The twentieth century bench and bar of Pennsylvania, volume II, Part 81

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

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technical lawyer at the bar. Thoroughly versed in all the details of practice, he was quick to see and take advantage of any de- fects in his opponents' papers or pleadings. His own papers were models of neatness and completeness. In the trial of cases he was always alert, quick to object and prompt to state a proposition. Before the jury he was intense in his earnestness, logical in his argu- ments and unrelenting in his dissection of the other side.

Mr. Gilpin was a Democrat in politics. While he took a lively interest in the affairs of his party, as a rule, he did not take an active part, except to contribute to the cam- paign fund. He was a member of the con- stitutional convention of 1893, the record of which shows that he was one of the active leaders there. He was a consistent member of the Episcopal church. He married Miss Olive McConnell of Kittanning. He died suddenly of pneumonia in the forty-fourth year of his age. Ile left his widow and a son, Oliver W., lately admitted to the bar, and a daughter, Adele, to survive him. Some years before his death he entered into part- nership in the practice of law with James H. McCain, the firm being Gilpin & Mc- Cain, which was terminated by the death of Mr. Gilpin. Mr. Gilpin was essentially, a lawyer. He gave his undivided attention to his practice. The unraveling of a compli- cated question was a real pleasure, and the trial of a closely contested case seemed to be a pure delight to him. Perhaps the best comment on his life as a lawyer is to be found in his own words uttered at a bar meeting in meniory of a deceased brother, when he said: "The whole life of any law- ver, as a lawyer, is embraced in a few words. Ile was faithful to his clients, he was suc- cessful in his practice and one day he died."

Edward S. Golden came of pure Irish stock. He was born in Indiana county, Penn- sylvania, on September 22, 1830. IIe died from nervous prostration October 14, 1890,

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THE BENCH AND BAR OF PENNSYLVANIA

His parents settled in Kittanning in 1840. Being of limited circumstances, he was forced to content himself with sueh school- ing as the town at that early day afforded. His edueation was extended by teaching and by a wide range of reading. Hle having dur- ing his life collected perhaps the most eom- plete, general library in the county. At an early period in his life he was thrown on his own exertions. IIe began his career by teaeh- ing and in this way largely supported him- self while pursuing his legal studies. He entered the office of Hon. Joseph Buffington as a student at law, and under that able ju- rist's direction mastered the rudimentary principles. He was admitted to the bar in 1849 before he had reached his majority. Ed- ward S. Golden was a natural lawyer. From the time he tried his first case he took high rank as a lawyer and showed a natural apti- tude for the work and a never-flagging love for the profession. Soon after his admission he became the partner of II. N. Lee, which firm continued under the name of Lee & Golden until 1855, when Mr. Lee retired from practice. He was then associated with J. Alexander Fulton under the firm name of Golden & Fulton. This partnership eontin- ued until 1862. Soon after this the firm of Golden & Neale was formed which continued until 1891, when Mr. Neale retired and went abroad. When W. D. Patton, then a student in the office, was admitted to the bar he be- came a partner and the firm of Golden & Pat- ton continued until 1879. Edward S. Gol- den was a lawyer pure and simple. He loved the law and delighted in its praetiee. No member of the bar had a wider or more deserved reputation. His fame was not lim- ited to his own eounty. He was easily one of the leading lawyers in western Pennsylva- nia. The books show that he was interested in all the important litigation in his eounty in his day and in mueh of that of other coun- ties. He was known throughout the eounty as "Lawyer Golden." His reputation was

made chiefly in the trial of causes. IIe was well endowed by nature for this work. A clear, analytical mind, tenacious memory, masterly resourcefulness, ready flow of words, forceful delivery and undaunted courage, combined to make him a legal an- tagonist worthy of any man's steel. The books show that he belonged to that class of lawyers who develop the law and establish precedents. Edward S. Golden was the friend and champion of the publie sehools and for many years he was a school director. Remembering his own hard struggle as a boy to get an education, he was a strong ad- vocate of the public high school. He had a remunerative practice and was very liberal with his means, being a free and generous giver to all worthy objects. He belonged to the Episcopal church, and for many years was a vestryman and teacher in the Sunday school. IIe was married to Miss Sarah Gates of Kittanning. One son, II. L. Golden, is now a prominent member of the bar, and an- other, Harry S., lately graduated from Trinity college, has been registered as a student at law.

