Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1920-10-19

After few preliminary motions and
adjustments of cases, the Tuesday
afternoon session, upon motion Of
Hon. John P. Swasey, president of the
Oxford Bar Association, was given over
to memorial services for the three dead
members of the bar: James S. Wright,
John A. Roberts and Thomas s. Bridg-
ham.
Harry M. Shaw was selected to give a
formal biographical sketch OF. bis late
partner, Hon. James s. Wright.
In brief, Mr.. Wright was born in Jay
July II, 1S45 He attended school in
Wilton and Dixfield; studied law with
Hon. W. W. Bolster, Dixfield; was ad-
mitted to the bar in September, 1858,
aud practiced in the Oxford Courts for
fifty-two years. He was first q partner
of Mr. Bolster with whom he studied,
and later with Samuel r. Gibson, Bethel.
In 1872 Mr.. Wright was elected clerk of
courts for Oxford County, holding the
Office for ten years. For the next four
years be was county attorney. In 1887
be represented Paris in the legislature,
and in 1889 was promoted to the state
senate. In 1890 he was supervisor of
the census for the district of Western
Maine. In 1918 and 1914 be was q mem
Der of the executive council. On assum-
ing the duties of clerk of courts he
moved from Bethel to Paris Hill, and In
1891 moved to South Paris, where be
resided until bis death. he was mem
Der of the fraternities OF Masons, Odd
Fellows and Knights of Pythias, and
was an attendant of the Congregational
church. On May 2, 1859, be married
Miss Hannah e. Woodbury. and by her
bad two children, Fred N. and Lena,
both of whom passed away before the
death of Mr.. Wright, which occurred on
March 26th last.
Judge Charles r. Whitman of Nor.
way followed Mr.. Shaw with more for
NAL memorial to Mr.. Wright. 1t was
fitting that Judge Whitman should give
this for they were associated more or
less closely In professional way during
the life of Mr.. Wright. Judge Whit
man and Mr.. Wright were admitted to
the Oxford Bar on the same day, and
their lives were passed largely In the
same environment. Both were born on
farms; both were educated In the public
schools; both studied law in the old
fashioned way In practicing attorneys
Office; and both entered upon the all
round practice of Law In a rural com.
munity. Mr.. Wright was , good lawyer
and good citizen, winning thesrespeot of
his neighbors and faith of his clients.
That was why be was 80 successful in
practice OF bis profession and In the
career Of politics.
Hon. Alton @. Wheeler was the last
formal speaker 10 memory Of Mr..
Wright, and In opening, as . member Of
the bar committee, moved that the for
NAL memorials OF the deceased members
of the bar be filed with clerk of courts
and become part Of the records OF the
county. Mr.. Wheeler studied law with
Mr.. Wright, going into bis Office In 1900
and remaining as student and partner
for nine years. BE spoke particularly
Of the close attention to his work Mr.
Wright gave, going into his Office al
seven o'clock In the morning most Of tht
time.
These gentlemen were followed In
formally by A. E. Stearns, Rumford
and Hon. John P. Swasey OF Canton
The latter In speaking Of Mr.. Wright
solidarity said that he never knew hin
to overdo but once, and that Was whei
be nominated him for congress, and tha
he never knew before he was Of 90 mucl
consequence.
| Colonel A. ]. Stearps Of Norway spok
10 memory of Hon. John A. Roberts
| who died in Augusta February 26tb last
aged 69 years. Mr.. Roberts was grad
| uata Of Bowdoin College and was ad
) mittsd to the Oxford Bar In September
| 1873 he opened an cfiice first 10 NJ
chanic Fails and later In Norway; bu
he practiced his profession only shoI