The Detroit times., 1917-10-26
VAN zIL.E
IS TAKEN
BY DEATH
Judge H a d Distin-
guished Career on
Bench and at Bar

Circuit Judge Philip T Van zle
died in his home, 40. l4S Forest ave.
west. al 1880. Friday morning. He
had been unconscious since Thurs
day and just slept away. lie was
90 years old
Judge Van Zne Was born in Os-
ceola. Pa. July %. 1913 tie was
educated in Union academy. near
his home, and later took course in
Alfred university. in New YORK state
When the civil war broke he WAS
of tender years aud mis- parents for
bade him accepting "a proffcrcd COM
mission in the Penn ilyania Buck
Iai an organization hat distin.
Euished itself ON several occasions
Two years before the war ended
his parents were visiting in Michi.
gan and he virtually ran away 10
enlist i'm the artillery branch of the
Army of The Cumberland where be-
tough under Gen Thomas. tic
won't 'hw ihe battles OF Nashville
and Franklin. whore Gen Hood was
defeated ON Tho eve OF his depart
ure De- became engaged 10 the lads
whom me- later married When peace
was declared hc decided 10 study
iaw and entered the University OF
Michigan. whore ne VAS graduated
iu 1867
After graduating he seeded in
tlaflot Mich and soon thereaf.
Tor was elected prosecuting ator.
ncy fne completion OF his team
hc Vas elected circuit judge IN the
circuit haf af that time. included
ne sonnti,e of Eaton. Barry arI
Calhoun
During hls TORN be was persuaded
hy Pres idont Arthur to accept the
post Of district attorney m the Ter
ritorv OF Utah after considerable ob-
lection He 6nally consented and
WAS sent 90 Salt Lake City
The NormonS controlled lhe situa-
iion pretty thoroly at that time. and
as the result of bis anti Mormon ac.
tNitics hts life was threatened sew.
eral times Ilc carried a revolver
continually during his seven years
stay
He made several trims ~ Wash.
ington during fhat period and assist
I'd in obtaining lcgislauon thct
finally L~ok tne hackb0r et Nor.
monism Ile Waa prominently idcn.
tiled with former Senator Frank g.
Cannon IN mis- campaign against
Mormoni~nt
Despite manf generous ofera no
resignei the position after seven
wears and returned 10 Charlotte.
"a here hc remained Until h. moved
C Detroit IN 1890 He became a
PARTNER I'm tho law Arm of Van Zlle
X Robson and soon after his ar.
rival Dr. WAS made dean OF the De.
troit College of Law. which post no
hold until hree years ago. when ill
hn1lfh forced him 20 resign.
AT ono time he ran for Justice
of ttn supreme court. but was de.
feated In 1905 he Wss elected pros
ecut0r 1f Wayne county. which Office
hc held for two terms. making an
excellent record TIE WAS erected TO
rho ci'cui' bench in 1911.
Judge Van Zilo vas the author OF
twn legal volumes. Van Zilc on
tailments and carriers" and "Hluity
pleading and practice \ LID.
degree was conferred upon him by
Alfred university upon his return
from Utah
ITO WIS ore OF tho most active Re.
publican politicians in, the state
eome wears ago. and during Blaine
pres idenual campaign was chairman
of the state central committee
The iuGge was member OF Da-
mascus G1mmandery. knights Tenn
lJar ann was past grand commando r
1f fhe knights Templar Of hp state
lie was also member OF the re
troif club
Funeral arrangements have not
3 been made.