List of Lawyers Who Have Practice In Kane County
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Babcock, A.S. - Practiced law a few years at Blackberry Station (now Elburn) then was located in St. Charles form 1868 to 1872 in the law and insurance business. He subsequently practiced at Sycamore, and in 1876 removed to Oregon, Illinois, from whence he journeyed, a year or two later, to California. He died at San Jose, California September 11, 1887.
Barry, Alonzo H. - The brother of Hon. W.D. BARRY, studied in the office of the later and was admitted to practice in Kane county in 1853. Until 1870 he continued to reside at St. Charles, but in that year removed to Elgin and formed a law partnership with Judge R.N. BOTSFORD and Joseph HEALY. The latter gentleman died, and E.C. LOVELL, a judge as of 1908, was a member of the firm for two years.
Barry, Judge ? - He was elected judge of the city court of Aurora and Elgin in the spring of 1883, a position he filled with such great ability that he was reelected at the end of his term in 1887. He opened an office in W.J. Meehan's block at Elgin in 1885. He had an enviable military record, having been elected major of the Thirty-sixth Illinois Infantry in 1861, with which command he served over two years. Previous to the war he had served as captain of the St. Charles cavalry, to succeed P.J. Burchell, elected major of the battalion. Judge Barry was one of the ablest criminal lawyers in the west, and on the bench administered justice in an impartial manner. He died in Elgin.
Barry, William D. - Admitted to the bar in Henry county, Ohio, in 1836, located at St. Charles in the spring of 1840, and was at one time the oldest practicing lawyer in Kane County. He was long a judge of Kane county courts. During the early days of his residence he conducted many hard criminal trails, among them being the defense of TAYLOR DRISCOLL, of Ogle county, for the alleged murder of one CAMPBELL during the dark days of horse stealing and kindred crimes. DRISCOLL was tried at Woodstock, McHenry county, on a change of venue, and through Judge Barry's efforts acquitted.
Botsford, Richard Nichols - A native of Connecticut, located at St. Charles I 1851 and taught in a select school. He taught later in Missouri and elsewhere, and in 1856 began the study of law with C.C Pope, at Black River Falls, Wisconsin, being admitted to the bar in 1857. Returning to St. Charles, he was for a time engaged in the publication of the Argus at the place, but disposed of it and opened a law office in partnership with D.L. EASTMAN. After the latter's death in 1860 Mr. Botsford associated himself with S.S. JONES, thus continuing until 1865. In 1861 he was elected judge of the county court, a position he filled with great credit for four years. He removed to Elgin in 1867, and made that his home until his death this year (1908). Judge Botsford was recognized as one of the ablest lawyers in the district. It has been said of him that he was always ready for trail when his cases were called, and that in every matter his word was as good as his bond.
Bowman, Edward H. - Graduated from the University of Michigan and Harvard Law School.
Brown, Warren - - Studied law in the office of Judge BARRY at St. Charles and was admitted to the bar.
Brown, William - - Studied law in the office of Judge BARRY at St. Charles and was admitted to the bar.
Brown, William J. - First practiced in the western part of the county, afterward located in Geneva. He was for some time master in chancery and a popular lawyer. He removed father west a few years since, but returned to Geneva, where he resided in 1908.
Buckingham, Caleb A. - 1837 - A young lawyer of fine promise, who acquired some prominence in this profession and in other directions, but was cut off by death about 1841 at Chicago.
Chapman, H.M - 1837 of Geneva - Married and removed, it is thought to Racine, Wisconsin.
Churchill, Joseph W. - A young resident of Batavia, one of the first lawyers of the county. In 1837 he was chosen to a position on the Board of County Commissioners. A story related by Henry B. PIERCE - It seems that Churchill's estimate of his own ability was very great. A.M. HERRINGTON, whom everybody knew most familiarly as "Gus" was then a law student in the office of Ralph HASKINS, Esq, at Geneva, and had access to the latter "Coleman on Contracts". He had been engaged to try his first case before SQUIRE McNAIR, in Blackberry precinct, one in which suite had been brought for breach of contract. He took along his book, but hid it under a fence before entering the judicial presence. He had walked from Geneva, carrying his brogans over his shoulder until he had nearly reached his destination, when he stopped and put them on. The aforesaid Churchill was opposed to "Gus" in the case. After the evidence was heard HERRINGTON claimed a verdict by virtue of the law, which he quoted after bringing his authority into court. Churchill claimed the case for the plaintiff, stating that the law as read by the defense was not applicable to the case at all, and that the mere boy who had offered it had no educational advantages and could not be expected to know the law or its application. Churchill sounded his own trumpet after the following manner: "May it please the court, my father spent a thousand dollars to give me a collegiate education and fit me for the bar, and of course, I ought to and I do know the law in this case."
