Lawrence County, Illinois - Chapter 9: Bexch and Bar, 1883

Chapter 9: Bexch and Bar

JY a wise ordination of providence, law and order govern everything in the vast and complex system of the universe. Law is everything. Law would still always exist, though every one of its professors and teachers should perish from the face of the earth. And should such a thing occur, and a new race spring up, the first instinctive desire of its best men would be to bring order out of c^aos by the enactment and promulgation of wise and beneficent laws. Law in the abstract is as much a component part of our planet as are the elements earth, air, fire, and water ; in a concrete sense, as applied to the government of races, nations, and peoples it plays almost an equally important part. Indeed, so grand is the science and so noble are the objects sought to be accomplished through it, that it has inspired some of the best and greatest men of ancient and modern times to an investigation and study of its principles.

Draco, among the first and greatest of the Athenian lawgivers, was hailed as the deliverer of those people, because of his enacting laws, and enforcing them, for the prevention of vice and crime, and looking to the protection of the masses from oppression and lawlessness. It is true that many of the penalties he attached to the violation of the law were severe and even baibarous, but this severity proceeded from an honorable nature, with an earnest desire to improve the condition of his fellowmen. Triptoleinus, his contemporary, proclaimed as laws, '' Honor your your parents, worship the gods, hurt not animals." Solon, perhaps the wisest of them all, a man of remarkable purity of life and noble impulses, whose moral character was so great and conviction as to the public good so strong, that he could and did refuse supreme and despotic power when thrust upon him.

What is true of one race or nation in this particular is true of all, viz., that the wisest and greatest of lawmakers and lawyers have always been pure and good men, perhaps the most notable exceptions being Justinian and Tribonianus. Their great learning and wisdom enabled them to rear as their everlasting monument the Pandects and Justinian Code, which, however, they sadly defaced by the immoralities and excesses of their private lives.

Among the revered of modern nations will be found, conspicuous for their great services to their fellows, innumerable lawyers. To the Frenchman the mention of the names of Trouchet, Le Brun, Portalis, Roederer, Thibaudeau, and others excites a thrill of pride for their greatness and of gratitude for their goodness.

What Englishman, or American either, but that takes just pride in the splendid reputation and character of the long line of England's loyal, lawyer sons? The Bacons, father and son, who, with Lord Burleigh, were selected by England's greatest Queen to administer the affairs of state, and Somers and Hardwicke, Cowper and Dunning, Eldon, Blaokstone, Coke, Stowell, and Curran, who, with all the boldness of a giant and eloquence of Demosthenes, struck such vigorous blows against kingly tyranny and oppression ; and Erskine and Mansfield and a score of others. And in our own country have we not names among the dead as sacred, and among the living as dear ? In the bright pages of the history of a country, founded for the sole benefit of the people, and all kinds of people, who more than our lawyers are recorded as assisting in its formation, preservation, and working for its perpetuity.

On the organization of Edwards county, November 28th, 1814, the Illinois Territory comprised three judicial circuits, of which Edwards county formed a part of the third. From the admission of the State into the Union in 1818, until 1835, with the exception of a little more than two years, (1824 to 1827) the Judges of the Supreme Court of Illinois, performed the duties of Circuit Judges. In that year a law was enacted establishing the distinctive office of Circuit Judge, and dividing the State into separate Judicial districts, which continued to February, 1841, when the old system was reestablished, and remained in force until the adoption of the new constitution in 1848. This constitution pro-

The counties of Edwards, Lawrence and Wabash have been included within the same judicial district, except from 1851 to 1873. Edwards county was erected in 1814; Lawrence in 1821, and Wabash in 1824 A reference to these dates will show a complete list of the

Circuit Judges

The earliest courts within the Territory of these three counties were held at old Palmyra, then the county seat of Edwards. The first session was held July 11, 1815, with Judge Stanley Griswold on the bench.

