Christian County, Illinois - Chapter 10, 1880

r the circuit court f u' the county of Dane, which convened at Taylorville, Monday, XovendHr 4th, l^:!'.!, Samuel II. Treat, judge of the eighth judicial circuit.

There were present Horatio ]\I. Vandeveer, clerk ; William S. Ricks, Sheiifi'; David B. Campbell, states attorney; and James C. Conkling, attorney at law. By an act of the legislature, February 2l.<t, 184.'., the eounli..,- of Sangamon, Tazewell, Woodford, McLean, Livingston, De Witt, Piatt, Champaign, Vermilion, Edgar, M.jul trie. Christian, Logan and Menard, were formed into the eighth judicial district. These counties formed the circuit until the act of Febi'uary, 1847, which excluded Livingston "and Menard, and in<. billed Shelby and Macon counties.

After Judge Treat was transferred to the Federal courts by Presiilent James K. Polk, David Davis of Bloomington was elected to take his place. He opened court in Taylorville June 4th, 1849. Judge Davis remained on the circuit until 18-53. By an act of the legislature, passed February 3d, 18.33, McLean county was taken out of the circuit, and a new circuit formed for Judge Charles Emerson. The counties of Sanganmn, Logan, 5IeL(.an, Woodford, Tazewell, DeWitt, Champaign and Vermilion formed Judge Davis' circuit, and retained the name and number, as the eighth judicial district. Bond, Fayette, Montgomery, Christian, Shelbv, EfRnghan;, Moultrie, Macon and Piatt counties formed Judge Emerson's" circuit, and was known as the seventeenth judicial district.

By an act of the legislature, February 12th, 1857, the counties that i;omposed the circuit were changed again. Thp seventeenth circuit iucludi'd and was composed of Macon, Piatt, Fay^ette, Effinghaiu- .Shelby, Moultrie aud Coles counties. By an act passed February'" 11th, 18.'i7, the eighteenth judicial district was formed. It was com-'^ po.^ed of the courts of Sangamon, Macoupin, Montgomery and Christian. The seventeenth still remained Judge Emerson's circuit. IC. Y. Iviee, of Hillsbwo, became Judge of the eighteenth judicial di>ti'i(tt. He jiresided until 187t_l, when he resigned to take his scat in congress, to which body he had been elected. Jlon. H. JM. Vandeveer was appoint(;d to fill the unexpired term of Judge Rice, wiiich expired in 4873. xVt an election held that year, Judge II. M. Vandeveer was elected to the ofttpe for the full term of six years. His terra expired in June, 1879. General Jesse J. Phillips, of Hillsboro, was elected to succeed him."

Our readers are familiar with the history of Jtidge Treat. His name has been connected with the juri.sprudenne of the State for nearly half a century.

David Davis, the second Judge upon the circuit, has an enviable reconl and a national reputation. Rai.sed to the high dignity of a Judge of the Supreme Court of the United States by his warm personal friend, Abraham Lincoln, and at present a senator^in the halls of the first legislative body in the world, and representing there ti<6 great .State of Illinois, serve to mark him as a professional jurist, and a wise and able statesman.

Of Judge Charles Emerson, it may be said that he was a plain, unassuming man, and a matter-of-fact lawyer. He had but little Sentiment, and dealt very largely in facts; yet withal was kind aud accommodating on the bench, particularly to the younger and inexperienced members of the bar. Very few- of Judge Emerson's decisions were rever.scd by the higher courts.

Judge Rice, was born in Kentucky. He read law in the office of John M. Palmer, of Carlinville, and was admitted to the bar in 18,57. He soon developed into a sound lawyer, aud made an excellent judge.

Judge Phillips, the present incumbent, is yet comparatively a j'oung man, with little experience upon the bench, but so far has given evidence of being eminently rpialified for the position. He brings to the bench studious habits, a well-trained and educated mind, a pleu.-ing, gentlemanly address, and a strict regard for the rights and feeling of others, which augurs well for his success and liopularity in the future.

three judges for each circuit. At the election in June, 1879, W. R. Welch, of Carlinville, Charles S. Zane, of Springfield, and J. J. Phillips, of Hillsboro, were elected. Under the arrangement made by the.se three judges for the division of the business the count}' of Christian has fallen to Judge Phillips.

