Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-12-13

nection with the profession Of the |,
law.
The Romans had much to say of
the blessings of a fortunate life. Such
a life had Judge Whitehouse. for
tunate in his birth, in his early sur
roundings, in his education during
the formative years. in the choice
OF a congenial profession, in his
steady and rapid advancement, in
home and family, in countless friends,
and in years 50 many that his work
was finished when his race was run.
| William Penn Whitehouse, the son
Of John Roberts and Hannah per
| civaD Whitehouse, was born in Vas
scarborough, In this county, on April
| 9, 1912. He was proud to trace his
| lineage on his fathers side to Thomas
|. Whitehouse, who settled in Dover,
New Hampshire, in 1868, and on his
mothers to John Percival of Barn
stable, Massachusetts,. His parents
were of the Society of Friends, and,
loyal to their creed. gave their SON
, the name so much revered by them.
William Penn. They were farmers
and the nelghborhood into which he
was born was made up of sturdy, God
fearing New England stock, such
yeomanry as peopled our Maine hills
three quarters of century ago, an
environment unexcelled for the nur-
ture of a right minded and ambitious
boy. He fitted for college at the old
Waterville academy. now Coburn
Classical Institute, and entered Wa
terville, now Colby college, in 1889,
graduating with high honors in the
class of 1868. Among his classmates
was Honorable Percival Bohney of
Portland, who in later years served
as judge Of the superior court in
Cumberland county while Judge
Whitehouse was presiding over the
superior court in Kennebec, these
two being the only superior courts
at the time in the State.
Following graduation he taught,
as he had done during the long win
ter vacations in his college course,
and then began the study of law. first
with Sewall Lancaster. Esq. of this
city and afterwards with Hale and
Emery Of Ellsworth, the firm being
composed of Senator Eugene Hale
, and Lucillius A. Emery. With the lat
ter he served as associate justice of
this court from 1890 to 1911, a period
of q years.
Completing his studies he was ad-
mitted to tho bar of his native county
Of kennebec on October 9, 1865. and
| NJ
mitted Enoch Foster, Jr, who later
also served with him upon this
bench from 1890 to 1885, He at once
formed a partnership with Lorenzo
Clay, Esq, of Gardiner, which con-
tinued one year and then in Deem
Der. 1866. he removed to Augusta
and this city was ever after his home.
1t is interesting to note that he was
content with what his native State
and his native county could afford
him, its schools, it's college, it's legal
| training, its opportunity for life,
, work. and here within a distance of
Is miles from his birthplace he spent
| his entire professional life.
| For a few months after settling in
| Augusta he was in partnership with
George Clifford, ESQ. also a native
of Vassalboro. a graduate of Water
vile college in the class of 1862. and
I for many years later in our diplo-
matte service abroad
1t was no feeble bar into which
the young attorney had cast his lot
Among the active practitioners OF
that day were James w. Bradbury,
ARENAS Libby. Joseph Baker. Sam
Ucf Titcomb, Sewall Lancaster and
Gardiner c. Vose of Augusta; Wy
man B. S. Morrel and Solyman
Heath Of Waterville; Nathaniel M.
j Whitmore and Lorenzo Clay of Gar
diner, and Emery o. Beane of Read
field, all strong men and worthy ad-
versaries.
| In 1868. he was elected city soli-
citor of Augusta and his name first
appears in our Maine reports in that
| capacity in the case of Augusta Saw
| ings Bank VS. Augusta, So Maine, 176,
! argued at the Middle District term of
| 1865. And here let me anticipate by
saying that his name last appears as
counsel in Thompson, apt, 110
| -hdlue, VUI, III lO-I. between tncSG
two stretches are SO years of time
| and 60 volumes of reports, more
than half Of all those published
| since our establishment as state.
In October, 1869, he was appoint
ed county attorney by Governor
Chamberlain to. fill vacancy and
was twice elected to the office, MAX
ing term OF seven years in all.
It was in the second year Of his
term that first saw Judge White
house. then young man Of %, alert
| both in body and mind, and with all
| the enthusiasm of youth. The occa-
! sion was the trial of Hoswell for
murder at the October term, 1870,
in this very room. I, lad of 16,
came here from my home in the
country on two succeeding days Ind
! sat in one Of the crowded spectators
+; seats eagerly watching the proceed
I ings. The scene was a memorable
one, rendered SO by the character of
! the participants. William Penn
Whitehouse was county attorney,
| Thomas B. Reed was attorney gen.
! eral. Artemus Libby and Eben T.
Pillsbury were counsel for the de-
| Tense, while the presiding Justice