The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-10-24
Democrats except Coulter, Who was a


Under the constitution of 1870 judg-
es were appointed by the Governor
and confirmed by the Senate, and
held office for life, if they so long
behaved themselves well, dun bene
gesseret, as the commission ran.
The constitution of1S3S limited the
term to Is years, but did not make
the office elective. The amendment
of 1850 made the Judiciary elective.
In 1851 full bench was elected and
they were to decide their terms by
lot; one was to go out every three
years. Judge Black drew tie short
term, and Immediately became Chief
Justice.
Judge Black was reelected to
the Supreme bench in 1854 for a
term of fifteen years. He resigned
March 4th, 1857, to go into Presi-
dent Buchanan's cabinet as Attorney
General.
His opinions as Judge of the Su-
preme Court are found in the Penn'a
State Reports from 4th Harris to
9TH Casey.
As a master of clear, strong, con-
else English he had no superior on
the Bench. Judge Lewis and he
differed and disliked each other
Judge Woodward, who succeeded
Gibson on the Bench in 1852, took
sides with Lewis, while Black was
supported by Lowrie and Knox
(who mad succeeded Coulter
1t was probably because of this
unpleasantness that Black left the
Supreme Bench, for which he SEEM
ed to be so well suited, and went into
Buchanan's cabinet.
| His successor as President Judge
was Francis NJ. Kimmell, of Somer-
set, who was elected by the people in
the Fall of 1851. Mr. Kimmell had
been a Wing prior to the time ofthis
canvass. VIM. Lyon, of Bedford,
was the Wing nominee. Somerset
county revolted from the nomina
ton and Mr.. Kimmell was sup
ported as an independent candidate
by the Democrats, who made no
nomination, and by the Wings of
Somerset, and was elected by con-
siderable majority.
He was admitted to the bar at
Somerset in 1910 and at Bedford IN
1S41. He had previously to his ad-
mission been clerk in the Recorder
office, his father being the Recorder
He was born at Berlin, in Somerset
county in 1917, and was "a years of
age when he went upon the Bench.
He served one term of ten years, and
at the expiration of his term located
at Chambersburg, in the practice Of
the law, where he has resided since.
As an advocate he has few superiors
His fine personal appearance and
well modulated and silvery toned
voice make him a very attractive
orator He enjoys a large practice
and is one of the few lawyers who
thave succeeded at the Bar after
having been upon the Bench. Judge
Kimmell and Judge Black were
brothers-in. law, having married sis
tiers daughters of Chauncey Forward,
an eminent lawyer of Somerset,
Pa.
Judge Kimmell was succeeded by
James Nil, of Chambersburg, who
was elected in 1861, as a Republi-
can, defeating Wilson Reilly, the
Democratic nominee. He died in
1864, and is buried at Chambers
burg. He was a pains-taking, care
full lawyer and an honest judge, but
was well advanced in years when he
went upon the bench, go that his
natural force was abated by age
Alexander King was elected his
successor in 1864, and died in Janua-
ry, 1871, and is buried in the ceme-
terry at Bedford. He was born in
Huntingdon county, Pa, in 1905,
was educated at the Huntingdon
Academy, read law at Huntingdon,
and was admitted to the bar at Bed
ford in 1924, and was 50 years of
age when he went upon the Bench
He was well read lawyer, of clear
and strong logical mind, and com
manded the respect and esteem OF
the public. His son and namesake
is prominent and successful law
yer at the Bedford Bar.
The business ofthe district having
increased, and undisposed-of cases
having accumulated, an act was
passed in 1865 authorizing an addi-
tional Law Judge. David Watson
Rowe of Chambersburg was elected
to this position in 1868. Judge
Rowe was born at Greencastle,
Franklin Co., Pa, in 1887. He
served as Lieut.. Colonel of the -
Regiment in the nine months ser
vice of the war for the suppression
of the rebellion.
William Maclay Hall succeeded
Judge King as President Judge by
appointment of Governor Geary, in
January, 1871, and was elected by
the people for a full term in the fall
of that year. Judge Hall was born
at Lewistown, Pa. November 8,
1923, graduated at Marshall College,
Mercersburg, Pa, in 1916, read law
at Bedford and was admitted to the
bar in August, 1S49.
In 1874 the district was divided
Franklin and Fulton counties (this
latter erected out of Bedford in 1851
were constituted into a separate Judi |
cial district, numbered the 39th, Of /
which Judge Rowe became the Pres
ident Judge under the provisions Of
the Constitution of 1873. Judge |
Hall retained the 18th district, COM |
posed of the counties of Bedford and |
Somerset. His term expired lst Of
January. 1882.
He was succeeded by William Ja-
cob Baer, of Somerset, the present
incumbent. Judge Baer WIS born in
Brothersvalley township, Somerset
county, in 1924, and was admitted
to the bar at Somerset in May, 1S49
He had been for many years prior
to his election as Judge one of the
leading lawyers of the Somerset bar,
and was noted as public spirited
citizen who aided much in the i'm
provement Somerset county.
It's a noteworthy fact that Judges