David B. Campbell, of Springfield, was the first public prosecutor of Christian county. He was an able lawyer, fearless in the discharge of his duty, and the brightest and ablest advocate, criminal lawyer and state's attorney the county ever had. His equal in his day was hardly found in the state, and his superior not in the north-west. He served from 1839 until 1852. After him came Elam Rust, who was elected in 1S53 and served until 1856. J. B. White from 1857 until 18(34. C. U. Morrison from 1865 until 1868. Horace Gwin, 1868 to 1871. A. McCaskill, 1872 to 1875. V. E. Foy, 1876 to 1880, and is the present incumbent.

At the orgiMiization of the county, and for a number of years afterward, the members of the Springfield, Shelbyville, Hillsboro and Decatur bars practiced here and supplied the legal talent.

Owing to the small amount of litigaj;ion in each county in those da)'s, lawyers found it necessary and profitable to follow the judge around tb%^ircuit, from one county-seat to another..

The array of legal talent that frequented the first courts of Christian county, has not been surpassed or hardly equalled in the state. " There were giants in tho.se Tlie rude walls of the court-house, of the pioneer days of Christian county, resounded with forensic eloquence. In that -legal array were men whose names, have long since been written high on the roll of honor and fame. Prominent among the attorneys who practiced here was Abraham Kncoln, the martyr president. Among the older citizens of the county he is well remembered, more {particularly for his wonderful stories and anecdotes with which he regaled the crowd^f gaping listeners. Here also practiced Stephen A. Dcjuglas, the " lijttle Giant " of the West. He was ju.st then entering upon his briUiant career, which in after years made hiui one of the recognized intellectual giants of his age. Here, too, wse^E. D. Baker", the silver-tongued orator " who commanded an Tllir^a regiment in the Jlexican war, afterwards senator from OregMf whose life went out while at the head of his command, at the battle of Bluff", in the late rebellion." When he first commenced the practice here he was a candidate for state senator. He was a good lawyer, but a better orator. The "gifts of the gods " were his to a wonderful degree. Then came Stephen T. 'Logan, one of the bright legal intellects of the slate. He was styled the walking encyclopaedia of legal knowledge and information. Around him were men whose minds were cast in massive moulds; men whose "beck and will the masses blindly followed, and whose names are conspicuous, and mark an epoch in American history. Yet they were dwarfed to littleness, and were infants when measured by the full-grown mental manhood of Stephen T. Logan. None could grasp, like him, the subtle intricacies of the law, delve deeper into its mystic lore, or build up a stronger or more logical, firmer, and symmetrical argument than he. It was absolutely faultless. The problems over which the ordinary legal mind would consume the " midnight oil " in their efforts to solve, to him were but mental recreation. His clear and comprehensive mind grasped all details, and made light as day that which to others was dark and obscure. Mr. Logan is still a resident of Springfield, Illinois.

Supreme Court of Illinois. James C. Conkling, of Springfield, who was the first and only attorney here when the court of this county convened for the first time. B. S. Edwards was also a prominent and learned attorney. Then came Joshua Lamburn, an able orator and successful criminal lawyer. Senator McDougal, of national reputation. John T. Stuart, with his elegant manners and fine scholastic appearance. Jesse B. Thomas, a polished and extremely dignified gentleman, but a good lawyer withal. Samuel S. IMoulton, still an attendant upon the court, and at one time congressman for the state at large. William F. May, of Bladison county, afterward of Springfield. A. McWiliiams, of Litclifield ; Hiram Roundtree, of Hillsboro; William H. Herndon, of Springfield, all practitioners of this bar, and all regarded as good, safe and reliable lawyers. And last, but by no means least, may be mentioned the name of Richard J. Oglesby, renowned in war, in the state and nation as a gallant soldier, as governor of a great state, and United States senator from Illinois. The foregoing are some of the names of prominent men who came here and fought the legal battles for this county. Will the county or bar of any other locality in the state ever again see such a formidable array of prominent names and legal talent as was assembled here fort}' vears ago?

Tile second rosidi-nt lawyer of Christian county was a man by the name of John W. Wheat. He came to Taylorville in 1840, and taught school here soon after the town was located. In 1841 he commenced the practice of hnv. There was but little legal business to attend to in tho.se days, and Mr. Wheat did not find the practice remunerative, and soon after left the county. He was a well-educated young man, and possessed considerable ability, and would have, no doubt, ri.'^en to prominence in the profession had he remained here. Benjamin Mason was the fourth lawyer; was a citizen of Greenfield, Green county. Ills., and came to Taylorville in the latter part of 1852. He was elected justice of the peace soon after he came here; was a brilliant young man, with a fine legal mind, and soon got considerable practice. He would have succeeded well in the law, but unf irtunately for him he fell into bad habits, and soon lost his reputation and practice. Remained here until 1858. During the gold excitement of the latter year he went to Pike's Peak, returned to Carrollton in 18G2, and died in 1870.

