The Arkansas banner., 1844-12-25
HON. ". s. OLDHAM.

 advantages of wealth, collegiate acadeIncal edu- caton, in early life Indeed, large portion ot the great of the United States, and particularly o the West, are of this class. Though this argues nothing against high schools, and regular edueaaoh 1t does argue much for our free institutions, which hold cut the strongest inducements to the strong minded young man, who is laborins for premetoh' without reference to high birth or the formal hon ors of College degrees.
 Many an intellectual giants bornin rude moun- tain hut and cradled in the deepest obscurlty and as the fires of his intellect begin to brighten, blaze, and gather fuel from every thing that comes within reach, the highest stations in our country hold out to him an inviting hand, and bid him rise to their honorable attainment
 To the class of men above referred to, belongs the subject of this humble sketch.
 JUDGE OLDHAM was born on the 10th day of June, 1913, in Franklin County, Tenn; and IS now i'll the thirty second year of his age. The father of the Judge, though a highly respectable farmer, was in indigent pecunary circumstances, and con sequently unable to educate him regularly. He was compelled. therefore, in real western style, to labor on hsfather's farm during the cropping season. and 50 to school through the winter, when there hap pened to be school in the neighborhood, which was not always the case.
 He developed in early life fondncss for books and the improvement of his mind, and accordingly devoted every opportunity afforded him, to the ad- vancement of his education. In this way, by the time he arrived at the age of l7 years, he had ac- quired the rudinents of an ordinary English edu- cation. At this age, the impulses ot a strong na- tive mind, rendered him restless with his obscurty, and very limited means of improvement; he there fore commenced teaching a school, with the double purpose of devoting his time exclusively to litera- ture, and the hope of procuring money enough by this honorable occupation, to enter college, and ob tain classical education.
 In this useful employment, which has been to many, the stepping stone to great eminenee, he con tinued for several years. But he was only reward ed by the improvement of his own mind, and the extension of his knowledge of English literature; for teaching country School, as is unfortunately too often the case in the west, did not prove sufli oieny lucrative to enable him to prosecute his iau dabe design of acquiring collegiate education.
 Abandoning the hope of collegiate course, which he had cherished and ardenty labored for, for sey eral years, in March 1855, without money and with out friends who were able 10 furnish it, he entered upon the study of law, under the instruction of JonN Goopw1N, Esq, of Winchester. Here he devoted all the powers of his strong mind to the el ementary books of that great science, laboring necessary part of his time deputy in the Clerk office, to procure for himself the means of subsist ence.
 one of his mental abilities and habits of indus try, was not long in preparing himself for the prac- tice of his profession. By the fall of the year ls s6, he had gone through the usual elementary course, and was admitted to the bar.
 It is but just tribute of respect 10 his worthy pfecepor, to mention here, that ia addition to many other kindnesses and tayors, he furnished him with q library to commence the practice And when in after years, the Judge offered to renumerate him for his many services he said in substance, -" Go, sir, and do likewise for some worthy young man, that you may find in similar situation, to what you were in when assisted you. "
 No one, we apprehend, has been more willing to carry out the above noble sentiment than he who was aided by it's worthy author
 In the month of October, 1886, the Judge Jeff his native otdte removed 10 lle Sldte 0l hfkdIfsdS diid located in Fayetteville, Washington County.
 Few men have advanced more rapidly in profess sional learning and reputation, than JUDGE OLp HAM and it has been the good fortune of but few to rise into a station as high as the one now occupied by him, at so early an age, This is alone attrbu- table to his strength of intellect and untr.ng appli cation.
 These excellent traits of character, soon intro- duced him into business in his new home, and laid
 sure foundation for future emnence in his profess sion He was not only successful as lawyer, but his talents, general department and political intel ligence, recommended him to popular favor, and he was consequently returned member of the Gen eral Assembly of his adopted State, to the session flSf 1888.
 Though the youngest member of the House, the cleaness and correctness of his views on all sub ects called up for the action of that body, his supe, ror abilities as a strong practiced dehator, and hs zeal and attention to business, secured for him a high standing in the estimation of those associated with him, or cognizant of his conduct in the Leg stature. ~~-~s
 The session over he returned to the pursuit of his profession and continued to advance legal at tainments and reputation.
 He was again returned to the General Assembly of 1sa2; and was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives.
 < His talents and acquirements proved him fully and highly competent to all the aruous and responsible duties of the Speakers place. He presided wtI dignity-administered the rules of the House rigid ly, but with courtesy, and strict impartialiy
 His decisions on points of order were prompt, and generally satisfactory. And question rarely arose that he was not able to determine with remarkable quiclness and correctness.
 Again returning to the active business of his pro- iession, with unaLating zeal his practice increased with his growing reputation, and he soon rose tc the head of the bar in the Courts that he attended :, As lawyer, Judge Oldham possesses mine adaptedto close and thorough investigation, asounc Nactical judgement, great industry in hunting ur authorities and skill in the ation oT iheI,