Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1898-03-24
MEETING OF THE BAR.

III EEIlNG OF IHE BAR.
The Bar OF Staunton and August
county met in the Court House of Al
gusta county, on March 9Th, 1898, a
$50 o'clock. Lyman Chalkley, Judg
of the County Court of Augusta cour
ty was called to the Chair and J. Bald
win Ransom appointed Secretary. Al
ter stating that the object OF the meet
ing was to take appropriate action OF
the death of Judge John N. Hendren
Maj. T. G. Elder read the followin,
memorial and resolution -
John Newton Hendren died at hi
residence, Selma, near Staunton, OF
the fifth day Of March, 1898, in thu
seventy sixth year of his age He wa.
native of Augusta county, and never
lived without its limits. For the most
of his life his residence was in the City
of Staunton. His father was the Rev
erend John Hendren, DID,, minister
Of the Presbyterian church, and the
maiden name of his mother was Eliza.
beth Eldridge Rivers, of Greenyille
county, Virginia. Our friend whose
death calls us together today was en-
dowed by nature with unusual talents,
improved in early life under the in
struction and guidance of his father,
who in addition to his attainments as
a theologian was distinguished and
successful educator of youth; and when
he was qualified for college he entered
the academic department of the Uni
versity of Virginia, where, in the short
period of two years, he took the degree
of Master of Arts at the early age of
twenty years. Upon leaving the Uni
versity he taught school for a while,
and afterwards entered upon the study
OF the law under Judge Lucas P.
Thompson, then Judge of the Circuit
Court OF Augusta county, and who for
many years conducted law school in
Staunton at which many distinguish
led lawyers Of Virginia received their
professional education. He also at
tended for while the law school OF the
University of Virginia. Coming to the
bar in Staunton, Judge Thompson who
was well acquainted with his natural
gifts and educat ional attainments and
qualifications, soon appointed him one
of the Master Comm missioners in Chan
Gerry of the Circuit Court of Augusta,
which position he held up to and DUR
ing the earlier period of the war be-
tween the States. During the latter
part of the war he was Treasurer of the
Confederate States and continued to
discharge the duties Of this position
until the end. After the war he enter
ed again upon the duties of Commis
sioner in Chancery of the Circuit Court,
and continued in the discharge of these |
duties until the year 1870. In the last |
named year he was chosen as the first |
Judge Of the County Court of Augusta
under the constitution adopted, after
the war, and held this Office until the
year 1880, when he retired to his beau
tiful estate, Selma, near Staunton,
where he lived in the bosom of his
family and in the midst of his books
until death ended his earthly career.
He was man of fine physique and
Of distinguished personal appearance,
In the social relations of life InaageI
II Hendrer.-was a Tnan not only to be re-
spected, but to be admired. Amongst |
his more intimate friends he was genial
and unreserved, and was wont to draw
freely on the stores of his cultivated
mind for their information or enter
tainment, as occasion might require.
AS a conversationalist he and but few
And in his social and busi-
ness relations with all who were
brought in contact with him, he was
courteous, considerate and charitable.
Such was his evenness of temper, self
control, patience and conscientiousness
that he was never the first to give Of
fence, and the qualities mentioned
usually enabled him to overcome the
and ill-temper of 9th
ers. Although in the course of his long
life he was called upon to deal with
many people and in various ways, it is
believed he had no enemies. Always
4 man of strict morals and high integ- +,
gritty, he was for many years before his
1eath church communicate. To
those in distress he was benevolent and
LIBERAL. His private and social life was
pure and stainless. Not many men :
lad fewer faults.
AS a citizen and in his political rela- !
ions his life was that of disinterest-
I'd and earnest patriot. He loved our
lear old mother, Virginia, with filial
ievotion, and was proud of her history /
md Of her lofty position in the Sister '
1ood of States. With characteristic
nodesty, he never sought political Of v
ice or indeed public position Of any r
ort. But when his State and country
demanded his servsces he never with
leld them. He believed in the maxim
not much respected now-that pub b
ic office should seek the man and not q
he man the office. r.
When chosen for the Office OF Treas Il
lrer of the Confederate States he &C. ]
epted it, Notwithstanding the condi- f
ion of the currency and the labors and "
of the office: and amid f;
he trials and perplexities incident to y
he closing scenes of the war he re- V
1ained at his post to the last.
But to the legal profession he was Ii
est known in the positions he filled IN
onnection with the administration of