Thos. Shoenuiker was the fifth resident hnvver. He came to Taylorville about 1852, was somewhat "irregidar" in his practice, and remained here until 1854, when he went to Kan.sas, took a hand in Kansas politics, and achieved considerable notoriety and accumulated some wealth. Was one of those restless, energetic men, and was peculiarly adapted for the stirring times incident to the history of Kansas while yet under territorial government. His prominency however proved his death. He was shot and killed in one of the riots that disgraced the early history of that state. J. H. Dawdy located in Pana in April, 1856. He was a native of Illinois, and became a lawyer from force of circumstances. There being no attorney in Pana, when he first located there, and a lawyer being very much in demand, he concluded to study for the profession. He was admitted to the bar in 1856. Soon after he was elected Associated Justice for the county, a position he held for four years, and was tlnn elected Justice of the Peace; an office he has continued in with but few interruptions ever since.

George Pease was the second lawyer in Pana. He was a native of Mass., and a graduate of Yale College. Came to Pana in 1857, and continued there in ju-aetice until l'S61. At the breaking out of the war he enlisted and was elected Captain of a company. He remained in service for two years, wlun he returncil and resumed his practice. Remained in Paiui I'nr tdiir vearti longer, and (lun removed to Taylorville, an<l iVnni here to Colorado, where he at present resides. IMr. Pease is renioiiihered as a very good lawyer, and a man of fine oratorical ahililies. James (). Connor was also a resident lawyer of Pana. lie was a native of New York, located in 1858, and continued in practice until 1861, when he entered the army and was elected 1st, Lieutenant of a company in the Sd Ills. Cavalry. Was subsequently promoted to the rank of Major, and continued in the service until the close of the war, when he married an intelligent and accomplished lady of Helena, Ark., where he has since resided. Mr. O. Connor was of a judicial turn of mind, but lacked the elements of an orator.

Harrison Havens read law while a clerk in the office of AV. S. Moore, Circuit Clerk. Was admitted to the bar, but did little practice. He went to Iowa, and then to Springfield, Mo., where he permanently located, and continued the practice. Since becoming a resident of the latter place he has twice represented his District in Congress. He was yet a young man when he left Taylorville, but since then has developed considerable ability as a lawyer, and has been ver}' successful as a politician. D. K. Hall came to Taylorville in 185!). Upon the breaking out of the war he entered the service as a First Lieutenant, and was promoted during the war to the rank of Major. He never returned to the county, but after the war settled in Missouri, where he still lives.

Hon. D. D. Shumway was a native of Mass., and came to Christian county in 1843. He studied law, and was admitted to practice in 1860 ; then formed a law partnership with Hon. H. M. Vandevecr, and was for many years a prominent man in the county, and this section of the state ; and held many offices of honor and trust. He was a logical rea.soner and a superior jury lawyer. Died in 1870.

D. T. Moore was another member of the bar. A native of Ohio. He read law in Taylorville, and was here admitted to practice. Remained here until 1864, when he removed to Washington, Iowa, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits. Subsequently he removed to York, Webraska, and commenced again the practice of his profession. He still I'esides there, and is a prominent lawyer, and has filled several important judicial positions.

David McWilliaras came to Taylorville in 1863. He remained here until 1866, when he removed and located at Monticello, Piatt county, Illinois.

S. P. Davis was a mcmlier of the Christian county liar, and is better known as a journalist tliaji a lawyer. In 1800 he removed to Belleville, and from thence to Denver, Colorado, where he died with consumption. About this time a lawyer by the name of J. G. Murdock attempted to practice law here. Was not successful, and soon after removed to Texas, where he remains at present. Daniel McFarland, an attorney from O'Fallon, in St. Clair county, Illinois, came to Taylorville in 1871, and opened a law office. He soon after left, and went to Peoria, Illinois.

A. D. Rich located in Pana, in 1870. His first venture there in business was the establishing of the Pana Palladium, a newspajier that still continues. Practiced law to a limited extent; remained in Pana until 187'2, when he removed to Iowa, thence to Hannibal, Mo., where he remains at present. J. A. Tavlor was a resident of Macon county. He was admitted to the bar in Decatur, came to Taylorville in 1872, and remained for several years. While here he contracted some fatal disease, and went back to Decatur, where he died soon after.