Joseph Buffington (the younger) was born in Kittanning, Armstrong eounty, Pa., Sep- tember 5, 1855. His father was Ephraim Buf- fington, who was descended from an English ancestry that settled, nearly two hundred years ago, in the eastern part of the Penn- sylvania colony. His mother was Margret (Chambers) Orr, who belonged to the Orr family of Armstrong eounty and was a close relative of General Robert Orr, one of the prominent men in the early history of the county. He received his earlier eduea- tion in the sehools of Kittanning and gradu- ated at Trinity college, Hartford, Conn., in 1875. On his return from eollege Mr. Buf- fington entered upon the study of law in the office of Hon. James B. Neale, and aft- erwards, in a special course of reading, was under the guidance of Hon. James A. Logan. at one time a judge in the "old tenth" dis-

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trict, of which Armstrong county was a part. Ile was admitted to the bar at Kit- tanning on his twenty-first birthday. Shortly after his admission to practice he entered into partnership with Hon. James B. Neale, the firm being Neale & Buffington, which at- tracted a large clientage during its existence. When Mr. Neale was elected president judge of the county Mr. Buffington formed a part- nership with his brother, Orr Buffington, Esq., the firm being the well-known Buffing- ton & Buffington, which continued until Jo- seph Buffington became United States dis- triet judge for the Western district of Penn- sylvania, by the appointment of President Benjamin Harrison February 23, 1892.

Upon leaving college Mr. Buffington took an active interest in politics and public af- fairs. Being a very ready and persuasive speaker, he was soon in demand as a speaker at various publie gatherings. Coming of pronounced Republican stock, he had posi- tive views politically and became an ardent supporter of the Republican party and its principles, and readily responded to the de- mands that were made upon him as a polit- ical 'orator, although not himself, in any sense, a politician. In work of this kind he was easily among the best, and attracted to himself a very wide personal and politieal friendship, as well in the state as in his na- tive county. He was a member of the na- tional Republican convention of 1880 that nominated James A. Garfield for President. From his boyhood he had the law in view. To him the law had a peculiar attractiveness. Ilis whole course of study and trend of thought was in that direction. In aetive practice he was successful, from the start, both as counselor and advocate. His success as a trial lawyer was perhaps the most pro- nounced, although that was the side of prac- tice which he cared the least for. Mild in his manner, agreeable in his methods, ear- nest in his delivery, temperate in his lan- guage, keen and logical in his presentation

of facts, he had that rare faculty of getting on good terms with the jury and eould ex- pose the weakness of the other side without giving offense. Skilled in the arts of foren- sie discussion, he became one of the strong jury lawyers in the western end of the state. Ilis success as a practitioner and the posi- tion he attained at the age of thirty-eight when he was called to the bench, is an evi- dence of his good, natural abilities, as well as of his faithful work in making the most of them. Naturally of a judicial turn of mind and somewhat retiring and modest in disposition, he found more pleasure in the quiet of his study than in the plaudits of the crowd in the fierce contest of trials and po- litical campaigns. When the summons came it found him well equipped for the wider field of jurisprudence into which he was called. His duties on the United States bench directed his attention to questions new to the average country practitioner. His very careful three years' course of study and his methodical habits of practice gave him a comprehensive grasp of legal principles, which has made him, although one of the youngest, one of the surest judges on the United States bench.

Mirvin Findley Leason is descended from pioneer American stock on both sides, of Scotch-Irish extraction. His father, Thomas Sharpe Leason, D. D., was a prominent Pres- byterian in this section of Western Penn- sylvania. His paternal grandmother was a daughter of Capt. Andrew Sharpe, a Revo- lutionary soldier and a pioneer in western Pennsylvania, who was killed by the Indians. Mr. Leason's mother was Mary Moore Laird, a daughter of Frances Laird, D. D., one of the early ministers west of the Allegheny mountains. His maternal grandmother was a daughter of Hon. John Moore, the first Common Pleas judge in western Pennsyl- vania.

Mr. Leason was born in Leechburg, Arm- strong county, where his father was then

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located, on January 10, 1854. He was edu- cated in the public schools, Tuscarora acad- emy and Princeton college. He registered and studied law with W. F. Stewart, Esq., in Brookville, Jefferson county, and after pursuing the prescribed course of reading, was admitted to the bar on February 17, 1877. Shortly after his admission he came to Kittanning, and entered into active practice, being associated with Hon. George A. Jenks. In 1879 he was elected district attorney, and served during 1880, 1881 and 1882. In 1894 he entered into partnership with James H. McCain, Esq., and continued until 1901, when the firm was dissolved by mutual con- sent. Since that time he has been alone in his practice, and has taken part in most of the important litigation before the courts. On June 29, 1890, he was married to Hannah R. Reynolds, a daughter of Jefferson Rey- nolds, Esq., and now deceased, and by her became the father of five children. Mr. Leason is a member of the Supreme and Superior Courts of Pennsylvania, the Dis- trict and Circuit Courts of the United States in the western district of Pennsylvania, as also of a number of the county courts. He is prominent in Masonic circles, being a member of the Blue Lodge, Royal Arch, and also a Knight Templar. In politics he is a Republican, and has always supported that party and advocated its principles.

