The Waynesburg Republican. [volume] (Waynesburg, Pa.) 1867-18??, 1867-08-14

sent MN IOftn from lne pdteflui ioihc
at an early age, to make his way in
the world and fight the battle of life
unaided, save by his own energy and
talents.
In college, Judge Williams gave
promise of his future success. He be-
came at once one of the most popular
men of his class, loved and respected
by all for his correct department, his
kind and social disposition, his high
sense of honor, his great regard for
truth, his strict integrity, and for his
entire freedom from envy and jeal-
ousy. He Immediately took high
rankas a scholar, especially as speak
er, writer, debator, a logician, and
a metaphysician, which rank he main
tained and increased during his col
lcgiate course. He graduated at Am
herst College, Massachusetts,, in the
summer Of 1887, and so proud has his
alma mater been of this one of her
favorite sons that she sometime since
honored herself by bestowing upon
him the honorary degree of Doctor of
Laws. After spending the interven-
ing time in teaching, he commenced
reading law in the office of Ex-Chief
Justice Lowrie, of this city, in the
spring of 1889, and was admitted to
the bar of this county in May, 1841.
He practiced his profession with in
creasing success from the time of his
admission to the bar, as partner with
his preceptor, until the latter was ap-
pointed Judge of the District Court of
this county, and then with the late
VIM. M. Shinn, until elevated for the
first time to his present position in the
fall of 1851.
As a lawyer, Judge Williams was a
cautious safe, honest and reliable coun-
sellor, and an. earnest, eloquent and
generally successful advocate. He
endeavored to keep his clients out Of
the law instead Of getting them in, but
when in, with a good cause, all his en-
ergies and abilities were bent to bring
ing matters to favorable issue. His
dealings with his clients were ever
characterized by justice and faithful
ness. While he would never know
ingly take bad case for the sake of
b fee, he never gave upa good one be-
cause his client was unable to pay
him. His intercourse with his pro-
fcssional brethren was always kind,
: courteous and honorable, never resort
ing to what is called "sharp practice"
to gain an advantage over his oppo-
i nent. Had he remained at the bar,
c few would have met with greater sue
; cess in that most difficult, laborious
u and honorable profession.
: At large and respectable Convcn-
ton of the old Wing party of this
county, held on the lth of June, 1851,
g Judge Williams, then young in years
u and in his profession, and without ju-
dicial experience, without solicitation
= on his part was nominated by accla-
: nation, for the responsible position
IL which he now holds, and was placed
upon the judicial ticket of that party
: with the Hon. Walter Forward, as
Il the candidate for President Judge Of
IL the District Court and Hon. William
IL B. Mcclure as the candidate for Presi-
u dent Judge of the Courts of Common
= Pleas, &c. His opponent at the elec-
/ ton in the fall was Judge Shaler, a
$ lawyer of eminent ability and learn
!. IL ing, who added to his other qualifica-
! tions for the position an experience Of
a several years upon the bench, to which
81 the democratic party sought again tc
/ elevate him. The result of the elcc.
ton showed that the action of the Con
> vention in nominating Judge Will
II II Jams, without dissenting voice, wa:
u u peculiarly acceptable to the people
!, II He ran ahead of his ticket in the ware
q in which he lived, in "the old Demo
= cratic Third Ward" and in the coun.
= ty, beating his able opponent 2,245
'' while Judge Forwards majority over
> Judge Hepburn was only 1,22S, anc
10 Judge MClurc's over James S. Graf
.e only LIZ.
= = So well, faithfully, impartially anc
VI satisfactorily did Judge Williams dis
! charge the duties of his Office, and Sc
u learned, upright and useful judge
i i did he prove himselfto be, in the esti'
ii nation of all men, that at the end o
his first judicial term of ten years, il
i 1861, he was nominated by aclama'
- tion by the then two great parties o
= = the country and was reelected with
u u out opposition from any quarter. Sucl
~ " renewed evidence of popularity ant
d apprecationin in one'sown neighborhood
IL IL and among men of all parties, arr
~ -, very rare, and most clearly toreshadov
W " the very hattering vote which tn
T judge will receive from the people o
:. this county on the second Tuesday O
y October next.
of Judge Williams manners and bear
l ing are always pleasing. In socia
TX intercourse, he is the life of the circl,
in which he mingles. Cheerful, lively
Id and witty, never by look or word, in.
il tentionally, wounding the feelings o,
in speaking i'll Of any one, he make,
as friends of all. His extensive reading
n and large information upon all sub.
n ject, make his society sought for by thu
Nv learned and scientific. In his history
9 in the classics and in the natural and
of metaphysical science, there are few
N more thorough and extensive students
n, than Judge Williams.