Charles A. Shirley commenced the practice of law in Tavlorvillo in 1877, and continued until 1878, when he removed and permanently located in Blue Mound, Macon county, Ills. G. W. Hinman came to Pana in 1877, remaining one year; then returned to his former home in Pike county, Illinois.

J. W. Stanley, a practical machinist, was elected City Attornev of Pana in 1877. He served one year, and then removed to Lawrence county. Illinois, where he is now engaged in practicing law.

Daniel Miller was Clerk of the Court of Christian county, and studied law during his term of office. He was a good lawyer, and very popular. Died in Taylorville. It is to be regretted tiiat we could not get fuller information of Mr. Miller. J. M. Pendell located in Pana in 1867. He had a limited practice. Died in 1878.

AVilliam H. Dawdy was a resident of Pana. He was admitted to the bar in 1866. Read law with B. W. Henry of Vandalia. Was elected City Attorney of Pana, and, at the expiration of his term of office, located in Greenville, Ills. He is now State's Attorney of Bond county, to which position he has been twice elected. W. T. Rogers came to Pana in 1866. He practiced law for two years, and is now a resident of St. Louis.

A. C McMillan was also an attorney of Pana. Came there in 1866. Had a large and lucrative practice. HetO(jk an active and conspicuous part iu the building of the O & M. R. R., was a man of great energy and perseverance, and did his part towards furthering enterprises that had for their object the material advancement and prosperity of Pana. Died in 1875.

Present Members of the Bar. - In speaking of the present members of the bar it is necessary that we be quite brief. We have not space to give each such an elaborate notice as we would de-ire, nor would it be craved by the profe.ssion. Fulsome laudation would be out of place in a work of this character. It is not too much to say, however, that the bar of Chi'istian county will compare favorably in point of talent with any in Central Illinois It conqn-ises among its members ambitious and studious voung men, to whom the future is bright and roseate with promises of usefulness and renown. It also embraces men of mature years, who have, b}' patience and diligent toil, won high places iu the honorable profession of Law.

Hon. H. M. Vandeveer must be regarded as the Nestor of the bar. He was born in Indiana in 1816, and came with his father to what is now Christian county (then Sangamon) in 1829. Read law with John T. Stuart, of Springfield, and was admitted to practice iu 1839. He was first resident-lawyer in the county. During the first years after the organization of the county, he held most of the offices, and has been identified in one way and another with the civil history of the county from its first organization down to the present. As a lawyer he appeared on one side or the other of every important case that has been tried in the courts of this county prior to 1870, when he became judge of this circuit. He is a man of fine natural abilities, a most excellent judge of men, untiring and aggressive, and a sound practical lawyer. In both private and public life, and in every official capacit)', he has always been found faithful to trusts reposed in him, and has maintained the respect of the bar and esteem of his fellow-citizens through all the years past, since he has been a resident of the county.

W. S. Moore is the second resident attorney, and the third lawyer in the county. He is a native of Ohio, and came to Taylorville in 184S. Road law with H. M. Vandeveer, was admitted to practice in 1.S52, and continued in the profession until 1878, when he abandoned law, and engaged exclusivelv in mercau- tile pursuits. Mr. Moore gave almost exclusive attention to the Chancery practice, in which he was successful. He has held various offices iu the county, aud was circuit clerk for twenty years. Hon. Alejiander McCaskill is a native of McDonough county, Illinois. Read law in the office of Judge Bailey, Van Vleck & Wells, was admitted to the bar in 1857, and commenced the practice in Prairie City, in his native county. In the winter of 1857-58 he came to Taylorville, where he remained until 1859, then removed to Colorado, returning here in 1861 ; and again commenced the practice, which he has continued uninterruptedly, except four years, which was spent as County Superintendent of Schools. He was elected State's Attorney for one term. In 1877 was elected, and at present ably fills the office of County Judge. He is regarded as a good lawyer and safe adviser. In personal character he is above reproach.

Hon. Andrew Simpson is one of the veteran lawyers at this bar. Is a native of Kentuck}', and came to Illinois in 1835. Was admitted to practice in 1857, at the spring term of the Circuit Court of Christian county, and has remained here in the practice ever since. He, too, has been honored with offices of trust in the county. AVas elected to the office of County Judge just prior to township organization. As a lawyer he takes front rank at this bar. His superior knowledge of human nature, the motives and springs of human action, make him a dangerous antagonist to cope with before a jury. As a man he is plain and unassuming, kind and affable, somewhat eccentric, and full of anecdote and humor.

