American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1867-08-21
BIOGRAPHY OF
Judge Henry W. Williams.

The following biographical sketch OF
our candidate COR Supreme Judge has
been carefully prepared, and was deliver
ed at a public meeting held in Pittsburgh
few days since, by G. b. NJ. Smith,
Esq. 1t will be qualification for every
Union Voter to have the pleasure of sup,
porting such an able and pure minded
gentleman. Read the biography.
Mr.. Smith was received with raptur-
GUS applause, and proce ded to deliver
the following biographical sketch of our
worthy candidate. He said
come here tonight, my fellow cti
xens, to perform what is to me pie SAINT
duty-to join with you in giving our ad
herence to the platform of principles
adopted by the great Union Republican
party of this State, at the Convention
lately held in Williamsport, and in man
ifesting our satisfaction and pleasure in
the nomination by that Convention, of
our fellow citizen, Hon, Henry W.
Williams, as a candidate for election to
the highest judicial position of this Cons
monwealth.
While shall express my cordial ap-
proval of the principles enuncatsd in
that wise, moderati and patriotic creed
of political faith, which breathes, in
every line, love for freedom and hu.
man rights, and mixed with no demand
for vengeance, by saying that | would
hardly add to, or detrict, one word there
from, | shall leave its discussion to those
able gentlemen who may follow, and de-
vote the brief time allotted me upon this
occasion in speaking of the personal,
moral, political aud Judicial character of
our candidate and it is, perhaps, fitting
that should do this, as | have known
Judge Williams longer, and more init
mately, than any person in this house.
My aciuainrance with him commenced
in college in 1886, as class mate, and
since tnat time l have studied with him,
taught with him, and prac iced in my
profession with, and under him. / have
known him as q student, as teacher, as
lawyer aud as Judge; and what is more,
during all that time, have known him
as an intimate, perronal friend. | have
known him more thoroughly than | have
cNot huOMu duJ OlIGl NV
excepting my own brother, and | say
here to night, in presence of this large
audience, that, even were | so disposed,
could truthfully speak no i'll Of him.
Judge Williams is o. the good old
revolutionary Wing stock, which.achiev-
ed our national indepen ience in l716,
and from his ancestors he has inherited
a steady love OF lii erty, Independence,
freedom and national union, which has
been strengthened by the great events
of these latter times. He was born in
the beautiful valley of the Connecticut
"a State that has given birth to such
men as Henry Baldwin, Walter Forward
Garrick Mallory, and William Strong
and is now in the full prime aud vigor
of manhood. From the people and Of
them, he has been mainly the architect
of his own fortune His father, wells
to-do farmer, held with most New Eng
land fathers of that day, that it was bet
ter for the boys to help themselves than
to be dependent upon paternal savings,
and after having furnished his son with
the means of acquiring an education, he
sent him forth from the patcrnal home
at an early age, to make his way in the
world, and fight the battle of life unaid>
ed, save by his own energy and talents
In college, Judge Williams gave prom.
Use Of his future success. He became at
once one of the most popular men Of his
class, loved and respected by all for his
correct department, his kind an social
disposition, his high sense of honor, his
great regard for truth, his strict integri>
ty, and for his entire freedom from envy
and jealousy. He Immediately took high
rank as scholar, especially as speaker
a writer, debater, a logican, and a net
aphysician, which rank he maintained
aud increased during his collegiate course
He graduated at Amherst College, Mas.
sachusetts, in the summer of 1887, and
so proud has his dtma mater been of this
one of her favorite sons that she some.
time since honored herself by bestowing
upon him the honorary degree of Doc
tor Of Laws After spending the inter>
veuing time in teaching, he commenced
reading law in the Office of the Ex Chief
Justice Lowric, of this city,
in the spring 1889, and was admitted to
the bar of this comfy in May, ISL
He practiced his profession with iucreas>
ing success from the time of his admis-
sion to the bar, as a partner with his
preceptor, until the latter was appointed
Judge of the District Court of this
county, and then with the late VIM. NJ.
Shnn, until elevated for the first time to
his present position in the fall of 1851.
AS lawyer, Judge Williams was a
cautious, safe, honest and reliable coun-
sellor, and an earnest, eloquent and gen.
ersliy successful advocate. He endeav>
ored to keep his clients out of the law
misleading of getting them in, with a
good cause, all his energies and abilities
were bent to bringing matters to favor
able issue. His dealings with his clients
were ever characterized by justice and
faithfulness. While he would never
knowingly take bad case for the sake
of fee, he never gave up good one be-
cause his cliert was unable to pay him i.
His intercourse with his professional
brethren was always kind courteous and
honorable, never resorting to what is
called "sharp practice" to gain an advan-