The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1886-12-11

WILLIAM NJ. RAPsBER, DistlIct Attorney elect
Tor this county, was bOri in Northampton cuun-
", tHlS state on the 23rd day OF April, 1913 AT
thc iige OF hine Years he was iclt iatheress. with
hNe brothers and sisters younger than himself,
without penny for their support and education
iilS path was not strewn with roses; but, With
determined viii, close application and economy,
he struggled on, and with his own hands earned
the mcanS to secure n liberal education, lie Is a
graduate OF Albion Commercial College, Mch-
gan, III the scientific and mercantile courses Of
That institution. When the war broke oUt-iit
the age OF Is Nears-he enlisted as Il private to
fight Tor the preservation of tie Union. lie
listed IN July, 1861, and served without Interrupt
Ton until August, 1861 period Of more than
louf wears, having re-enlisted on the field after
his ilrst term OF three years had expired. lie
carried a musket and participated in the battle
of Baton Rouge, La, and through the siege of
Tort hudson, and many minor engagements
AT Port hudson, the General commanding made
Z special call for one thousand volunteers from
the Inherent regiments OF the command 10 lead
the assault upon that fortress. to which Win. NJ.
HapSher responded by rendering lis services.
Before the close of the war, his learning and an
mites became known to his superior officers and
lie was detailed for SPECIAL duty, and rendered
valuable services, in a clerical capacity i'll the
office of the General Commanding the DEPART
lncnt OF louisiana, while that State was nndcr
military governments After the war was term
mated, he adopted teaching as profession, and
Taught for period of four years in the schools
OF tblS county-two years at summit Hill and
two years at Lehightun and MeiSSpGrtn-with
credit to himself and satisfaction to his patrons;
III the meantime deNOting his leisure hours TO tie
study Otlaw, under McSSTs. Albright * icrtOlette.
of iiaurh Cuunk, In January 1871 at the FIRST
term of court held by Hon Judge Drcher Mr.
lSllSnCr, after passing very Creditable cNami-
nation, was admitted to the Bar lie was Il can
dtdate for Co, superintendent Of Public Schools,
IN June, 1871, but was defeated by Il few votes by
Prof i. f. IlOliprd, In the fall of iSii he was
candidate for District Attorney against Ed. G.
DhGn'cil, now OF Scranton. Mr.. EapSher ran
ahead of his party vote, but was defeated by
small majority. In 1876 lie was elected Il mCnl-
ber of the Legislature on the Republican ticket,
and served with distinction during the sessions
a O. lFpI IL,
ON the same ticket, but was defeated--the Demo
cratic party being united and harmonious that
year. In the fall of 1SSJ, when General Winfield
,. Hancock, Pennsylyanas most lstinguished
soldier, WAS nominated for President OF the s.,
MI fApSher came to his support, giving Lis rca-
sous therefor In N1 open letter, political paper
which was UubShed by many of tie newspapers
all over the State aS valuable and important
campaign document. Since that date, he has
btcu an active Democrat. In 1885, the Demo
cratic County Convention declared him to he It's
choice for State Seuator with power TO select his
own confereCS, but he conceded the right of Pike
county to ill the then existing vacancy. In Sept,
1SSj, the Demuc,atic County Convention nonin-
ated him Tor District Attorney, to which Office he
WAS duly elected at the November election after
Il peculiar and very spirited contest. lie will
assume the responsible duties Of the Office for the
term ol three years, ON the first Monday in ,Ianu-
any, 1885. PrlOr to his residence In MuuCh Chunk
70 which place hC removed some two years ago
he lCSGed in the borough of LChig ightOn, whore
lac served as member of the Borough Council
inf nlie years ana one term rs School Director
and where he was also engaged and interested
from time to time in humber Of important bust
ness enterprises. He was the originator of - The
Lehigh l.mCLy Wheel CO.. at NcisSpurt, con-
ccrn which has paid as high rs forty per cent
annual dividends. He has attained Il high posi-
ton III MS chosen profession, suClyOu merit and
by his own eXertiOns, and established Il Charac-
ter for honesty and integrity OF purpose. He Is
an orator OF no mean ability, ready and fluent in
speech on matters pertaining TO outside subjects
Is wei! as those of the law. In this connection
is well remembered the CulOgy ON the lato Fran
els 7, LonsStIcet, Esq, Il colleague, pronounced
IA tiIe Carbon County Court House in June, 1880
as well us his culOgy on General Grant in 1855
He probably oftener than amy other citizen oi
TINS county, has bublicly raised his voice in be-
hAlI OI the llDOring portion OF humanity.