After Churchill had finished his plea and taken his seat, young HERRINGTON arose and said: "May it please the court, the counsel for the plaintiff has stated to you that his father spent one thousand dollars to give him an education. Now I submit to the court and the jury that, in view of the facts proven in this case, the bearing of the law thereon, it was a mighty poor investment and would have paid better if he had put in into wild land at one dollar and a half an acre."
The jury rewarded the young counsel by deciding the case in favor of the defense, and his first legal fee was paid him
Chisholm, Oliver P. - Came to Illinois from Grant county, Wisconsin in October 1862, and was a member of Company C, One Hundred and Fifty-third Illinois Infantry in the war of the rebellion. He represented his township on the board of supervisors and was otherwise prominent for many years. He removed to Manitoba in the eighteen-eighties.
Clifford, Eugene - Studied law in Elgin and was admitted to practice by the Illinois supreme court in March 1871. In 1872 he was town clerk of Elgin and 1873 became city attorney, serving until 1877. In 1882 he served as master in chancery of the Elgin city court and revised the Elgin city ordinances. He later practiced in Chicago, though continued to live in Elgin.
Coleman, James - Studied law for his profession at Elgin with Colonel E.S. Joslyn, and was there admitted to the bar by the superior court in 1863. He was city attorney from 1863 to 1865, and in April 1886 was elected police magistrate. Mr. Coleman also dabbled to some extent in newspaper work. He was an able lawyer.
Croes, Ralph V.M. - Was first engaged in mercantile business, afterward studied law and was admitted to practice. He resided in St. Charles.
Dodge, A.R. - Said to have hung out his shingle at Aurora as early as 1837. He was a good speaker and a man of considerable ability, and at a later date was sent to the legislature from Kendall county.
Day, Orasmus D. - Settled in Aurora in 1839, and in the following year published his professional card in the nearest newspaper - the Joliet Courier. He died in the fall of 1861, having been elected mayor in 1860.
Egan, Robert S. - Was one of the leading trail lawyers of the county, and was born in Sycamore in 1857. He studied law with Judge H.B. Willis and was admitted to practice in 1882. In 1883 he became a member of the firm of Irwin and Egan. In 1883 he was city attorney of Elgin and from 1903 to 1907.
Eastman, David L. - A native of Washington County, Vermont, settled at St. Charles about the fall of 1848. He formed a law partnership with S.S. JONES, and later, in Chicago, with the present General and ex-Governor John L. BEVERIDGE. He rose very rapidly in his profession, and had he lived would undoubtedly have won name and fame; but he fell victim to consumption in 1860. During the few years of his residence in Kane county he became one of its brightest legal lights, and those who knew him yet do honor to his memory.
