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The Bench and The Bar
History of that part of the Susquehanna and Juniata valleys, embraced in the counties of Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Union and Snyder, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania...
Edited by F. Ellis and A. N. Hungerford.
Published in Philadelphia by Everts, Peck & Richards, 1886
Pages 679-690
CHAPTER III.
The Bench and the Bar
Sketches of the Judges and Attorneys of the Juniata Courts.
by Alfred J. Patterson
The first court held in the county of Juniata convened at Mifflintown on the 5th day of December, A.D., 1831. This fact we glean from Appearance Docket “B,” page 9, for the county of Juniata:--
“At a County Court of Common Pleas, begun and held at the Presbyterian meeting-house in Mifflintown, in the County of Juniata (in pursuance of an Act of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, passed the second day of March, A.D., 1831, entitled ‘An act erecting all that part of Mifflin County South and East of the Black Log and Shade mountains into a separate County to be called Juniata’) on the first Monday (the fifth day) of December, A.D., 1831; the Hon. Calvin Blythe was President and the Honorable Benjamin Kepner and Hon. Daniel Christy were the Associate Justices.”
At the time of the formation of the county, Mifflin County, from which Juniata County was formed, was part of the Fourth Judicial District of Pennsylvania, and was presided over my Hon. Thomas Burnside.
Judge Burnside declined to hold the courts for Juniata County, and Judge Blythe, of whom we shall speak again, kindly consented to preside.
Juniata County does not seem to have been regularly connected with any judicial district, until the passage of the act of Assembly of April 14, A.D. 1834, which organized the counties of Schuylkill, Lebanon, Dauphin and Juniata into the Twelfth Judicial District of Pennsylvania.
Juniata County remained in the Twelfth Judicial District until, by passage of the act of Assembly of April 11, 1835, it was transferred to the Ninth Judicial District, composed of the counties of Cumberland, Perry and Juniata.
By the act of Assembly of April 9, 1874, Juniata and Perry were organized into the Forty-first Judicial District.
The persons who have discharged the duties of president judges in the county of Juniata are the following: Hon. Calvin Blythe; Hon. John Reed; Hon. Samuel Hepburn; Hon. Frederick Watts; Hon. James H. Graham; Hon. Benjamin F. Junkin; Hon. Charles A. Barnett. Of these seven distinguished and learned jurists who administered the duties of their high position with wisdom, integrity and fairness, Hon. Calvin Blythe, Hon. John Reed and Hon. James H. Graham are deceased. Hon. Samuel Hepburn, Hon. Frederick Watts, Hon. Benjamin F. Junkin and Hon. Charles A. Barnett still survive.
We shall speak of the dead first in order—as we have remarked, Hon. Calvin Blythe first presided in the courts of Juniata. Judge Blythe was not a native of Juniata, but was born in Adams County, Pa., and settled in Juniata County about A.D. 1818. He continued the practice of law until he was chosen to serve as Secretary of State by Governor Shultze. He had represented the legislative district with which Juniata County was then connected in the Legislature, and there had made the acquaintance of Governor Shultze. After expiration of his term as Secretary of State, he was appointed president judge of a judicial district of Pennsylvania, composed of the counties of Schuylkill, Lebanon and Dauphin, by Governor Wolf.
Juniata County having been formed from Mifflin County, and being part of the judicial district of Judge Burnside, and he being adverse to preside over the courts of Juniata, Judge Blythe, cherishing pleasant and kind recollections of Juniata, agreed to hold its courts, and did so from December 5, 1831, until September, A.D., 1835.
We are informed that Judge Blythe practiced law for some time in Sunbury, Northumberland County, Pa., and when he left that place he came to Mifflintown on foot, and his trunk followed him on an ox-team.
The late James Mathers and Thomas Knox, Esqs., were students-at-law with Judge Blythe, when he practiced his profession in Juniata.
General William Bell and Mrs. Jane Irvine, of Mifflintown, inform me that Judge Blythe was a soldier in the War of 1812, and at a battle at which Colonel Bull, of Perry County, was killed, being shot from his horse, he mounted the horse which had been ridden by Colonel Bull, took charge of the command, and evinced such bravery and skill, that success and victory crowned his efforts.
Judge Blythe died in the city of Philadelphia, where he spent the evening of his long and useful life. He was a learned and able lawyer, an honest, upright and wise judge, a brave soldier, and ardent patriot, a man of great amiability of character, a highly respected and useful citizen and a blessing to his age and generation.
We are sorry that we can say so little about Judge John Reed, as not a member of the Juniata bar lives to-day who practiced under him.
When Judge Reed was appointed president judge of the Ninth Judicial District he was a resident of the county of Westmoreland. He was commissioned July 10, 1820, by Governor Findlay (Juniata County becoming part of the Ninth Judicial District by the act of April 11, 1835). He continued to discharge the duties of the position until February 7, 1839, when he was succeeded by Hon. Samuel Hepburn. Judge Reed resided in Carlisle and died there. He discharged the duties of president judge with great acceptance, being a man of learning, integrity and wisdom. After he left the bench he resumed the practice of law, and practiced with great success in the counties of Cumberland, Perry and Juniata. We have been informed that he was a lawyer of most remarkable success in obtaining verdicts. He was a man of tireless industry, possessed of a strong and well-trained intellect, a fine reasoner, a forcible declaimer, speaking to the point and with great plainness.
