The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-10-29
JUDICIAL SKETCHES,
BY JOHN r. JONES' ESQ, DISTRICT ATTORNEY.
,TRlCT ATTORNEY.

young men; he was ever ready to help
the young practitioner. He possessed
one of the finest private law libraries
in the state. He was strong in his
likes and dislkes; he occupied no neu-
tral ground. Upon the bench he was
always dignifed. deliberate and cour-
teous. He was of most distinguished
appearance Upon leaving the bench
he retired from the practice of law,
and devoted all his time to the man
agement of his business interests. He
died peacefully. His kingly form lies
in beautiful vault overlooking the
city of Winchester, his principal bene-
ficiary.
JUDGE HAND.
Hon. Alfred Hand was the next judge
in order of time. He was born at
Honesdale, March 26, 1885, and gradu-
ated from Yale college in 1857. He read
law in the office of Judge william Jes-
sup, at Montrose, and was admitted
to the bar of Susquehanna county Nov.
81, 1859. Shortly after his admission to
the bar he removed to this city, where
he has since lived Governor Hoyt APP
pointed him, March g. 1872, an addi-
tional law judge for the eleventh judic-
ial district, comprising Luzerne and
Lackawanna counties, and in the cleo
tion of that year he was elected and
commissioned additional law judge of
the forty-fifth district Nackawanna
county, for term of ten years. When
Judge Handley left the bench, Judge
Hand became president judge. He re-
signed his position as judge of this
county July 81, 1883, and on the same
day Governor Beaver appointed him
judge of the Supreme court of Penn
syiVania, to fill the vacancy caused by
:he death of Justice Turnkey. Judge
Hand is connected with many of the
| most important business interests of
| our city He is a fine scholar. His
| opinions show wisdom, justice and
| scholarship. Religious and charitable
| institutions have always had a friend
| in Judge Hand. He is one of the most
useful citizens of our county. He has
| always espoused the cause of temper
| aEce.
JUDGE ARCHIBALD.
| Hon. r. w. Archibald was born Sept.
| TO- iS4S, ~ Carbondale. He graduated
at Yale college in 1871. He studied law
| with Hand d Post and was admitted
to the Luzerne county bar Sept. II.
| 1873. In 1884 Mr.. Archibald was elected
additional law judge. When Judge
Hand WAS elevated to the Supreme
court, Judge Archibald became presi-
dent judge of our courts. He is the
| third president judge of this judicial
| district. He is an indefatigable worker,
"A wise and just judge and a Christian
gentleman. He works early and late.
His opinions show much study and re-
search. 1t IS, indeed, a rare occur
renee for his opinions and rulings to
be reversed by the Supreme court.
Probably there is no other common
pleas judge in this state whose deCis-
ions are so regularly affirmed as Judge
Archbald's. He has a kind and agree
able nature and has the respect and
admiration of the entire bar. He has
held court in many of the counties
| throughout the commonwealth. Judge
Archibald is qualified to fill the highest
judicial position in this state and coun-
try. He presides over our courts with
honor, learning and dignity.
The name of James Archibald, de-
ceased father of the judge, was the
synonym of honesty and integrity. He
was superintendent Of the Delaware
and Hudson Canal company at Car
| DOndale, FOR many years, and his MEM
ory is cherished by the surviving pio-
neers of the Lackawanna valley. Judge
Archibald owes his success to his in
dustry, integrity and true manhood.
JUDGE KNAPP.
Hon. Henry A. Knapp was born July
"a, 1851, at the town of Barber, Broome
county, New York. He read law in the
Office of the late Hon. John Handley
and was admitted to the bar of Luz
zerne county, Feb. %, 1875. He was an
additional law judge of this county
from July /, 1887, to Jan. >, 1888, having
been appointed by Governor Beaver
In 1887 he was the Republican nominee
for the same position, but as the coun-
ty was then Democratic, he was de-
feated by Hon. John f. Connolly. Dur
ing the short time that Judge Knapp
was upon the bench he made an eX-
cellent record. His opinions and
charges to the juries demonstrated
that he has an excellent judicial mind
AS referee and master in chancery, he