Farnsworth, John F. - A native of Eaton Canada East, was born of New England parentage, and removed with the family to Livingston county, Michigan, in 1834. There he assisted his father in surveying, studied law and was admitted to practice. He read in the office of JUDGE JOSIAH TURNER at Howell in 1842-43 and was admitted to practice in 1843. He pushed at once for a new field I which to begin his professional labors, locating in the same year at St. Charles, Kane County, Illinois. the stage upon which he was journeying from Chicago struck in a slough, and he being, in his own language, unable to wait and without money, friends or library, took his truck on his back, waded out and made his way to his new home. Previous to 1846 Mr. Farnsworth was a democrat in politics, but in that year left the party and assisted in the nomination of Owen LOVEJOY for congress. In 1856 and 1858 he was elected to congress by large majorities on the republican ticket from what was then called the Chicago district. His speeches were widely copied by the newspapers and he swept all opposition before him. In 1860, at he Chicago convention, he assisted in nominating ABRAHAM LINCOLN for president. In October, 1861, he left St. Charles in command of the Eighth Illinois Cavalry, a regiment of twelve hundred strong, which he had raised and rendezvoused at St. Charles. It was one of the finest regiments which entered the service during the war of the rebellion. In November, 1862, Colonel Farnsworth was promoted to the rank of brigadier general and commanded the First Cavalry Brigade until after the battle of Fredericksburg in December following. By being almost constantly in the saddle he had contracted a severe lameness and was obliged to obtain leave of absence for medical treatment. Having been again elected to congress in the fall of 1862, he resigned his commission in the army March 4, 1863, and took his seat once more at Washington. In the fall of 1863 he was authorized to raise the Seventeenth Illinois Cavalry, with officers from his old regiment, the Eighth, and carried out the plan. by successful elections he was returned to congress term after term until 1872, when he was defeated in the convention after a large number of ballots by General Stephen A. HURLBUT, of Belvidere, who also had an enviable war record. In congress, where he served for fourteen years, General Farnsworth was active and prominent and held numerous important committee chairmanships and positions. After his defeat in the republican district convention, in 1872, he espoused the Greeley cause, and about 1879 removed from St. Charles to Chicago. He was several times a candidate for office after 1872. In 1876 he was defeated for congress in his old district by Hon. WILLIAM LATHROP, and met defeat subsequently at Chicago as a democratic candidate for congressional honors. He later removed to Washington, DC.
Ferguson, John H. - One of the ablest of many able members of the Kane county bar, located at St. Charles about 1850-51, coming from the state of New York. He was for a time in partnership with J.F. FARNSWORTH, and "it was often remarked" says the editor of the St. Charles Valley Chronicle, in a brief mention, "that the two constituted the strongest legal team in the county. Ferguson was perhaps the best informed in legal authorities of any practicing attorney in the county, and his knowledge, reinforced by FARNSWORTH's oratorical powers before a jury, constituted a combination of talent which was well nigh irresistible." �Mr. Ferguson opened an office in Chicago in 1855 or 1856 and died in that city suddenly of a malignant throat disease December 3, 1857.
Fletcher, Mark W. - Previous to coming to the region, had practiced law in the east, never engaged in practice here because of being elected to office and continued therein for years. He was a native of Orange County, Vermont, and read law in Genesee, Livingston and Ontario counties, New York. He located a claim in the township of St. Charles in May 1835, and resided upon it for many years after his official duties at the county seat were ended. He was the first county surveyor, first clerk of the commissioner'scourt and the second circuit clerk of Kane County. He died at Geneva.
Flannery, John J. - Studied law at Mr. Babcock's office in St. Charles and was admitted to the bar September, 1873. He also studied in the law department of the University of Michigan, and with A.M. HERRINGTON at Geneva. He later moved to Sycamore.
Gifford, Edmund - An early lawyer of Elgin, was well and favorably known for his legal ability, and became in after years a judge at New Orleans, Louisiana.
Harvey, Joel D. - Later became a prominent citizen of Chicago.
Harvey, Edward E. - An honored pioneer lawyer of Elgin, who volunteered at the breaking out of the war with Mexico and gave his life for the country during that struggle.
Harvey, Edward E. - The first representative of the legal profession to reside in Elgin, located about 1840. He had been a student I the office of Joseph W. Churchill at Batavia. He is remembered as an able and eloquent lawyer.
Helm, Joseph W. - Of Yorkville, was also an early practitioner in the courts of Kane county.
Herrington, Augustus M. - Came to Kane county with his father, JAMES HERRINGTON, in 1835, the family locating at Geneva. He studied law during his leisure moments, and was admitted to the bar in 1844. In 1856 he was an elector on the democratic ticket and in 1857 was appointed United States District Attorney, a position he held until removed by President BUCHANAN for being a friend to STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS. In 160 he was a delegate to the national democratic convention, and to similar bodies in 1864 and 1868. For many years he was attorney for the Chicago and Northwestern Railway. Mr. Herrington was a man of positive likes and dislikes, and, while he would go to almost any length to favor a friend, his enemies knew they could expect nothing from him. He was a fine lawyer and an impressive speaker, and was possessed of purely original characteristics. He died August 14, 1883. Many stories are related of the tilts between himself and JOHN F. FARNSWORTH. Herrington's cutting remarks were often met by an exercise of physical force on the part of FARNSWORTH, though never with any damaging result to either party.