In 1816, Thomas Towles presiding. From 1817 to 1818, JepthaHardin was onthe'bench; 1818 to 1819 Thomas C. Browne; William Wilson, from 1819 to 1825; James (). Wattles from 1825 to 1827, when Thomas C. Browne, was again on the bench serving one year ; William Wilson again appeats, serving from 1828 to 1835 ; Justin Harlan from 1835 to 1841, when William Wilson again returns to the bench, serving until 1849, being succeeded by his predecessor, Justin Harlan, from 1849 to 1851 ; Samuel S. Marshall was then elected, serving until 1854, when he resigned, and Downing Baugh served one year ; Edwin Beecher served from 1855 to 1861 ; Samuel S. Marshall, from 1861 to 1865, when James M. Pollock succeeded to the bench, serving until 1873. By act of Legislature, March 28, 1873, the State was divided exclusive of Cook county, into twenty-six judicial circuits, and at the election, in June, 1873, one judge was elected for each circuit, for the term of six years. Edwards and Wabash counties formed a par t of the twenty-fourth district, j Tazewell B. Tanner was elected judge of the circuit, and } Lawrence county formed a part of the twenty-first district and elected James C. Allen, in that circuit. In 18 f 7, the Legislature, in order to increase the number of Circuit Judges, and to provide for the organization of the Appellate Courts, consolidated the twenty-six judicial circuits into thirteen, thereby giving each circuit two judges, and provided for the election of one additional judge in each circuit, in August, 1877, for two years, making three judges in each judicial circuit. The September following the Supreme Court appointed twelve of the Circuit Judges to appellate duty, the remaining judges held the Circuit Courts in their respective districts. In this change of the judiciary system the ! twenty-fifth and the twenty-fourth districts were thrown together to be known as the Second Judicial Circuit. In ! those districts Tazewell B. Tanner and James C. Allen, were already serving on the bench, and John H. Halley was elected to make the requisite number. They presided, as required by the above act, until 1879, when ' Chauueey S. Conger, Thomas S. Casey and William C. Jones, were elected, and are still on the bench.

judicial circuits, were: Justin Harlan, who served until 1859, when Edwin Beecher held two terms ; Alfred Kitchell served nearly two years ; James C. Allen, was commissioned July 1, 1861, and resigned December 31,

WILLIAM WILSON, aVirginian,oneof the earliest judges in the State, and the first to hold court in Wabash and Lawrence counties, was for many years one of the leading jurists of the State. He served on the supreme bench for a period of almost thirty years. As already mentioned he was first appointed July 7, 1819, nine months after Illinois was admitted into the Union. January 19, 1825, he was made chief justice and occupied that honorable position until December 4, 1848. He left behind him a most excellent record, and his memory is dear Jo his many friends and associates. He was a man of fine personal appearance and presided over his court with great dignity. On leaving the bench he retired to a farm in White county, where he resided until his death. THOMAS C. BROWNE was also on the Supreme bench from October 9, 1818, to December 4, 1849. He was a conscientious judge.

JEPTHA HARDIN, was a native of Kentucky, and belonged to the celebrated Hardin family of that State. He was a half brother of the distinguished Benjamin Hardin, but not his equal, although an excellent judge and a fine lawyer.

JUSTIN HAKLAN, was a man of the highest order of talents and although his learning was not what is called liberal, yet he was a profound, well-read and able lawyer, and honest and impartial in the discharge of his judicial functions. He was eminently social, and gained many friends.

SAMUEL S. MARSHALL, another able lawyer, represented his district in congress in 1855, and again reelected in 1857, '65, '67, '69 and 71, and is still figuring prominently in state and national politics.

JAMES C. ALLEN, was one of the Appellate Judges in the fourth district, and for several years a member of Congress. He is an able and sound lawyer, and while on the bench his fairness and impartiality and the correctness of his decisions won him much credit. He is a fluent and pleasing speaker and a genial, affable gentleman.

Non-Resident Lawyers

These counties being in the same judicial circuit in the early time, they were consequently visited by nearly the same traveling attorneys. Many were the privations and hardships that surrounded the early bar of Illinois. At that time, owing to the small amount of litigation, attorneys, in order to gain a livelihood from the practice of their profession, found it necessary to fol- low the courts from county to county. Nevertheless, some of the most illustrious legal lights that the State has produced lived in those days.

