The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1883-06-07
A TRIBUTE BY THE BAR TO THE
MEMORY OF HENRY SIBREE.

On Monday last the following proceed
ings relating to the late Henry Sibree,
ESQ.,, were had at the court house in this
city:
BY D. MARKHAM.
May it please the court, Mr.. President
and gentlemen of the bar. The relations
between myself and our departed brother
were such that knew more of him than
almost any other member OF this bar.
I met him more than quarter OF a
century ago. He was then just COM
mencing a new mode of life on new
farm, which was heavily timbered, but
with that persistence, courage and sturdy
manhood. that form 80 prominent part
of the Scotch character, he made farming
a success, although he had inst moved
his then young family from the great
metropolitan city with scarcely knowledge
enough of the forest that was to be his
future home, to tell hemlock from
maple tree. Yet his success as farmer
under all the circumstances, in remote
wilderness county like ours, was almost
a marvel; always industrious, intelligent.
ardent, kindly and true as the needle to
the pole, to his friends. He soon found
himself surrounded by large circle OF
personal admirers and took leading
part in the social and political affairs OF
the county. And although he had pass
ed the age when a profession can be
mastered easily, his ambition seemed to
surpass his better judgment and he be-
came lawyer and was admitted to prac-
tice in this court after regular course
of study in my Office.
The details of practice which can only
be mastered by the young were never
exactly familiar to him, but his sterling
qualities for fairness and general intelli-
gence were great aids to him in discharg-
ing his duties. For nearly twenty years
that he has labored with and alongside
of some of us, can safely aver that in
all his varied labors as counselor, arbl-
traitor, referee, magistrate, district at
torney, politician or citizen, not blot
has ever been discovered in any of his
acts either professional, private or public.
In his judicial labors he was only anx-
ious to be right aud no consideration or
influence could ever hinder his rendering
judgment as he believed the exact justice
of the case required, and his contempt
for the judicial officer who decided cases
for policy, for public clamor or from any
improper motive, amounted to righteous
indignation. But the Judge or profession
honest, could rely on Henry Sibree as
friend, in court or out, in adversely as
well as prosperity, and he not only re-
Trained from unjust criticism, but did
very much to prevent others from I'M
justly detracting from the merits of his
professional brothers and the officers of
the law. In his warm-hearted ardent
temperament he was at times what might
be termed hero worshiper. There was
nothing luke warm about him; never two
sided. You always knew where to find
him and on which side he belonged. No
pains taking for his family or friends
was too great for him, and when I met
him as frequently did but short time
our brother, his affectionate kindness and
thoughtful solicitude for the welfare of
heroic in that death struggle as were the
sentiments of Nathan Hale for his coun-
try. And while the great shadow of only
one bad habit clouded the bright sun
shine of a noble professional and domes-
tic life, let our charity for our missing
brothers one fc1lt rise above the clouds
and let us emulate his good deeds and
strive to forget all else in our constant
endeavor to aid one another in the mani
forld duties of life.
Mr. Markham then presented the fol-
lowing resolutions:
RESOLUTIONS.
At meeting of the Bar Association of
Manitowoc county held on the 4th day
of June, 1888, the following resolutions
were adopted:
WHEREAS, Henry Sibree Esquire, late mem
DER of this Association, died on the 18th day Of
April last, and we his fellow members desire to
place on record our tribute to his worth; be t
therefore
Resolved, that our deceased brother in his ca
reer as an attorney and counselor-at-law, was
ever faithful and devoted to his clients worthy
of the confidence and respect Of every court of
justice in which he practced, and honorable
and considerate in all his intercourse and bust
ness relations with the members of his profess
sion.
RESOLVED, that as man and citizen he was zeal
Gus and intelligent in the advancement of the
public veal, fearless and incorruptible in the
discharge of every official trust and duty which
devolved upon him: true to his convictions and
his friends and deeply atfectionate toward his
family.
Resolued, that these resolutions be presented
TO the Circuit Court of our county, on the first
day of its next term with the request that the
same may be spread upon the records of the
Court. And the secretary of this Association is
hereby requested to furnish to the family of
the deceased CODY hereof