Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1893-12-02
A PROMINENT JUDGE DEAD.

Hon. Edward Coke Billings Passes
Away-One of the Prominent Law.
yers of the Country-Heart Trouble
the Cause OF ssfs Death-Judge of
the Southern District Of Louisiana.
The death of Hon. Edward O. Billings
occurred ct his residence on Temple street
at 2 O'Clock yesterday morning. Death
was due to heart trouble complicated with
other ailments that have been continually
growing more serious during the past year.
His sufferings had been more acute for the
past month, but he retained consciousness
until few hours before death. He died
apparently without pain.
Judge Edward Coke Billings was born at
Hatfield, Mass, December 3, 1929. His
father, Israel Billings, was leading law
yer in western Massachusetts,, and both his
parents we're of the old Puritan stock. He
prepared for Yale college at Williston sem
mary and entered college with the class of
1859. but owing to delicate health subse-
quently Joined that of 1858, graduating in
that brilliant company with the philosoph-
ical Grafton, the third highest honor in
scholarship, and with a reputation SEC
ond to none for culture and intellectual
ability.
On account of financial reverses with
which his father met he was obliged to find
means for his own support while in col
| lege, aad often he would pleasantly refer
to the struggles and economies at this time
as one of this hard but valuable experiences
| of his career.
he studied law at Cambridge and after
| wards opened an Office in New York city
| as one of the firm of Billings & Hughes,
| which met with immediate success
At the close of the war in 1865 both
| young lawyers went to New Orleans,
where his partner WAS appointed pro.
vost Judge. A new firm was organized
there under the name OF Sullivan, BIZ
| lings & Hughes, which did large bust
ness, principally of commercial charsc
| ter.
| In 1876 he was appointed by President
Grant Judge of the United States district
court against the bitter opposition of the
| old confederate element to which he was
specially obnoxious. 1t ia highly honora
BILE, however, both to himself and hill
opponents that 1t was not long before biz
answering integrity and impartiality or
the bench, his uniform courtesy and kind
ness, and his eminent legal ability, united
| to charming personal qualities and {
highly cultured mind, won universe
| esteem and even the affections of the bar
including all who had been previously hi
strongest political and personal enemies
So high was his judicial reputation tina
some years later when the circuit judge
ship became vacant, he was nominated
for promotion by President Hayes upon {
petition signed by large majority of tn
New Orleans bar and supported by tn
almost unanimous recommendation o
the justices Of the United States suprem
court.
When President Hayes was elected
| nominated Judge Billings for circuit judge
and the candidate had the Endorsement o
nearly every member of the suprem
bench. But he was opposed strongly b.
ex confederates of the southern bar a
Washington, who succeeded in having tn
nomination tied up in the senate judiciar
committee, until Garfield came in. The
President Garfield nominated a persons
friend, Judge Pardee, and the nominatio
| was confirmed.
He and Judge Pardee afterwards becsm
warm personal friends.
Judge Billings was married in New Hs
ven in 1874 to Mrs. Emily Sanford Arm
strong, the daughter of a former honore
, vey Sanford, for many years the presiden
of the New Haven bank. His devotion
: his wife was deep and almost romantl
/: and her death In January, 1886, was
, blow from which he never fully recovered
< Since his marriage he has spent his sun
: mers in the old Sanford mansion in TIL
city which he has converted into q memo
l ial of his wife and to which on her accour
he was fondly attached. The deceased ha
been for several years a member Of tt
F First church (Center) of this cit
, | and was also an attendant at the Fir
, Presbyterian church in New Orlean
, His religious convictions were deel
tender and unconcealed. He WI
linked to his friends with hooks
steel and he never wesried in searching o,
occasions to do them fsvors. His gene
, osity WAS unbounded, but discrimtnstin
q | and unostentatious. and 1t will be long b
: fore it will be known how many seer
bene6ciaries have cause to mourn his los
Judge Billings leaves two brother
. Charles W. Billings Of Glencoe, L l., an
D Samuel P. Billings of Hatfield, Mass. tt
Q funeral will take place from his late res
I dence at o'clock, Monday afternoon, an
the burial will be in Grove street Gem