illness, he died at his residence in Meadville, in No- vember, 1876, aged about seventy years. Judge Lowrie was a distinguished lawyer, an eminent jurist, a gentleman of pure char- acter and high cultivated intellect.

Thomas Hinckley Bond was graduated from Yale with the class of 1825. Ile was admitted to the Allegheny county bar Au- gust 5, 1829, on motion of George Selden. He removed to the South and died in 1882.

Thomas Ross Newbold was admitted No- vember 2, 1829, on motion of IIenry Bald- win.

Cornelius Darragh was born in 1809, at Pittsburgh, Pa., and graduated from the Western University of Pennsylvania with the class of 1826. He studied law at Pittsburgh with James Ross and was admitted Novem- ber 3, 1829, on motion of George Selden. Mr. Darragh was a member of the Pennsylvania Senate in the years 1836, 1837, 1838, 1839. When William Wilkins resigned his seat in Congress in February, 1844, Mr. Darragh was elected to fill the vacancy, taking his seat March 26, 1844, and was re-elected in 1844. He was attorney general for the com- monwealth from January 4, 1849, to 'April 28, 1851. He died in Pittsburgh, December 22, 1854. His death was announced in court December 23, 1854, by Thomas M. Marshall.

Mr. Darragh was a typical Western Penn- sylvanian of Irish ancestry. He was a sound lawyer, and an advocate of great power. His wit, humor and eloquence kept judges and juries awake in the most wearisome cases. His political addresses were marvels of clear, terse statement, enforced by an earnest elo- quence seldom excelled anywhere.

William Blair MeClure was born at Wil- low Grove near Carlisle, Pa., April 11, 1807. He was the son of Charles and Rebecca (Blair) McClure, and was graduated from Dickinson college, Pennsylvania, with the

class of 1827. Having removed to Allegheny county in 1820, he studied law after gradu- ation with John Kennedy, and was admitted to the Allegheny county bar, November 18, 1829, on motion of George Selden. On Jan- uary 31, 1851, Mr. McClure was commis- sioned by the governor of Pennsylvania, president judge of the courts of Common Pleas, Sessions of the Peace, Oyer and Ter- miner, General Jail Delivery and Orphans Court of Allegheny county to serve until his successor should be elected and qualified. In 1851 he was elected to the same office and was re-elected in 1861, and served until his death. which occurred at Pittsburgh, Decen- ber 27, 1861. He was buried in the Alle- gheny cemetery, Pittsburgh. His death was announced to the courts on the day of its occurrence by Marshall Swartzwelder.

Judge McClure was a scholar, a thinker, & careful, methodical reasoner, and a gentle- man. In social life he was genial, entertain- ing and kind to all, giving offense to none. Ile died revered and respected by all the people, without an enemy anywhere.

William R. McDonald was admitted November 23, 1829, on motion of Henry Baldwin.

Leonard S. Johns was admitted February 10, 1830.

Joseph T. Chew was admitted April 19, 1830, on motion of Travanion B. Dallas.

William Duane, Jr., was admitted April 19, 1830.

Orlando Metcalf, son of Arunah and Eunice (Williams) Metcalf, was born August 17. 1797, at Metcalf Hill, Orange county, New York. He was graduated from Union college with the class of 1819 and studied law with JJudge Gilbert at Hebron, Conn., and with Henry Clay at Lexington, Ky. Was admitted to the bar at New Lisbon, Ohio, but settled in Canton, and practiced there until his removal to Pittsburgh in 1830. He was admitted to the Allegheny county bar April

John of Barley

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ALLEGIIENY COUNTY

23, 1830, on motion of Walter Forward. Mr. Metcalf died in Pittsburgh, September 4, 1850 and was buried in the Allegheny eeme- tery, Pittsburgh. Ilis death was announced to the courts and a bar meeting held Septem- ber 5, 1850.

Mr. Metealf's full name was Orlando Williams Metealf, but he omitted the "Williams" from his signature. His talents and attainments, professional and otherwise, were of the highest order. His death was sudden, a victim of virulent cholera, and cast a gloom over the city, surrounding country and all places wherever this ad- mittedly good, great man was known.

