The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1901-10-17
elnued to assert itself ard Z Atrong
recollection for the law finally led him

|
predilectiou for the law finally led him
to enter upon course OF legal studies
as result Of which he was admitted
to the Iowa bar in 1850. In the fol.
lowing year he returned to Pittsburg
where he devoted himself to an add.
tional and thorough course Of study
qualifying himself for a rigid exami-
natien for admission to the Allegheny
county bar. Of which he became q
member In 1883. After six years prac-
tice he formed a partnership with Will
Ham A. Stone. then a member of con.
eress and at present Governor Of Penn
sylvania.
SECRET OF HIS ADVANCEMENT
From the date Of his admission to
the Pennsylvania bar he made steady
and substantial progress, and II the
query were asked, what has been the
secret of that advancement the answer
would be this:
Eighteen years Of unremitting toll
over books and briefs; Is years Of bat
ties with the most astute adversaries
Of the profession from all Of which
struggles he emerged with honor and
from most Of which he emerged with
victory; Is years of determination to
win the esteem Of his contemporaries
by keeping abreast with the progress
sive thinkers and workers Of his time.
His practice at the bar while touch
ing almost every branch Of the law
has been principally directed to COM
mercial causes. His widely known de-
votion to the law, his skill in the con-
duct Of critical cases and his marked
fedlity to the interests Of his clients
brought him an enormous practice, an
idea OF the extent of which may be
cleaned from the fact that during the
two years Immediately preceding his
appointment to the supreme bench he
tried more cases than any other OF the
800 members Of the Allegheny county
bar His direct examination of wit
nesses was always concise, clear, and
thorough, bringing out all the peril
nent facts in an orderly manner en-
abling the jury to grasp every detail.
In cross-examination he excelled, and
during the latter years OF his practice
he was regarded by the bar as one Of
the leading authorities on medical
ALWAYS COURTEOUS; ALWAYS
CLEVER.
Invariably courteous to witnesses
and opposing counsel, he succeeded In
developing his own case and weaken
Ing the force OF adverse testimony,
while retaining the good will Of even
his opponent. While invective formed
no part Of his nature, he could still
be sufficiently severe with a dishonest
Or untruthful witness to break the
lorce Of his testimony before the court
and jury. His questions, though they
came like thunderbolts, were so evil
dently fair that they aroused no pre-
|udice against him.
Uniformly considerate of his brother
lawyers, he retained their good will
oven after the hardest fought legal
battle. While not afraid to antagonize
the position Of the court II need be,
his demeaicr towards the bench was
always most profoundly respectful and
his arguments were always listened to
with the most careful attention.
One of the most effective testimo-
1ials to his high standing at the bar
g to be found in the fact that in pre-
'enting petitions and documents for
he signature of the judges, Mr.. Pot
er's brief verbal statement Of their
seemed always sufficient to
'ecure the proper action without fur
her scrutiny by the court as tc what
he papers contained. This confidence
n him on the part Of the court, as in
Ill other cases, was gained only by
'ears Of the strictest adherence to
ruth in all his dealings with the bench
Ind bar.
His early association with banking
developed taste for economics, and
lie has been for many years a careful
student of finance and kindred sub
ects and has acquired a reputation in
hat field. His intimate knowledge OF
and fiscal matters give
lin leadership in a community in
which he organized and developed to
uccessful operation a number of f1nan.
ial institutions. Trust companies, ma
ienal banks. state banks, insurance
and corporations of a gen.
It the close Of long practice at the
ished, and by his ability piloted to
prosperity. In many of these he was
director, and for all of them he was
HARD AND DEVOTED STUDENT.
He Is hard student In the very
'roadest sense, having acquired a fine
library covering the very widest range
Il scientific study; he is, moreover, a
levoted student Of current history and
ieeps thoroughly informed of all the
'assing problems Of any moment.
AS the best key to mans real char.
.cter Is always the reputation he en-.
oys among those with whom he comes
n daily contact, 1t would crafty any
itiZen of the commonwealth interest.