The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1889-06-29

largely instrumental In securing the erec>
tion OF most Of the present large brick
school buildings; and was one of the men
to whom hundreds of men and women born
In this city are indebted for their educa-
ton.
Judge Leland was cot conspicuous as a
politician, but being an Incorporating
anti slavery man, he was one of the first to
take an active part In the formation Of the
republican party and was the author
of the resolutions adopted by a convention
held In Ottawa Aug 1st, 1854, when the
new party was for the first time called by
that name. In that year he might have
had the nomination TO congress by that
party, In whose favor Owen Lovejoy would
have declined; but he had no aspirations
In that direction. He continued to take, Of
course, an active interest In the new party,
and was member of the national conven
ton which called the Fremont convention
of 1856.
Some years ago, In revising the MSS. OF
short sketch Of his life for this paper,
Judge Leland wrote -
Upon looking back over his past life,
he has the satisfaction of knowing that he
has, according TO the best OF his ability,
fully discharged his duty while acting for
the public, and that he has always, during
his practice as a lawyer, been true to the
Interests of the many clients who have
placed their confidence In him. He
also feels that In his business that In his
| business transactions with his fellow men
he has endeavored to deal with them fairly
and justly"
Judge Leland could Justly make this re-
mark and make 1t without leaving him
self liable to the charge of egotism. A
man is conscious of his own integrity and
in Judge Leland conscientious, scrupu-
lous regard for his duty and justice to his
fellow men was his most marked charac-
teristic as Judge and as man. If any one
cause more than another contributed to his
defeat as Judge In 1879, 1t was this very
characteristic. 1t made him careful, de-
liberate, exacting, and where there was
room for doubt he gave the man seemingly
In dlrest situation the benefit of that doubt !,
and so clients and lawyers alike had faith
in HMM his uutarnish and untarnishable
Integrity, in his respect for the law and Its
traditions and his unalterable purpose to
deal justly and fairly with all men /; and
yet 1t Is just possible that had he been less
exacting, more of a "pusher' to work cases
off crowded docket, trusting to the upper
courts to correct the mistakes made In the
heat Of rushing business, his official life
might have been longer, though his record
would have been one of less honor to him
self and the Court over which he presided.
Outside of his profession Judge Leland
was man universally esteemed. He had
about him some of that air of exclusive
ness, more apparent than real, perhaps,
which Is looked for, more or less, in native
New Highlander of the old unitarian school,
in combination with legal turn OF mind,
training, and associations; yet he was gen.
,al with his friends, kind and considerable
of all men, especially of the young men In
his profession, thoughtful of others
good friend and an atfectionate husband
and father. He goes to his rest after long
life of honorable toll, unstained by any
conscious act for which either his family
or his dearest friend can blush or turn
away the face.
His wife, two sons, George (of Mime
sota) and Sherman of this city, and his
daughter, Mrs. H. T. Gilbert, survive him
| THE BAR.
A meeting Of the Bar was held in the
Circuit Court room at half past eight on
Wednesday morning. Judge Blanchard was
elected chairman and W. L. Seeley secre.
tary The space inside the rail was crowded
every member Of the bar, with the exception
Of one or two who were out of town, being
present.
Mr.. Mayo moved that committee con-
sisting Of Judges Eldredge and Stipp, Maj
Widmer, Capt. Fullerton and Mr.. Eckels
be appointed by the chair to draft memor,
ial upon the death of the Judge and present
them to q meeting of the Bar, to be called
by the chairman Of the committee, when
action could be taken to have them formally
presented to the Circuit and Appellate
Courts. The motion was carried and the
Bar adjourned to l: 80 o'clock, when the
members met and marched to the Episcopal
church to attend the funeral ceremony.
| THE FUNERAL.
The funeral procession left the house al
two O'Clock and reached Christ church al
two fifteen. Rev. Edwards met the caskel
at the door of the church, borne by Messrs
Nash, Lynch, Tremble, Cullen, Osman and
Thomas, and proceeded to the railing of the
chancel, where the services were held
The Sylvan Quartette rendered Nearer My
God to Thee and other appropriate
n