Hugh Keenan was born near Castle Blay- ney, county Monaghan, Ireland, in 1795. He eame to America in his eighteenth year and engaged in eommereial pursuits, afterwards studied law with Walter Forward at Pitts- burgh, and was admitted to the bar May 3, 1830, on motion of John Kennedy. Mr. Keenan established the "European and American Law Agency," and crossed the Atlantic ocean over fifty times in the busi- ness of the ageney. He was United States consul at Dublin under the administration of President Poll:, and at Cork under the administration of President Pieree. After- wards he purchased an estate and located near his birthplace, and although a natural- ized American eitizen, the British govern- ment commissioned him local magistrate for Monaghan, which offiee he efficiently admin- istered until his death.

William Bainbridge, Jr., was admitted May 20, 1830, on motion of Travanion B. Dallas.

James C. McCully was admitted June 24, 1830, on motion of Robert Burke. He was commissioned register of wills for Allegheny county, January 25. 1839, and served three years.

Thomas Livingston was admitted August 3. 1830, on motion of George Selden. His

preceptor was Walter Forward. He died January 3, 1838, and his death was an- nounced to the courts by Wilson MeCand- less, January 4, 1838.

Members of our bar who remember Mr. Livingston speak in the highest terms of his integrity, learning and skill, especially in forensic oratory, in which he successfully crossed swords with the most eloquent of his day.

E. W. Withington came from New Eng- land and established a monitorial school which was successful for many years, and patronized by the best people of Pittsburgh. After closing his sehool he read law and was admitted to the bar August 3, 1830, on mo- tion of George Selden. Preceptor, Walter Forward.

William M. Watson was admitted August 14, 1830, on motion of Trevanion B. Dallas. Preceptor, Walter II. Lowrie.

Valentine B. Horton was born January 20, 1802, at Windsor, Vt. He was educated at Partridge military college, studied law at Middletown, Conn., and was admitted to the bar there in 1830. He at once removed to Pittsburgh and was admitted to the Alle- gheny county bar August 21, 1830, on mo- tion of George Selden, and practiced until 1833, when he removed to Cineinnati and in 1835 to Pomeroy, Ohio. He was a member of the convention to frame a constitution for the state of Ohio, and was elected to Con- gress in 1854, 1856 and 1860.

George Washington Smith was born in 1806, in Mercer county, Pennsylvania. Ile studied law with William Avres at Butler, and was admitted to the bar of Butler county and practiced there until 1856. Ile was ad- mitted to the Allegheny county bar Novem- ber 11, 1830, on motion of W. W. Fetterman. In 1856 Mr. Smith removed to Lawrence Kan .. and was elected governor of that state, but the slave power there at the time pre- vented his inauguration. Ile served several

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THE BENCH AND BAR OF PENNSYLVANIA

terms in the Kansas Legislature and one term as speaker of the House. He died at Lawrence, Kan., September 28, 1878.

Mr. Smith was judge of the Criminal Court of Douglass county, Kansas, when he died, and had held the position for a long time. IIe was also in his younger life a member of our state House of Representatives.

Michael Gallagher was admitted January 17, 1831, on motion of George Selden.

Andrew Williams Loomis, son of Thomas and Mary (Williams) Loomis, was born June 27, 1797, at Lebanon, Conn. He was gradu- ated from Union college with the elass of 1819, studied law, and was admitted to the bar and settled at New Lisbon, Ohio. He was admitted to the Allegheny eounty bar January 19, 1831, on motion of Robert Burke, and was elected to Congress in 1836, but re- signed October 20, 1837. He moved to Pitts- burgh in 1839 and, after twenty-seven years' aetive praetiee, retired in 1866. Ile died at Cumberland, Md., August 23, 1873, and was buried in Allegheny cemetery, Pittsburgh.

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The twentieth century bench and bar of Pennsylvania, volume II, Part 32

Author: Publication date: 1903 Publisher: Chicago, H. C. Cooper, jr., bro. & co. Number of Pages: 1180

Author:
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago, H. C. Cooper, jr., bro. & co.
Number of Pages: 1180