The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-02-26

sentiment of public devotion more earn
est and unselfsh than at any former period.
All honor to the ''punch."
The Late Judge Bro okenbrough.
Judge JOHN w. BRoCkENBRoUGH, who
died on Monday last at his home, in
Lexington. Va.,t was one OF the espe-
cially noted men OF his time. he was
born in 1906, amidst a generation inspired
with the heroism and manly. independ-
ence engendered by one OF the noblest
revolutions in the. history OF man, and I'M
bued with all the generosity and geniallty
that cannot fail to mark the public character
of q Young nation that wins its own free
dom without iniicting a wrong, upon any
other. The nobility Of the impressions then
stamped upon the public character was
plain, and commended by the world. They
were especially marked in the bearing and
high honor OF men elevated to public sta
ton; and the young graduates OF schools
especially in law and political economy
plowed with the high emotions and the
noble ambitions which fired their hearts.
Judge BRocKESBRouGHiw was one Of the rising
generation OF aspirantsto public honors at
the interesting period oi which we speak.
Hewas born in Hanover on the 23d OF De-
cember, 1906. His family was one OF rank
and influence. His father, Judge WILLIAM
BEocKENBRouGH, who was man OF ability,
was successfully Circuit Judge, President OF
the General Court, and Judge Of the Court
of Appeals OF Virginia, closing his services
on the bench with bis life. DR.. JOHN BROCK
ENBRouaH, president of the Bank OF Virginia,
OF reyered memory, was his brother. Judge
JOIN w. BRocKENBRoDGH was student OF
william and Mary College,; and was one OF
those who matriculated ut the University OF
Virginia on the very first day it was opened.
He was one Of the first amongst number
of distinguished young men who were sent
forth from the University, and whose career
reflected upon that institution the brightest
donors. Completing his law studies with
Judge HENRY ST. GEORGE TUCKER, at Win
chester, he soon came to the bar, and took
high position in the profession. We well
remember him at that time, and the brilliant
brotherhood Of young lawyers and public
men who made Richmond their place OF re-
union. Never did Virginia show to the
world brighter jewels. The Legislature
was illumined with the mental force and
graced with the accomplishments OF her
sons, the graduates Of her own noble
schools. The University more than realized
the promises Of Mr.. JEFFERSON, and the
State reaped the rich fruit of his labors.
Judge BRocKENBRouGH in this early part
OF his career undertook the task OF report
ing the decisions OF Cbiei-Justice MAR
SHALL, and gave to the profession two vol
umes OF those decisions, which are valu-
able part Of the law libraries Of the day.
In 1884 he removed to Lexington, Rock
|bridge county, where he married, and where
he resided during the remainder Of his life.
Distinguishing himself in his profession,
and taking an active part in politics, he be-
came leading man lin the Valley of Vir-
ginia. He-mas.- appointed United States
Judge for the Western District Of Virginia
in place Of Judge PENNYBAcHER,s who was
elected to the United States Senate. He
filed the office until the 'war-a space of
sixteen years-with marked ability and dig
nifty He took a firm stand with Virginia
In tho political disruption of the: Union,
but was nevertheless imbued with q, degree
of conservatism aud aversion to bloody con-
fict, which caused him TO be elected BY the
| ~ rs,Ssn oh
a member Of the Peace Congress which met
at Washington. His colleagues were JOHN.
TYLER, WILLIAM G. RIyEs, JAMES A, SEQ
DON, and GEORGES w. SUMMERS. He was in
June elected q member OF the Provisional
Congress Of the Confederacy, and suisse
quently a Judge Of the Confederate States
for the Western District Of, Virginia. =, al
!, In 1919 Judge tBROCKENBEoUGH's Law
School was established in Lexington, and
soon became we'll known in The whole
South Some OF the ablsst southern law
yers were trained in that school, It was in
terrupted1 by the war, obut afterwards re-
sumed. This scnool,was then Incorporated
with Washingt ton College, OF which he was
rector. It was through bis. instrpmentality
chiefly that General B, E.. LEE accepted the
presidency ofqfsthst institution siss Judge
BRocKENBRouGH discharged his duties as
professor in the college until 1874. and con-
[tihped thse practice le 2a ri lazy until his
death. .ssl,sGt. ~; u! 81 p
OftJudge BRocKEsBRoUGH personally we
can say thatihe was one OF the most honor
able and chiyairotis Of gentlemen. lii his
early days, he was regarded. as a model Of
gallantry. His life Was, marked by the
courtesy and dignity i Of his bearing and
his kind and generous disposition. Fol.
a true gentleman-7one we Vrgfnians arein
the self-compiaoenth abit Of styling "true.
Virginia gentleman 1--WE could have point
ed ,unerringI 10 JoHS w RockESnRouo
he was fIs ~ noble in mind un--
eeptionabia In manners. The bar OF LEX,
ington, ia, theiriSex celientatribute TO the
memory % the deceased, consider that bis
.charaet illust ttsted ttijs noble sentiment
expressed il apn Ia soi d
sayonth ;shat alas soIaetl tbe,old man,
$50 / am not lsss pleased with nm old man
"tfat has sonethisgg Of the youth. III Hay