The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1867-07-25
Biographical skettb,
tFrom the Forum" )" by David Paul Brown.
GEORGE sHARsW00D, L. L. D.

The Honorable George Sharswood was
born on the 7th of July, 1910, and grad
uated at the University of Pennsylva mia, :,
on the 3lst of July, 1928, with the high
est hon0rs, delivering the Greek Salutatory,
manifesting a scholarship of which his
unceasing industry had given an early
interest. In the month of August of the
same year, he became a student in the
office of Mr.. Joseph r. Ingersoll, and
after severe application to his studies, was
admitted to practice on the 5th of Sep
tember, 1881.
Even after Mr.. Sharswood's admission
he still blended his classical with his pro-
fessional duties, besides giving some atten-
tion to the modern languages, and 1T may
be truly observed of him, that it has sell
dom happened that snch young shoulders
bore SO wise head.
He was not deficient in genius, but his
great quality consisted in rigid and indie
fatigable labor. He was model for a
student. Always thoughtful, yet always
cheerful modest and retiring in his man
ners, yet in a moment of exigency not de-
ficient in just reliance upon himself We
do not think he could ever have been an
effective advocate. The turn of his mind
was too tranquil to enjoy or endure the
tumult, agitation and excitement of jury
trials. But in an argument to the Court
i'm banc. upon a point of law few men of
his years would have been his equal
cool, calm and collected, hc had full con-
troll of that untiring perseverance, that in
dustry had enabled him to accumulate.
After remaining at the bar some five
years, with about the usual share of pro-
fessional business, but with bright hopes
clustering around him, he was elected to
the Legislature on the 10Th of October,
1887, where it is sufficient to say that he
justified the most sanguine hopes and ex-
pectations of his constituents. On the
9th of October, 1888, he became one of
| the select council, and on the 26th OF
| June, 184l, he was appointed Secretary
of the Investigating Committee of the
| Stockholders of the Bank of the United
States. On the 18th of October, 1841,
he was elected again to the Legislature,
| and continued in that body by another
election, on the 11th Of October, 1912.
| Scarcely had his legislative services termi-
mated, when, on the 9th of April, in the
year 1845, he received the appointment
of Judge of the District Court for the city
and county of Philadelphia, and on the
| first of February, 184S, became its Presi-
dent. On the 14th of October, 1851,
under the new Constitution he was elected
| by large majority to the same judicial
position, 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 these varied and highly honora-
ble and responsible employments, it may
| be justly said that he manifested the most
abundant capacity and fitness for the du-
ties imposed upon him. But he more
especially shohe in his judicial qualifica-
tions.
Take him for all in all, at his time OF
! life no bench in Pennsylvania has borne a
more unblemished, more competent OF
more exemplary incumbent. He cannot
be said TO be man of refined aud fascina-
| ting nIanners-his close studies and con-
slant occupation would forbid that-but
he is man of kind, liberal and honorable
feelings, just such a man as you might
suppose was born to be a judge, and il
he holds out as he begun and Heaven and
his constituents continue him to his s'three
score and tcn,' we are mistaken or he
will furnish the best practical proof of the
folly of lcgislaturing judges out of office
at the expiration OF sixty years,
Since his presidency in the District,
Judge Sharswood has been chosen Pro
fcssor of Law in the Pennsylvania Uni
vcrsity, where he is an invaluable acqul-
sition.. Apart from this duty, he is
engaged in delivering course Of elaborate
; lectures before the Commercial Institute,
and when it is remembered that the Court
in which he presides sits ten mouths in a
year, and is continuously and la5oriously