James W. English

James W. English was born in Mason county, Virginia, March 11, 1829. His father, Nathaniel English, was a prominent physician, who married Hannah Worth. James was but eight years old when his parents moved from West Virginia to St. Louis, from which point they made their way to Jacksonville, Morgan county, Ill., in 1836, In 1844 Mr. English entered upon a classical course of study at the Illinois College, graduating with honor in 1848. He now took up the study of law in the office of Richard Yates, afterward goveriior of Illinois, and William Brown.* In 1850 he was admittt'd to practice as an attorney in the state of Illinois, and in 18(50, in the Fed(a-al courts and the supreme court of the United States in 1878. For five years the young hut able attorney struggled for a foothold among such legal lights as Murray, McConnell and others. In 1856 he came to CarroUton, where his ability was soon recognized and the following year he was elected to fill the responsible position of state's attorney. He served in this capacity in an able manner until 1860, entering upon his law studies with renewed zeal. In 1871 he moved to Leavenworth, Kansas, remaining a number of years. On being apprised of the mortal illness of his old friend and colleague, Judge Woodson, of Carrollton, and at the solicitation of his many friends in this enterprising town, he decided to return here. He practiced here for a period of twenty years, and his course was marked by no ordinary ability. Mr. English married Eliza Stryker, a daughter of Henry Stryker, formerly a merchant of Jacksonville, Oct. 6, 1852. Mr. English is now a resident of Jacksonville, Morgan county, Ill.

Benjamin Mason, an attorney, came to Carrollton about 1858, and remained in practice until cut off by the hand of death in 1866. or 1867.

Albert G. Burr came to Carrollton from Scott county, in 1868, and opened an office for the practice of law. He represented this district on the floor of the 40th and 41st congresses, and a sketch of him occurs in that connection.

Asa Potter, now of Brighton, Macoul)in county, practiced here in Carrollton, for several years.

Giles H. Turner practiced law at the bar of Greene county, and was a resident of Carrollton for several years. He is now a resident of DesMoines, la., where he enjoys a large practice.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

John J. Fitzsimons, a young lawyer of much promise, died in Carrollton, in 1874, while holding the office of state's attorney. He had not been in practice long, but gave evidence of rare ability and judgment.

John J. Fitzsimons, deceased, was born in county Meath, Ireland, on the ist day of Nov., 1843, his parents being Robert and Mary (Toney) F'itzsimons. His mother died before he had reached the age of 2 years, and when John J. was in his 12th j'ear, he came to America, whither his father had i)receded iiini some 10 years. He was transferred from school at Cork to the St. Louis University, and remained in attendance at that institution until he graduated, at the age of 18 years. The civil war had then come on, and he went into the Confederate service as a clerk in the quartermaster's department. He remained in the service about one year, when he was taken sick, and brought home. He was cnii)loved in a clerical capacity for a time in one of the Federal army stations, at St. Louis, but, his father being a sculptor, he went into the marble business at Belleville. From there he came to Carrollton, where he was also employed for a time in the marble business. This, however, did not agree with him, and he commenced the study of law, and soon after gave up the marble business for the legal profession. He studied with Benj. Masoti, and was admitted to the bar Nov. 4, 1864, at Carrollton. He continued the practice of his profession in this city until the time of his death. In June, 1872, he was appointed by the governor to the office of state's attorney, to till the vacancy caused by the resignation of William Brown. At the election in November following, he was elected to the office by the people of the county, on the democratic ticket, and was holding that position at the time of his death. He was married on June 16, 1874, to Mary Walker, a native of Christian county, Ky., and daughter of Joseph and Delia (CofTman) Walker. Her father died in Carrollton, in 1871, on the 6th day of August. Mr. Fitzsimonsdiedon the 16th day of June, 1874. He was a leading member of the bar, and was rapidly rising in his profession.

Edward P. Gilson came to Carrollton, enrolling himself among the legal fraternity, in 1878, and remained several years. He was a native of Macoupin county, Ill., born in 1858. His father was a grain merchant at Brighton, where Edward passed his early years. He graduated from Blackburn University, in 1875, and going to Chicago studied law in the office of Lyman Trumbull. He was admitted to the bar in 1877, and came to Carrollton soon after.

In 1878, a law firm under the name of Root & Gardner opened an office in Carrollton and practiced for some little time. H. T. Root was a native of Michigan, born Nov. 5, 1853. When he was still young his parents removed to

New York state, but when 14 years of age the subject of this sketch came to Illinois. He took a preparatory course of study at Shurtleff College, but entered Princeton College, New Jersey, in 1872, graduating therefrom two years later. He then became a student at the Columbia Law Institute from which he graduated. J. C. F. Gardner was a native of Nantucket, Mass., and also a graduate of Columbia Law Institute.

S. G. Lewis came to Carrollton about the year 1880, and commenced the practice of law. He removed from here to Taylorville, Christian county, where he now lives.

Edward D. Baker, afterward member of congress from this state, U. S. senator from Oregon, and colonel of the ist Cal. or 71st Penn. Reg. in the late war, and who fell upon the field of battle, at Ball's Bluff, in 1861, was long connected with the bar of this county, having been almost raised in Carrollton.

R. L. Doyle was also one of the legal fraternity of Greene county.

Among the lawyers who have practiced at the bar in this county, was F. E. Huddle. He was born at Tiffin, Seneca county, 0., March 6, 1856. He was the son of Benj. Huddle, a carpenter and joiner by occupation, and Rachel Kagy. When four years old, his parents moved to Marion county, Ill., where a purchase of land was made. On the old homestead young Huddle remained until he had attained his 16th year, when he received full permission from his father to go out into the world. On leaving the parental roof, he had $60 in money. Proceeding to Tiffin, 0., he entered the Heidleberg College, where he worked for his board and tuition, reri3 maining one year. In the meantime he received the news of a serious accident that had l)efalli'n his father, and he returned home, where he obtained a position as clerk in a dry goods store. Afterward, hecoiiiing a school teacher, he took uj) the practice of law, the dream of the farmer luiy being to become a successful lawyer, and he accordingly applied himself with diligence. June 8, 1877, at the June term of the supreme court, he was admitted to the bar at Mt. Vernon, Ill. Locating at White Hall in July, he entered upon a very successful practice, when but 22 years of age. Mr. Huddle married Ida B. Lester, of Marion county; one child — Edwin B. He is, at this writing, engaged in running the Bloomington Through Mail, a literary magazine, of no small merit.

As printed in History of Green and Jersey counties, Illinois, together with sketches of the towns, villages and township, educational, civil, military, and political history; (1885). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.