William S. Randle is a native of North Carolina. Studied law in the office of A. W. Metcalf, of Edwardsville, Madison county, Illinois. He was admitted to the bar in 1858. Came to Christian county in 1869, and engaged in farming, in connection with the practice of law. Resides near i\Iorrisonville, in this county.

S. G. Lewis is a native of Delaware. He emigrated to Green county, Illinois, in 1844, and read law in 1857, '58, '59 and '60, iu the office of D. IM. McKinney and Hon. N. M. Knapp, of Winchester, Illinois. Was admitted to the bar in Carrolltim, Illinois, in 1860, and commenced the practice iu 1862. Was admitted to practice in the U. S. Courts in 1870, and commenced the practice iu Taylorville in 1878. He is a good lawyer.

J. M. Birce, a resident of Assumption, and member ef this bar, is a native of New York. He taught school and read law. In 1860 he entered the Law Department of the University of IMichigan at Ann Arbor, and in 1S61 was admitted to practice. In 1865 he came to Assumption, and was admitted to the bar in April, 1866, by the Supreme Court at Springfield. He is engaged in the general practice, and is a painstaking and earnest lawyer.

John W. Kitchell is a native of Illinois. He studied law iu the office of Miller it Beck, Ft. Madison, Iowa, where lie was subsequently admitted to practice, then returned to IIill^bo^o, Illinois, his former home, and was admitted to practice in the courts of Illinois. Remained in Hillsboro until 1866, except an absence of eighteen months spent in the practice in Charleston, Illinois, and then came to Pana in October of the same year, where he remained up to the present time. Mr. Kitchell, as a lawyer, is a mau of quick perceptions, great activity, a good thinker, energetic, and a successful practitioner.

J. C. McQuigg, of Pana, became a member of this bar in 1867. Is a native of Ohio. He was educated at the Fredericksburg Academy and Vermilion College in his native state, and graduated therefrom in 1865. The same year he entered the Law Department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, graduated in 1867, and was at once admitted to practice at Columbus, Ohio. He came to Pana the same year, commenced the general practice of the law, and has been there ever since. Mr. McQuigg ha.s a large and lucrative practice, and is regarded by his professional brethren as an able and conscientious lawyer.

Hon. William Edgar Morrison is to the manor born. He received a literary aud scientific education at the College of the Christian Brothers in St. Louis. During the late war he was appointed a midshipman in the United States Navy. Studied law in the office of Judge William H. Snyder, of Belleville, Illinois> was admitted to the bar iu 1867, and began the practice iu Springfield, Illinois, soon after. Remained in the latter place four years, then moved to IMorrisonville, in this county, where he has since resided. His preference is for the criminal practice, although he does not make that a specialty. He is a fine speaker, and, as a jury lawyer, takes front rank at this bar. He is a social, genial gentleman.

Hon. John B Jones is a native of Ohio. He came to Christian county iu 1864. Read law here, and was admitted to the bar in 1868, at the April terra of the Circuit Court. Commenced the practice at Nokomis, Montgomery county, Illinois. He returned to Taylorville the .=ame year, opened an office and continued the practice. In 1870 he was appointed Master in Chancery, and continued iu that office until 1879. Mr. Jones is a painstaking, careful, studious lawyer, and possessed of untiring industry. In the management of his cases, he has them, with his authorities, well in hand. While he is not what might be termed an orator, he states a legal proposition with great clearness and fidelity to facts. He has a fine law library ; perhaps the largest and best selected in the county.

James M. Taylor is a native of Scotland, and came to America in 1854. He read law in the office of Blodgett, Upton & Williams, of Waukegan, Lake county, Illinois. He was admitted to the practice at the spring session of the Supreme Court at Ottawa. In 1808 he came to Taylorville, and formed a law-partnership with Andrew Simpson. The partnership was dissolved two years later, since which time he has continued alone in the practice. His preference is for the chancery and real estate practice. He has studied his profession well, and possesses a natural aptitude for the law.

W. M. Provine is a native of Illinois. He studied law with Ex- Gov. John M. Palmer and Milton Hay at Springfield, Illinois. Was licensed to practice by the Supreme Court in 1868. A short time after his admission to the bar he moved to Taylorville and commenced the practice. Mr. Provine is a very careful, industrious lawyer. All business intrusted to his care is sure to receive his prompt attention. Such is his character as an attorney.

