Madison County, Illinois - Chapter 10: The Bexcir and Bar, 1882 (part 2 of 2)

Thomas Fawcett, of Venice, is a native of Ireland, and received his literary education at the Polytechnic Institute, Brooklyn, N. Y. He studied law with the celebrated James T. Brady, of New York City, and L. H. Hite, of East St. Louis. In 1874 he was admitted to practice at Terre Haute, Ind., and in 1876, became a member of the Madison county bar. He prefers the practice of criminal law.

John F. McGinnis was born in Ireland, September 15th, 1849. When he was two years old, his father emigrated to America, and settled at Alton, Illinois. He was sent to the cathedral schools of Alton, till he was prepared to begin the study of law, when he entered the office of N. A. Mortell, Esq., St. Louis. In 1874 he was admitted to practice in the courts of both Missouri and Illinois, and, at once opened an office in Alton, where he has since continued in the practice of his profession, being a part of the time city attorney,

James E. Dunnegan was born in 1853, at Alton, 111. His early education was acquired in the cathedral schools of that city. At a comparatively early age he began to read law in the office of John Orr Lee in St. Louis, and after accompliirhing a full course of study, was admitted to the bar in St. Louis, in 1873. After remaining there two years he removed to Alton, and opened an office. He has since that time been engaged in a successful general practice of his profession. He is at present city attorney of Alton, and bids fair to gain an enviable reputation among his brethren of the bar.

Edward C.Sprixger, who was born in Edwardsville, 111., May 7, 1854, received his early education in the public schools of that city. On arriving at manhood, he decided to make the practice of law his life work, and entered the office of Messrs. Irwin & Krome in 1874. During 1875 Mr. Springer passed one term in the Ann Arbor law school, Ann Arbor, Michigan, and in 1876 was admitted to the bar on passing examination before the supreme court at Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Mr. S. commenced practice in June, 1876, and immediately formed a partnership with Judge Irwin, of Edwardsville. He is still a member of the firm known as Irwin & Springer ; is engaged in a general practice, and has a good prospect for a rich reward for labors in his chosen profession.

Benj. R. Burroughs, a native of Charles county, Maryland, received private instruction till 1864, when he was sent to Charlotte Hall college, St. Mary's county, Maryland, which institution he attended three years, and graduated in the Latin and scientific course. From 1873 to 1875 he pursued the study of law in the office of Krorae & Hadley, at Edwardsville, and in the fall of 1875 entered the .senior class of the Union college of law at Chicago. In June, 1876, he received the degree of LL. B. from that institution, and immediately opened a law office at Edwardsville, where he continued to practice alone till 1878, when he entered into a law partnership with Frank W. Burnett. The firm of Burroughs and Burnett continued in business till 1881, at which time Mr. Burnett removed to Springfield, Illinois. Mr. Burroughs has since practiced alone. He is considered a good lawyer.

Thomas E. Fruit was born in Madison county, Illinois. He received his early education in the district schools of this county, and in 1872 entered Lincoln University at Lincoln, Illinois, taking a Latin and scientific course, graduating in June, 1877. The same year he entered the law office of Messrs. Irwin & Springer, Edwardsville, andwas examined in February, 1880. Having passed the examination required, he was admitted to the bar in June, 1880. Immediately after his admission Mr. F. opened a law office in Edwardsville, Illinois, with Hon. David Gillespie (not in partnership), and continued with him till the death of the latter, August, 1881, since which time he has been in practice by himself In April, 1881, he was elected city attorney, and still holds that office. Mr. Fruit is engaged in a general practice of law, and his prospects for an extended practice are good.

Herman Bitter received his education in the University at St. Louis ; read law with Gillespie and Happy, and attended the law department of the University of Michigan. After completing his law course at Ann Arbor, in 1878, he was admitted to the bar in Illinois, and has since been engaged in practice at Edwardsville.

George F. McNulta was born in Alton, 111., in 1859. He attended the schools of Alton till he was fourteen years old, when he was sent to Notre Dame University at Notre Dame, Indiana, where he took the scientific course of study. From 1876 to 1879 he read law in the office of Charles V. Wise, and then attended the St Louis Law School, graduating in 1880. In the same year he was admitted to the bar of Missouri and also that of Illinois. He immediately opened a law office in Alton.

C. N. Tr.wous, a young lawyer of Edwardsville, until nineteen years old lived on a farm near Shiloh, St. Clair county, 111 , and there received his preliminary education. During the four years preceding his study of law he taught school in Madison county. In June, 1879, he entered the law office of Gillespie and Happy, at Edwardsville, and devoted the next two years to the preparation necessary for his admission to practice. He was examined before the Supreme court at Mt. Vernon, in February, 1881, and admitted to the bar. Since June, 1881, Mr. Travous has been associated with Mr. Cyrus Happy in the practice of law at Edwardsville.

John Berry was born in Huntingdon county, Penna., in 1853. He studied law in the office of Hon. Wm. S. Skeech of Baltimore, Md., four years, and in 1877 was admitted to the bar of that state. In 1878 he was liceused to practice in Pennsylvania. He afterwards opened an office in Baltimore county, Md., and remained there till 1881 when he came to Collinsville 111., where he has since been engaged in a general practice.

The liiit of prosecuting attorneys of this county with the dates of their respective terms of office, will be found in the chapter on Civil History.