The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1848-01-07


college with high reputation, studied law
with Egbert Benson, Attorney General of
New York, was studious, temperate and a
water-drnker, INDUCING in none Of the FASH
i0nable pleasures of dissipation of the times.
An enthusiastic ad.nirer of Natures charms,
the love of reading was his ruling passion.
He was cheerful, lively and communicative
young, ardent. active and persevering-
his mind was early stored with useful knowl-
edge, and the morning of his life gave prom
Use of the MONDAY brilliancy Of his remark
able career.
In April, 1857, he was admitted, at Alba
ny Counsellor Of the Supreme Court-in
1880, and again in 1892, elected to the Leg
islature by the people of his native county.
From the purest motives, and believing its
policy the best for his country, he joined the
Federal party. became the steadiast friend
of Jay, Hamilton and others Of its leaders,
to whose political principles and usages he
steadily adhered, until, III 1929, it ceased to
exist.
After failing to BE elected 10 Congress by
a few votes, he removed, in 1913, from
Poughkeepse TO this city, was appointed
Professor Of Law in Columbia College, and
delivered course of lectures the year fol-
lowing. In 1886 he was appointed Mas
ter in Chancery--there were then but two
Of them, aud next year called TO fill the office
of Recorder, Of New York. In 1913 he as
cended the Supreme Court bench as one of
the Judges, and removed his residence TO
Albany, where lie commenced the practice
of delivering a written, argnmentative opin-
ion, supported by legal authorities, in every
case of sufficient importance TO become a
precedent for the future. Thus commenced
that series of recorded judicial decisions
which have enriched the jurisprudence of
New York, and proved alike useful to the
Legislator, the Judge, and the codiiier.
! Judges Kent and Radcliffe revised the
Statutes of our State IN 1900. In July, 1904,
the former was appointed Chief Justice OF
the State, and continued TO preside in the
| Supreme Court until his appointment as
| Chancellor in Feb. 1914. His legal opn-
ions, delivered while in the Supreme Court,
are contained in 1G volumes Of well known
and highly appreciated reports.
! As Chancellor. which high Office he filled
till 1922. he is understood TO have displayed
to great advantage these excellent business
habits and that promptitude which marked
! his career through long and Invaluable
y
/ time. monopolzed Chancery busincss-he
threw its doors wide open to the profession
and was unwearied in his efforts TO des-
patch the causes brought under his cogni-
| Zaucc.
By the Constitution Of 1921, the Judges
were removable from Office al GO years OF
age: and. un July 81, lS23, he, having
reached that period, retired, after hearing
and carefully deciding every case that had
/ been brought before him. The members oI
the bar inthis City ard Albany took that &C.
caSion 10 bear ample testimony 10 his worth
and usefulness. andto acknowledge the ben
Gifts which society had received from hi'
learning. wisdom and aSsiduity. In 1924
he became n second time Law Professor II
Columbia College, and in 1896 appeared the
FIRST volume OF his ineStimable "Commen,a
RES on American Law :" which were con
olndcd in faur volumes in 1890, and hav,
been extended and improved by him, Will
great care. from that period 10 this.
Chancellor Kent would not allow his Com
men'areS to he stereotyped, but kept watch
ing the decisions Of the tribunals of Amer
"a, England. and other parts Of Europe. il
matters involving important lega principles
with which he enriched his iavorte worl
from time to time.
He was elected President of the New Noil
Historical Society in 1873, and was an orig
inal member of the Literary Association q
Yale College. formed in l1SOundcr the nam,
of the Phi Beta Kappa Society. In l12l. III
represented Albany County in the Stat,
Constitutional Convention. Ambrose Speu
Ger now on his death bed. being his colleague
lie was distinguished ornament of tina
learned and patriotic body. and steadily ad
hercd 10 the opinion that with cous.ituen
cy of free holders. owners and cultivatorS o
the soil, the uuincumbcrcd poSseSsors Of hap
DIV homcS,cadS. the liberties Of the couhr,
would he safest. In 1855. he married sis
ter of Gen. ThcodoriS Bailey, lady nov
nearly 50 years of age, and who survive
him, after enjoying over three score year
ofuniutcrruptcd domestic felicity. His fam
ilv consisted Of two daughters and one son
the learned and well.kuown Judge Ken
who resigned the Office " Circuit Judge her
some years since, and more recently CAV
mp his Profe.SorShip at Cambridge, that h
might cheer the latter days of his vcnerate
5 and excellent father by his company an
e personal attention.
. Our ncighbor Of the Express states thS
a less than a year ago, Chancellor Kent wa
b one Of the pall-bcarers UI his friend Timoth
= Dwight, aud was then as erect, hale an
/, hearty as man of fifty. AT 81 he wa
e somewhat deaf, but his capacity for wor
/, was still wonderful, his conversation into,
/ eSting and animated. and his temperance
. as vvncious as when he was thirty yea,
c Younger. lie was unwcll hut for Sho
i time before his death. which took place Ia
n Sunday evening at half past eight Mt h
i residence in Union Square. The Cour
D. adjourned yesterday out Of respect for h
=. memory, and both boards of the Comma
!, Council adopted resolutions in honor of h
= name and character.
d He was an exemplary Christian, n stea,
y fast and ailtc,ionn,e father. tender hu
h band, an ardent patriot. and true lover al
defender Of his oounry'S rights. So high
,, are lis works esteemed abroad that the Lon
!. Chief Justice Of England, Baron Denma
+, wrote to Judge Kent some years since,
acknowledge the indebtedness of the leg
= profession throughout the world TO him e
n his able commentaries.
!. The remains or Chancellor Kent arc tol
\ inferred Tomorrow. Wednesday. The Sc
. vices will be performed ut the Calval
r, Church, Fourth Avenue. The funeral pr