Democratic enquirer. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1867-1873, 1872-06-05
Proceedings of a Meeting
of the Bar in Relation to
the Death of Judge Ply

| Oh CHe bNT III hheluUAOH UO
the Death of Judge Ply
ley.
At an adjourned meeting of the bar, relative
to tribute of respect to the memory of Judge
Plyley, the Committee heretofore appointed, re-
port the following preamble and resolutions,
which, upon motion of Porter DuIIadway, Esq,
were unanimously adopted:
~"Judge John Potter Plyley was born in Ross
| county, Ohio, on May 9th, 1926. His father,
Philip Plyley, is still living. He studied law
with Hon. Milton L. Clark, Of Chillicothe, and
was admitted to the bar, April 8, 1851, his exam
| ination being so creditable as to elicit cOnpli-
ments from the committee, composed of Judge
j. R. Swan and other distinguished lawyers.
In July of the same year, he located in the
new county of Vinton, forming partnership
with his preceptor, Mr.. Clark, and entered upon
the practice of his profession with marked sue
cess His rare good sense and his legal knOwl
edge, together with his kindness of heart and
high-toned gentlemanly bearing soon won for
him the confidence and admiration of the people
of VintOn and surrounding counties.
| On the Sth Of December, 1859, he married the
only daughter Of Judge Richmond, a prominent
citizen, and one who had been active In procur-
ing the creation of the new county. But his
fair andloved wife was not to be with him long
in this world. In a little more than one year he
followed her, and the pledge of affection she had
| given him, to the tomb Judge Plyley never
recovered from this sad and terrible bereave-
ment He lived unmarried with his widowed
mother-ln- law, seeming to hlye no desire to
either WOO or wed another, but appeared rather
to be awaiting the time whon he should join his
loved and lost one in the spirit land. After some
years of successful practice, February o, 1859,
the firm of Clark & Plyley was dissolved by the
appointment of Mr. Plyley to the Judgeship of
this Judicial district, made ytcant by the elec-
ton of Hon. VIM. V. Peck to the Supreme Bench.
In the fall following he was elected for the un-
expired term, and was twice afterward elected
to the same position for full terms. But never
of robust constitution, it WIS early feared that
the fell destroyer, consumption, had fixed its
fangs upon him. These fears were hut too we'll
founded. For many years he was in feeble
health, yet his intellect retained its great vigor
an clearness. He was an honest, capable and
upright Judge. The dearest friend Jared no bet
ter than q stranger, and the poor aud rich Jared
| alike before the bar of his court. He was a
judge, kind and courteous to the bar, aal would
subject himself to great Inconvenience TO accom-
modate them His memory was remarkable
He could retain and repeat the evidence of eve
ry witness in the longest and most tedious tri-
ais. His calmness, caution and unerring judg-
ment made him most excellent judge His
was no ordinary mind. As q Common Pleas
Judge lie hadfew equals in the State. Notwth-
standing his impaired health he took rank
amonEthe bestJudicial min l. Of the country, and
his death in the very M ri'lian of life was but
the result Of too ariuou5 and long continued
mental eXertion.
Socially Judge Plylcy was greatly cndeare
to his friends. He WAS constant AMI trac in his
friendship His kin lncis of h art and llbcrali-
ty were SO great thathe coull seldom, If ever.
refuse any demand upon his charity or bcnevo
I ence. He gave away u large portion of his
earnings during life. Durin5 the rebellion he
seriously impaired his forSune b. his charities
and donations. The widow ni th) o;phln, the
MANNED or needy soldier-.lll knew wh1re to 60,
and they were never refused The unworthy
even took advantage of his njbis helrt AMI gsn-
erous disposition. He could hegcr do too much
for friend, and in return thcy could refuse him
nothing. Few men ever hal warmer or trucT
friends. Cut on in the prime of life first after
having returned to the bar where 50 much was
expected Of him, he is gone it is hopal to bet
| ter world and joined her who anXiously awaited
his coming and in the rem ,mjrancc o. whom he
liv1d his sdldeaeI life. None knew him but To
admire, respect and lovo him. And We, his
4 brethren, mourn him with aheartfelt and tender
sorrow that long years will not eiTa.c. There
fore:
Rssolued, That, by the death of the Hon. John
p. Plyley, we are called to deplOre the loss of
one who, while eminently diStinguiShc for tai
ents and learning, was by his genial temper and
unvarying courtesy, endearel alike to the hum
bic and exalted.
That we recognik &c in the late Ju Ice Plylty all
the natural gifts and legal attainments which
make the great lawyer, and regard his untimely
death as a calamity to bo dcplored, not alone by
the profession, but by all Interested in the just
administration of the law.
| That In thc late Judge Plylcy we have stri-
king example of the value Of ofaSSiduOus and un-
Eremitting study in storing the mind with the
highest professional learning. For extensive
reading in all departments of the law, he had
few equals in this section Of the state. To great
| clear-headedness and a shrcwd and almost I'M
erring Judgment, he united precise and vlgor-
GUS logic, which enabled him to unrayel the
most abStruse legal questions.
That the members of this bar and those of our
brethren from other counties participating with
us will ever greatly cherish the memory Of our
deceased brother, who ly hisuiwavering intcg-
rity, eminent ability, and great learning, has
done so much to shed luster upon our profession.
That the chairman present a copy Of the pre-
amble and these resolutions adopted by this
meeting to the Court Of Common Pleas now in
session. same be entered on the journals of said
Court, and that copy Of the same be presented
to the mother. .in-law and father of the deceased.
| That copies hereof, be presented to the sever
al newspapers of the District.
lsigned,t Milton l.. Clark, G. II. Grosvenor,
W. X. Hastings, IL. G. Jones, j. X. Groghan,
onmotion of General Grosvenor, the Chairman
of the meeting was instructed to send to some
attorney In each county in this judicial district
a copy of said resolutions, accompanied by re-
guest that the same be presented to the Common
Pleas Court of each county at its next term.
On motion the Chairman Of the Committee, NJ.
L. Clark, was requested to present the same to
this Court at its opening.
On motion the meeting adjourned.
JOHN MAYO, Chairman.
H. e.. JONES, Secretary.
AT the opening Of Court Mr. Clark present.
ed the preamble and resolutions, and the same
were tllereupon ordered to be spread upon the
Journal Of the court
|
M nTTImmA nYkTnTkTAT A mt