The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1905-03-07
ESSEX BAR ASSOCIATION



Ala meeting Of the Bar Of Essex
county, held at the Chancery Cham
beYs, on February 18th, on the occa-
sion Of the death OF John Whitehead,
the following resolutions were unani-
mously adopted
We have met together to pay our
tribute Of respect to One'of the Oldest
members OF the Bar of New Jersey, a
LAWYER wiao has worked untiringly in
this county for nearly sixty-tive years.
Engaged until the end in the active
practice Of his profession, John White
head. after a long life of faithful and
honorable service, has entered into
rest.
0f an old New Jersey family, he
was born at Jersey, Ohio, September
I6, 1919, and upon the death of his faith
er he came to Newark while yet q
lcl4ild. Brought up by his uncle, Asa
| Whitehead, he received a good acade-
mic education, and had the advantage
lUf studying law in his uncle'S office.
! He was admitted to the bar as an at
torney ins1840, and as a counsellor in
| ll84Z He devoted himself with earn
estness and ability to the duties of his
profession, and acquired a large and
! varied practice. His industry was un-
| tiring. He gave careful attention to
1.-THE details of office business. He was
careful in the investigation and was
| Thorough in the preparation of his
causes, whether for trial or for argu-
snent. He was skilful and reSoUrceful
Fin the trial of causes, and an able and
persistent advocate before the higher
lcourts. He loved the contest of the
courts, and was engaged in the trial
of a case in the Circuit within q month
before his death.
| Mr. Whitehead was appointed a
/ United States Commissioner ia 1876,
land during more than half a century
| he gave much time and careful atten-
tion to the duties Of this judicial office.
| He was keenly interested in public
affairs. and his patriotism made him
conspicuous before and during the
| Civil War for hiS advocacy of the
Union cause. He was likewise enthu-
SiaStic ia behalf of freedom for every
man, whatever his color who was an
inhabitant OF any part of the territory
of the United States. Ibis tastes led
him In early life into the fields.Of liter
ature, and in addition to his legal
work, he gave himself, according to
his means, to the advancement of edu-
cation among cOlOred;as wellaS white
persons Perhaps no lawyer in New
Jersey ever die as much personally for
public education, for the diSsen1ina-
tiOn OF sound literature and for Stimu-
lating interest in the history of the
State.
He was for many years and until his
death the president Of the Morristown
Library and Lyceum, and was himself
a writer OF fFec0gnized ability, especial
lg on matters connected with New
Jersey aaist0ry and biography. He
took peculiar imkerest tin the commem-
GRAFTON of the deeds of the heroes Of
the Revolution or ITT6, and up TO the
GiAd OF haR life no labor was too great
Tor him to undertake in the interest
OF the Society 0fsthe Sons of the Amer
lean Resolution, of which he was the
President in this State.
He was also an earnest Christian,
and for nearly forty years a Sunday
School teacher among the colored peo-
pie /: and he gaze steady support, by
personal exerti0n, to all that was good.
Such a life entitled him to the larg-
est measure. OF that regard which be-
longs to men of earnest endeavor.
Sueha man deserves the praise not
only OF his friends but of all mankind.
Rssokv66 that these resolutions be-
presented to the Essex County Cir
cult C0urtat thes0pening Of the next
tern, ndsthat a.GQpy be sent to the
1amaly ofsaur deceased brother.