The New York herald., 1874-11-30
OBITUARY.
John Meredith Read.

OBITUARY.
John Meredith Read.
John Meredith Read formerly Justice or the
Supreme Court OF Pennsylvania and for many
years man OF great prominence In that State,
died IN Philadelphia yesterday Of cholera morbus,
after short Illness, in the seventy eighth year OF
his age. Judge Read was born In 1897 and was de-
scended from distinguished ancestry, MS grand
father being George Read, q signer OF the Declara-
tion OF independence, and his latner John Read an
eminent lawyer and . Senator Of the Cnited
States. His mother was daughter OF Samuel
Meredith patriot or the Revolution and the nrst
Treasurer Of the United States. He was educated
at the University OF Pennsylvania. and was admit
ted to the Bar In 1873 Within year OF his admis-
sion he was appointed Solicitor OF the Philadelphia
Bank, and IN that capacity became concerned in
some important cases, In the management OF
which he exhibited remarkable aptitude Tor legal
practice. He soon became noted Tor his skill ana
the learning he displayed, and evtnced besides a
desire to enter upon q pubic career. In 1928 he
was elected member OF the Pennsylvania Assem-
bly,, and he was reelected the next year. He at
once TOOK commanding position In the Legsla-
ture, but he declined to serve after his second
term, preferring to devote himself to his proes.
sion. This he did for number OF years. in the
meantime acting as CRY solicitor Of Philadelphia
ever, lost none OF his interest In public AFFAIRS
and many OF the changes in the State constitution
were suggested by HIM. Soon alter the accession
OF Martin Van Buren, to the Presidency Mr.. Read
the Eastern District or ennsylvanla. and held the
once tall lS41 His successor was tina late
William Meredith afterwards secretary
SO familiar on account Of the prominence
given to 1t on the ten cent postal currency: but
Mr.. Read was retained by the Solicitor the Trea-
sury as special counsel for the government. Nnle
acting as District Attorney he was appointed by
the secretary OF War as Judge Advocate OF the
court OF inquiry and court martial upon Commo-
dore Elliot. In 1S45 he was nominated by the
10 o es n the sn
cal reasons the Senate failed to act upon the nOm-
nation; nation, The next year ne was appointed Attorney
six months, when he resigned. For the twelve
years that intervened between his rclinquisnlng
the once OF Attorney General and his election as
Judge OF the Supreme Court OF Pennsylvania he
pursued the practice OF the law with unaDated
engaged IN many important triaIs and among
the rest is that Of Castner Hanway, tried In 1851
one in tue case the part OF the defence and Oc.
/ cuped the court during three days OF It's session.
conclusive on every point. Through ali this period
Judge Read had been a democrat; but ne was a
democrat OF the tree son type fact to which the
| failure OF his confirmation as supreme Judge or
! the United States was owing. In lS4s, as a dele
gate to the Democratic Convention aI Plttsbnrg,
ssws5 = fSs 'sS sas area IL e
ygoIoGnsy vdH, opposed the repeal q the Mis-
AZ the Chinese Museum, in 1850, in adyo-
cacy Of the admission OF California as a
/ rree State contained strong avowal OF the doc
| trine which Blk years later found sympath nv and
accord in the ranks OF the new party organ ized
tie celebrated platform on whica the contest of
1856 was waged. 1t is not surprising, therefore, that
upon the oreanizatlon OF the republican party Mr.
Read should be among the foremost OF The demo-
Gratis who severed their Old party ties. and IN the
memorable campaign OF 1856 he was an outspoken
and earnest advocate OF John Q. Fremont for the
Presidency. Two years later. when the repub-
leans Of Pennsylvania wanted a candidate for the
Supreme Court, to f the vacancy occasloned by
the retirement OF Judge Black to enter the Cabinet
OF Mr.. Buchanan, ne was nominated Tor that inn
the place VITA great acceptance. In 1850, when
Mr.. Lincoln was nominated for the Presidency,
Judge Read was also o candidate receiving ten
votes on the Il st ballot. Failing to receive the
nomination himself, Judge Read was among the
most earnest advocates Of Mr.. Lincolns election,
and throughout the war he was warm defender
OF the policy OF his administration. After the ex-
plration Of his term upon the Supreme Bench Of
Meredith Read United States Minister to Greece.
ago and to-day or win aisemSaTk Meeo to
hear OF his lather's demise.
Jonathan Sturges.
Jonathan Sturges, one OF the Oldest and best
known OF the merchants Of New York, died at his
Mr. Sturges was seventy-three years old at the
time OF his death, He was member OF the Cham
Der OF Commerce. and was long prominently iden-
tilted with the business interests OF this city. In
works OF charity also Mr.. Sturges took q very
af' nu%ser charitable was Societies. msmSss smons
them the Hospital for the Care OF Ruptured and
was ii feeble health and his death % was i not unex.
pected. Few men had more thoroughly gained
the respect OF his fellow citizens, and his
s' whole Community. =" the I latest Sss Of his his
public publ .,ss acts ;, was mis- presentation lew
veteran poet editor, William Cullen Bryant on his
elghtieth birthday, Mr.. sturees being the chair
and making happy speech on the occasion.
Brigadicr General william II. Law
telegram from Boston, Mass, under date OF
yesterday Goth INST, reports as follows :-Brevet
Brigadier General william II. Lawrence, aged
forty years, died suddenly on Saturday afternoon.
He left with Colonel Cowdin's regiment as AdJu-
tant and was subsequently appointed on General
Hooker's stan, and was with him through the war
or the Union. The funeral Will take place to-day.
DIR. William sewell, OF Exeter College,
Oxford.
From the London Post, Nov 1871
Dr. william Sewel, senior fellow OF Exeter Col.
lepe, and one Of the most distinguished members
OF tHe University uleu on saturday morning az
Leckford Hail. near Manchester. DR.. sewel,
brother OF the present Vice Chancellor, graduated
"hrst class" In classics In 1927 when post master
OF Merton College, from whence he was
elected 70 fellowship at Exeter. The
deceased gentleman, In addition to the
highest honor In the schools, obtained
successfully the prizes lor the English essay
and the Latin essay. He afterward became tutor
versty Offices OF public examiner QS32) aud pro-
lessor OF moral philosophy Qrom 1886 to 1s41). Ho
was Whltehan preacher IN 1850, and In 1852 was
n.
which he held until $780,. DIR. Sewell was scholar
OF the highest attainments, ana Is the author Oh