Hon. James H. Graham was the first judge under the elective system. His predecessor was his competitor for the seat upon the bench. The administration of his judicial duties had received the commendation of the public, but the political complexion of the district was Democratic, and Judge Watts was defeated and Judge Graham successful.
Judge Graham was elected October 6, 1851, for the term of ten years, and then became a candidate for re-election, and the Hon. Frederick Watts was again his competitor. He was again successful in a party vote, and took his seat for another term of ten years. He was a man of judicial mind, with a strong intellect, high integrity, and entirely fair in his administration of justice. In Judge Graham’s court, if a suitor had a just cause, he would win, and a man with a bad case was sure to fail. His charges were models of brevity and perspicuity, clear and logical. The opinions of many more modern judges bristle with citations, but Judge Graham simply stated the law and seldom cited the authority. He was a judge of dignified demeanor, and fully conceived the import of Blackstone’s definition of a court—“a place where justice is judicially administered.”
Judge Graham was a man who had the courage of his convictions, and when he reached his conclusions he placed himself broadly and fearlessly upon the record, and thus courted a review of his rulings and opinions. He was a man of grave and imposing appearance, and his charges were always delivered with solemnity and dignity, befitting the minister of justice in his temple. After the expiration of his second term he located in the city of Pittsburgh for the practice of law.
He was an honest man, an able jurist, and a conscientious and upright judge, and, at the close of a long and useful life, he died full of years and honors, in Carlisle, which for more than half a century had been his home.
Hon. Samuel Hepburn was appointed president judge of the Ninth Judicial District February 2, 1839, for a period of ten years, by Governor David R. Porter.
By an act of the Legislature of Pennsylvania, passed March 9, A.D. 1847, the Common Pleas business of Dauphin County was given to Judge Hepburn, and, by an arrangement with Judge Eldred, of the Dauphin District, Judge Hepburn took the civil list cases, and Judge Eldred the criminal cases.
Judge Hepburn was held in high estimation by the members of the bar of the counties where he held courts. When he held his last court in Dauphin County, at the expiration of his ten years, the bar met, passed and forwarded to Judge Hepburn most complimentary resolutions, which they had unanimously adopted.
Some one in Juniata who knew him well when on the bench said he was young, handsome and brilliant. He was quite a young man when he went upon the bench, and in the very vigor of manhood he resumed the practice of his profession.
He also was successful after he again entered upon the practice. We saw him a very few years ago arguing a very important case before the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, and upon that occasion his intellect shone forth in all its brightness, and as a speaker he exhibited great force and power.
It is said that one of the elements of success in Judge Hepburn was a remarkable memory. An acquaintance of the writer informed him that he had occasion to examine a rare law-book in Judge Hepburn’s office a few years ago, and the judge asked what principle of law he was seeking. The gentleman informed him. Said the judge: “I invoked that principle in the case of Law vs. Patterson” (I. W. & S.), a case tried forty-four years ago, and at once went to a pigeon-hole and laid his hands upon the brief which he had used upon the trial.
In the beautiful town of Carlisle, where he has lived so long, he still resides, after a long and busy life, in a green old age, peacefully watching the lengthening shadows.
Hon. Frederick Watts was a resident of Carlisle, and at the expiration of the term of Judge Hepburn was appointed president judge of the Ninth District by Governor W. F. Johnston, 17th of March, 1849. He discharged the duties of the position with a great acceptance. He was a man of fine appearance, of grave and dignified demeanor, of strong mind, a clear and forcible reasoner, ripe erudition and great industry.
In his contests with Judge Graham the district was Democratic, and for that reason, both being acceptable, Judge Watts was defeated.
He held the important and responsible position of State reporter, and ten volumes of State reports bear his name.
As an instance of his capacity for industry when State reporter, he had a large and lucrative practice, and his time during the day was entirely occupied with his clients, and the evenings were occupied with the duties of reporter. Mrs. Watts informed a friend of the writer that for a week at a time the judge would not leave the office at night, but when the small hours of the morning stole on he would snatch a few hours of sleep in his sofa in the office.
Judge Watts was for a considerable period United States commissioner of agriculture, and resided in the city of Washington. In the discharge of this duty he was exceedingly acceptable.
In the county of Cumberland he has stimulated agriculture, and taught the farmer to magnify his vocation.
Judge Watts is a man of broad learning, and possesses a large fund of general knowledge, is a citizen of great public spirit, and is spending the evening of a long and honored life in Carlisle, possessing to a high degree the confidence and esteem of his neighbors, and having a strong hold upon the people of old Cumberland. We have now reached ground with which we are more familiar. The shadows which obscure the far-away and the old disappear with the new.