Higgins, Van H. - Practiced in St. Charles previous to 1845.
Hopson, Charles R. - Studied law at Elgin, where he resided, graduated at Union college in 1861, and was admitted to practice by the supreme court of Illinois, Chicago, examination, may 11, 1886. He was a justice of the peace in the town of Elgin starting in 1877 and later police magistrate.
Howard, S.G.D. - Practiced law in St. Charles before 1846 when he left the area.
Hunt, Wilbur C. - Served several years as city attorney for St. Charles.
Ireland, Robert M. - Studied law at Chicago and was admitted to the bar on diploma of the Union College of Law of Chicago at the June 1876, term of the supreme court at Mount Vernon.. He was elected to the state legislature. Died in 1897.
Irwin, Judge Clinton F. - Studied law in the office of W.H.H. Kennedy, at Maple Park, and was admitted to the bar at Chicago in April 1879. He first practiced at Maple Park, and in 1881-82 was supervisor of Virgil township. Subsequently removing to Elgin, he was assistant supervisor of that township in 1885-86. In 18?? He was appointed a federal judge to Oklahoma, where he sat with great success for some years, returning to Elgin in 1907. He then became head of the firm of Irwin and Egan.
Joslyn, Colonel Edward S. - The father of Frank and R. Waite Joslyn, was one of the ablest lawyers and readiest and most eloquent speakers who ever practiced in the courts of Kane County. Before the war he was active as a progressive citizen of Elgin, where he was mayor in 1861 and alderman from 1855 to 1878, member of the Board of Education and City Attorney. He was one of the early state's attorneys of Kane County. In 1861, on the call for volunteers, he was mustered in as captain of Company A of the Seventh Regiment, which company was the first in Illinois to answer the call for troops. On the organization of the Thirty-sixth Illinois he was elected its lieutenant colonel. Of upright honor and integrity, he did much to establish the standard of legal ethics and practice among lawyers that make the word of a Kane county lawyer trustworthy. Many who strayed from the path of professional rightness felt the sharp sting of his sarcasm and wit.
The years 1871-73 he spent in the state of Utah in the gathering of evidence for the trail of one of the most celebrated mining cases ever tried in the west, the famous "Emma Mine" case.
Before the war Colonel Joslyn was a democrat, and during the war fought for the Union, but owing, it is said , to the influence of STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS, whose close friend he was, he remained a democrat after the war, not becoming a republican as did so many who had been his political associates. It is said that had he become republican at the time he might subsequently have held any office within the district, so great was his general popularity and the power of his eloquence as a speaker.
The years 1871-73 he spent in the state of Utah in the gathering of evidence for the trail of one of the most celebrated mining cases ever tried in the west, the famous
Before the war Colonel Joslyn was a democrat, and during the war fought for the Union, but owing, it is said , to the influence of STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS, whose close friend he was, he remained a democrat after the war, not becoming a republican as did so many who had been his political associates. It is said that had he become republican at the time he might subsequently have held any office within the district, so great was his general popularity and the power of his eloquence as a speaker.
Joslyn, Frank W. - Elgin. Studied law in the office of his father, Colonel E.S. Joslyn, and was admitted to the bar at Ottawa, Illinois, May 23, 1883. He served two terms as Elgin's city attorney and two terms as state's attorney. He has for many years been supervisor from Elgin, and at present holds the position of assistant attorney general of Illinois. He has made an enviable reputation as a criminal lawyer - few large cases that he is not on one side or the other. As an orator he follows his father, and has been in continual demand in every part of the county.
Joslyn, R. Waite - Studied law at Michigan University, graduating from the institution in 1891 with the degree of Master of Laws (L.L.M.). He then went to Chicago, where he practiced with his brother, Frank W. Joslyn, where they enjoyed one of the largest practices of the city.
