The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1878-05-22
Ir.nGE LANES p. srERRErr.

JUDGE JAMES p. sTERRETT-
Hon. James r. Sterrett, the can
didste for Supreme Judge, is SO
years ,f age, and in The prime Of a
vigorous manhood. He was born in
Tuscarora Valley. Juaista County,
November :, 1922. His parents were
descended from S~cotcb-Irisb ances-
tors, who settled 10 Lancaster and
Cumberland counties at an early
day. He received q preliminary ed
ucation at Tuscarora Academy, aud
entered Jefferson College 10 the fall
of 1912, graduated in 1915. He was
q classmate Of United States Sena-
tor Latham, of California, and also
of the late c. l.. Vallandingbam, of
Ohio. After leaving college re stud
led law at Carlisle, Pa, and complet-
ed his course at the University of
Virginia, be vas admitted to the bar
of that S,a,e in 1913. In lS49, in
the partnership of the late Judge
Baird, be began the practice of his
profession in Pirtsburg. On the re-
tirement of Judge Baird, about a
year afterwards, a law partnership
was formed between Judge Sterrett
and the late Hon. John p. Penny.
He continued to practice Law until
1862, making a great deal of reputa-
ton as a careful, industrious and
sound lawyer. This law partnership
was dissolved by the elevation Of
Sterrett to the Bench. In 1861 be
was appointed on a commission au-
thorized by the Legislature to revise
the revenue laws Of the Common
wealth. January 4, 1862. be was
appointed President Judge of the
Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny
county, to fill the vacancy occasion
ed by the death of Hon. William b.
Mcclure, and in the same year was
unanimously nominated by the Re-
publican party and elected TO fill the
President ~Judgeship for the term Of
ten years. He was again nomina
ted in 1872, receiving the vote Of
both political parties and was re-
elected. la March, 1877, on the
death of Judge Williams, be was.
appointed by Gov. Hartranft to fill
the vacancy on the Supreme Bench.
The Republicans unanimously nom
mated him at Harrisburg in 1877,
but at the fall election he was defeat
ed by Judge Turnkey. His CON-
mission expired in January, 1878,
since which time be has been prac-
Using law in this city (; being the
senior member of the firm of Ster-
re,t, Kennedy q Doty. He has earn
ed for himself a reputation co-exten-
size with the limits of the State, as
an able, upright, learned and Impair
tial Judge, and one worthy Of the suf-
frages of the people. He has always
been identified with educational and
progressive movements, and during
the existence of the Wing party was
one of its noblest supporters. Since
its dissolution be has espoused the
cause of the Republican party. He
is a man of splendid physique and a
Judge at all times cauti us and dig
nified.
HON AARON X. DUNKEL.
Hon. Aaron K. Dunkel, the
nominee for Secretary of Internal
Affairs, was born in Mannheim town
ship, Lancaster county, May 90,
1887. He attended the common
schools in Mannheim and East Hemp
field district until the age Of fifteen,
when he entered the office of the
Lancasterian, then published by
VIM. b. Wildly, Esq He remoE-
ed 10 Philadelphia in April, 1866,
and obtained a situation as compositor
on the Daily Pennsyiranian, then
edited by Col. John w. Forney.
Here be held cases until the outbreak
of the war 10 April, 1861, when he
enlisted as a private 10 Company X,
18Th regiment p. V. (Sta,e Fenci-
bles), for the three months cam
psign. At the expiration of his
term Of service he enlisted as a pri-
vste 10 the Independent Company
Zousves d'Afrique, Captain Coils,
which was raised by order of the War
Department as General Banks body
Guard. He was commissioned
Second Lieut.. 10 Company II, l4th
regiment P. v, in August, 1862,
and promoted Captain in April, '65.
Captured by the C~onfederates at Get
tysburg in July of the same year, he
was held a prisoner at Libby in Rich
mond until March of 1864. In
May he rejoined his command and
transferred to the staff ofGeneral
NJ. II. Patrick, Provost Marshal
General of the armies operating I
Richmond as aide-de-camp, 1
and remained there until September, {
when be was discharged on the Sur (
certificate of disability. In c
1865 be returned to the printing bus.
in the Office of the Philadelphia
and there remained until De-
1867, when be with several 1
If his fellow. employees on that paper, i
embarked in publication of the
Sunday Republic, which is now one U
If Philapelphis's soundest Republi- !
IAN and best conducted Sunday o
.ournals. In 1874 he was nominated r
~ the Republican Convention as the y
candidate for State Senator 10 the a
Sixth district, comprising the Sew
nth Eighth and Ninth wards and o
vas elected .bya majority of 1866. o
lie was renominated in 1876 and t
gain elected, bis majority being To- b
reased to 1870. As Senator, be v
las always been attentive - his y
and faithful 70 the interests a
# the people of bis district, which. C
While it is the smallest in sres, is the o
vealtbiest ia the State. Il