Judge Benjamin F. Junkin was a native of Cumberland County, and was graduated from Dickinson College, at Carlisle, and after his graduation he entered upon the study of the law. Upon his admission to the bar he located for the practice of his profession in New Bloomfield. At the outset of his professional acreer he encountered great difficulties, from the fact that the lawyers from Cumberland County had been conducting all the important litigation.
He, however soon won success and prominence at the bar, was elected district attorney of Perry County, and served as a representative in Congress for the York, Cumberland and Perry district.
In 1871 he was elected as president judge of the Ninth Judicial District, then composed of Cumberland and Perry Counties, and after the establishment of the new Forty-first Judicial District, April 9, 1874, he was nominated and elected as president judge of the courts in that district. It was Democratic by a large majority, and his friends believed he could not win; but, animated by the same courage and hope which characterized him in former contests, he succeeded. After the expiration of his judicial term he resumed practice at the bar, and is now one of the leading lawyers in Central Pennsylvania.
Hon. Charles A. Barnett.—Among the many able men who have graced the bench and administered the law in Juniata County, there are none who have served with greater acceptance, evinced more ability and exhibited greater fairness and impartiality than the Hon. Charles A. Barnett, of New Bloomfield, the present presiding justice of the Forty-first Judicial District.
Judge Barnett has shown himself to be a man of learning, thoroughly trained in the law, and possesses in an eminent degree the qualities which fit him for a judicial position.
He has a mind thoroughly disciplined by a broad general scholarship, substantial and extensive acquirements in the lore of the law, with a judicial temperament remarkably equable. With a great store of patience, an excellent listener, anxious to be thoroughly enlightened in the case, animated with a desire to do that which is right, he seems the well-rounded judge, and no suitor in his court feels that the president judge has done ought than fair in the trial of his case.
Among his brother-judges in the State he is held in high esteem and he is much in demand to hold their courts.
Judge Barnett is very domestic in his tastes, and exceedingly devoted to his family.
During the summer months he devotes part of his time to working on his farm, believing that a well-worked body produces a well-working mind. He has completed the one-half of his term, and bits fair to stand among the foremost of Pennsylvania’s distinguished jurists.
The following persons have held the position of associate justices in Juniata County:
Hon. Daniel Christy and Hon. Benjamin Kepner, 1831-42.
Hon. John Beale and Hon. William McAlister, 1842-47.
Hon. James R. Morrison and Hon. James Frow, 1847-51.
Hon. John Dimm and Hon. John Crozier, 1851-56.
Hon. David Banks and Hon. Evard Oles, 1856-61.
Hon. Joseph Pomeroy and Lewis Burchfield, 1861-66.
Hon. Thomas J. Milliken and Hon. Samuel Watts, 1866-71.
Hon. John Koons and Hon. Jonathan Weiser, 1871-76.
Hon. Noah A. Elder and Hon. Frances Bartley, 1876-81.
Hon. Jacob Smith and Hon. Cyrus M. Hench, 1881-86.
At first court held, December 5, 1831, at the meeting-house in Mifflintown the following persons were admitted to practice in the several courts of Juniata County:
Elias W. Hale.
Ezekiel L. Dunbar.
James Mathers.
Andrew Parker.
Charles W. Kelso.
Samuel McDowell.
Abraham S. Wilson.
Hamilton Alricks.
James Burnside.
Samuel Creigh.
Ephraim Banks.
Benjamin Patton.
James McDowell.
E. L. Benedict.
At the same court the thirty-seven rules adopted by the president judges of the several districts of Pennsylvania were directed to be in force until otherwise ordered.
Of the above-named persons, but five lived and practiced in Juniata County: namely, Ezekiel Dunbar, James Mathers, Andrew Parker, Charles W. Kelso and Samuel McDowell.
Ezekiel Dunbar was a native of Perry County, studied law in Mifflin County, and upon the formation of the county of Juniata located in Mifflintown and remained there for a short time. He then removed to the State of Indiana and practiced his profession until his death. He was elected a member of the Legislature of the State of Indiana, re-elected and was chosen Speaker of the House.
James Mathers, Esq., was early identified as a prominent member of the bar with the new county of Juniata. He was born near Newville, Cumberland County, Pa., on January 21, 1803. His parents were Joseph and Eleanor Mathers. While the subject of this sketch was a mere youth, his parents removed to Lost Creek Valley, in what is now Juniata County. Here his youth was spent on a farm. His education was obtained at the neighborhood school, and at the classical school of Rev. John Hutchison, in Mifflintown. He improved diligently his opportunities, and was well furnished for the duties and responsibilities of life, in consequence of his close application and sound judgment. He studied law in the office of Hon. Calvin Blythe, who in an early day practiced his profession in Mifflin County, with his office and residence at Mifflintown. He was admitted to practice in the courts of Lewistown in August, 1827, and immediately thereafter opened an office in Mifflintown, where he busily employed his time in better fitting himself for the practice of his profession. He acquired the confidence of the people, and soon rose to a leading position at the bar. He was employed on nearly all important cases, and was more than ordinarily successful in the advocacy of his clients’ interests.
