The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1899-10-12
He understands the framework OF the

law ana is familiar with every strean
and current of authority. He is clos
student OF the history of Legislation
from its inception He is thoughtful
profound, painstaking and conscien
tious. He is familiar with the bounda
ries of state and federal jurisdiction
and acquainted with the decision,
which are the "peaks and promon
tories, the headlands and beacons o
the law Knowing neither friend OF
zoe, bllnd to every prompting of inter.
est, a protector of the rights of all
Judge Mestrezat has become a com.
mandfng figure i'm the brilliant gal
! aXy of jurists for which the bench OF
! Pennsylvania is famed.
STRUGGLES OF EARLY LIFE.
Hon stephen Leslie Mestrezat is a
comparatively young man, born Feb
IL, lS4S, in Mapletown, village of
Greene county, Pa, near the Mononga-
hela river. His people were and are
still tillers of the soil. Aided alone
by his untiring industry, Mr. Mestrezat
Degan his struggle with the obstacles
that usually beset the pathway of the
young lawyer. He became a student
at Waynesburg college, and was grad
uated from that institution with merit
ed honors.
Having laid a foundation for legal
course, so far as thorough knowledge
or the classics could afford he enter
ed the law department of Washington
and Lee university, when that famous
institution was under the presidency
OF that distinguished southerner. Cen
eral Robert E. Lee. Among Mr.. Mes
treats preceptors were two of Amer
ica's foremost lawyers, Hon. ]. Ran
dolph Tucker and Judge j. w. Brock
enborough.
A DETERMINED STUDENT.
Here, among the hills of Virginia
young Mestrezat spent his hours in
ceaseless toll, familiarizing himself
with those great principles which form
the anatomy of the law. He was grad
uated from this institution in 1871, at
the head of his class of 90, and the
same year was admitted to the practice
of the law in Greene county. Pa. In
1873 he went to Uniontown compara-
tive stranger, and began the practice
OF the law at the county seat of Fay
ette. Twenty years later he returned
to his native county as Judge of her
courts, Greene county being at that
time a part of the Fourteenth judicial
district.
OF Judge Mestrezat's success at the
bar the profession in Pennsylvania is
familiar. At the end of the first two
years of his practice he was rewarded
with larger clientage than is usual
with young attorney His success
had been such that it attracted the at
tention of the late Chief Justice
Charles E. Boyle, then the leader of
the Fayette county bar, and in 1875
he suggested to MestreZat the forma-
ton of law partnership. The latter
readily assented. and from that time
Mr.. Mestrezat became a prominent
figure in the state and federal courts.
The firm of Boyle & Mestrezat contin-
ued until President Cleveland appoint
ed Mr.. Boyle chief justice of the su-
preme court of Washington territory. !
STANDING IN SUPREME COURT.
The reports of the supreme court of |
Pennsylvania show that he was en-
gagged in nearly every important cause
taken to that court from Fayette coun-
~ during his practice at the bar. The |
Dawson Bridge company case marked |
he close of his career before the SUI
)reme court This case attracted the
attention OF the profession through
out the state. In the court below Mr..
Mestrezat was defeated. being unable
% make the court see his position on
he legal principles involved. They
had not been passed upon by the su-
)reme court of the state. A large YER
dict under the instructions of the
,ourt was given against the bridge
company, Mr.. Mestrezat's client He
iirected his client to take an appeal to
he, supreme court, where he argued
he many intricate legal questions in
'olved In the case. and secured a re-
,ersal OF the judgment of the court be-
ow. His position on the law was
ully vindicated and sustained by the
higher court.
In all the years of his practice no
ttorney ever came into court with his
ases more thoroughly prepared. He
vas a ready and forceful speaker. and
vas prepared for every defense. He
vas true to his clients, making their
ause his own. Feeling responsibility.
lie listened patiently to details, and to
lis industry there were only the limits
# time and strength.
In 1893. when Fayette and Greene
ounties comprised the Fourteenth ju-
icial district Mr.. Mestrezat was elect
d judge by majority of over 1000,
nd on Jan. 1. 1894. he began his ju-
icial labors. On Jan. I, 1898. upon
he retirement Of Judge Ewing, Judge
Iestrezat became president Judge of
he Fourteenth judicial district.
HE is A DEMOCRAT.
Judge Mestrezat is a Democrat, pos
essing the Jeffersonian requisites of
bility, honesty and faithfulness to the
Prior to going on the
ench he was active in the interest of
he success of his party, though he
ever sought political office. He
ONES from a long line of Democratic
ncestors, and is in his political faith
} the manner born. In 1877 he was
lected district attorney of Fayette
0unty on the Democratic ticket in one
the most remarkable and fiercely
campaigns in the history of
he county, and served a full term of
lree years from the first Monday of
1878. In 1884 and SO he was
hartman of the Democratic central
ommittee of Fayette county. He was