Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-06-17
Nd CONES AFTER RATHER BRIEF ILLNESS
Severe Shook to City in Whose UpbuildinG
He Was So Active.
LIFELONG FRIENDS PAY STOUT TRIBUTES
Judge Wskeley Says His Place at the Bar
cannot Be Filled.
WILL BE LAID At REST THIS AFTERNOON
Private Funeral service VIII he Con-
ducted at Trinity Cathedral
and Burial at Prospect
Hill Cemetery.


James Mills Woolwortn, one Of the build
ers Of Omaha one of the countrys blE
lawyers and a pillar in the Protestant
Episcopal church of the United States.
died at o'clock Saturday morn
ing at his home. 22u St. Mary's ave-
nue., while in a state of disbetic coma.
He was unconscious for twenty -four hours
before death. For two years his health
was uncertain. Six months ago ne made a
trip to Florida and visited friends. re-
turning to Omaha invigorated. Two months
ago he took change for the worse. but
managed TO attend his ONCE until two
weeks ago
At the bedside Of the distinguished citl-
zen and jurist when death came were his
two daughters. Mrs. Guy Howard and Mrs.
K. M. Fairfield, and his grandson, Otis
Howard, who arrived on Wednesday from
Cornell university.
The funeral services will be held at 4
O. clock Sunday afternoon at Trinity oathe-
dral, with Bishop Williams and Dean
Beecher in charge OF the services. The
burial will be private and at Prospect
Hill cemetery. 1t has been requested that
friends do not send flowers. The Douglas
County Bar association will be represented
at the services
These have been selected as pallbearers:
George w. Holdrege, Richard s. Hall, VII
liam A. Redick. william s. Poppleton Al
fred Millard. John w. Parish. James X.
Chambers. Alvin +. Johnson.
sketch of His Life.
James Mills Woolworth was at the same
time one OF the best known and able law
yers OF the west. For many years he
hal tha % ~
argued by single lawyer from places
west of Chicago. Law was his vocation,
literature his avocation, and alongside the
description Of lawyer belongs that Of
author. His exertions in public capacities
were also largely apportioned to the
Protestant Episcopal church, and he was
chancellor OF the diocese OF Nebraska for
many years. He preferred to be called
chancellor over any other title but pub
licly he was known commonlY as Nudge"
Woolworth. though he never occupied
position on the bench.
Mr.. Woolworth was born at onondaxa.
N. Y, June 2s. 1922 and therefore lived
to within few days OF n years. He
came from a line OF ancestors distinguished
for their intellectual ability. The family
originated in England and sent representa-
tives to America in the earliest years Of
tors of the deceased were educated az
Yale and received degrees from that coll
lege and from Princeton. His father was
Samuel Buel Woolworth, who devoted mis-
life to education and conducted CORTLAND
academy at Homer, N. Y. Later he WAS
| principal of the Albany State Normal
school and secretary OF the regents OF the
state university.
| Mother from Dutch stock
James NJ. Woolworths mother was So
| phia Mickles, descendant of an old Dutch
| family, a woman of much personal beauty
and refinement, with strong inclinstions
toward literature and scholarship, which
were inherited by her son. The latter
entered Hamilton college, from which he
was graduated in 1Sls. He studied law
| and was admitted to the bar in 1854 He
began to practice at Syracuse. but the
possibilities Of the west tempted him 10
] try his fortunes there and he came to
Omaha in October, 1856. Almost immed-
lately he became an important ngure in
the political and social life OF the COM
munity, and his absorbing interest In
Omaha and the state is attested by his
volume. Nebraska in 1857" published in
that year. and being the first history OF
| the commonwealth and its metropolis The
book was sent to the east and unduos-
tionably had a very stimulating influence
| on the emigration 20 Nebraska.
Though not a member. Mr. Woolworth
was prominent in the organization Of the
first territorial legislature. He was one
OF the first city attorneys Of Omaha, ser1y-
ing from 1857 to 1855. He was a member OF
the state constitutional convention Of ls7l
and the basic law Of Nebraska was in a
large measure his creation, In partnership
with other men, whose names have BE-
come part Of state history.
sinEIeness of Purpose.
A rule OF Mr.. woolworth's was sInEisness
OF purpose and concentrated devotion 10
his businesE He resisted the attractions
OF political life and was not tempted to
public once. except few exceptions with
regard to Offices directly allied TO his pro-
fession. Thus he was a city attorney, a
member OF the constitutional convention
and in 1873 democratic nominee for chief
justice OF the supreme court The single
public position ne held not OF a legal
character was a seat In the Legislature
during one session. and even here In the
making OF laws his peculiar talents had
their uses
Calls OF service In educational and rsii-
gious lines were never unheeded by Judge
Woolworth. and ne was one OF the mrs,
regents OF the Omaha High school. a trus-
tee OF Racine college in Wisconsin and OF
Brownell Hall at Omaha. the Episcopalian
seminary for young women. He was ad-
mitted to the United States supreme court
in 1862. In 1875 Racine college conferred
the degree Of doctor Of laws upon him
in 1898 the University OF Nebraska gave
him the degree OF doctor OF humanities
and he received the degree OF doctor OF
civil laws from Trinity university al
Toronto
More Famous In East Than West.
The fame Of Mr.. Woolworth was es great
n not greater. In tho east than IL was In
the west, and his exceptional abilities wore
keenly appreciated by the most noted
jurists OF his time. printed records con
tanning much testimony on this score. II
II probable that no other person IN Ne
braska had more influence IN shaDans ia
jursprudence and shaping its judicial pro
L