Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1917-06-08
Judge Henderson,.

"hoiOu ny Mr. Y, w. Prettyman, was adopt
ed by the Bar Association
II Is written that in ancient Egypt when
king or ruler died he could not be laid
away in the tomb prepared for him to
await the return of his wandering soul
until he had been judged by the people for
his official acts, and If the verdict was
unfavorable no honors were allowed him
and his spirit should pass for long ages
through the inferior forms of life.
when those about US pass away we. un-
consciously, like these people of the olden
time. pass judgment upon the life that has
closed, whether it has been good or evil.
Judge Henderson has gone through the
Gates Of the silent land. What is his
record We, who knew him most intimately
and well. are those best qualified to weigh
his public acts and estimate the influence
OF his professional career upon those whom
ne touched with this side of his many
sided nature.
James B. Henderson was born at Neels-
vile. in this county. at the home of his
maternal grandfather, on March 23rd,
l645. His father. distinguished minister
OF the Presbyterian Church, was then serv-
ing charge in Kentucky. where he re-
manned for about IS years after the birth
OF this son. He then came to this county
and remained until his death. So that Judge
Henderson was born and lived the most
OF his life in our midst. His tastes led
him to the profession of the law and he
entered the Office Of Messrs. Brewer and
Peter. in Rockville, as a student. After
completing his studies and having been,
In February, 1858. admitted to the bar, he
went to Berkeley Springs, West Virginia. to
practice. Mr.. Brewer had died and the
pressure Of large and engrossine practice
induced Mr., Peter to offer his former stu
dent place in his Office, and in the fall
of 1859 he returned to Rockville. The
association thus formed ripened into full
partnership and for many years the firm
Of Peter & Henderson occupied position
of commanding influence at our bar. In
1879 and again in 1888 he was elected
States Attorney of this county. and on
January 2lst. 1895, Judge Vinson having
reached the age Of seventy years and re-
tired from the Bench, Governor Frank
Brown appointed Judge Henderson as As
sociate Judge of the Sixth Judicial Circuit.
He was afterwards elected and served until
1910. when his term of Office closed. Since
then, except for very short time, he has
lived in retirement. caused largely by his
failing health. He served in number of
other important spheres of activity but
these are not within the scope of this
sketch.
Judge Henderson had an unusually acute
and discriminating mind. AS a practi-
toner, he was alert and resourceful With
fine judgment and large knowledge of
business affairs. he was an accurate and
dependable counsellor; a profound and
industrious lawyer. he was safe guide as
to the legal questions affecting the varied
relations of men with men. A skillful and
aggressive advocate. he was tower Of
strength to his clients cause at the trial
table. In his career as States Attorney,
he was the calm, dispassionate prosecutor
Of crime. without prejudice and impervious
to any other influences than the utmost
demands Of the law.
1t was. however, upon the Bench that he
had the opportunity to display his remark
able mental gifts. As a Judge. he knew
neither friend nor foe. He was the en-
bodiment of strict and impartial justice.
He was broad-minded and interchangeable
in his search for the truth wrapped in each
case. He was influenced largely by the
equity in the cause. and more largely gov
erned by the broad legal principles upon
which vital issues depended than by the
narrower demands Of mere precedent. In
his hands the majesty Of the Law was
supreme. In the expression of his opinions
he was exact, decisive and luminous and
his conclusions we're generally reached by
so logical and irresistible statements OF the
legal principles as to be convincing to the
attorneys upon both sides of the litigation.
Judge Henderson added to his mental
equipment an untiring industry; and this,
together with his knowledge of the law and
his unusual facility Of expression, left few
occasions for review or reversal by the
appellate court.
At the bar. he was always the courteous
and generous foe. tenacious to his views.
insistent in presenting them. and faithful
to his clients interests yet always to his
opponents, fair and considerable. On the
Bench he was. first and best of all, the up
right Judge. whose chief duty was to find
the right and demand its performance /;
but he was also the friend Of every lawyer
and always ready with advice and assis-
lance in their times Of perplexity and
doubt He believed that the attorneys
were officers Of the court and entitled to
its assistance in the search for justice and
right To some Of us there are tender rec
objections OF the associate and helpful
friend. To all Of us he was an exemplar
of the highest standards Of professional
ethics and of judicial integrity.
The members Of the bar. therefore. pray
your Honors that this memorial may be
spread upon the minutes Of this court as
a record Of our attachment to Judge Hen
derson as our brother at the bar and our
esteem and admiration for him as a great
and incorruptIble Judge. And that a copy
may be sent by the Clerk Of this Court to
his family as our tribute to his memory
and our judgment upon the value and
worth Of his professional life.
worthinQton -Offutt Wedding.