The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-02-05
GEN. ]. D. FEssENDBN.
Action of the Cumberland Bar Upon His
Death.

In the Supreme Court Saturday afternoon,
before Judge Virgin. resolutions of respect to
| the memory of the late Gen. James d. Fesssn-
den, were presented by the Bar committee APP
pointed for that purpose, the Hon. Nathan
Cleaves and B. d. Verrill, Esq. There was a
large attendance of the members of the Cum
berland Bar despite the driving snow storm.
REMARKS OF JUDGE cLEAvEs.
Judge Cleaves alluded to the modest and
transformations life of Gen. Fessenden, and
said that in e-rly manhood, when he had well
entered upon the rewards of bis profession, he
voluntarily exchanged home of comfort and
luxury for the dangers and deprivations OF the
battlefield, and, after long aud brilliant SER
vice, returned to his native city and quietly re-
shmed the practice of his prof ssion; and no
one ever knew, from any demonstration OF his
own, the distinguished part he bad borne in
more than fifty battles. Although he took no
pains to perpetuate his own heroic deeds, his
tory would record him asa modest, brave and
patriotic soldier.
James D-ering Fessenden was the eldest son
of the late Senator Fesse1den. He graduated
at Bowdoin College at the early age OF ~
years, in the class of 1852. He studied law at
Cambridge Law School, and in the office of
Willis 81 Fessenden, and was admitted to the
Cumberland Bar Nov. list, 1854, and was sub
sequently a member of the firm of Willis q
sender & Cutler, and, during his later years,
was associated in practice with his brother,
Gen. Francis Fessenden of this city. He was
Register in Bankruptcy during the life OF the
bankrupt act of 1867, and represented he city
OF Portland in the State Legislature in 1872,
1873 and 1874.
AS lawyer he was accurate and painstak-
ing, of sound and discriminating Judgment,
aud gained an honorable position in the pro-
fession In the Legislature he served with
ara1if fn hiY,aca1f nd hic a q
register in bankruptcy he gave universal salts
faction, and in his decisions was firm and indie
pendent, and free from all personal or political
bias. In all his professional and business rela-
was part of his nature, inherited Efrom an IL
lustrious ancestry, whose name is synonym
of integrity.
Judge Cleayes, in appropriate terms, re-
ferred to the amiable disposition and courteous
manners of the deceased, which would long be
remembered by his friends and associates, and
then presented the following resolution and
moved that they be placed upon the records Of
the Court:
Resolved, That we are sadly impressed By
the sudden removal from these scenes of our
late brother James Deering Fessenden, whose
professional life was one of high integrity, who
faithfully served his clients in all honorable
ways without fear or favor; who was singular
ly free from all forms of envy, hatred and ma
lice, and always mindful of the rights of
Others. And we shall long remember his mod
est and courteous bearing at the Bar, his hou-
esty and efficiency in public life, and the ais
tinguished part he bravely bore in the service
of his country.
ResolUed That we tender our sympathy to
his tereaved family.
B. D. Verrll, Esq seconded the resolutions.
MIR. yERRILL's REMARKS.
Mr.. Verrill spoke of the pleasant relations
existing between the deceased and all the men,
bers of the Bar who knew him, of bis just ap-
probation of the lawyers true province, which
lies not in the encouragement of litigation, but
the thorough investigation and sound ADVICE
leading to the settlement of many yexed ques-
tions. Victories won by conquering the bigot-
ry and prejudices of beligerent litigants are as
great and praiseworthy as. many won in open
court
His administration of the Office of Register
in Bankruptcy was the sphere in which men,
bers of the Bar were brought most IN contact
with him. His legal rulings were sound and
always fair. His official integrity was beyond
question. Practice in bankruptcy cases before
him was positive pleasure.
JUDGE VIRGINS REMARKS,
His Honor Judge Virgin spoke in feeling
manner of General Fessenden, both as man
and an attorney. He reviewed the long and
brilliant career of General Fessenden while
soldier Of the Union, dwelling upon his great
service to the country in its hour of trial. At
the close of his address His Honor directed
that the resolutions of respect to the memory
of the dead soldier be spread upon the records
of the court.