The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1911-10-14
Sketch of His Life

John Marshall Harlan, dean Of the
associate justices Of the United States
supreme court, was born in Boyle
county, Kentucky, June 1, 1888. His
ancestors on his fathers side were
English Quakers who came to the
United States about 1850, and settled
IN Chester county, Pa. His great
grandfather moved into the Falling
Waters valley. Of what is now West
Virginia, about six miles from Mar
tinsburg. where his grandfather, JAS
Harlan, was born. James Harlan
emigrated to Kentucky in 1774. two
years before the Declaration of Inde-
pendence, and with him went his
brother, Major silas Harlan, who fell
at the battle of Blue Licks, in 1882.
and q number Of other young men
hela and Potomac rivers. ..
Justice Harlan's father, like hit
father named James Harlan. was born
In what 10 now Royls county, KY, In
the year 1900, and lived in that state
until his death, in 1863. The mother
Of Justice Harlan, also born in Ken
tuchy. was the daughter Of Col. Rich.
Davenport, who emigrated from vir-
gntia about the year 1892. The father
distinguished lawyers Of his time in
Kentucky. served in congress from
1885 to 1889 and declined a third
election. He was secretary Of state
OF Kentucky, member Of the legisla-
ture. attorney general for eight years
and one Of the authors Of the Ken
tuclsy civil and criminal codes Of
practice. In politics he was an in
tense Wing Of the old school and a
strong supporter Of Henry Clay.
Justice Harlan received his educa-
Canfnr
which he graduated in 1850, at the
age Of seventeen. Then he began to
study law with his father and later
at the law school Of Transylvania uni
versity, in Lexington, KY. He began
to practice in Frankfort before he was
Of age and 80 rapid was his progress
that in 1853, at the age Of twenty-five.
Judge.
politics In an active way and was
nominated for congress by the Wings
in the strongly Democratic Ashland
district. He was elected. but counted
out by the Democrats, who had i'm
ported 500 bogus voters from Coving-
ton and Cincinnati into the district to
defeat him. As 1t was he lost the
election only by the small margin Of
81 votes. The next year he was a
Bell and Everett elector upon the
state ticket Following that election
he moved to Louisville. where he as
sociated himself with w. #. Bullock,
a leading practitioner Of the state.
When the civil war broke out, Mr..
Harlan decided to Join the Union
army. He raised the Tenth Ken
lucky regiment of infantry and be-
he was mustered into the service in
November. 1861. Fifteen months la
ter. while his name was before the
senate for confirmation as a brigadier
general Of volunteers. Mr.. Harlan sent
his resignation to General Garfield.
chief Of staff to General Rosecrans,
because his father had died.
In August, 1868, Mr.. Harlan was
elected attorney general of Kentucky
on the union ticket and he held that
ONCE four years. At the close of his
term he returned to Louisville and as
sumed his practice. In 1871 and again
in 1875 the Republicans Of Kentucky
placed him in nomination for gov
ernor and he canvassed the state both
times although he was fully aware
OF the fact that he could not be elect
ed. In the Republican national con.
vention Of 1875. when Blaine and
Bristow were the principal candidates
for the presidency before the conven-
tion It was Mr.. Harlan's Influence
which caused the break in the Ken
lucky delegation in favor Of Ruth
erford B Hayes and the latter was
nominated for president.
After Mr.. Hayes had been elected
president Of the United States. he Of
fered Mr.. Harlan a prominent posi-
tion in the diplomatic service. but the
offer was declined. A few months Ia
ter Mr.. Harlan was appointed asso-
ciate Justice Of the supreme court Of
the United States and this honor he
did not decline. Time has shown the
wisdom Of his appointment. Justice
Harlan became one Of the strongest
and most highly respected members
Of the. nations highest tribunal. His
opinions have given him place
among the great jurists Of the coun-
try. whose words will be read as long
as that court continues His dissenting