Mr. Leason is a lawyer in the full sense of the word, having given practically his undivided attention to his practice. He is a big man,-big of brawn, and brain and heart as well. He is a positive man in his views, his manner, his methods and address, not given much to ornate oratory and caring little for polished rhetoric. His arguments to court and jury are characterized by terse directness and logical clearness. He enjoys close questions and hard-fought cases, and is rather impatient of narrow technicalities. He is at his best in a question on its merits, is inclined to be unrelenting while in a con-

test, and can give or take a defeat with becoming grace. He has been a hard worker and close student, has won a lucrative prac- tice and may well be reckoned as a leader at the bar.

James Harvey McCain was born June 17, 1844, at Statclick, South Buffalo township, Armstrong county, Pa. His father, William McCain, a native of County Tyrone, Ireland, was a farmer, merchant and office holder. His mother was Elizabeth Galbreath, a na- tive of Winfield township, Butler county, Pennsylvania. Mr. McCain's early boyhood was spent on the farm, until his parents moved to Freeport, Pa., where he lived a number of years. He was educated in the common schools and at the Freeport acad- emy conducted by Rev. Dr. Wm. Galbreath. He took up the study of law with J. Y. D. Findley, Esq., in Freeport, Pa. From there he went to the Pennsylvania Law school at Philadelphia, and afterwards spent a year reading in the office of Hon. Edward S. Golden. He was admitted to practice in Armstrong county at Kittanning on Septem- ber 9, 1873, and has been a resident there since that time. Upon his admission, he opened an office and practiced alone, until April, 1880, when he entered into partner- ship with Hon. John Gilpin, under the firm name of Gilpin & McCain. This partnership continued until the death of Mr. Gilpin No- vember 3, 1883. In 1884 he became asso- ciated with M. F. Leason, Esq. The firm of McCain & Leason existed until 1891, when it was dissolved by mutual consent. In 1892 he formed a partnership with W. J. Christy, Esq., which firm is now in active practice.

Mr. McCain voted the Republican ticket on size in 1864, and has supported that party ever since, and at present has no desire to make a change. He belongs to the Presby- terian church. He has taken an active part

yours truly Mirvon. J. LEason

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ARMSTRONG COUNTY

in Masonic cireles. He was made a Mason in 1865, is now a member of Kittanning Lodge 244, also of Orient Chapter 247, F. & A. M., as well as of No. 1 Commandery, Knight Templars of Pittsburg. He is a past master of Lodge 244, and a past high priest of Orient Chapter 247. He is a direc- tor in the Kittanning General Hospital, the Safe Deposit and Title Guaranty Co. and also the National Bank of Kittanning.

He married Miss Charlotte F. Turner of Freeport, Pa., October 30, 1879, and has three children, Bess Nox, now in her senior year at Vassar; Gilpin M., now in W. & J. college, and Ford G., who is at home.

Mr. MeCain is but one remove from the "auld sod," and is never far from the blar- ney stone, having the characteristics of the Irish blood, a ready tongue and quick wit in marked degree. He is true to another trait of the blood, in his love of a contest, and is perhaps at his best in the give and take of a running fight. Considerable of a partisan, strong in his likes and dislikes, he is yet generous and forgiving. He knows men and is skilled in selecting a jury and handling witnesses. While he has been a close student and is recognized as a safe counsellor, his -strength and reputation as a lawyer is founded, not so much upon his knowledge of the law as of men and how to handle them. Having the faculty of ridieule and good-natured raillery and apt illustra- tion at his command, his arguments are al- ways interesting. He eschews high-sound- ing phrases, loves simplicity, and finds expression in the direct forcefulness of Anglo-Saxon words. He is now one of the older members of the bar and takes pleasure in giving advice and encouragement to the beginner.

