The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-03-15
JOSEPH BRANCH BACHELOR.
Wake County Bars Resolution in Memory of
It's Oldest Member.

Joseph Branch Bachelor LII D., the
son of James w Bachelor, of Halifax
county, N. c., was born in that county
October 18th, 1926. and died in the city of
Raleigh January 18th, 1908, in the 18th
year of mis- age
Educated in the schools of his native
county until his matriculation at our
State University in the summer of 1871,
he graduated from that institution in
1916, with it's highest honors, his friend,
the late George V. Strong, of this bar
sharing those honors with him Some
two score years thereafter his alma
mater conferred upon him the honorary
degree Of LII. D. Choosing the law as
his profession he studied it diligently
under the direction of his neighbor, Hon
Joseph f. Daniel, then a distinguished
member of our Supreme Court Bench, and
was admitted to the bar soon after he
attained his majority. Thence on to
within a month of his death he recogniZ-
ed the law as a jealous mistress, and
nothing ever diverted him from her ser
vice, unless service for a single term,
that of 1860 and 1861, in our State Legis-
lature. was brief diversion. He began
the practice in his native county, but
having married, in 1850, Miss Mary G.
Plummer daughter of William Plummer
Esq, of Warrenton, he removed to that
town, which was his home until the
summer Of 1866, when he moved to Raj
eigh. He was early elected county soli-
citor of Warren and prosecuted its Grim
inal docket Such was his recognized
ability and learning as a young lawyer,
that in 1855 ne was appointed by Gov
ernOr Thomas Bragg, Attorney General Of
the State, as successor of Hon. Matt w.
Ransom resigned, the duties of the Of
fee then requiring the incumbent TO
serve as solicitor for the Raleigh circuit.
During his term of service the Supreme
Court requested his opinion on the liza
bility of its members to pay taxes on
their salaries; and that opinion, publish
ed Gin Jones' Reports, both fruits
style and logical ability was commended
by the Bar of the State. Mr. Bachelor
became the partner of Hon. Sion II. Ro-
gers on his removal to Raleigh, and af-
ter Col. Rogers death practced as
partner Of S. G. Edwards and John
DeveruX, Jr.. successfully. After NJ
DcverauX's removal from the State
few years ago, he practiced alone until
his last illness. Whether alone or as
partner of those eminent lawyers his
ability and faithfulness to his clients and
their business was ever recognized, and
he was frequently mentioned as one
fitted for high judicial offcc. For many
years nc was director and attorney OF
the Raleigh and CASTOR Railroad Com
pany, ami he continued until the last TO
be one of its trusted counsel. In 1870, ne
was appointed, with Hon. VIM. M. shpp
and General James G. Martin, as mem
Der of Fraud Commission 20 'nVeStl-
gate and report upon alleged frauds III
appropriations by the convention OF 1900
and Legislatures of 1868 and 1863; ard
ne performed his duty as a member OF
that Commission ably and properly.
moral and physical, and sincerity can
dor and honesty Were ever his chafac-
ter,stics In early m lnheod he became
a communicate of the Episcopal church,
and for half century he was nearly al
WAYS a member of its annual conventions
in this diocese. AS Christian the
virtues of purity charity and hrotherly
kindness were exemplfed in him IN
private life he was most affectionate
husband ahd father. The devotion be-
tween him and his gifted wife, whom he
survived but two years, attracted the
admiration of their intimate friends. He
, had full share of private lafflictions.
for only the of thirteen children sur
vive.u was perhaps = little re-
s Sc. ssnge e., but = ' M. m 1ong