Among the distinguished men that came to practice at Edwards, Lawrence and Wabash courts in that early day were: Edwin B. Webb, for many years in the Illinois legislature ; Col. William H. Davidson, who was a fair lawyer and for many years a leader in the j State Senate ; Gen. John M. Robinson, who was prosecuting attorney in 1821, and afterward represented the State for years in the U. S. Senate ; John McLean, already mentioned, a native of Kentucky, and a good j and popular lawyer : Henry Eddy, long the editor of | the Shawneetoion Gazette, and a man of fine legal ability ; . Thomas C. Browne, who was the prosecuting attorney | at the first courts of Edwards county, and afterward ; Judge of the circuit ; John Mclntire, the prosecutor in \ 1816, and who for many years rode the circuit; U. F. Linder, witty and eloquent, eminent as a criminal lawyer and adroit politician; O. B. Ficklin, a profound lawyer, and leader in the national congress, who for j several years was a resident of Mt. Carmel ; the handsome and gifted Charles H. Constable ; Samuel S. Hayes, a scholarly lawyer and preeminently a self-made man ; Col. J. E. Whiting, George Webb, father of Edwiu B. Webb, John Pearsons, Samuel McRoberts, Col. A. P. Field, who ranked among the ablest members of the bar of Illinois, and subsequently moved to Louisiana, j and became Attorney General of that State, William J. Gatewood, an eminent lawyer, and for many years in the State Senate ; August C. French, twice governor of Illinois; J. M. Krebs, John McElvain, and probably others whose names might be mentioned, but they have passed from the recollection of the oldest citizens.

Former Resident Lawyers

In early times lawyers were few ia number, and resided mostly in the larger towns of the State This being a small county, there have been but few resident attorneys, and they mostly remaining but a short time. At the first term of the Circuit court held in the county, on the 12th day of July, 1815, the following gentlemen were admitted to the practice of law : Adolphus T. Hubbard, Elias Kent Kane, Thomas H. Blake, John McLean, Russel E. Heacock, Jeptha Hardin, and John Mclntire. We simply mention the fact that these gentlemen were admitted at this term of court. They however were not residents of the county. The above named, afterward became prominent and conspicuous men in Illinois. Elias Kent Kane and John McLean, having represented the state in the United States senate.

AUGUST O. FRENCH, came to Albion soon after 1820, then a young man fresh from some eastern college, and engaged in teaching a select school of small children at two dollars a quarter. He also employed a portion of his time writing in the clerk's office, at the same time reading law, and it was not long afterward that he was seen in the saddle, riding the circuit with the lawyers. He afterward removed to Palestine, Crawford county, was in the legislature in 1836 and was elected Governor of Illinois in 1846, and re-elected in 1849.

JAMES B. HINDE, who was subsequently elected circuit clerk of White county, was a very early lawyer in Albion, and practiced his profession there for a period of about six years. Soon after Mr. Hinde, came SAMUEL BOOKER, a bright and talented man, who made Albion his residence until 1849, when he emigrated to California, where he afterward became a man of some prominence.

WILLIAM HARROW, was a resident attorney for a number of years. He was considered a good lawyer. Early in the late rebellion, he enlisted in an Indiana regiment, and became colonel, and served his country with credit and distinction. He was killed a few years ago by a railroad accident, while on a trip to make a political speech.

0- S. CANBY,a single man, practiced here a few years and died in Grayville, in 1868. It is said he was a studious, careful lawyer and a man of ability.

Present Members Of The Bar

JOSEPH M. CAMPBELL, a native of Illinois, is the oldest resident member of the Edwards county bar. He received his education in the common schools of Wayne county, and began the study of law in the office of William H. Robinson, and was admitted to the bar in the fall of 1865. In 1866 he came to Albion and opened a law office in partnership with his preceptor, W. H. Robinson, which relation continued until 1870. Since that date, with the exception of a short period in part- ! nership with H. J. Strawn, Mr. Campbell has practiced ! by himself. In 1873 he was elected judge of Edwards I county, and by re-election still continues to hold that [ office. Mr. Campbell is a good judge of law, and a painstaking, careful lawyer.