A superficial analysis of his character, as a man and advocate, would develop sterling qualities of mind and heart. He was a man of unblemished reputation. Any interest entrusted to his care was scrupulously guarded. He enjoyed the fullest confidence of those who sought his professional services, and they became his life-long friends.
He was a man of fine judgment. This fact gave him power with a jury, although his gifts as an orator were not of the highest order. His statement of a case and presentation of an argument had great weight with those who were called upon to decide the questions at issue. Being of industrious habits, his knowledge of the law was extensive, whilst he carefully kept himself abreast of the times in the knowledge of the sciences and of literature.
He had great influence with his clients, and in the exercise of that influence often prevented useless litigation. An eminent journalist (who in his early career was the special friend and Protégé of Mr. Mathers) remarked some years ago to the writer, that he had more influence in this direction over his clients than any lawyer whom he ever knew.
He was leader in his party, and in company with others established, in 1846, the Juniata Sentinel, calling to the editorial chair A. K. McClure, at present the eminent editor of The Times (Philadelphia), a leading paper in the country. He was a man of positive convictions. What he believed to be right in politics and religion he advocated with all his might. Reared in the Presbyterian Church, he adhered to its doctrines and polity with unswerving fidelity.
He was an evenly-balanced man, with many admirable qualities, which compelled the respect of those who knew him. His life was comparatively short. He died October 5, 1850, in the forty-eighth year of his age. He had served in both branches of the Legislature, and maintained every trust committed to his keeping.
He was united in marriage, in May, 1829, with Jane Hutchison, eldest daughter of Rev. John Hutchison. Three children were born to them—John H., who became a eminently successful lawyer in Western Ohio, and died on the 29th of April, 1875; Joseph H., a minister in the Presbyterian Church; and James, a youth of fine promise, who died at the early age of twenty-two.
He was married, a second time, to Amelia Evans, youngest daughter of General Louis Evans. Four children blessed this union, viz.: Margaret E., wife of Hon. Louis E. Atkinson; Louis Evans, who died greatly lamented by the community on April 10, 1873; Orlando O., a resident of Kansas; and C. Isabella, married to W. D. Davies, Esq., of Sidney, Ohio.
Andrew Parker was born in Cumberland County, Pa., May 21, 1805. He received his academic education in Carlisle, and graduated at Dickinson College in 1824. He studied law in Carlisle and was there admitted to the bar in 1826. He soon after removed to Lewistown, Pa.; commenced the practice of law and was appointed by the Governor deputy attorney-general for Mifflin County. In 1831 Juniata County was formed out of part of Mifflin County and he then moved to Mifflintown, the county-seat of Juniata. He continued in full practice in Juniata and Mifflin Counties until his death, and had been for years previously the leading lawyer at these bars. He was possessed of strong common-sense and practical wisdom. His mind was acute, robust and logical. He was a learned lawyer, especially in the principles of the law,--a man of natural eloquence and a superior and powerful advocate before court and jury. He was, in the discharge of duty, faithful, truthful and successful, and possessed of those qualities that should characterize an able and conscientious lawyer. His reputation as a lawyer and advocate was widespread and his services were often called for beyond the limits of his regular practice.
Mr. Parker was domestic in his tastes and had little ambition for public office. He was decided in his political convictions, and often, at home and abroad, gave them public expression. He was a member of the Thirty-second Congress, representing Juniata, Mifflin, Centre, Blair and Huntingdon Counties. He was a gentleman of fine appearance, dignity and independence. He was true to every honorable obligation and thus shed grace and impressiveness upon his daily life. He was married, April 26, 1831, to Ann Eliza Doty, of Mifflintown. He died January 15, 1864, in the fifty-ninth year of his age, leaving to survive him three sons and three daughters.
Charles W. Kelso practiced law for some time in Mifflin County, and upon the formation of Juniata County, removed to Mifflintown and there located. He also engaged in editing and printing a Democratic newspaper in connection with Samuel McDowel. He remained in the county but a few years. He had but little jury practice. He afterwards removed to Erie, Pa., about 1839 and was a member of the Pennsylvania Legislature for several terms from Erie County. He died in Erie.
Samuel McDowel came from Mifflin County after the formation of Juniata County, and located in Mifflintown. He had studied law with David W. Hulings, Esq. he also, in connection with Charles W. Kelso, edited and published a Democratic newspaper. He remained in Juniata County for a number of years and afterwards died in Mifflin County.
The records of the county show that the following persons were admitted to practice in Juniata County after December 5, 1831:
Jacob A. Christy, admitted December 4, 1838.
Edmund S. Doty, admitted May 7, 1839.
Hon. James P. Sterrett, admitted September 19, 1848.
Samuel Hench, admitted in 1849.
John H. Mathers, admitted May 4, 1853.
Alexander Harris, admitted May 2, 1854.
Ezra D. Parker, admitted September, 1855.
Alexander K. McClure, admitted September 2, 1856.
