The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1867-07-19
From 'sThe Forum "
THE MODEL JUDGE OF PENNSYL-
VANIA.
GEORGE SIEARSWOOD, l.. L. d.,
President Judge of the District Court for
the City and County of philadelphia.
BY DAVID PAUL BROWN, ESQ.

BY DAVID PAUL BROWN, ESQ.
The Hon.. George SharsWoOd was
born on the 7th of July, 1910, and was
graduated at the University of Penn
sylvania, on the 31st of July, 1923, with
the ehighest honors, delivering the Greek
salutatory, and manifesting scholar
ship, of which his unceasing industry
had given an early earnest. In the
month of August, of the same year, he
became student in the office of Mr..
Joseph r. Ingersoll, and after a severe
application to his studies, was admit
ted to practice on the 9TH of September,
1881.
Even after Mr.. Sharswood's admis-
sion, he still blended his classical with
his professional duties, besides giving
some attention to the modern Ian
guages, and it may be truly observed
of him, that it has seldom happened
thatsuch youngshoulders bore so wise
head.
He was not deficient in genius, but
his great quality consisted in rigid and
indefatigable labor. He was model
for a student. Always thoughtful, yet
cheerful; modest and retiring in his
manners, yet in moment of exigency
not deficient in just reliance upon him
self. We do not think he could ever
have been an effective advocate. The
| turn of his mind was too tranquil to en-
joy or to endure the tumuIt, agitation,
and excitement of jury trials. But in
an argument to the court in banc, up
on a point of law, few men of his
years would have been his equal-cool
calm, collected, he had full control of
that abundant stock of knowledge
which untiring perseverance and in
dustry had enabled him to accumu-
late.
After remaining at the bar some
five years, with about the usual share
of professional business, but with
bright hopes clustering round him. he
was elected to the Legislature, on the
| 10th of October, 1887 where, it is suffi-
cent to say, that he justified the most
sanguint hopes and expectations of his
constituents. On the 9th of October,
| 1883, he became one of the Select Coun-
Gil, and on the Doth of June, 1871, was
appointed secretary of the investiga-
| ting committee of the stockholders of
the Bank nf the United States. On the
18th of October, 1871, he was elected a
gain to the Legislature, and continued
in that body by another election, on the
11th of October, 1912. Scarcely had his
| legisativeservicest terminated, when, ,On
the Sth Of April, in the year 1915, he re-
ceived the appointment of Judge of the
District Court for the City and COun-
ty of Philadelphia, and on the 1st of
February, in the year eighteen hundred
and forty-eight, became its President.
| On the 14th of October, 1851, under the
new Constitution, he was elected by
large majority to the same judicial posi-
ton, which he had previously held from
the Executive and Senate of the State.
He was commissioned on the 1st of De-
cember, 1851.
In all those varied and highly honor
able and responsible employments, it
may bejustly said, that he manifested
the most abundant capacity and fit
ness for the duties imposed upon him.
But he more especially shone in isju-
dicial qualifications. Take him for all
in all, at his time of life, no bench in
Pennsylvania has borne more un-
blemished, more competent, or mole
exemplary incumbent. He is man