HALBERT J. STRAWN is a native of Pennsylvania. He came west, and in 1870 was admitted to the bar at Princeton, Indiana. In a short time afterward he came to Illinois, and in September, 1872, prior to his admittance to the bar in this State, he had formed a law partj nership with Judge J. M. Campbell, which continued 1 until 1873, when he opened an office by himself. In

March, 1879, he was appointed master in chancery for a term of two years, and in 1882 he was elected prosecuting attorney. Mr. Strawn has confined himself to a ' general practice in which he has been very successful. WILLIAM F. FOSTER, although a native of Indiana, has been a resident of Edwards county since he was four years of age. His education was acquired by hard, ! studious application to his books, having attended school only nine months in his life. In January, 1876, he be- j gan reading law in the office of F. A. Sampson, at Se- | dalia, Missouri, and was admitted to the bar in that I State May 8, 1876, having acquired the knowledge of ' law necessary for admission within the short space of four months. He was admitted to practice in Illinois January 22, 1879, and located at Albion, since which he has had a good practice. In November, 1880, he was appointed master in chancery and served in that capacity for a term of two years.

Many lawyers at various times have made Lawrence county their residence, some for a very short period and others remaining for several years. It is impossible to gather the names of all those who resided at Lawrenceville in the earlier part of its history, as they have passed from the recollection of the oldest citizens.

JUDGE AARON SHAW was the earliest resident attor- ' ney that became in any way prominent. He was ad- | mitted to the bar at Lawrenceville in 1835, and remained there for several years. In 1850 he was elected to the Legislature, and in 1857 to Congress. He subsequently moved to Olney. March 2, 1863, he was commissioned circuit judge in the twenty-fourth circuit, I vice James C. Allen, resigned. In 1882 he was again j elected to Congress, and still resides in Olney.

JOSEPH G. BOWMAN located here about 1835. He is | a fine judge of law and a successful attorney. He moved to Viucennes and from thence to Olney, where he now resides.

Two brothers, Louis and D. B. ABERNATHY, located here about 1860. The former held the office of school commissioner, and the latter was master in chancery for several years. They were promising young lawyers, and both died in Lawrenceville.

T. P. LOWERY became a resident practitioner about the same time as the above named, and remained for seven years. He held the office of county surveyor for i two terms, and served in the capacity of school superin- j tendent and justice of the peace. He moved to Texas.

WM. LINDSEY was here for a few years, leaving about 1864 or '65. He was politically inclined, a fair stump speaker, and receiving an office under the government he departed.

JOHN FIELDS, a lawyer of considerable ability, came to the bar in 1867. He graduated in the law department of the State University of Indiana. In 1870, he was a partner of E. B. Green of Mt. Carmel ; was appointed master in chancery in 1871, performing the duties of that office until 1878. Failing health caused him to give up his lucrative practice here and he is now a resident of Colorado Springs, Colorado.

HARRY BRISCOE, with the story of whose horrible death the citizens are so familiar, was a good young lawyer, and was for a time prosecuting attorney of the county.

Present Resident Lawyers

The oldest resident lawyer of Lawrence county is the Hon. Wm. J. Chews. He was born in Crawford county, Illinois, in 1824, and five years later his father moved his family to this county, locating on Allison prairie. Here he grew to manhood, attending the common schools of his neighborhood, and laboring at home on the farm. At the age of twenty-one his father gave him forty acres of land, and he engaged in farming for himself. A few years later he moved to Lawrenceville, and embarked in the milling business, with which he soon became dissatisfied and returned to farm life. In 1843, he began the study of law under the directions of J. G. Bowman, being admitted to practice in 1846. It was now, for the first time, that he had an opportunity of displaying his powerful intellect. His knowledge was acquired almost entirely by self-culture, and had he devoted his entire attention to law, he would doubtless have shed lustre on the bar of southern Illinois. He is a man possessed of extraordinary judgment, a good speaker and a sound, careful lawyer. In 1869 he was elected to the office of county judge, but resigned his position in 1872, when his fellow-citizens chose him to represent them in the State Senate, where he served with distinction for two years. The Judge is still living, on his farm, near where his father settled on coming to the county.

T. B. HUFFMAN, a native of Indiana, received his rudirrientary education in the common schools of his native State, completing his literary education at the Vincennes University, and at Lincoln University at Lincoln, Illinois. Commenced the reading of law in the office of Judge Willliam B. Jones, of Lincoln, and was admitted to the bar in the spring of 1869. In May of the same year he located in Lawrenceville, where he has since continued to practice his profession. In 1873, was appointed by the governor to the office of county judge, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of William J. Crews. About the close of the term of county judge, Harry Briscoe, the prosecuting attorney, died, and Mr. Huffman was chosen to fill the vacancy, and in 1875 was elected to the same for the term of four years. In 1869, he formed a partnership with

David B. Abernathy, and, subsequently, for about two years was in partnership with E. Callahan. In 1881, he took into partnership, D. L. Brewer, which continued until the death of the la ter in March, 1822. In June- 1882, S. G Gee, became a partner, and the firm of IIu fl man & Gee still continues.