William C. Adams, admitted September 3, 1856.
D. C. Chambers, admitted in 1858.
William M. Allison, admitted September 4, 1860.
Alfred J. Patterson, admitted December, 1861.
John A. Milliken, admitted September, 1862.
George W. McPherran, admitted April 29, 1863.
E. C. Stewart, admitted April 28, 1863.
Jeremiah Lyons, admitted December, 1863.
Robert McMeen, admitted September 3, 1867.
James C. Doty, admitted September 18, 1868.
Hon. L. C. Adams, admitted April 29, 1868.
L. W. Doty, admitted in 1870.
Hon. Louis E. Atkinson, admitted September 6, 1870.
George A. Botdorf, admitted September 4, 1871.
B. F. Burchfield, admitted September, 6, 1871.
Hon. Joseph M. McClure, admitted December 5, 1871.
John T. Nourse, admitted September 7, 1874.
D. D. Stone, admitted September 7, 1874.
John L. McGeehan, admitted September, 8, 1874.
W. S. Wilson, admitted September 8, 1874.
George Jacobs, Jr., admitted May 30, 1876.
H. H. North, admitted May 30, 1876.
E. S. Doty, Jr., admitted December 4, 1876.
Albert L. Robison, admitted December 4, 1876.
Mason Irwin, admitted May 2, 1879.
Slater W. Allen, admitted May 2, 1879.
Brodie J. Crawford, admitted June 17, 1879.
Jacob Beidler, admitted February, 1880.
Ezra C. Doty, admitted December 5, 1881.
J. Sargeant Ross, admitted April 26, 1882.
George C. Yeager, admitted April 28, 1884.
J. Warren Plette, admitted April 28, 1884.
F. M. M. Pennell, admitted September 7, 1885.
We shall very briefly advert to each of the persons whose names have been mentioned.
Jacob A. Christy was born in Juniata County, and was a son of the Hon. Daniel Christy, who was one of the associate justices of Juniata County from 1831 to 1842. He studied law with James Mathers. He was an industrious, conscientious, pains-taking lawyer, possessing the confidence, respect and esteem of his fellow-citizens. For a long period of years he prosecuted the pleas of the commonwealth for the county of Juniata. He was assiduous and attentive in the discharge of his trust. He was a man retiring, diffident and modest in his nature, a true gentleman, of great kindness of heart and had but little taste for the contentions of the court-room. His temperment and training fitted him to carefully and intelligently discharge the duties of an auditor, a position to which he was frequently appointed. He died in Mifflintown full of years and highly esteemed.
Edmund Southard Doty, Esq., eldest son of Dr. Ezra Doty and Rebecca Worth, was born at Mifflintown August 22, 1815, and died at his home December 24, 1884. In 1843 he was married to Catharine N. Wilson, daughter of Hugh Wilson, of this county, by whom he had nine sons and one daughter, all of whom, save one son, who died in infancy, survived him. Four of his sons studied law under his direction, and were admitted to the bar at Mifflintown,--James Cloyd, September 18, 1868, now practicing his profession at Pittsburgh; Lucien Wilson, at the September term of court, 1872, located at Greensburgh, Pa.; Edmund S., Jr., December 4, 1876, at this time practicing law at Mifflintown; and Ezra C., December 5, 1881, engaged with his brother, David B., in the grain and lumber business at Mifflintown. Two of the sons, L. Banks and Oscar D., are engaged in the banking business, the former cashier and the latter a teller in the First National Bank of Bedford, Pa. The daughter, Rebecca, married John M. Peoples, a prominent attorney of the Westmoreland County bar, and the youngest son, Edgar N., is living at home. He entered the sophomore class at Jefferson College, Cannonsburg, Pa., in 1834, and graduated in 1836. Shortly thereafter he entered upon the study of law under the direction of his brother-in-law, Hon. Andrew Parker, and after completing the ordinary course, was admitted to practice May 7, 1839. At once he became actively engaged in his profession, and was early brought into competition with some of the ablest jurists of the State, and from that time on, until his last illness, continued to enjoy a large and remunerative practice, which extended to the neighboring counties of Mifflin, Snyder, Perry and Cumberland, and was also counsel in several very important cases in the Harrisburg and Philadelphia courts. He was distinguished for ability, integrity, energy, courage, devotion to the interests of his clients and for professional fidelity. As a counselor he was cautious and reliable. As an advocate he was able, earnest and at times eloquent; with rare intuition his active mind grasped and grouped the salient points, and discarding all irrelevant matter, presented the facts of a case with singular ability. His forte seemed to be in the presentation of legal questions to the court. Few men excelled him in all the attributes of the lawyer. An earnest and impressive advocate, a wise and judicious counselor, skillful in the trial of a cause, he possessed wonderful tact in the examination and cross-examination of witnesses, and was most happy in the presentation of the facts to the jury.
Although possessed of the brightest abilities, trained to their fullest development by education and experience, he was one of the simplest and most unaffected in his intercourse with his fellow-men. To him all men were veritably equal, his only test of manhood being honesty, industry, sobriety and good behavior. In his charities, which were neither few nor trifling, he was unostentatious.
