Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-07-30
Illegal LIGHTSI
A Brief Sketch OF some OF NashtiIIe's
hOId Time'' Lawyers.

"OId TIme' Lawyers.
Nashville can boast Of having numbered |
among her citizens some Of the most tai |
ented members OF the legal profession in |
the land. Knowing this, 4 UNION AND |
AMERICAN reporter devoted a portion Of !
his time yesterday to hunting up some |
points in relation TO some of the most
prominent members Of the Nashville bar,
under the old regime, and the result of his
inquiries he places before our readers.
Half a century ago, when goods were
brought 20 Nashville from Philadelphia by
wagon, principally, the most prominent law
firm in the city was that Of Vim. L. Brown
4 Ephraim II. Foster. The latter did the
most of the collecting business for Phila-
delphia merchants who sold goods on credit
to dealers in this vicinity, and his practice
in this line was both large and lucrative
He was i fine judge OF human nature, a
fluent speaker and was several times elect
ed to the Legislature. He died in 1858.
His partner VIM. L. Brown, made a
specially of land litieations, which were
innumerable at that period, in consequence
of which the Government lands were dis
posed Of. He became a Supreme Judge of
the State in 1924, and died about 1881.
Liz hiNNaANAf EA-A W LAOhll htAo dAoV a
Nashville lawyer, of considerable note, and
was made Judge Of the Federal Court on
the death of Judge McNairy. judge Brown
died before the war. His widow is still
living in the city.
Alfred Balch was another we'll known
lawyer of those days. lie was a fluent
speaker and generally successful with
jury. When Gen. Jackson was President
he appointed Mr.. Balch Judge of district
court in Florida.
The name of Felix Grunly is one Of
which all Tennesseeans are just u proud. He
was cOmpeer OF Henry Clay, and filled a
judicial position in kentucky before coming
TO this State, which he did ia 1910. He
was elected 10 Congress in 1872 and again
in 1852. He was the most successful
| criminal lawyer in the entire South, and
| his practice was not confined To Tennessee.
/ IL is said that but one, Of all the criminals
he defended, was hung. lie took the
stump in favor of Martin Van Buren, in
! 1870 and in consequence Of exposure at
| that time died toward the close of 1910. y
resident Of this city who was an active
| Wing in those days, says he has listened 10
Gundy ridicule the Wings until his sides
would ache with laughter and the tears roll
| down his cheeks.
Judge Clabbe was another legal light Of
| this city, with a record reachiug back Is
| far As the year 1890. He was 4 Supreme
| Judge in 1927 and died in ISIS.
| Andrew Hayes was a Nashville lawyer Of
great ability and has left an enviable repu-
tation. lie was appointed Attorney Gen
eral Of this district in $50 and died about
the year 1875.
judge jams TrimJle was prominent in
legal circles here an the early part Of the
present century. lie was made Judge
about the year 1919, and died IN 1850.
| Judge Trimble was held in high estima-
ton for lis splendid social qualities in adj
ditiOn 20 his ability as a disciple OF Black
stone. He leaves a son, John Trimble, and
a sOn-in-law, ex-GOv. Neil :. Brown, who
have both attained a reputation and
| achieved success at the bar.
One Of the most scholarly Of Nashvilles
old time LAWYERS was Francis B. Fog, who
is still a resident Of the city. lie moved
from Columbia. Tenn. 10 Nashville, about
1890. and when in his prime vas consid-
cred the best general lawyer IN the State.
He IS a man Of very extensive culture. AID
was always a close student. As an Illus
tratiOn OF the manner in which cases are
sometimes allowed to linger along in the
Chancery Court, a business man Of this
city. who came here in 1855, says that he
was present al the calling Of the docket in
the Davidson ChaHcery Court in that year.
One case was called, and in connection
Herewith, the name Of Francis b. FOEg
wheTeupOn that gentleman arose and said
he knew none Of the parties 10 the suit in
question, but that when reading law in thi.
city. some forty years before, be had taken
some dispositions i'm the ease. Wonder il
that suit is still pending?
John Trimble, the son of Judge Jane:
Trimbie, was born in Nashville, and IS still
/ living here. He was elected Attorney Gen
| e:,l Of the State in 1850, and served six
years. He has been elected a member o.
TIE legislature several times aud served ont
term IN Congress.
Il. J. Meigs. now a resident Of Washing
ton, came to Nashville about the year 1880
and seven years thereafter, was elected
Attorney General and Reporter. He wa.
the author Of one report. which was YER
finely arranged work. He was known as ;
man Of great learning and proficiency il
Ahis profession and did avery large business
lie and Judge W. F. Cooper prepared a
Code of our statutes, which they published
t5Chn Bell enjoyed high reputation al
.. tie Nashville bar, until he entered th'
political arena, in which he was also veT1
successful. He was sent 10 represent thi:
State in Congress in 1927, and from tina
time bis political experience began. Ate
being i'm Congress a number Of years, III
was appointed Secretary of War by Presi
: deaf Harrison; was in the United State
Senate twelve wears after that, was prom
inent candidate for the'Presidency in 1860
and died i'm 'GG. Before being elected e
Congress. he was a member of the Legisla
ture several terms.
In the year 1870. Judge 10. &. Guild be
gan the study of law in this city, wit
Ephraim III. Foster. He settled at Gallati
in 1922, practiced in Sumner and adjoinin
! counties several years, was made Chancel
Tor i'm 1850, moved TO Nashville IN "a an
, was elected Judge in 1870, which position
he still fills. He has always enjoyed
/! large practice, and has been especially SUD
ccssful rs a criminal lawyer. In the Sem
mole war he was Lieutenant Colonel @
| a Tennessee regiment. He is an. enthuSl
, astic lover Of fine horses, aud likes to Sc
them show their heels.
Among the Nashville lawyers at the be
| ginning Of the present century, was Ell
rolled the name Of Andrew Jackson, who's
fame has since became worldwide. ii
: was United States Attorney General her
in 1895, figured for a number Of years, an
| occupied seat on the Supreme bench.
Judge John Haywood came TO this cit
from North Carolina about the year 1SOt
and died here in 1927. He was dis
tinguished rs a lawyer. and was chosen t
> the Suprem. bench, filling that position 4
the satisfaction Of all who had dealings j
3 that tribunal.
TO BE CONTINUED.
5 THE FATAL ROCK.