WILLIAM M. ROBINSON, is a son of Dr. J. A. Robinson, a Methodist minister. He received his early education in the public schools, in the various towns in Illinois, to which his father was sent as pastor, and subsequently attended McKendree college at Lebanon, Illinois, from which institution he graduated in 1870. In 1871, he began reading law with William Stoker, of Centralia, and afterward with Judge Horace Hayward, Olney. Was admitted to the bar in January, 1875. Immediately thereafter he began the practice of law in Olney, associated with W. Mattoon, and in August, 1876, came to Lawrenceville and opened an office, forming partner-hip with D. L. Brewer, in 1877, which continued for a period of two years, since which time Mr. Robinson has practiced alone. He is a man of great talent and a lawyer of ability.

Lawrenceville. In 1880, he was elected to the office of State's attorney for Lawrence county, for a term of four years. Mr. Snyder is a studious, careful lawyer, and a successful prosecutor.

T. B. FINLY, a resident attorney of Sumner, a native of Ohio, attended Miller's Academy, and afterward Franklin College at Athens, Ohio, from which he graduated in 1860. Read law in the office of Miller & Sherrard, at Steubenville.Ohio, and took a course in the law school at Cleveland, Ohio. Began practice at Sidney, Ohio, and afterward became a partner of Judge William Lawrence, at Bellefontaine, Ohio, Opened an office at Sumner, in 1879, where he has since resided.

FRANK MESERVE came to Illinois from Massachusetts, his native state, in 1879. He is a young man of scholarly attainments, having had advantage of the superior schools of his native state, and graduating at the Boston University in 1877. His father being a lawyer, Mr. Meserve inherited a natural inclination and tact for the legal profession, and shortly after leaving college he began the study of law in his father's office. Coming west, he resided with his uncle, at Robinson, Illinois, and completed his legal course in the office of Callahan study of law in the office of Wilson & Hutchison, of & Jones of that town. He was admitted to the bar in Olney, and afterward attended the law department of j this state in June, 1880, and the following month located the University of Michigan, graduating in March, 1871. ! in Lawrenceville, forming a law partnership with George

Was admitted to the bar in this State, in April of the same year, and soon afterward located in the practice of law at Lawrenceville. In 1882, he formed a partnership with T. P. Lowery, and in the same year purchased the Lawrence County Democrat, which was under his management about four years. March 16, 1883, he formed a partnership with his old preceptor, E. S. Wilson, of Olney.

GEORGE HUFFMAN, is a brother of Judge T. B. Huffman, also a native of Indiana. He was educated in the schools of his native State, attending the Vincennes University, and in 1867 entered the Lincoln University of Illinois, from which he was graduated in 1869. Began the study of law in 1870, in the office of W. B. Jones, at Lincoln, and was admitted to practice in 1871. For a few years he taught school, and was engaged in the mercantile business, and in the spring of 1878 began

Huffman, under the style of Huffman & Meserve, which still continues. In January, 1881, the firm purchased the Democratic Herald, Mr. Meserve assuming editorial charge. He is an energetic, studious lawyer, with good prospects for an extended practice.

C. J. BORDEN is a native of Pennsylvania ; he graduated from the Chester county Academy, in Pennsylvania, in 1873, and in 1876 went to Kentucky and attended the law department of the University of Louisville, graduating in 1879. He located in the practice of law at Lawrenceville in 1881.

S. J. GEE was born in St. Francisville, in this county. He entered Shurtleff college, at Alton, Illinois, iu 1876, graduating in 1880, and immediately afterward began the study of law in the office of Brewer & Huffman, in Lawrenceville, and was admitted to the bar in 1882. Soon afterward he became the junior partner of T. B.

self. In 1879 he became a partner with E. S. Wilson of Olney, which continued until August, 1880, when he formed a partnership with Frank C. Meserve. Mr. Huffman is a good lawyer.

