The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-02-11

There have been struck from the mind of the Chief Justice some of the ablest opinions that adorn the re- ports not only of this State but of all States in the Union.
 Three Terms on Bench.
 The first appearance on the bench of Justice Mcclellan was by appoint ment. This was in 1889 when he was named by Governor Thomas seay to i'll the fourth Justiceship which had been created by the previous Legislature. But after this short term ended in 1892 Judge Mcclellan was forced to go be- fore the people to succeed himself. This he did with the confidence which his first term had inspired and he was gen. erously elected by the people. He was again elected to the bench in 1898. but this time to the office of Chief Justice. A third test of the peoples wishes came in 1904, and the abundant confidence and trust of the State at large was proven by the fact that he did not have a single opponent for the oface.
 Throughout all his judicial career it has ever been the judicial excellence of the mans mind and the laborious investigation to which he applied 1t that kept him fixed in the dignity and honor of the high ofice.
 The genius of Judge Mcclellan as d lawyer received its first recognition when he was filling the office of Attor- ney General of Alabama. This was for the years 1SS4-iSs9. He had some good opportunities to display his ability and not only in matters of State before the Alabama Supreme Court did he attract unusual attention but also at the bar of the United States Supreme Court The most enviable comment on any young lawyers ability ever made by a member of the United States Supreme Court was passed upon the Alabama Attorney General when the Florence bridge case was argued before that trl. bunal future such as Judge Me- Clellan enjoyed was predicted by this member.
 Other public offices held by Judge Mcclellan prior to his tenure of the States Attorney were those of State Senator. 1SS0-1SS4. and Register in Chaneery of Limestone County, 1874 1876.
 Sketch of Chief Justice.
 Thomas Nicholas Mcclellan was born February 23. 1853. in Limestone County. He was son of Thomas Joyce Me Clellan. a native of Lincoln County. Tenn. and wife Martha Fleming, daughter of John Beattie and wife Jo- anna Moore, of the same county. His paternal ancestors were Scotch Irish They emigrated from North Ireland
  England. both branches settling in Vir- ginia. On both sides his ancestors were soldiers in the war of the revolution. His father Thomas J Mcclellan, was a Whig, member of the Constitutional Convention of Alabama in 1861 and 1865. and a member of the House of Representatives from Limestone Coun- ty in 1862. He went to Limestone County in 1S44 and died thore in 1887.
 VnQficR MrCtlRlian adnNafaA fr1 the common schools and at Oak Hill College, Tenn. In June, 1872. he took his degree of IL. B. in the Law De- partment of Cumberland University, Lebanon. Tenn. He began the practice of law in September. 1872. at Athens, in co partnership with his brother, Capt Robt. A. Mcclellan. It was while thus engaged that he decided to enter the race for Register in Chancery In his county, to which he was elected.
 Chief Justice Mcclellan never mar ried, During his long stay in Mont