The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1877-08-16
THE LATE JAMES ]. PETIT

Aug. 5, 1877, hen0Sna mas lost another
of her most valuable citizens. He had
many rare qualities, both of mind and
heart. He was man of intellectual
tastes and Of wide reading. He seldom
forgot anything he had read. AS a
lawyer he was not only learned, but he
had the peculiar faculty Of remember
ing the particular volume and even the
page of important decisions; his brain
being thus a kind Of cyclopedia of ref
erence to which his professional breth-
rem otter. resorted. From very early
childhood he always inclined to the
more solid kind of reading. He gave
little time to novels. but before he was
thirteen he had gone through the whole
of Rollins Ancient History. Yet he
was fond of poetry, and his friends will
recall the facility and enthusiasm with
which he would sometimes quote Burns
or some other faVorite author. In the
department of topography and travel,
his library was one of the completest
in this neighborhood. He was de-
vout and careful student of the Bible.
The better part Of his nature grew
strong by much communion with the
Best of books. But Judge Petit lived
not only in his library. He was a man
Of the time. He had an open eye and
lively sympathy for the great questions
of the passing hour. He was a reform
En- His religion made him so. He
saw in the Gospel of Christ the promise
and the demand for the largest good
for all classes of men. Hence he could
not be otherwise than q Temperance
man, an Anti-slavery man, and even
an earnest student of the latest phase
of Labor Problem. He wrote the first
petition ever presented in Congress for
the abolition of slavery in the District
of Columbia. Charles Sumner had
claimed that honor for citizen of
Massachusetts, but finally conceded at
ter careful investigation, that it be-
longed to James J. Petit, of Kenosha,
Wisconsin, SO stated to the Hon.
NJ. III. Carpenter, then U. S. Senator
from this State. ~
Judge Petit was a member and
deacon Of the Congregational Church
Of this city. AS a Christian he was
progressive in the best sense, progress
siye towards God, and not away from
him. His religious experience was
fresh and living. In respect to that
inner relation to the Invisible Holy,
which is the supremest element of hui
man character, Judge Pettit's last days
were his best days. He was a strict
Sabbath keeper. To him the higher
call Of sacred hours was not a restraint
but a delight. He regarded a proper
observance of the Holy Day as a neees-
sary safeguard, not only for Christian
piety, but for human society and civil
iZatiOn. To some who knew Judge
Petit only at distance, he seemed
austere. 1t is true, he was by nature
uncOmpromising, a hearty hater of evil
and wrong. But his pleasures were
the very highest pleasures of conscience
and Of logical consistency. He had in
him much of that old Puritanic ele-
ment out of which the best men are
built in every age. For the sake of |
truth he could take pleasure in suffer-
ing. But to be conscious of fraud or
dishonor in his own life would have
given him the keenest pain.
The home of Judge Petit was very
happy one. Not strong in health, and
having for years relinquished the prac-
tice Of his profession, his later days
were divided between restful journeys
abroad and the quiet satisfactions of |
domestic life. But he loved the com
partnership Of his friends, and in con-
nection with his devoted wife made
his home often the scene of beauti-
full hospitality.
Judge Petit was a benevolent man.
Not only to his own Church and to
missions abroad did he give regularly
and on principle, but without ostenta-
ton of charity, day seldom passed in
which there did not go forth from his
door kind remembrance for some
poor neighbor. Some there are who
know this, and will miss Judge Petit !
in the days to come. NJ
Judge Petit came to Kenosha I'M
1850. He was born in Hamilton, Mad |
ison County. New York, May rs, 1904.
His education was obtained in the
Academy at Hamilton, and in the Law
School at Albany. He began the prac-
tice Of the law at Mexico, n. Y, then
for time at Pulaski in the same State.
From Pulaski he came to Kenosha,
where he held place among the lead
ing men of the bar, being elected even
tually to the bench of the County Court.
BY his twenty-seven years among us he
has left a good record.
A good man is the highest glory of
any community. Let the name of
James J. Petit be added to the honor |
ed roll Of Kenosha's best citizens. 4
RAIN, which has been very MICH
needed for some time, came i'm refresh
ing showers Monday afternoon and
Tuesday forenoon. Though the rain
sre