Mr. Joslyn is the author of a law book entitled "Joslyn on Personal Injuries", which was published this year (1908) by T.H. Flood & company, of Chicago, and has a large sale. This work is highly commended by attorneys and will doubtless require many editions. Mr. Joslyn is now engaged in compiling another law book on "Corporation Law in Illinois", which promises to be as successful as his first venture.
Jones, Oscar - Prepared himself for his profession at Sycamore, Illinois and was admitted to the bar at Ottawa May 16, 1883. He had previously been successfully engaged as a teacher at St. Charles and elsewhere. Since September, 1883, he has been master in chancery of the city court of Elgin.
Jones, S.S. - St. Charles. Visited the region in 1837, and in 1838 located with his family to St. Charles, coming by way of Naperville. He had been admitted to the bar at Montpelier, Vermont, about 1835, and opened an office upon his arrival at St. Charles. He became a prominent attorney, but finally relinquished the profession to engage in newspaper publishing, his death occurring some years since in Chicago. He was the first lawyer to locate at St. Charles.
Kribs, John G. - Law partner of BARRY and BOTSFORD.
Mann, John P. - A graduate of the University of Michigan, class of 1882. He was admitted to the Michigan bar April 11, 1882, and to the Illinois bar at Ottawa, upon motion, September 17, 1885. He resided in Elgin.
Mayborne, Major J.H. - Studied law in the State of New York, located at Chicago in 1846, and in 1848 removed to Geneva, where he practiced many years. During the war of the rebellion he occupied the position of paymaster from 1863 to 1866, with headquarters at St. Louis, and has since served in the Illinois state senate, having been elected in 1876. He also served a number of years as supervisor of Geneva Township and was prominent in politics after the formation of the republican party in 1854.
McCubbin, C.H. - Located about 1841-42, but after remaining a short time removed to Kendall County.
McGuire, John - Studied law at Mr. Babcock's office in St. Charles and was admitted to the bar.
Miller, William J. - Practiced at St. Charles in 1841 but removed to Carroll County, Illinois and later to Chicago.
Morgan, Charles H. - The first judge of the Elgin court of common pleas, became subsequently a United States judge in one of the territories, and was a very able lawyer. His residence was also in Elgin.
Norton, Lewis A. - Studied law in the office of Judge BARRY at St. Charles and was admitted to the bar. He later moved to California where he was living in 1908.
Plato, William B. - Initially settled in Aurora, later removing to Geneva.
Ranstead, Hon. John W. - A native of Kane county, was graduated from the law department of the University of Michigan in 1866, and in the same year was admitted to the bar at Ottawa, Illinois. He was a lawyer of marked ability, and from 1873 to 1882 served as county judge of Kane County. As the county was overwhelmingly republican and Judge Ranstead was a democrat the compliment can be readily appreciated.
Reeves, Charles Stephen - Elgin. A graduate of the University of Michigan and admitted to the bar of both Michigan and Illinois.
Rue, Ezra - A native ******** STOPPED
Rushton, Thomas J. - Studied law with Judge Smith at Woodstock and graduated from the law school of the State University of Iowa at Iowa City in June, 1880. He took the degree of LL.B., was admitted to the Iowa bar in 1880, to the Illinois bar in 1881 and located at Elgin in June 1882, where he is a law partner with C.A. VanHorne. The latter is also a graduate of the Iowa State University (June 1880); took the degree of LL.B.; admitted in Iowa in 1880, in Minnesota in 1881, and in Illinois in 1884. He came to Elgin in June 1887, and was still practicing there in 1908.
Richmond, Captain J. F
Ross, George F. - Served several years as city attorney for St. Charles. He later moved OT Omaha, Nebraska in the fall of 1887.
Russell, John A. - Law partner of BARRY and BOTSFORD.
Ryan, T.E. - Studied law in Judge BARRY's office, and was admitted to the bar in 1870. He opened an office of his own in 1876. In 1880 he was elected state's attorney for Kane county, serving four years, and was also prominently engaged as attorney for several railway companies. He resided and practiced law in St. Charles in 1908, having spent many months in the west about 1905.
