Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-01-27
HON. JAMES NELSON.
pIArH or.rnrs wrEI-KxowS CITIZEN
or RTcHu0Hp.
ASksseh Of His Life snd Public serviess--
Arrangements for the Runsrai-
Surviving Family, %.

James Necson. Esq. died NJ bis res'ueuce
IN this city at 0:i5 \. n. Yesterday. lie was
bora IN Ireland February 2, 1872. but came
70 this country with biz parents when ne was
only Eve or six year. old. Ills parents set
tied IN Western penbsylvania. and DC was
educated at Dickinson College. carlisle ra''
where many West vIIginians were also eau
csled -amosg item Governor Poirpont
Governor Fleming, Hon. d. II. Nsrnn' SEN
stor w,Jle,. Jndge ssauel Woods tMr. Nee
sson,s brothsr,nLsw). and many other distin-
FINISHED mrn. Mr.. Necsoa studied law IN
' Norr,n,owp. West Nirxinis then Virginial
n Fox Alden, aud begsn the pracnce OF
n IN prunlytown, Taylor county. whence nc
sster wares removed % Fsirtuoot, 10 nuion
county. whore he resided until the breaking
out OF the war betseeD the states.
rrpLIc LIPS.
Mr. Seeson's talents soon drew public at
tsntior 10 him.. and be was for wears Cou'-
mouwesith'. attorney In Marion county.
us uas elscted A m ,mS-r OF the convention
~ fs,O ina, framed the new state Cons,itu.
non ~ thai wear. In that body he attracted
,he notice OF John Minor Bolts. who toos
occsslou 10 compliment HIN 10 the corsen'
tion upon hts remarkable soili,les. ne a,so
formed IN that BODY a ne,r frienosuip ,or
Henry A. Wise. About the year 1891 MI
Neeson vas elected TO the senate o. vi
gSpls. 10 which BODY he served up 10 anu
INV elections IN The army during The war.
he then made q hnc reputation. TN MS
vay IN Richmond In June. 1861, he was cap
t,red by the Federal troops and held q
prjsoner at Prunlytown until released py =
company OF cavalry sent To his rescue Ny
Colonel Porteriield.
IN RICHMOND.
Al The close az the war Mr.. Neeson re-
summed the practice of bis profession, but did
moi return TO west Virginia. lie mace ms
bome IN this city. Here he was engaged 10
many importsnt ~cafcs-notsbly the Ely
son. cbaboon case. He continued 10 prac'
tIce lsy for perhaps fifteen years after the
war closed. but for the last eteht or ten years
Of bis lie lived upon his Income from otner
sources. THIS writer knew him intimately
Tor many wears, studied law In his school.
and never learned to look ppon blm as any,
thing else than one 81 tue ablest men In ms
profession-an opinion which he has heard
endorsed by fine lawyers. lie was o brave,
true m%an-honest, conscientious, ana aoso'
luiely fearless.
FAMILY. =
Mr.. Neeson married Miss Sarah Jane,
daughter " Matthew Gay, Esq, OF Morgan
town. Va. twess), WHO died In this CIT,
some years ago. The Gay family was one o.
the best In The State. Nrs. Nelson's uocie
William Cav. was once a partner OF Chlei.'
Justice Chase-not in law, but in other bush
ness.
MIR, Nelson's surviving children are Mrs
r. II. Smith. Jr.. Mrs. Thomas h. NICHE
fol- Huntington, W. Val, and Miss Matti'
and Miss Julia Neeson. His son. William
G.. Seesou, died a few years ago.
I'LL BEALTH.
For years past Mr.. Nelson's health wa
ANYTHING but good. ard since August last b
had been unsblc % leave his room except OF
8 few oecssions. His disease was probably
consumption. but he was hurt at The Capito
dissster-an injury TO the back-and IRON
time 10 time there was recurring trouble iron
this source. \ few days ago It became ap
parent that be could not recover; he realized
the fact a. well as any one, for be was con
scious almost TO the last, and pressed IN
baufs Of dear one. Ia sfcctionate farewell.
His funeral will take place from the resi-
dence OF his s~0n.inlaw. Mr.. r.. II. smith
Jr.. No. I1i5 east Clay. where he died, TO
morrow Afternoon at "a o'clock.