PHILIP W. BARNES, the present judge of the Lawrence county court, is a native of Ohio, and came with his father to this county when a lad of six years ; attended the common schools of Lawrence county, and graduated at the Olney high-school in 1879, and soon attorney of Lawrence county, was born in Richland ! afterward entered the law department of the Illinois county, Illinois, where he recejved his early education, [ Wesleyan University, at Bloomington, Illinois, from subsequently attending the State Normal University, at Normal, Illinois. Read law in the office of Fifer & Phillips, of Bloomington, at the same time attended the law department of the Wesleyan University, from which hich he graduated June 15, 1881, and was admitted to the bar January 11, 1882 On the 4th of December of the same year he began the practice of law in Lawrenceville by himself. In 1873 Mr. Barnes received institution he graduated in June, 1^79, and immediately | the nomination for the office of county judge, by the thereafter was admitted to the bar at Mt. Vernon Republican party, and was elected, the duties of which Illinois. September 1, 1879, he opened a law office in ' office he is now discharging with credit to himself and

The first resident attorney of Wabash county, as near as it is possible to ascertain, was EDWARD MUNDY. He was a native of New Jersey, and became a resident of Wabash county as early as 1820, locating in what is now Friendsville precinct. He traveled the circuit and was considered a good attorney. He was elected to represent this district in the legislature in 1830. A few years later he moved to Michigan, where he afterward became very prominent in political affairs, being elected Lieutenant Governor and holding other important offices. An attorney, by the. name of ELKINS, is remembered as early as 1826, having located in the county, remaining however, only a' few years.

HON. O. B. FICKLIN, a gentleman so well known to the citizens of the Wabash country, became a practising lawyer at Mt. Carmel as early as 1830, au'd was elected from Wabash county to represent that district in the legislature in 1834. Soon after serving out his term in the legislature he moved to Charlestown, Coles county, this state, and from that district was elected to Congress in 1843, being four times re-elected, and for many years recognized as one of the leaders of that body. He is still an honored citizen of Charlestown.

JAMES McDowELL, came in 1836, and practiced law at the Wabash bar until his death in 1866. He was for several years judge of the probate court, and was regarded as a sound attorney. Besides his profession he was also engaged in mercantile puisuits for several years in Mt. Carmel.

CHARLES H. CONSTABLE, was a native of Maryland A and located at Mt. Carmel in 1839, and remained here until 1852, when he removed to Marshall county, Illinois, where he was elected to the office of circuit judge. He was a lawyer of ability. Died about the close of the late war.

JOSEPH G. BOWMAN, a Virginian, became a member of the Wabash bar in 1839. He was elected to represent the district in the legislature in 1840, and subsequently moved to Lawrenceville, and thence to OlneVj where he still resides.

JOSEPH C. ORTH, native of Pennsylvania, located here iu 1844, practicing his profession for three or four years, whtn he engaged in farming in this county until his death in 1857.

VICTOR B. BELL, brother of Robert Bell, practiced at the Wabash bar from 1848 to 1855, when he moved to Chicago, and formed a partnership with Gen. T. E.

Ransom. He afterward moved to Washington, D. C., and from thence to New Orleans where he died in 1867. In 1852-54, he represented Wabash and Edwards counties in the house of Representatives.

ROBERT BELL is the oldttt resident lawyer of the Wabash county bar. He is a native of the county, and received his education in the common and select schools of Mt. Carmel. He began the study of law in the office of his brother, Victor B. Bell, and subsequently attended the law department of the Indiana State University, from which Institution he graduated in February, 1855. In the spring of the same year, he formed a ptrtnership in law, with Lewis C. Keller, at Fairfield, Illinois, where he began the practice of his profession. After a residence of two years at Fairfield, he established au office in Mt. Carmel. In 1864, he formed a partnership with Edward B. Green, under the style of Bell & Green, which firm still continue, one of the strongest in southern Illinois.