In politics he was an earnest and avowed Democrat. In municipal affairs he acted rather as a citizen than as a Democrat, and voted for the man who, in his judgment, was best qualified for the position; he placed duty to the community above party feeling. He was not ambitious for public position. But once in his life did he ask for the suffrages of his fellow-citizens, when he ran for the State Senate in 1854, and was engulfed by the Know-Nothing whirlwind of that year. He never afterwards permitted the use of his name for any political position, but still took an active part in the discussion of all political questions and represented his party in State and national conventions.
In the discharge of his Christian duties, in his earnest religious life, his chief traits of character were most strikingly exemplified. Early in life he united with the Presbyterian Church in his native place. For fifty years he took a leading part in every good work. The cause of temperance found in him a most active and earnest advocate. The Sunday-school for years was sustained and rendered an efficient auxiliary of the church mainly by his personal efforts. Whilst yet a young man he was elected a ruling elder, and for nearly forty years served to the acceptance and edification of the church in this capacity. He often represented his church in the meetings of Presbytery, Synod, and several times was sent as a delegate to the General Assembly, and was no inefficient member of that body, being put upon the most important committees.
Hon. James P. Sterrett was born in Milford township, Juniata County, and was graduated from Jefferson College; studied law in Lancaster City, and for a short time practiced there. He then removed to Pittsburgh, where he located and practiced his profession with great success. After some years he was elected one of the president judges of the courts of the county of Allegheny, and discharged the duties of the position with great acceptance, earning the reputation of being an honest, learned and wise jurist. He was re-elected to a second term and afterwards nominated by the Republican party of Pennsylvania as their candidate for Supreme judge, but in the changing tide of political opinion incident to that year he was defeated. When the time came for the nomination of another candidate for Supreme judge he was again nominated for the Supreme bench and elected by a large majority.
Judge Sterrett is held in high repute by the lawyers of this commonwealth, and has among them very many warm friends. He is a man of learning, of spotless purity of life and eminently fitted to discharge the duties of the high and honorable position to which his fellow-citizens of this great commonwealth have called him. He is a man of great kindness of heart and hospitality, and takes pleasure in entertaining his friends, especially Juniata County people, in his handsome home in the city of Philadelphia, where he resides.
Samuel Hench was born in Turbett township, Juniata County, and after receiving a good education went to Lancaster City, and there studied law with the Hon. Thaddeus Stevens; then removed to Juniata County and began the practice of law. He almost immediately acquired a large practice and took his position as of the leaders of the bar. He was a man of popular mental gifts, an eloquent, ready speaker of great force and power. A future of the brightest cast was looming up before him, and had his life been spared he would doubtless have become one of the prominent men of the commonwealth; but almost in the morning of his professional life he was stricken down, dying in Mifflintown in 1857.
John H. Mathers was born in Mifflintown; prepared for Jefferson College, from which he graduated, and studied law with the Hon. Andrew Parker. He practiced law for some time in Mifflintown, and was elected district attorney for the county. He then removed to Sidney, Ohio, where he became a very successful lawyer and amassed considerable wealth. He has since died.
Alexander Harris was born in Juniata County; studied law with Edmund S. Doty, and then removed to Lancaster City, where he now resides, practicing law and giving some attention to literary pursuits.
Ezra D. Parker was born in Mifflintown; was prepared for college at Tuscarora Academy; then entered Jefferson College, from which he graduated; and then entered as a student at Princeton College, and, in due time received his diploma.
He then entered upon the study of the law in the office of his father, the late Hon. Andrew Parker.
Mr. Parker served for one term as district attorney of Juniata County.
He has been a successful lawyer, the result of natural power of a superior order thoroughly disciplined and well-trained. An eloquent speaker, presenting his case with force and power, his influence with the jury is strong and persuasive.
When he rises to address an audience the people expect something humorous, and they are rarely disappointed.
He is a man of pleasant and urbane manners, very popular with the people of the county, and has sustained the reputation which characterized his distinguished father, who had few peers in the commonwealth as a lawyer.
Alexander K. McClure was born in Perry County, Pa., came to Mifflintown, and for a time edited and printed the Juniata Sentinel about the same time he read law.
He afterwards removed to Chambersburg, Pa., became the editor of the Franklin Repository, and also successfully practiced his profession. He was elected a member of the Senate of Pennsylvania, and served the term. A few years ago he removed to the city of Philadelphia, and became the editor of the Philadelphia Times, a paper which has many patrons and friends in this commonwealth. Colonel McClure is an able lawyer, and eloquent speaker, a vigorous thinker, and wields a facile and trenchant pen.
D. C. Chambers located in Mifflin in 1858; was elected district attorney; served his term; returned to Philadelphia, where he now resides.
