Gilpin observer., 1907-05-16
JUDGE DE FRANCE
PASSES AWAY

|
Arapahoe counties, died at his home in
Golden Sunday morning at $50 o'clock
Death was caused by heart failure, ag-
gravated by dropsy.
Judge DeFrance had been i'll since the
first of the year and few months ago
went to California, thinking the change
would benefit his condition. During his
stay there the weather was wet and
disagreeable and his health was not
benefited in the least. A month ago he
returned home and reports received in
this city were to the effect that he was
improving. Consequently the news of
his unexpected death came as a serious
shock to the residents of this county.
Judge DeFrance ranked among the
prominent men of the state and was
regarded as one of the ablest jurists
ever sitting upon the bench. His
knowledge of law was unlimited and
his many notable and important decis-
ions won for him among the legal fra
ternity of Colorado place of high
standing. His fairness in all legal
matters that came before his court was
generally acknowledged and the strong
est confidence was placed in his judg-
ment. In Denver when a change of
venue would be asked in cases of i'm
portance, invariably it would be to
Judge DeFrance's court. He filled
his exalted position with beftting dig
nifty and the highest respect was ac-
corded his court. This was evidenced
by the fact that during his twelve years
and more upon the bench of this dis
trict not once did he have occasion to
fine anyone for contempt. Of this
record Judge DeFrance was Justly
proud.
The noted jurist had just commenced
serving his third term on the bench of
this district. Last fall when he was nom
mated for reelection it was decidedly
against his wishes and when it was
first broached to him he positively de-
clined to make the race. However, the
bar of the district, prevailed upon him
to stand for reelection to prevent the
position falling into the hands of one
wholly unfit to give the uniform salts
faction the attorneys had experienced
in practicing before the man they were
loath to see retire He was elected on
the Democratic ticket with a safe ma
jority, despite the fact that the district
normally is from 500 to 1900 Republican.
Judge DeFrance was born in Mercer
county. Pa, Aug. 5, 1885, his ancestors
being among the earliest settlers of the
state. His father served in the war of
1872 and in 1924 settled in Mercer
county. The judges childhood was
spent upon farm where he attended
school. At the age of 16 he taught
school one year and then spent year
in Alleghaney college at Meadville. He
attended Westminster college at New
Wilmington two years and then COM
menced the study of law.
After completing his legal education
and being admitted to the bar, he came
west and located in Denver in 1861. At
ter practicing law in Denver with his
brother he removed to jefferson county
in 1864 and settled in Golden in 1868,
remaining there until he died.
In 1867 he was elected prosecuting at
torney for Jefferson county and held
the position one term. During the fall
of 1869 he was elected to the territorial
legislature and in 1871 was elected a
member of the territorial senate. When
| Colorado was admitted as state he
was elected to the first senate by the
Democrats, and served in the First,
Second, Third and Fourth General as
semblies of the state. He also served
as member of the supreme court COM
mission from December 1887 until April
1889, having been appointed by Gov.
Adams.
In 1894 he was elected district judge
by the Democrats and Populists and
was reelected in 1900 and 1906.
Judge DeFrance is survived by a
wife, two sons, Hugh H. and Allison H.,
Jr., and two daughters, Cora and Vera.
The funeral was held yesterday from
the late residence and was attended by
friends of the deceased from various
parts of the state. The body was laid
to rest in the Golden cemetery. Mem.
bers of the Colorado Bar association
were active pail bearers and the hon.
orary pail bearers were selected from
the Colorado pioneers.
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