Butler County, Alabama - Chapter 51, 1885

The bar of Butler County has always ranked among the first in the State for learning and ability. Many of its members have distinguished themselves for their judgment in the administration of the Government to the general satisfaction of the people. The State has frequently shown its confidence in their wisdom and counsel, by electing them to the highest positions of public trust.

. Judge Anderson Crenshaw was the first lawyer that settled in this county. He was born in Newberry District, South Carolina, in 1786, and came to this State in 1820. He read law in his native State under Judge Nott, and was licensed to practice in 1 809. In 18 1 2, he was a member of the Legislature of his native State. Soon after coming to the State of Alabama, he was elected to the bench of the Supreme Court, and held that position for twelve years in succession. He resided in

The names of Crenshaw, Womack, Watts, Henry, Porter and Judge will always be cherished by the bar of this county for the reputation they gave it in the earliest days of its existence.

Governor Watts was born in the county in 18 19, and began practice in Greenville in 1841. He represented the county several times in the Legislature, and then removed to Montgomery, and was afterward elected to the office of Governor of the State.

Judge John K. Henry came from Wilcox County, but studied law and began to practice in Butler County. He has spent a long, busy and useful life in the county, at the bar and on the bench. He was elected Judge of the Circuit Court of this District in i860, and filled that position with great satisfaction, until he was ejected by Congress in 1868. He is now serving with ability the people of Butler and Conecuh Counties in the State Senate. Judge Walter H. Crenshaw was a son of Chancellor Crenshaw, and was a chip of the old block. He represented this county many years in the State Legislature, and was both Speaker of the House and President of the Senate. His last public duty was in the office of Judge 01 the Criminal Court of Butler County.

Legislature. He was generally recognized as standing at the head of the legal profession in the State, and was the candidate of the. Whig party for Congress against Judge David Clopton, the Democratic nominee. This election is conceded to have been the most hotly contested election ever known in Alabama, and resulted in the defeat of the Whig candidate by a small majority. Thomas Judge was three times elected to the Supreme Court Bench, which position he held with the universal confidence of the people at the time of his death.

Judge Benjamin F. Porter was a native of South Carolina, He was a member of the Butler County bar about eight years before his death. He was a man of fine culture, rare literary attainments and profound judgment, and was the peer of any man in the legal profession in Alabama at the time of his death. He represented as many as three different counties in the Legislature at different times ; and was appointed Circuit Judge when quite a young man. He was Supreme Court reporter for a number of years. He died in Greenville, in 1868.

Since the war the members of the bar have been none the less able. Judge M. C. Lane will ever be remembered by all those who knew him, for his social qualities and conversational powers. He

Colonel Hilary A. Herbert was raised in this county, and was a member of her bar for over fifteen years. He is the most distinguished member of the bar since the war, having been in Congress for eight years in succession, and having been elected for another term. He began the practice of law at Greenville just before the war, but is generally considered among the younger members of the bar. He was a student of the University of Alabama, and was for several years one of its honored Trustees.

Hon. John L. Powell was born and educated in this county, and began the practice of law here. He represented the county in 1870, was elected Judge of the Probate Court of the county in 1874, and has held that office ever since. He is well versed in law, and was the partner of Colonel Herbert for several years. He is probably the most influential man in the county.

The firm of Judge & Boiling was formed in 1868, composed of Thomas J. Judge and Captain John BoUing, and his father, Hon. S. J. Boiling. The firm of Powell & Gamble was formed about this time, and consisted of Hon. J. L. Powell and Captain John Gamble, and was dissolved on the election of the former to the office of Probate Judge. After this. Gamble practiced several years vv^ith Padgett. He is now in the firm of Gamble & Richardson.

firm, is not a native of this county, but is rapidly growing in the favor of the people by the close attention given to all business entrusted to him. Being Avealthy, he does not rely upon his practice for a support. He was Hon. John L. Powell's opponent in 1880 for Probate Judge, causing considerable excitement and a close race. Judge Powell was re-elected by a majority of "j^ votes.

The firm of Herbert, Buel & Lane is the oldest one now in the county. It originally consisted of Colonel Hilary Herbert, Hon. David Buel and L. M. Lane. Colonel Herbert has not been an active member of the firm since 1876, but his name is still retained by the firm. Hon. David Buel is a Northern man. He married a sister of Colonel Hilary Herbert. He has been identified with the interests of the county ever since 1865, and represented Butler and Conecuh in the Senate in 1877. He died in 1884, having suffered several years from bad health. The firm of Whitehead & Dukes was formed in 1870, which was dissolved in 1874, when the latter moved to Texas. Colonel J. M. Whitehead, the senior member of the firm, was editor of the Greenville Advocate for several years, but gave up the paper as soon as his practice justified him. He moved to Mont' gomery in 1882, and is editing the National Inde^ pendent in connection with his work as a lawyer.

educated at the Universities of Alabama and Virginia. He began the practice shortly after the war, and has held several appointments, such as County Clerk, Circuit Clerk, SoHcitor for the county, etc.

Jesse F. Stallings is a native of this county, and was graduated at the University of Alabama in 1877, and studied law at Greenville in 1878. He is rapidly winning the confidence of the people by the despatch with which he discharges all his business.

H. B. Pilley was born in this county, and is a promising member of the bar. Not having a collegiate education, he read law with considerable disadvantage, but with earnest application he was admitted to practice in 1879.

C. W. King came to Greenville in 1878 from the chilly climes of the State of New Jersey. While working for his uncle in Greenville, he devoted his spare time to the study of law, and was examined in 1880. He has been elected to the office of County Coroner. He is accused by some of the old citizens of the county of trying to lead the Democratic party in the politics of the county.

John W. Crenshaw was born at Manningham in this county, and graduated in the academic department of the State University in 1881, and in the law department in 1882. He had scarcely entered upon the practice in Greenville when he was offered a partnership with Tweed & Hancock in Phoenix, Arizona, which he accepted,

Harris D. Lamply is a native of this county, and was graduated at the State University with distinction in the class of 1 88 1, and received his law diploma in 1883. Being a young man of a brilliant mind, it is to be expected that he will make a good lawyer.

Captain Robert Eugene Steiner was also born in this county, and graduated from the University at Tuscaloosa. He received his final degree from the University in 1881, and stood high in his class. He entered the law department of Harvard University at Cambridge, Mass., the same year, and pursued the regular course in that institution until he was graduated in June, 1884. This law school has a more extended reputation than any other law school in the United States. Shortly after his return from Cambridge, he formed a partnership with Judge John K. Henry, of Greenville. Mr. Steiner's prospects for success are thought to be as good as those of any young lawyer in the State.

The firm of Judge & Wilkinson is about the last firm formed in the county. David G. Judge, the senior member of the firm, is a son of the late Judge Thomas J. Judge, and is a young man ot promise. Charles L. Wilkinson, the other member of this firm, is a son of W. W. Wilkinson, a large merchant of Greenville. Mr. Wilkinson is

The lawyers and firms now in practice in Butler County are as follows : H. B. Pilley, Edward Crenshaw, Harris Lamply, W. C. King, Jesse F. Stallings, L. M. Lane, Judge & Wilkinson, Henry & Steiner and Gamble & Richardson. It is very gratifying to the members of the Butler Bar to say that no lawyer from any other bar of the State ever has a case in any of the different courts of this county.