William M. Allison was born in Scotland, and came to this country with his father, who was an eminent minister in the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Allison was prepared for college at Tuscarora Academy; entered Lafayette College, from which he graduated with honor. He entered the law-office of Ezra D. Parker, Esq., and was admitted to the bar September 4, 1860. He practiced his profession for a number of years, but of late has been giving his attention to editing and publishing a newspaper, the Juniata Herald. Mr. Allison is a man of scholarship and a facile journalist.
William C. Adams was born in Walker township, read law with Edmund S. Doty, and was admitted to the bar of Juniata County in 1856. He practiced his profession in Juniata for some years, and then removed to Philadelphia, where he now resides and practices.
Alfred J. Patterson was born in Spruce Hill township November 21, 1837, and spent the earlier years of his life upon his father’s farm. He was prepared for college at Tuscarora Academy; entered Jefferson College in 1856, graduating therefrom in 1859. He read law with the Hon. Andrew Parker, and was admitted in Dec., 1861. Mr. Patterson practiced his profession in Clearfield, Pa., two years, and then returned to Juniata County. He was elected, and served for three years, as district attorney of Juniata County; was nominated as a Democratic candidate for president judge of the Forty-first Judicial District of Pennsylvania by Juniata County, but in the Judicial Conference withdrew in favor of the Hon. Charles A. Barnett, who was subsequently elected. He was also the Democratic candidate for Congress, in the Eighteenth District of Pennsylvania, in the election in 1884, but, in the political cyclone which swept Pennsylvania with a Republican majority of eighty-one thousand, was defeated.
Mr. Patterson is a man of scholarship, industry and energy, and has a large share of the practice in his native county.
John A. Millikin was born in Beale township, Juniata County; was prepared for college in Tuscarora Academy; entered Jefferson College in 1856, and graduated in 1859. He read law with Edmund S. Doty, Esq.; was elected and served as district attorney for a term, after which he removed to Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas, where he now resides.
George W. McPherran was born in Huntingdon County, Pa., received his preparatory education at Airy View Academy. He read law with Hon. Andrew Parker; was admitted to the bar in 1863, and soon after removed to Philadelphia, where he now resides.
E. C. Stewart was born in Spruce Hill township; received his preparatory education at Airy View Academy, and read law with Hon. Andrew Parker; was admitted and for some time practiced his profession in Mifflin. He held the position of revenue assessor under the government of the United States. He afterwards abandoned the practice of law and became a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was an eloquent speaker, of pleasant manners and strong intellect. He died at his father’s home March 8, 1873.
Jeremiah Lyons was born in Perry County; received preparatory training at the academy in his native county; entered the law-office of Edmund S. Doty; was admitted and located for the practice of his profession in Mifflintown. He was one of the electors in the Electoral College of 1876. Mr. Lyons is an industrious, painstaking lawyer , and gives close attention to his profession. He is a well-read lawyer, a man of intellect, a forcible speaker, and has a large and lucrative practice.
Robert McMeen was born in Fayette township, and after preparatory training he entered Jefferson College. He afterwards entered the law-office of Edmund S. Doty and was admitted to the bar. He was elected and served two terms as district attorney of Juniata County. A few years ago he removed to Washington City, where he remained some two years, after which he returned to Juniata, where he now practices his profession. Mr. McMeen is a careful and industrious lawyer.
James C. Doty was born in Mifflintown; entered Yale College, where he remained until ill-health compelled him to abandon his intention of graduating at that famous school. He entered as a student-at-law the office of his father, Edmund S. Doty. He was admitted and practiced for a number of years in Mifflintown. He then removed to Pittsburgh, where he has been remarkably successful, having acquired a large and lucrative practice.
Hon. L. C. Adams was born in Walker township and graduated from Jefferson College. He entered the law-office of Edmund S. Doty and was admitted in 1868. He then removed to Rock Island, Ill., and located for the practice of his profession. He has been twice elected judge of the courts of his county.
Hon. Louis E. Atkinson was born in Delaware township April 16, 1841; was educated in the common schools and at Airy View and Milnwood Academies. He studied medicine and graduated at the Medical Department of the University of New York March 4, 1861; entered the medical department United States army 1861; served as assistant surgeon in the First Pennsylvania Cavalry and surgeon of the One Hundred and Eighth Pennsylvania Infantry, and was mustered out December, 1865; was disabled while in the army, and being unable to practice medicine, studied law with Ezra D. Parker, Esq.; was admitted in 1870 and has practiced law very successfully since that time. He was elected to the Forty-eighth and Forty-ninth Congresses. Mr. Atkinson is a good lawyer and has great faith in the Hackneyed maxim, “Nulla excellentia sine labor.” To untiring labor and indefatigable industry he attributes whatever success has crowned the efforts of his life.
George A. Botdorf was admitted to the Juniata bar September 4, 1871. He remained but a short time in the county and now resides at Freeburg, Snyder County, where he practices his profession.
B. F. Burchfield was born in Milford township, and after preparatory training became a student-at-law in the office of Edmund S. Doty, and for a number of years has practiced his profession in Mifflin. Mr. Burchfield has served as county surveyor for Juniata. He combines the vocation of surveyor with that of attorney and is an industrious and reliable lawyer.