In 1863, Mr. Bell was elected President of the Illinois Southern Railroad Company, which afterward merged into the Cairo and Vincennes Railroad Company. In 1869, he was appointed by the Governor, Judge of Wabash county, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of Judge T. J. Armstrong. In the same year he was elected President of the St. Louis, Mt. Carmel & New Albany llailroad Company, serving iu that capacity until the consolidation of that railroad into the Louisville, New Albany & St. Louis, in 1872. In 1876, he was sent as special agent of the U. S. Treasury, to California, to investigate alleged frauds in the International Revenue district of that State. In the campaign of 1878, he was the Republican candidate for Congress in the nineteenth district, making a vigorous fight, although the district was hopelessly Democratic. Was a member of the Republican State Central Committee at large, from 1878 to 1882, and was one of the U. S. Commissioners in 1881, appointed to examine the Atlantic and Pacific railroad iu New Mexico.

Besides those more important positions, Judge Bell has held many other minor offices of trust, in all of which he performed his duties with credit and satisfaction. He is a sound successful lawjer.

EDWARD B. GREEN, who stands at the head of the Wabash county bar, is a native of Pennsylvania, born December 29, 1837. He obtained his early education in the common schools of his native State, and took a classical course in the Reimersburg Academy, after which he was for some time Professor of Languages, in the West Freedom Academy. Leaving that position, he came directly to Edgar county, Illinois, in 1858, and began the study of law in the office of Green & Eads, at Paris. Completing his course, he was admitted to the bar in June, 1860, and immediately afterward came to Mt. Carmel, and established himself in the practice of his profession. Four years later he formed a partnership with Robert Bell, under the style of Bell & Green,

In 1877, he was the Republican candidate for Judge of the second judicial circuit. Two years later he became a candidate against John H. Mulkey, for the Supreme bench. In 1882, he accepted the Republican candidacy for Congress, against Aaron Shaw, and notwithstanding the large Democratic majority in this district, Mr. Green made a vigorous and creditable contest. Mr. Green is a man of fine talents, and one of the ablest and most profound lawyers in southern Illinois. He has a practice that extends to all adjoining counties, and his cases in the Appellate and Supreme courts are numerous.

S. Z. LANDES is a native of Virginia, and with his parents emigrated and settled at Paris, Illinois, in 1856. He acquired his preliminary education in the common schools of Edgar county, and afterward attended the Edgar County Academy. He entered upon the study of law in the office of Robert N. Bishop, and after completing his course, was admitted to the bar in August, 1863. The next year he opened an office in Mt. Carmel, and began the practice of his chosen profession. In 1870, he was elected City Attorney, and served in that capacity for three consecutive terms. In 1873, he was chosen as State's Attorney for the county of Wabash, and by re-election has held that office ever since. Mr. Laudes is a hard student, a sound lawyer, a vigorous prrsecutor and excels as an advocate.

SAMUEL R. PuxMAN,was born in Wabash county. He began the study of law in the office of Bell and Green in the spring of 1868, and was admitted to the bar in the sprang of 1870. Soon after being admitted he went to Kansas, where, in Eureka, he engaged in the practice of his profession for two years, returning to Mt. Carmel. In 1874, he formed a partnership with A. B. Mathews, which firm continued for one year, when Sylvester Greathouse came in, the style of firm being Mathews, Putman and Greathouse. Mathews retired from the firm in June, 1879, and Putmaii and Greathouse continue still in partnership. They are engaged in a good general practice.

SYLVESTER GREATHOUSE, is also a native of this county. He read law in the office of Mathews and Putman, and was admitted to the bar in 1875, and immediately entered upon the practice in partnership with the firm above named. Prior to his adopting the pro fession of law, Mr. Greathouse served the people of the county in the capacity of Treasurer, being eleited in l!-65, and re-elected in '67. In 1869 he was elected to the office of county clerk, and served one term.

M. F. HOSKINS, is a native of Indiana. He read law wi'h Bell and Green, and was admitted to the bar in January, 1876, and opened an office in Mt. Carmel and began the practice by himself. In 1877 he was appointed city attorney, and in 1879 was elected to the same office.

received his rudimentary education, and attendtd the Western Central college, at Warrenton, Mo. He began the study of law in the office of Judge F. D. Preston, at Olney, Illinois, in the spring of 1876, and was admitted to the bar in 1878. He first practiced in Olirey, about one year, then came to Mt. Carmel, where he has since been engaged.

WILLIAM R. LANDES, brother of S. Z Landes, student in the office of the latter; was admitted to the bar in 1882, and practices with his brother, but not in partnership.