Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-10-19
DEATH OF JUDGE HUMPHREYS.
Sketch of the Distinguished
JurisI's Life.
Nashville American. II.

John w. Morton, near this city, in the
nth year of his age, He was the son
of Parry Wayne Humphreys, of this
State, Judge of the Circuit and
Superior Court; brother of the late
Judge Robert w. Humphreys, and
cousin of the late Judge John @.
Humphreys, Of West Tennessee.
In early life he commenced the
study of law aud read for few months
under Messrs Foster & Fogg, then of
this place, He afterward attended a
course of law lectures delivered by
Charles Humphreys, at Lexington,
Ky and was granted a license to
practice law in 1928. For awhile he
practiced his profession successfully
in Charlotte and O~larksville, but as it
was unpleasant to both himself and
father, then a Judge, he made Fayette
county his home in 1882, where he
soon acquired a lucrative practice.
In 1884 he was sent as a delegate to
the Constitutional Convention, and
was the author of many of the provi-
sions OF the constitution.
He was subsequently sent to the
Legislature from the county of Fay
cite without opposition, and was the
youngest member Of that body. In the
Legislature, though a Democrat, be
exhibited bis independence bya refusal
to indorse all the measures OF General
Jackson's administration, and not
withstanding his exceeding difidence
was prominent in the advocacy of and
opposition to various State and ma
tional measures. In 1889 he left the
field of active politics. Subsequently
he vas constituted a member Of the
Board of Internal improvements and
required by statute to guard and
defend the States interest in all the
chartered corporations in which the
State was the owner o. stook. ID this
year (1839) he was elected by Che Leg.
islature Attorney General for the
State and Reporter of the decisions Of
the Supreme Court. In 1874 he was
reelected to this position, and upon
the expiration of his term of Office, in
1851 he declined to be a candidate, and
retired from Office, in accordance
with a previously expressed intention,
in consequence of impaired health
Before proceeding further we will
mention that in the last litigations in
which General jackson and President
Polk were engaged he was their at
torney.
AS the author Of Humphreys Re-
ports" SO often quoted in this State
and others, his name will be insepera
bly, connected with the history of
Tennessee.
In 1888 he was appointed by Presi-
dent Pierce to the position of United
States District Judge. la this po-
sition he gave entire satisfaction to
the bar and the country. 1t was the
pleasure of the bar to have him hear
their cases He was learned, consci-
entious and just. Particularly did the
younger members Of the profession
delight to try their cases before him.
He never embarrassed them by a dis
play of his own knowledge and an un-
kind exposure of their lack of it, but
gave them all the attention he could
have given to the most eTudite or
eloquent advocate. This position he
held until the disturbance between
the States, North and South.
At the breaking out of the
civil war he espoused the side
of the South, and accented the
appointment to the same position
under the Confederate Government
His administration of the duties O.
the office was brief, as Tennessee soon
fell under the control of the United
States Government. During this time
a number Of Unionists~ in different
parts of the State we're arrested fol
violations Of the laws OF the Confed.
crate States aud tried before him. In
all cases his course as a Judge wal
marked by justice, and tempered, al
far as was in his power, by leniency
some Of the Southern sympathizer
deeeming him too lenient.
When Tennessee fell under tn,
! jurisdiction of the United States ag
!, thnrities, he went South aud theT,
remained until the close Of the war
Upon his return he found his granC
, residence burned and his estate seri
! ously impaired. From that period /,
within a short time before his dealt
{ he was engaged, but not actively, il
, the practice Of the law.
Some of his speeches upon lega
principles were maryels Of research
and learning, and it is to be regrette,
: that he did not yield to the requests O
members Of the bar that b
publish them in pamphlet forT
| Tor the benefit of the profession, NOR
J. especially for those who we're to follow
He was the author Of various essay
upon the subjects Of internal improve
ments, law reforms, and temperance
and many Of his thoughts upon tn
A. two former subjects are embodied j
e the laws Of this State.
D: At the forum he was earnest,
le times vehement, and always liberal.
ID His tastes were all literary. In hi
. habits he was rigidly abstemiouI
y From early manhood until within tn
os past four or Eve years in religion
Of belief no was inclined TO Unitarianisn
but from about this time his view
upon religion changed, and he joine
40 the Methodist church and was bal
tiled by Rev. j. b. McFerriu,
"a In carly life he married Mi
d Amanda NJ. Pillow, a young lady
great personal and mental attraction
~ He was the brother.in law of Genrf
T. Gideon j. Pillow, Mrs. Governor Z
IA V. Brown, Major Granville A. Pillol
~ Jerome 3. Pillow and George v
Martin, all Of vast estate in ami
- bellum days. During his last illn1
he was lovingly attended by his t,
4 only children, Mrs. Morton and j..
Humphreys, Esq,
~ A Toronto lady, in a hurry to 20