Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1911-07-04
One of Most Learned Lawyers
In Southwest and Staunch
Friend of New Mexico Passes
Away In Capital
HELPED FRAME CHARTER
OF CITY OF NEW YORK
Brilliant and Able Practitioners
Last Publication Was Strong
Brief for Statehood for Ter
ritOry,

~ 80 <ANNANAhNkA W. ' "
ritOy,
Especial Correspondence 10 Morning Journal
Santa Fe. y. NJ. July S.--Judge
John II. kpaehel, regarded as one OF
the most learned lawyers in the
Southwest aud a great friend of New
Mexico, died of paralysis at sac y.
m. Saturday AT St Nincent's SANTA
rum where he had been since he was
stricken June >, The funeral viii
take place here Wednesday from ex-
Governor l.. Bradford Princes home
At the Judges bedside when the
end came were his two sons. Arthur
knaeheL civil engineer who has
been residing at Bland, ~ NJ, and
Hon Ernest knaehel. assistant at
torney general of the United States
who resides In Washington u. c.
Despite the fact that he was near
~ II years of age, the judge had
shown wonderful vitality In his strug-
gle for life since he was first stricken
but he gradually grew weaker and
Yesterday morning II was evident that
he could not live many hours.
The news of his death spread rapid
" In the city yesterday and every
whore expressions OF sorrow were
heard not only from the lips OF mcm4
hers of the bar but from the many
friends Of the dead lurist.
During the last illness the sisters
at the sanitarium We're kept busy
answering telephone inquiries about
the Judges condition and many per-
sons, including Governor Mills. Attor-
ney General Frank w. Clancy and
other officials called on the Judge
who recognized them and shook each
warmly by the hand.
I,is Career.
Judge knaebels career ls another
of those illuminating chapters which
show the power of heredity, the re-
suits that may be obtained by unlag-
ging industry and the fact that
knowledge can be acquired without
the guidance of college professors or
residence near university campus.
Judge knaebel was born In Ant
Werp, Belgium, whore his parents re-
sided for a short time and was
brought when stll babe TO Brook
lyn, N. v, where he lived for many
years. Ills father was $. w. knaebel
a native of Germany and a gifted
musician. He composed a number
OF symphonies and minor works and
one of his symphonies was considered
so fine II was rehearsed many times
by Thomas orchestra, although 1t
was finally dropped for some other
work. The German musician came
to this country when he was still a
young man and made his livelihood
teaching music. The judges mother
was an English lady who resided in
Boston
There was large family three
sons and three daughters and tho
Judge was not given many education
al advantages save those afforded In
the public schools, But such was his
thirst for knowledge ana his lndomi-
table energy that he entered a law
office white still in his teens and not
only supported himself but aided In
the support of his family He develop
ed great powers of concentration and
soon his knowledge of law and his
liberal education, acquired entirely
10y his own efforts, put to shame
many a college mum who became his
competitor. The Judge practiced
law In Brooklyn and his abilities Non
instant recognition for he was made
assistant corporation counsel ana,
with David G. Dewitt, the noted law
yer ana pubiicst, he helped frame the
new charter Of the consolidated city
OF Greater New York.
In 1879 Judge Knaebel met former
Governor l.. Bradford Prince and
hearing much Of New Mexico and the
opportunities of this hand of sunshine
he decided to move to the Southwest
and came to Santa Fe. He came by
stage from Las Vegas to Santa Fc
us the railroad had not been con-
structed
His first partner was Charles w.
Gidcrsleeve and after a short time
he practiced law by himself. Later
he Joined the law firm Of Catron,
Knaebel and Clancy IN which the
other partners were Thomas u. Cat
ron and Frank w Clancy.
In 1891 the Judge decided 10 make
his home In Denver. The court ot
private land claims had been created
to- udiudicate the spanish grant titles
ANA Judge knaebel had many land
grant cases to look after and some Of
them were very lucrative. His
splendid knowledge OF these grants
and the old Spanish laws made him
prominent before the COURT The
Judge made Denver his home and
has resided there since. lie made
many friends in Denver aud was a
prominent member of the Denver
Athletic Club.
A little less than two years ago he
came to Santa Fe as he was greatly
Interested in the tlght for statehood
ana in the matter of Santa Zee coun-
tvs bonded Indebtedness. The judge
had many real estate interests here
too which needed his attention. lie
resided at the Palace Hotel and later
al tho Sunta Zee club and had many
friends here.
The Judge wrote a memorial which
VaN adopted by the New Mexico
legislature setting forth the facts and
law on the Santa Fe county bond is
sue which hung like a cloud over this
county and in the plainest light he
showed the injustice of congress al
lowing this incubus to remain on this