The Russellville Democrat., 1885-09-10
Death of Judge Eakin.
. penesrat. 90. %.

Little Rock Demesrat, sept. 4th.
A brief dispatch to Gov. Hughes
from Mr. Andrew K. Eakin, received
this morning, announced the death
of his father, Hon. John R. Eakin,
at Marshall Mo, at 8 O'Clock last
night. This news. which although
momentarily expected for the last
two days, has cast gloom over the
community where Judge Eskin has
lived so long and in which be has
been greatly beloved and respected.
This event takes from our supreme
court $50 lately bereaved by the
death Of Chief Justice English) an
other most worthy member and de-
prives the State of the services Of
an able, upright and honorable ju
rist.
We gather the following facts con-
nected with his life from the '-Cy-
clopedia of the Great West"
Hon. Jno. 4. Eakin was born in
Shelbyyiile, Tenn, Feb. II, 1922,
and lived there till 1912. In lS43
lie went to Nashville, lived there till
1852, then removed TO War Trace,
Tenn, where be lived FIVE years. In
1857 he removed to Washington,
Hampstead county, Ark. He was
admitted to the bar in Nashville in
1874, and practlced there chiefly in
the chancery and supreme courts
till 1852 After his removal to
Arkansas he ptacticed law until his
election as chancellor in October,
1874, He was re elected TO the
chancelIorship in 1876, and in 1878
was elected associate justice OF the
supreme court. His term would
have expired in January, 1887.
He was educated at Nashville
University under the presidency of
that distinguished educator, Presi-
dent Lindsey, aud afterwards took
Law course nc Yale College. Always
a lover and q promoter OF literature,
he was one of the original members
and the first secretary of the Tennes.
see Historical Society; was one Of
the original stockholders of the
Adelphi theater of Nashville. Dur
ing the war he was editor and part
owner of the Washington (Ark.)
Telegraph--a paper which was con
tinued through the war without sus-
pension. 1t was an able and fear.
less journal. Judge Eakiu was emil
nent as Mason. He was made
Mason at Washington, Ark, IN 1859.
He has taken all the degrees up to
and including those OF the com
mandery. In politics he was oTigl'
nally a Wing. his first vote having
been east for Henry Clay in 1874
He was at first much opposed to Sc
cession and used his voice and pen
against it. but after the firing upon
Fort Sampler he advocated secession
and the war In 1866 he repre-
sented Hampstead county in the leg
islature and lacked bat one vote oil
sn election TO the speakership. In
1874 he was elected delegate from
Hampstead aud assisted in the work
of framing the present constitution.
In l75s he was married TO Miss
J. Erwin Of Huntsville,
Ala, who died Nav ed, 1885. She
was lady OF rare culture, highly
esteemed and great favoriie in tie
soeial'eiFcle.
Judge Fakin was frequently hon
oreu and was always held in high
esteem hy the people OF Arkansas
on acccunr Of his ahiiity and fidehty
70 all trusts that were reposed ID
aim. He was man Of most court
eo1s manners; Of genial, kindly i'm
pulses and os answering fidelity TO
his friends. The Stste Will be fortu
aate indeed il his mantle shall fall
lpon one who will be as worthy 10
AL respects 10 wesr il.