Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-05-19

TnE LATE JUDGE THOMAS BURssIDE.
Tho Williamsport Daily Banner is pub
fishing series of biographical sketches Of
prominent citizens in the West Branch
Valley at nm early day. No. XI, Of the
series, which appeared in that journal Of
the 18th instant, il an interesting outline
of the life and character Of the eminent
jurist, Thomas Burnside, 80 long dis
tinguished and honorcd citizen Of Centre
county. 1t reads as follows:
"Thomns Burnside was born near New
ton Sletrut, county Tyrone, ireland, July
%, 1882. He came to Pennsylvania with
bis fathers family in 1892. IN Novcm Der
1900 he commenced the study Of law with
the Hon. Robert Porter, II successful prac-
titioner of the city OF PhiladclphiR in
1904 he was admitted % the bar, and in
March Of that year removed 10 lIellcfonte
December 10, 1907, he was united in mar
riage with Mary Fleming, daughter Of
William Fleming, of the Bald Eagle Val
ley the marriage ceremony was perform
cd by the Rev. Henry Wilron, Of the Prcs-
bytcrian church Of Bellefontc, which took
place at the latter village. In 1871 he
was elected 20 the Senate of Pennsylvania,
and TO Congress in 1915. In the summer
Of 1915 ho was appointed by Governor
Snyder 20 preside over the courts Of Lu-
zcrnc, which posltion he resigned in 1878,
and returned 10 the bar in Centre county.
In 1871 he was again elected to the Senate,
Of which body he was made Speaker. In
1926, before his Senatorial term had c1-
pircd, he was appointed President Judge
by Governor ShultZ, Of the Fourth Judi
clal district, including Centre county,
which be held until 1871 he was then
appointed President Judge Of the Seventh
district, Bucks and Montgomery couu-
tic- and on the fret OF january, lsij, hc
was appointed one Of III" judge uf the
Supreme Court, Of Pennsylvania, an Office
which he Gllcd with distinguished honor 10
the time of his death, Ht the residence uf
his sou.iu.law, William T. Morri.. CiyiI
Engineer at Germantown, on the 18th of
March, 1851, aged - years, : month. aud
81 days Hi- children by his second wife,
Ellen Winters, Ellen, the wife Of Vim.
GrAhus, both Of whom are dead They
bad several children, all OF whom are de-
ceased except one daughter, Ellen, who rc-
sides In low, and is the wjfo Of MIR Iiud-
con. William still living, Lucy alive and
u married, Thomas, who resides IN Belle.
iuntc, Francis, who married -. &. BDal.
E.q, her husband died, leaving her the
care uf two children, George and Nellie.
ChArlcs Huston Burnside died iu 1906. uu.
married md Sarah WIutcrs Burnside
died young. Tho Judge had NJ e1tru-iy.
practice In Centre, Lycoming aud hdJolu.
ing COUNTIES, popular IN MANNER and com
maudod great influence a. "..ocrat5c
politician. He wa ALEC an Agtlyc fuumha.
81 several State and other conventions
and nj early advocate of State improve
Woup authorized by the Legislature q
the State of Penney yIyauia, hnd through
his influence the canal oAlcusiou On the
Bald Eagle was IN "A great meAsUr. accom-
pIshcd. lie had Is strong symyaihotie
feeling fnr hi. early friends o' Centre
county, whore be was esteemed and hon
UroI Tor his many tokens of gcucru.iiy tn
the church and general bcucyo.cuco - The
poor He was q Fuccrssful advocate #
Tho school syaiom, adopted during the
administration Of c1.Goyoruar Wolf.
/ which WAS successfully c,is atra 81 "A
favorable conclusion by the late Hon.
Thnd. Stevens a leading advocate thereof
The systcm sts been brought 80 = per-
tecliou, j. now the pride Of PcuusyI-
yania, and highly noticed hy oar neigh.
boring State governments. Tho Judge had
a large head, q easy tsanuoF cheerful
and courteous, and bumc,y iu person. 1t
wAs generally observed that Burnside. Dr.
Burton Of Philadelphia and George kra.
mcr Of public noiorlcty were 3D." most
homo,y public men in Pennsylvania.
Whit Burnside presided IN the Courts.
ho cHceil"d In dIspatching business. after
hearing the evidence and the case clear he
would not hear tho attorneys and charge
the jury. Many cases In the quarter scs.
sious were disposei of ia a short period
which often rufiiled young attorneys in
being disappointed 70 deliver their pre-
pared speeches. james Burnside, his son.
was a gentleman Of mediuia stature, and a
graduate of Dickinson College IN the class
with DR.. Samuel Pollock Of WilliAmsyori.
Pa polite and agreeable in manners. 80.
Clal and entertaining in conversation, at.
tractiyo ~ a speaker, popular ~ a neigh
bor and commanded no little influence ~
a politician, 90 much so.thai be Wa elect
ed to the House Of Representative from
the Centre district, and subsequently, called
to preside over tho courts Of Centre, Clin-
ton and CleErdeld counties He died after
being highly honored by grateful public,
leaving a wife, Rachael, a daughter Of
Gen Simon Cameron. who was equally
popular with her relations aAd numerous
acquaintance He died in consequence of
being thrown from a carriage, by run
away team in 1889. at Bclcfonto His
wife subsequently, died at Harrisburg lcav-
ing three children, Cameron, Thomas and
Mary. After penning the preceding the
biogrspher presents the observation Of the
venerable Father Of the Belefonte bar
james Macmanus, Esq. "As n lawyer,
Thomas Burnside wss cminently great
His great strength Of mind, common sense
and quickncss Of decision enabled him 10
grasp the main points Of case. With =
vigorous step and stately march, he would
clear away the rubbish Of technicality and
| special pleading caring only for the iustice