Jauies C. McBride is a native of Illinois. Was educated at Earlhara College, a Quaker institution of learning at Richmond, Indiana, and Lincoln LTniversity, Lincoln, Illinois. He graduated from the latter in 1869, read law- in the office of Judge W. R. Welch, of Carlinville, Illinois, was admitted to the bar in 1870, and commenced the practice in Taylorville, where he has .since resided. He is, as a lawyer, zealous and industrious in the cause of his clients. His industry and energy argue well for his future prospects in the profession. He creditably fills, and has fur several years past, the office of city attorney.

William T. Vandeveer is a native-born citizen of Taylorville. He was educated at Shurtlift" College, Upper Alton. Read law at the office of his father, H. M. Vandeveer, was admitted to the bar in 1871, aud at once entered upon a successful practice, aud no doulit would have attained a promiueut position, had he continued and made law the sole profession and business of his life. He is a clear, forcible rcasoner, eloquent speaker, and possesses in a high degree the elements of a successful lawyer, but

D. F. Murra}', of Jlorrisonvilie, is a native of Ohio. lie studied law in the office of John B. Jones, and was admitted to the bar of Christian couutv' in May, 1871, and immediately thereafter commenced the practice in Morrison ville. Is diligent and enthusiastic in his profession, and his friends, of whom he has many, predict for him success. Ho prefers the chancery practice.

Daniel McCaskill came to Christian county in 18(55. He reaillaw in the office of his brother, A. McCaskill. Was admitted to the bar in 1870, at the October term of the Supreme Court in Springfield, and commenced the practice in 1872, in TaylorviUe. In 1874 he formed a partnership with his brother, which still con. tinues. He is a good conveyancer and .safe counsellor.

Y. E. Foy, the present able public pnosecutor of Christian county, is a native of Ohio. He read lav# in the office of J. B. Jones, and was admitted to practice in ISAl, at the September term of the Supreme Court at Ottawa. He^Jjegan the practice in TaylorviUe. In 1870 he was chosen to fill the office of state's attorney. Is a good speaker, and regarded as a good law_ver by the members of the bar.

George B. Crookcr is a native of Illinois. He came to TaylorviUe in 1867, and read law here, and became a member of the bar in 1874, and commenced practice in connection with James C. McBride. The firm of JMcBride & Crocker still continues. He is a popular young man, and has good qualities for a successful lawyer.

James B. Ricks was educated at the Wesleyan University, Bloomington. III. He studied law in the office of Andrew Simpson, was admitted to the bar in 1874, and is a young man of fine address and considcral)le oratorical power. With proper industry he will become a bright ornament in the profession. He is a native of Illinois.

John G. Dreunan is a native of Kentucky, and came to Christian county in 18.56. Studied law in the office of John B. Jones, and was admitted to the bar in December, 1878. He was examined before the appellate court, and received the highest grade in a class of seventeen applicants. Formed a law partnership with his preceptor June 1, 1879, which still continues. He was appointed Master in Chancery in 1879. As a lawyer he is yet young in the practice, but he already gives ample evidence of his aggressiveness and industry in hia chosen profession.

J. C. Essick, a resident lawyer of Pana, is a nativi nf I\'nnsylvania. He became a member of the bar in 1870, and has the reputation of being a sound lawyer and a good advocate.

William Killegor was admitted to practice in the courts of Christian county in 1878. At present he holds the office of city attorney of Pana.

W. T. Houston is a lawj-cr and resident of Edinburg, and is a native of Illinois. Read law in the office of J. B. Jones, of TaylorviUe, and was admitted to the bar in 1879.

E Copperthwaite is a native of Pennsylvania. He entered the Quaker City Business College of Philadelphia, where he com- ]ilcted a two years' cour.se in all the mercantile branches, theoretical and practical, including the study of mercantile law and political economy. After graduating, he came to this county and settled in Assumption, where he read law with J. M. Brice. He was admitted to the bar in 1S7!I. Mr. C. is a bright, talented man, and will make a good advocate, with piuper industry.

Benj. F. Burnett, a native of Ontario county. N. Y., educated at Canandaigua in the .same state, began the study of law when quite young ; admitted to the bar in 1836, at Jackson, in Jackson county, Michigan, where he practiced about twenty-three years. In 18.59 he moved to Mercer county. 111., and in 18Go moved to Litchfield, III. In the early part of the year 188i) settled in TaylorviUe. Mr. B., is a clever gentleman and sound lawyer. He has two sons, George B. and F. W. Burnett, who are among the prominent practitioners of the Madison county bar of this state.