The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-10-06

CORTLAND
Wednesday Morning, October 8, 1869.
4 he Supreme Court.

THE subjoined biographies of the eight
members of the old Supreme Court who will
probably all be on the bench on Monday next
are historically interesting:
SALMON p. CHASE.
He was born in Cornish, New Hampshire
= annary 49, 1903. His education began at
nome, and was continued at the schools and
academies of New Hampshire, and completed
AZ me me cincinnati College and at Dartmouth,
IN new Hampshire, graduating in 1926 He
stuuied law IN Washington city with William
writ, ana practiced his profession in Cincin-
natl, Ohio, for many years. His first public
position was that of school examiner in Gin
cinnati, in 1885, in 1910 he was city coupeil-
man; in 1915 he projected what was called a
Liberty Convention; was member OF the
Free Soil Convention held at Buffalo in 1848;
and was a Senator in Congress, from Ohio,
from 1S49 to 1865, and elected Governor OF Ohio
in 1858 and reelected in 1857. In 1860 he was
again chosen a Senator in Congress; but on
the day after he took his seat he was appolnted
Secretary of the Treasury in President Lin
coins Cabinet. but resigned in September,
1864 1t was while the country was passing
the trials of the rebellion that the ma
tional finances were carried through successful
ly under his administration. He was a member
also of the Peace Congress of 1861. On the
9th of December, 1864, he was appointed by
President Lincoln Chief Justice of the Su-
preme Court of the United States, to succeed
II. B. Tanev. By virtue of his position as
Chief Justice, he presided over the Senate
while acting as a court of impeachment during
the trial of President Andrew johnson, in 1868.
SAMUEL NELSON
One of the biographers calls him the Oldest
man on the bench. He has spent over forty
five years in the judicial harness, yet his clear
eve and manly frame indicate rare vlgor OF
brain and body. He has a face OF rare refine
ment, and his manners are those OF the old
school. His familiarity with decisions and
practice, his thorough knowledge Of the law,
and his constant attention to his duties, make
him one of the pillars Of the court, while his
polished address and genial nature have es-
tablished him as one of the fIvorites OF Wash
ington society.
NATHAN CLIFFORD.
He was born in Rumney, Grafton county,
N. H., August 10, 1903. He fitted for college
at the Haverhill Academy. and completed his
education at the Hampton Literary Institu-
tion. He studied law, and, after being admit
ten to the bar, removed to Maine in 1927. He
was elected to the Legislature from York
county in 1880, and reelected Tor three years,
during the last two occupying the post of
Speaker. In 1884 he was appointed Attorney
General for the State of Maine, which Office
he held for four years; and he was Represen-
tative in Congress from 1889 to 1843. In 1916
he was appointed by President Polk, Attor-
ney General of the United States, which Office
he held until March, 1S47, when he was ap-
pointed Commissioner to Mexico. When
peace was declared between the United States
and Mexico he was appointed minister to that
republic. On his return to the United States
he settled in Portland, devoting himself to his
profession; and in 1858 was appointed by Pres
ident Buchanan an associate justice of the
Supreme Court of the United States.
DAVID DAVIS.
He was born IN Cecil county, Maryland
March g. 1915; graduated at Kenyon College,
Ohio, in 1882; studied law in Massachusetts,
and went through legal course at the law
school of New Haven; in 1885 he removed to
Illinois, and was Immediately admitted to
the bar, and soon afterwards settled in Bloom
ington; in 1843 he was elected to the State
Legislature; in 1847 to the convention which
formed the present State constitution; in 1848
he was elected by the people judge of the
eighth judicial circuit of the State; reelected
in 1855, and also in 1861, but, before completing
his last term, he was appointed by President
Lincoln Justice of the Supreme Court OF the
United States. He was Tor many years the IN
innate friend of Abraham Lincoln, rode the
circuit with him every year, and he was del
egate at large to the Chicago Convention of
1860, which nominated Mr.. Lincoln for Presi-
dent. Just before entering upon his duties as
Justice of the Supreme Court he was appoint
ed a visitor to the West Point Academy.
STEPHEN j. FIELD.
He was born in Haddam, Connecticut, No
VemDer e. lOlO, anu his ldtIcE WAS Ddsu Duu-
ley Field; while yet a youth he travelled in
Europe and the East; graduated at Williams
College in 1887; studied law in New York city,
with his brother, David Dudley, with whom
he formed a law Partnership; in 1S4S he made
a second visit to Eur pc; towards the close OF
1s49 he went to California; in January 1850
he was elected First Alcade of the city of Ma
rysyille, and continued the practice of his pro-
fession; in October of the same year he was
elected to the Legislature, where he took a
leading part in moulding the Judiciary OF the
State; in 1857 he was elected judge of the
Supreme Court OF California for six years, and
was elevated to the position of Chief Justice
and in 1868 he was appointed, Dy President
Lincoln, justice of the Supreme Court of the
United States. In the discharge of his official
duties he is obliged to travel annually over 13,
900 miles He is brother of Cyrus w. Field
the distinguished protector of the Atlantic tel
egraph.
ROBERT c. GRIsR.
He was born in Cumberland county, Penn
sylvania, March B, 1894; graduated at Dickin-
son College in 1872; studied law aud came to
the bar in 1917, rracticing his profession in
Northumberland, Columbia, Lycoming, Union,
and Schuylkill counties; was appointed presi-
dent judge of Allegheny county in 1888, when
he becams a resident of Pittsbur :; aud in 1876
he was appointed, by President Polk, an asso-
ciate jus ice Of the Supreme Court of the Unit
ed States, and since 1848, he has been a resi-
dent of Philadelphia.
SAMUEL II. MILLER.
He was born in Richmond, KY, April 5,
1876 graduated at the University Of transit
vania, and, after taking the degree of Doctor
of Medicine, practiced the profession a few
years, and then turned his attention to tre
law; having been found in 1S48 in favor of
emancipation, aud, though generally taking
no part in politics. the course Of public affairs
caused him to remove from the State in 1850,
WI en- he settled in Iowa and became one of
the leaders of the Republican party in that
State; desiring no local or State offices, and
declining many nominations, he attended
wholly to his profession, and in 1862 was ap-
pointed by President Lincoln justice OF the
Supreme Court of the United States.
NOAH swAINE.
This gentleman is still in fine health, though
verging on sixty. lie had high professional
character when he was appointed in 1862, and
he has sustained it since he took his seat in
this elevated court. Justice Swaine, like
Justice Miller, is especially endeared to the
progressive statesmen for his advanced views
on Jurisprudence, and the learning, brevity,
and courage of his opinions. He is q great
student, and outside of his profession prose-
cutes his researches into English literature
with all the enthusiasm OF man of letters.
The Lewiston Journal perpetrates this:
"Mayor Parker was invested with new cares
on Wednesday last. When Bridget Welch
r..