The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1905-06-09
Bench and Bar of so.

The writer first became acquainted
with the Bench and Bar of Van
Buren, county some So years ago. AT
that time Judge Flavius J. Littlejohn
of honored memory, graced the bench
of the 9th judicial circuit of Michigan,
which consisted of Allegan, Kalama-
zoo and Van Buren, counties. He was
a man Learned III the law, - a gentle
man of the old school, and when sit
ting on the judicial woolsack was the
very personification Of dignity. Courts
in that day were conducted with con-
siderably more formality than in these
modern days. Members of the bar,
during the sessions of court, would
hardly venture upon as great a degree
of familiarity as exists between law
yer and Judge at the present time.
We can, even after this lapse of years,
shut our eyes and imagine we can see
a crown of silver, erect, firm and
dignified, march to his judicial
seat and thence issue his command:
Mr.. Sheriff, open court" This GER
emory completed, "Mr. Clerk, read
the Journal" was the next thing in
order, something that was never
omitted, the clerk always being ex-
pected TO have the previous days re-
cord completed, ready for reading and
for the judges signature. No other
business could be transacted until this
was done.
Off the bench. Judge Littlejohn was
a mpanionable, genial man and one
whom anyone would be proud to num-
Der among his friends. 1t is said by
some that there is a personal resem-
blance between His Honor, Judge Carr
and Judge Littlejohn. OF this, one
may form his own opinion by observ-
ing the likeness of the latter, good
one by the way, which is placed over
the judicial seat in the present court
room and comparing IT with the fea-
lures of our honored circuit Judge.
There is at least one point of resem-
blance between the two honorable gen
tlemen, political one, both being of
democratic persuasion.
The bar of the county at that time
consisted of the following named gem
tlemen: Thomas II. Stephenson,
John N. Baker, Joseph w. Huston,
Chandler Richards, Jonathan q. Park
hurst, William II. Tucker, John b.
Upton, Newton Foster, Oscar Field,
George w. Lawton, Isaac +. Barnum,
Darius +. Comstock, Hiram Cole,
John c. Spencer, Jerome Coleman,
George l.. Under, @. G. Lathrop,
Lester a. Tabor, Ashbel II. Heron,
Alonzo III. Chandler, Samuel II. Black
man, Charles l.. Fitch, Benz. +. Heck
ert and John Knowles. The first Is
of these have crossed over the great
divide, possibly two or three of the
others. Stephenson was easily the
leader of the bar, but Huston was its
great orator and advocate before a
jury, with Barnum a close second
in that respect, if not his equal. The
latter became Judge Barnum, having
removed TO Denver, Colo, and been
elected as presiding judge of the
courts of that city. Huston, for many
years, was attorney general of Idaho,
and died but a few weeks since.
Blackman was probably the oldest
member of the bar, and is still living
at the advanced age of 81 years. His
home is with his daughter, Mrs. Ida
Osborne, at Mancelona, Mich. He
has at different times been elected to
the Offices of register of deeds and
county treasurer and has served in
both branches of the Michigan legisla
ture. Richards and Lawton each wore
the title of Judge" obtained by service
as Judge of the probate court, a title
also won by Heckert, acquired in
the same manner. Fitch is, and for