Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1873-11-07

whose death we record this week was a man
OF such eccentricity and ability, that he de-
serves more than a passing notice. Mr..
Mack was native of Shelburn bis grand
father was a surgeon in the Hessian forces
under Gen. Breyman, which were the flower
of the British army, that surrendered at
Saratoga. His father was DR.. Frederick
Mack, long physician of eminence in
Shelburn. His mother was sister of the
late Judge Newell of Charlotte. Among
his brothers was the late Frederick Mack
OF Shelbu-n, and his three surviving sisters
are Mrs. Judge Van Sicklen of South Bur-
lington, Mrs. Hyman Holabird of Shelburn,
and the kindly maiden lady who has cared
for the deceased during his prolonged Illness
Mr.. Mack was one of the Oldest of the
alumni Of the University of Vermont, gra-
duating with high honors in the class of
1918, his three companions IN college being
Hon. Benjamin F. Bailey, Rev. Nehemiah
Dodge and Rev. Luman Foote. After gra-
duation, he studied law in Burlington
with Sanford Gadcomb, halfbrother
of Judge Adds of St. Adams, and
was admitted to the bar in this county
IN 1870. He commenced the practice of
law in Essex, but soon went to Jericho,
where he lived several years, until his re-
mOyal here in lS29, where he has made his
home ever since. He never had but one
law partner, and that Judge Smalley, with
whom he was pleasantly connected from
1887 to 1911. lie was the first counsel for
the Vermont Central Railroad, and was the
intimate and steadfast friend of Gov Paine
during its construction. Mr. Mack had
a keen, logical mind, and in this respect
none was his superior in Vermont Pos
sessed Of remarkable native wit, quick in
repartec, man Of untiring industry, and
noted for great perseverance in the prepar-
alton Of eases, it is not strange that he was
a successful practitioner, at enc time doing
the largest business of any lawyer in the
State. y trier of jury cases, he was IN
equalled, and his acute, logical mind gave
him great power before the Supreme Court.
In truth, he was an able lawyer, in the
fullest sense Of the term. lie was
kind-Learted man, and was warmly at
tacherto his friends. OF little presence,
being man of small stature, by the
force Of his great ability and his
intense nerve he always made him
self felt before court or jury. He was
rich in humor and most singing in sar-
casm. We cogldfll columns with his sharp
saying and anecdotes Of his life, many of
which are undoubtedly fresh in the memories
Of most Of our renders Mr.. Mack, among
other eccentricities Of character and habit,
was confirmed bachelor and invariably
avoided female society. Heneyer was a poll
tician and always rcfu sed public Office vet few
men studied politics as he did. He never
cast his fortunes with any political party,
but voted with that which seemed to best
favor his individual notions. Latterly he
had acted with the Democratic party. He
was totally Indifferent to public opinion,
and rcioiced in his independence Of thought
and action. His health from a boy was
fral, and he may be said to have been an
invalid for thirty years. Indeed, his death
has been expected at any time for the past
few years \ man Of remarkable intellect,
a lawyer widely known and admired, and
good citizen, Jacob Mack, goes to his long
home with the respectful regrets Of the
people 0f his city, county and State.