The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-03-14
MR.. Willard FOR JUDGE
Probability That He Will BE Given
Place on Superior Court Bench.
IDEA RECEIVED WITH FAVOR
No Doubt but That He VIII Receive the
Unanimous Support of Bench. Bar
and State Legislators OF This
and Adjoining Counties.

Much interest was manifest about the
city yesterday in the announcement
that Governor Hastings win be asked
to appoint Attorney Il. n. Willard, of
this city, as one of the judges of the
proposed Superior court. For years
Mr.. Willard has been the recognized
leader of the Lackawanna bar. and 1t
was the general opinion of lawyers
and laymen of the city, so far as express
sions could be heard, that Governor
Hastings would make wise and ju
dicious step in the selection of Mr..
Willard
Members of the county bar, irrespec-
tive of politics, gave the suggestion to
make Mr.. Willard one of the Superior
court judges their unqualified approba-
ton.
1t is recognized that the great anthra-
cite region is entitled to representation
on the bench of the new court, because
many cases growing out of the mining
industry will come before it for adjudi-
cation, There is probably no lawyer in
the state whose opinion on matters of
mine law has greater weight or Is more
eagerly sought for than Mr.. Wizards
L
as a judge of the Superior court can be
readily recognized.
Down at Harrisburg.
At Harrisburg, where Mr. Willard is
well known. his candidacy was received
with much favor He will have the
solid support of the legislators from
this county and in all probability from
this part of the state. There is little
doubt, too. that he will have the unani-
nous support of the bench and bar of
this and many of the adjoining coun-
ties.
Mr.. Willard was born in April .. 1885,
in Madison. Conn, where he spent his
youth. In 1856 he was graduated from
Yale Law school, and few months
later came TO the then struggling town
Of Scranton, with the intention of MAX
ing it his future home. In 1857 he was
admitted to the bar of Lu2erne county,
where he at ONCE took prominent
place on account of his thorough knowl
edge of the fundamental principles of
the law his ability as a sound, logical
reasoner and his sklfulness in argu-
ment.
In 1868 he obeyed the call of his
country laid down his law books and
exchanged the forum for the battle
field. He went to the front as private
in a company of infantry and in 1868
received an honorable discharge from
the service. having reached the rank
of captain of infantry. Mr. Willard is
now a member of Ezra Griffin Post
Grand Army of the Republic.
His Only Public office.
After the war he was, in 1861, ap-
pointed register of bankruptcy for the
western district of Pennsylvania, and re-
tanned that position until the bank
ruptcy law was repealed by. congress,
in 1873.
Though many times urged to be a
candidate for office, Mr. Willard always
resolutely declined such preferment.
on two occasions he refused to accept
the Republican nomination for judge.
He has been chairman Of the Republi-
can county committee a number of
years, and has unquestionably done
much for the success of the Republican
party in this part of the state.
In 1892 he was a delegate to the Re-
publican National convention in Min
neapolis. and has, on several occasions,
been delegate to state conventions.
His great service for the Republican
party coupled with his undisputed
ability for such a high trust makes it
entirely probably that Mr.. Willard will
be one of the first judges of the new
court.
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