Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-01-23
JUDGE VIRGIN
Died Early This Morning al
His Portland Home.
Bern in 1928 -Boxdoin Graduate
Served in War Of Rebellion.
sesaiss.d Supreme Judge in i872-Uprish
aac Honest Tie Faded.

poErLASB. Jan. 23. - Judge William
Vert Virgin died early this Monday
morning.
Judge William WHIT Virgin comes of an
Enxlish family, his great grandfather,
Ebenezer Virgin, having come over from
England tn salisbury. Mass, In i732 and
begams later oae OF the first seitI. rs of
Concord, y, II. There, in iTS3. was born
a grandson, Peter c. Virgin, son of Eben-
ezer Virgin. This grandson moved to
Ram ford, Me-, in 1866, ard there married
sally. daughter of Francis keyes. one of
rhe first settlers Of Rumfori. Peter c.
Virgin had the advantage of two wears OF
stuiy at Harvard College. and soon became
4 prominent man III his rev hone. For %
years NJ vas pTaet sing lawyer al Eamforj,
serving as county attorney. as member OF
the Massachusetts General Court before the
separation OF Maine una Massachusetts,, AMI
pss otherwise identified in public affairs,
heing staunch Federalist. He died in
1872 His son, William Writ Virgin, vas
born at Kanfofd, Sept. ~ 1928. lie fitted
for college at Bridgton and Bethel Aeadem-
irs, and graduated from Bowdoin College
in 1874. Among MS classmates are found
the names Of 6rls. Samuel J. Anierron of
Portland II. h. Bradbury of Hollis Henry
T. Dean. formerly of Portland, now de-
ceased: ,Iuige Charles ". Goddard, now
deceased David K Hastings, for so many
years sheriff of Essex county, Mass;
Charles " Larrahee of Bath. and ex-
postmaster j. s. Palmer, of Portland.
Judge Virgin studied law with his father
al Rumforl. AMI was admitted to the bar ia
lSi7 He began practice in Norv ay where
h had his office until 1871. Durieg the
War Of the Rebellion he took an active in
terest in the Union cause. and in lSG2 lie
raised the 23d Maine Regime mt five COM
plnirs from oxford and five from ADdros-
coggin county. This regiment he com
nspnie through the nine months of its ser
vice, which was spent in the defence of
Washington. He gained "A high reputation
for the discipline anl efficiency of It's COM
mani although no very trying service fell
10 its lot.
while practicipg in Norway Judge Nir-
.1 Was three times elected county attorney
of OK ord county, ani was a member of
the State Senate in ls6j-6, the latter year
a. its president. The same year he was ap-
pointed reporter Of decisions, a position
whicu he held until lsI2, when he was ap-
pointed one of the judges Of the State Su-
preme Court. He has been upon the bench
almost constantly since that time, his last
appointment having been made March 30,
1857 for the term of seven years.
Judge Virgin was married Sept -. ie5i,
70 Sarah daughter of Hora'ia &. Cole OF
Norway. Ne The issue of this union was
son, Harry L., born Aug 18th, 1854, ahi
who entered the legal profession. Judge
Virgin was lniscrsalist in his religious
cEeed. His wife AMI son survive.
As judge he has always been distin
:ishcd for disa;ied and courteous
leportment AMI Independence and Impair
itlity in his decisions. His independence
# character was tested in .he trying time of
ne count out" when lie decided the man
Janus case connect Il With that affair against
he Republicans. although the whole force
lt his sympathies and his associations must
nye strongly impc,iei him towards COLI
rarv decision.