Austin Clark. Capt. Austin Clark was born in Kittanning, Pa., in 1854, while his

father, Joseph Clark, was filling the office of sheriff of Armstrong county. His mother was Pauline Kelly, daughter of Hon. Meek Kelly, state senator from Indiana county. Mr. Clark was educated in the common schools, the Indiana Normal and Blairsville academy. At an early age he was thrown upon his own resources and has made his way to success by his own efforts. In poli- ties he is a Democrat, and has taken an active part in the interests of the party. IIe is one of the orators at the bar, and is in demand as a speaker at political mect- ings and other public occasions. Mr. Clark studied law with HIon. James B. Ncale at Kittanning and was admitted to the bar in 1880. Upon admission he engaged in active practice, to which he has given his undi- vided attention.

At the outbreak of the Spanish war Mr. Clark mustered a company of soldiers and was commissioned captain by Gov. Daniel Hastings. His company was attached as Company G to the Third Battalion of the Sixteenth Regiment, Pennsylvania National Guard, and afterwards transferred into the United States service. Capt. Clark and his company saw service in Porto Rico.

Capt. Clark has many of the natural ele- ments which go to make a strong lawyer. Naturally aggressive, and self-eonfident, eourtly in manner and courageous in eon- test, he is an unyielding and persistent ad- vocate in the interests of his elients. He is best known as a trial lawyer, and rather prefers the stress of trial to the drudgery of office work. As an advocate nature has equipped him with good ability. He shows to best advantage in a desperate case. He is easily among the strong speakers in the western end of the state. His style of de- livery has a courtly grace, which gives his arguments attractive and persuasive power.

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Note-The following is written by the editors from information gathered by their representative while in Kittanning :

James Denny Daugherty, who has written the foregoing sketches of the Armstrong county bar, was born in Kittanning, Pa., October 17, 1855. His father was descended from early pioneer families in the commu- nity. His mother was a native of Ireland. He secured his education in the common schools, Elders Ridge academy and Mt. Union college, Ohio. From his boyhood he has been a lover of books. His reading has extended over a wide and varicd range. At an early age he was put to work in a brick- yard. A college education secming beyond his reach while working in the brickyard, he began to educate himself by reciting Latin and mathematics to the late Robert W. Smith, Esq. Later he was able to attend college, and during his last year took up shorthand writing, becoming expert in re- porting. He used that as a stepping stone to the law.

He studied law in the office of G. S. Crosby, and recited specially to Hon. John Gilpin. He was admitted, in September, 1887, but did not enter into a general prac- tice, being official court reporter at the time. His reporting introduced him to an early use of the typewriter. His inborn construc- tive faculty led him to invent the first of the so-called visible writing machines, in the form of the "Daugherty Visible." He gave his whole time to exploiting this machine for a number of years, and while thus en- gaged traveled over a large portion of the United States. In January, 1899, he re- sumed legal pursuits. Mr. Daugherty has the constructive faculty in a marked degree. He comes of a race of mechanics. He has taken out a number of patents for improve- ments on various machines, and is now per-

fecting an adding typewriter. He delights in scientific and mechanical work and does it as a matter of recreation in spare hours.

Mr. Daugherty has not given his whole time, heretofore, to the law, and therefore has not attained as prominent a position as a practitioner as his abilities would war- rant. He has been a hard worker and close reader, and so far as he has taken part in the trial of causes has shown the capabilities of a strong advocate. When the Bank- ruptcy law of 1898 went into effect he was appointed Referee in Bankruptcy by United States District Judge Joseph Buffington. which office he still holds. In this position he has shown familiarity with legal prin- ciples and judgment in applying them in disposing of the complex commercial ques- tions that come before him.

Mr. Daugherty is best known as a public speaker. Since his young manhood he has been making speeches on all sorts of sub- jects-politics, teachers and farmers insti- tutes, harvest homes and various memorial occasions. He has made twenty consecutive Decoration Day addresses. He is known as one of the best campaigners in the state, having spoken in most of the Pennsylvania counties, as also in other states. He has the gift of natural oratory. With a clear res- onant voice, which he modulates with effective skill, a keen quick eye and the ele- ment of magnetism, he has the power not only to hold his audience, but to move them as he will. Inimitable in anecdote, whim- sical in humor, caustic in invective, touching in pathos, he is entertaining and effective and at times has touched true eloquence. He has had many speeches published, and their matter shows the elements of facile expres- sion and independent thought.