Hon. Joseph M. McClure was born in Perry County; was prepared for college at Tuscarora Academy; entered Yale College, from which he graduated. He then entered the offices of Edmund S. Doty as a student-at-law; was admitted in Juniata County and then removed to Harrisburg. He bacme assistant attorney general of the commonwealth and now resides at Bradford, Pa.
John T. Nourse was born in Mifflin County; was educated at Milroy and Tuscarora Academies; admitted in the courts of Philadelphia and graduated from the Law Department of the University of Pennsylvania in March, 1868; admitted in Juniata County January, 1874. Mr. Nourse is not now in active practice, but resides on his farm in Spruce Hill township.
D. D. Stone was born in Norfolk, Va.; educated at Tuscarora Academy and Dickinson College; admitted to the bar in Norfolk, Va.; removed to Missouri, where he practiced some time; came to Pennsylvania and was admitted to the Juniata County bar in September, 1874. Mr. Stone is a good scholar, forcible speaker and well equipped for the practice.
John L. McGeehan was born in Perry County, read law with Jeremiah Lyons, Esq., was admitted to the bar of Juniata County in 1874, then removed to California, abandoned the profession of law and is now a Presbyterian minister in Altoona, Pa.
W. S. Wilson was born at Academia, prepared for college at Airy View Academy, entered Princeton College, from which he graduated, then read law with Alfred J. Patterson, was admitted to the Juniata County bar and immediately removed to Pittsburgh where he has become a successful lawyer and has now a large and valuable practice.
George Jacobs, Jr., was born in Mifflintown, was prepared for college at Airy View Academy, graduated from Princeton, read law with Ezra D. Parker, Esq., graduated from the Albany Law School and located in Mifflintown. Mr. Jacobs served a term as district attorney, is a young man of good mental powers and an excellent speaker.
Herman H. North was born in Patterson, Juniata County, Pa., was prepared for college at Airy View Academy, graduated from Princeton College and Albany Law School, practiced law for some time at Huntingdon, and now resides at Bradford, where he practices his profession.
E. S. Doty, Jr., was born in Mifflintown, prepared for college at Airy View Academy, graduated from Lafayette College, and read law with his father, the late Edmund S. Doty; was admitted and practices at Mifflintown. He is now serving a term as district attorney and is well prepared for the duties of the profession.
Albert Robison was born in Milford township, prepared for college at Airy View Academy, graduated from Princeton College, read law in the State of Illinois, and was admitted to the Juniata County bar in 1876. He removed to Denver, and practiced. He has since died.
Mason Irvine was born at Mifflintown, was educated at Airy View Academy, read law with Ezra D. Parker, was admitted and practiced for some time in Mifflintown. He served a term as district attorney. He has since removed to Washington Territory, where he now resides and practices.
Slater W. Allen was educated at the common schools, read law with Ezra D. Parker, and after his admission practiced for some time in Mifflintown. He has since abandoned the profession, and is now in business for the Cambria Iron Company.
Brodie I. Crawford was born in Mifflintown, was prepared for college at Airy View, was graduated from Princeton College, then read law with Alfred I. Patterson, and passed an examination which reflected great credit upon the student and disclosed his bright intellect. For him the future was very bright, but in the early morning of his young life he entered the portals of the great unknown.
Jacob Beidler was educated at the common schools of Juniata, served a term as prothonotary, read law with Alfred J. Patterson, was admitted and practiced until his death, May 20, 1885.
Ezra C. Doty was prepared for college in Mifflintown, graduated form Lafayette College, read law with his father, the late Edmund S. Doty, also graduated at the Albany Law School. Mr. Doty is not now in active practice.
J. Sargeant Ross received his education at the common schools and Airy View Academy, read law with Jeremiah Lyons, Esq., and after admission settled in York, Pa., where he is succeeding in his profession.
George E. Yeager was educated at Airy View Academy, and read law with Alfred J. Patterson; after his admission he went West, to the State of Indiana, where he now practices.
J. Warren Plette was educated at the common schools of Juniata, read law with Atkinson & Jacobs, and after his admission located in Mifflintown, where he now practices.
F. M. M. Pennell was educated at the common schools; also graduated at Millersville Normal School; read law with Atkinson & Jacobs, and after his admission became a student at Albany Law School, where he is at present.
L. W. Doty was prepared for college at Airy View, and graduated at Lafayette College; he then read law with his father, Edmund S. Doty, and for some time practiced in Juniata. He then removed to Philadelphia, where he remained some time, and from thence removed to Greensburg, Westmoreland County, where he now resides, having acquired a large practice.
The writer has visited quite a number of the courts of the State, has seen their lawyers engaged in their duties, and complimented their skill and learning, and trusts that he will not be considered lacking in modesty should he say that in the half-century of time which has come and gone, Juniata has produced and trained her full complement of lawyers, who have displayed equal learning and evinced equal skill with those of any other county in the commonwealth.
The graphics on this website are not in the public domain.
© 2013 by Michael Milliken
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