Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1895-01-04
Left for Richmond.

Left for Richmond.
Judge Geo. M. Harrison left on Tuesda,
for Richmond to take his place on th
bench of the Supreme Court of Appeals o
Virginia, position for which he received
the largest vote cast for any of it's mem
bers. The Richmond Times on Sunda.
published biographical sketches and por
traits OF the members of the new court
The biography of Judge Harrison says that
he was born on February 14th, 1s47, on his
fathers farm near Stanton and commenc
ed life as boy on farm.
Son the paternal side Judge Harrison
traces his descent from Benjamin Harri-
son, the father of the signer of the Decla-
ration of Independence. He, therefore,
belongs to the Harrisons of the lower
James River. His grandfather was Car
ter III. Harrison, of Clifton, Cumberland
county, Va. His father, who is still liv-
ing Oh his farm near Staunton, is Hen
, ny Harrison, under whose personal train
ing, Judge Harrison received, in his youth,
the advantages of a cultivated mind and
the influences Of Christian home.
ION the maternal side Judge Harrison is
descended from that stern old Scotch-Irish
stock, which has rendered the Valley OF
| Virginia so distinguished in it's citizen
ship and loyalty to State and country. His
great grandfather, on the maternal side
was Col. George Moffet, a brave soldier of
the Revolutionary War, and one of Wash
ingtOn's most trusted officers. His mother
was Jane st. Clair Cochran, daughter OF
the late George Moffett Cochran, of Staun-
ton.
Judge Harrison is related to the Ran
dolphs, Carys, Carriers, and other distin-
guished families of eastern Virginia.
AS A SOLDIER.
"When a boy, sixteen years old, Judge
Harrison enlisted in the Signal Service
Corps OF the Confederate Army. He re-
manned there few months, when he join
ed military company composed of Au
gusta County boys, all of whom were I'M
der eighteen years Of age. A short time
afterwards he was transferred to the Fred
ericksburg Battery, with which he remain
ed until the surrender at AppamattoX.
"By the fortunes Of war Judge Harrison
was thrown upon his own resources, and
he exhibited the sterling qualities Of his
manhood. He returned to his father s
farm and rendered faithful service in re-
building the waste of war. But he longed
for another field of usefulness, and having
enjoyed the advantages of a classical educa-
ton, he quit the farm, and devoted him
self to teaching. By industry and tenacity
of purpose, he was soon able to enter the
University of Virginia, to pursue the
study of the law, which he had already
chusen as his life's work. In 1870 he pass
ed his examination for a license to practice
law, before Judge Shackelford, of Culpeper,
and Judge VIM. Mclaughlin, of Rock
bridge, who Was then holding his first term
as Circuit Judge, in Staunton. He at
once entered upon his professional career,
as a member of the Staunton bar.
HE has been eminently successful in the
practice of his profession, has established
a reputation for ability, and secured a COM
Portable independence.
NOT A POLITICIAN.
s'Judge Harrison has never been politi-
clan, in the general accepted sense of that
term. He has always been Democrat
and has enjoyed in the highest degree the
confidence Of his party associates. His
counsel and advice have at all times been
sought after, and relied upon. He is an !
eloquent, forceful, and convincing speaker,
but has always declined political prefer
ment, at the hands of the people. He has
ever responded with readiness to the calls
OF his party in all political campaigns and
has given literally of his means and ability
in promoting success, but at the close of
each campaign he has returned to the bust
ness OF his law office.
''Athis home Judge Harrison enjoys pre-
eminently the enviable reputation of being
one of the purest and most conscientious
men, fearless and incorruptible advo-
cate, and one OF the ablest members of an
exceedingly able bar.
HIS HOME LIFE.
''In 1874 Judge Harrison was married to
Miss Bette Montgomery Kent, eldest
daughter of the late Colonel Joseph F.
Kent, of ''Bellefield," Wythe county, Va.
Judge Harrison's family consists of his
wife, two daughters and son. His home
is one of the handsomest in the mountain
city of the Valley; and the charms of his
cultivated family lend pleasant influence
to the social circles of Staunton, which
will be greatly missed when he assumes the
duties of his high position.
Ellis fellow citizens feel great satisfac-
tion in his merited elevation to the highest
court OF the State, and point with pride to
the fiattering circumstances attending his
election by the Legislature.
The Churches and Pastors.
Rev. A. ID. Hamilton, Rev. VIM. Cum