Mr. Daugherty has the poetic tempera- ment and literary turn of mind, with a ten-

Jefferson Reynolds

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ARMSTRONG COUNTY

- deney to scientific investigation. He has done some really ercditable work, which shows clearness of thought and rhythmic flow of expression. He is given to elosing a speech with a little poctic pieee, as instanced in his memorial address on the death of President Mckinley :

"So we are taught by the lesson of his shining example, that kindness of heart and gentleness of manner, may go well, with strength of character and determination of purpose. That a Christian life is not a hindrance to political success. That straight- forward, simple honesty is the surest road to preferment. That a loving heart is surer of lasting suceess than a cunning brain. That, after all, the good man is the truly great. To William McKinley the grave had no terrors. It was not the door to outer darkness, but the threshold to a higher life. As if going on a pleasant journey his last words come to us now from out the valley and shadow as a soothing bencdietion. 'Good-bye, all, good-bye. It is God's way. His will, not ours, be done.' And we to-day, with all the people of the nation, find ex- pression for the emotions of our hearts in saying :

"Good-bye, William MeKinley-

But, Oh! it seems it should not be,

Our heads are bowed, our tears unbidden run,

Our hearts, o'erwhelmed, ean only say with thee, In trusting faith, 'God's will, not ours, be done. '

"Good-bye, William MeKinley - - But nay, thou art not with the dead.

'T'is but thy clay that's hidden from our sight.

Thy soul, triumphant, to the Master fled,

Is radiant now in God's eternal light.

"Good-bye, William Mckinley- But no, thou art not surely gone,

For whom the Highest loveth cannot die. The record of thy life, so graved upon

Thy nation's pulsing breast, will live for aye.

"Good-bye, William McKinley-

Ah no! thou livest yet, and will,

For we have seen again God's high de- gree.

The traitor hand that struck a blow to kill Immortalized thy name in history." 1

James Wesley King was born in Burrell township, Armstrong county, Pa., September 29, 1859. His father was George King one of the early settlers in that township. His mother was Mary Fiscus, daughter of Wmn. Fiscus, also an early settler of that section. Ilis aneestors came originally from Germany and settled in Northampton county, Pem- sylvania, as early as 1750, the name then being "König" which was changed to the English spelling King. He was reared to the life of a farmer's boy until twenty-one years of age. He attended the public schools of his township, taught country schools four terms, and finished his schooling in Thiel college, Greenville. Pa. He was registered as a law student in the office of Hon. E. S. Golden, and during his reading, supported himself by teaching. He was admitted to the bar May 4, 1886.

Upon his admission he entered into active practice. Shortly after his admission J. P. Colter, Esq., moved to Meadville, and Mr. King took charge of his business. He has since attracted a large clientage and lucra- tive practice. Mr. King is a Democrat in polities. He is a member of St. John's Evan- gelical Lutheran church, and one of its offi- cers. He was a member of the school board for several terms. He was married to Ida L. Cooper, a daughter of John Cooper of Oakdale, Allegheny county, Pa. He has two

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THE BENCH AND BAR OF PENNSYLVANIA

sons, James Perry and Finmore Cooper King. Mr. King has given his whole time and at- tention to his practice, which has been a general one. He has been connected with mueh important litigation, and enjoys a good orphans court practice. IIe is careful and methodieal in handling his elient's business, and frank and fearless in the trial of their eause. He is a good talker, rather inclined to plainness of speech, and is intense in his carnestness when addressing eourt or jury. Ile comes to trial with his eases well pre- pared, and is tenacious of purpose in trying them. Ile has been a faithful worker and has made a reputation as a good all-round lawyer.

Orr Buffington is a native of the borough of Kittanning, Pa., and was born April 29, 1858. His father was Ephraim Buffington; his mother Margaret Chambers Orr. His earlier education was gained at the private schools which the town afforded, and later at Trinity college, Hartford, Conn., from which he was graduated in 1879. He studied law in the office of Neale & Buffington, Kit- tanning, Pa., and was admitted to practiee in 1881. Shortly after his admission, he and his brother Joseph formed a partnership, known as Buffington & Buffington, which continued in aetive praetiee until Joseph Buffington was appointed to the United States Distriet Bench. Mr. Buffington prac- tieed alone for a number of years, until 1901, when he formed a partnership with Don C. Corbett, Esq., of Clarion, Pa. Later on Oliver W. Gilpin, Esq., son of Hon. John Gil- pin was taken into the partnership, the firm being now Buffington, Corbett & Gilpin. Mr. Buffington belongs to St. Paul's Episcopal church. He has served on the school board a number of terms, is now president of the board, and also president of the school di- reetors association of the county. He has been engaged in various business enterprises and has always eneouraged anything that would benefit the town and community. Mr.

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The twentieth century bench and bar of Pennsylvania, volume II, Part 81

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