New-York tribune., 1900-09-30
MR.. sHEARMAN's CAREER.

Thomas Gaskell Shearman born IN Blrining-
ham, England. IN 1894 When nine years old he
came to this city with his parents. At the age OF
thirteen he left school ard began TO earn his own
living Up to the time he twenty-five ne
worked In a drygoods store. 1t IS related Of his
taking up the practice of law that one day
ferryboat he met DR.. Lyman Albeit, who at that
time practising law wtE his brother. Austin
Abbott Speaking of his dissatisfaction with his
station In life Mr.. Shearman induced by DR..
Abbott to take up the study OF law. and went into
the office of the Abbotts
In 1857 Mr.. Shearman moved to Brooklyn where
he had lived ever since. Two years later he
admitted practice at the Kings County Bar.
Showing aptitude for literary work he was
early engaged to prepare a law book. which proved
most successful. For six years he devoted himself
almost entirely to the literature OF the law
some time was secretary to the Code Commission
Of the State Of New-York. He also edited law
journal BY 1866 he had got the active practice
Of his profession and dropped for time his writ
ing.
1t was IN 1868 that he taken into partnership
with David Dudley Field and his son. This firm
dissolved in 1873 Mr. Shearman and John w
Sterling, the two Junior partners of the hrn with
drew and formed the firm of Shearman 81 Sterling,
which has since done a large and active business.
While with Mr.. Field Mr. Shearnan was init
mately connected with the vast amount of Htga-
ton which the Erie Railroad placed in their hands
The new firm retained TO defend JAY Gould
and his associates in more than one hundred dam
age suits resulting from the gold panic 1862 for
which Mr.. Gould and others were held responsible
Mr.. She6rnlalI every case
In 1874 Mr.. Shearman undertook the defence of
his personal friend, Henry Ward Beecher, in the
ceeorated case brought against the famous preach
after three months of preparation, and the entire
proceedings. ecclesiastical and otherwise occupied
energies were devoted to clearing the reputation of
Mr.; Beecher Although Mr.. Beecher was wiling
and anxious to pay a large fee Mr.. Shearman posi-
tiyely refused to accept cent saying that he pre-:
love and token OF his firm belief in his friend
innocence.
closely associated. They worked together in the
aaInti-sIavery ant movement At Mr.. Beecherg death
bott for Plymouth He previously had urged Dr.
THE Christian Union" when it was laid down by
Mr.. Beecher. The Christian Union has since be-
In recent years Mr.. shearman's firm has been
engaged in many railway org organizations and nd reor @
has drifted toward the management of large es-
tates and the conduct Of the affairs of railroad
Nj shearman had always devoted great deal
economy He a Republican from the orsaniza-
over OF for the ne n & S
left the Democratic party and voted for Mckinley.
cent? years Mr. shearmon had been an enthusiastic
supporter Of free trade and the single tax theories
founder of the. Brooklyn Revenue Reform Club.
sem-politica and economic associations
Mr. Shearman was one OF the joint authors of
and Forms" and "Shearman and Redfed on
Negligence" His writings on economics have been
Vouminous.
Mr.. Shealman for many years the leading
spirit in Plymouth Church. All yielded 10 his
strong Will and excellent judgment For many
years he was one of the trustees, and for years
he was superintendent Of the Sunday school
His generosity liberal II was unosten-
tatous AT time he decided on the spur OF The
moment spend $4,000 in enlarging and Improving
Plymouths Sunday school rooms While living
that three Of the sailors had been seriously in
tured in the storm, and Immediately started sub
scrpton for them.