Smith, H.F. - Arrived from Wyoming county, New York to open a law office in St. Charles in 1846. Finding business dull, he engaged for a time in peddling maps and canvassing for a life of John Quincy ADAMS. In the course of his journeyings he reached Elkhorn, the seat of justice for Walworth county, Wisconsin, where he formed a partnership with a local attorney and where he afterward practiced
Smith, William Augustus - Graduated Wesleyan University at Middletown, Connecticut and opened a law office in Geneva about 1857 practicing nearly two years. He then abandoned the law and took up theology, becoming a noted Methodist minister. He was for sixteen years secretary of the Rock River Conference, and died suddenly at his home in Rockford during a session of the conference, September 30, 1887.
VanWormer, unknown - Hailed arrived from Genesee County, New York with his family when he opened an office to practice in St. Charles about 1846. His dealings were not looked on with favor by the people, he having stirred up enmity among them in about the same manner a boy would disturb a hornets nest. Finally he was employed in a suit which brought matters to a focus and resulted in his obtaining a not very sleek coat of tar and feathers. The offenders in the case were brought before the grand jury at its next session, but that the prejudices of the community were decidedly not in his favor, soon after left the place. He removed to Algonquin, McHenry county, abandoned his family, and added still further to his record as an unprincipled villain.
Vance, James P. - Located at St. Charles about 1845 and practiced law for several years in Kane County. He afterward changed his profession for the clerical and removed. In 1871 he was residing in Batavia.
Van Horne, C.A. - A graduate of the Iowa State University (June 1880); took the degree of LL.B.; admitted in Iowa in 1880, in Minnesota in 1881, and in Illinois in 1884. He came to Elgin in June 1887, and was still practicing there in 1908.
Ward, J.L. - St. Charles. Studied Law at an early day and was admitted to the bar, but never regularly practiced the profession.
Wayne, Charles H. - Studied law with A.B. Coon at Marengo, Illinois and was admitted to the bar before the appellate court at Ottawa, Illinois, in December, 1882. He at once began practice in Elgin and succeeded so well by virtue of his native ability as a lawyer that he enjoyed a very large practice and the reputation of being one of the ablest of Kane county attorneys. He became senior member of the firm of Botsford, Wayne & Botsford, Judge Botsford dying in 1908. In 1895 he was mayor of Elgin, but after sought no public office.
Wells, Charles B. - Won fame as not only a lawyer but also as a soldier.
West, A.P. - A well known Geneva Justice of the Peace, practiced in Kane County.
Wilson, Isaac G. - A judge for many years of the circuit court, he was next to hang out his professional shingle in the aspiring young city of Elgin, becoming a resident in 1841. He removed a few years later to Geneva upon his election to the bench in the county court. From 1846 to 1850 he was a law partner with SILVANUS WILCOX, who is also mentioned here. A former writer said: "The practice thus ably commenced was continued by Edmund Gifford form 1845 to 1861"; Paul R. Wright, A.J. Waldrown and Charles H, Morgan from 1847 to 1863; E.S. Joslyn from 1852 to the outbreak of the rebellion; John S. riddle from 1857 to 1862; Thomas W. Grosvenor form 1858 to 1861; Joseph Haly, E.W. Vining, A.H. Barry, R.M. Botsford, J.W. Ranstead, William H. Wing, W.F. Lynch, Eugene Clifford, Henry B. Willis, Cyrus K. Wilbur, John McBride and others. Many of the above left their professions to serve their country in the late war and some died from wound received upon the battlefield."
Wright, Paul R. - A native of Oneida county, New York, moved to Illinois in 1837, when eighteen years of age. He taught school five years, and during that time studied law. In 1844 he entered the office of E.E. HARVEY, at Elgin,, was admitted to the bar a year later, and opened an office in that place. In 1856 he was chosen circuit clerk on the Fremont ticket and removed to Geneva. At the expiration of his term he resumed practice, but moved in 1862 to a farm in Union county, and thence in 1874 to Jonesboro, where he again entered practice.
Source: Kane County History by Joslyn & Joslyn, 1908
1908 Kane County Bar: Elgin - Dundee
1908 Kane County Bar: Batavia - Geneva - Elburn - St.Charles
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