Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 03.pdf/262

There was a problem when proofreading this page.

The Supreme Court of Illinois. and served in the war of the late rebellion of the Southern States, became Assistant Attorney-General of the United States in 1868, and in 1873 corporation counsel of the city of Chicago. His dissenting opinion in Parker v. The People, in lll. 600, is indicative of his in dustry, learning, logic, and skilful powers of discussion. Gen. William H. L. Wallace,

a prominent lawyer in this State, who came to an early death in the battle of Shiloh, was a son-in-law of Judge Dickey. The first man born in Illinois who became a Judge of the Su preme Court, was John M. Scott, the son of Samuel and Nancy Biggs Scott, born Au gust 1, 1824, in St. Clair County, a descendant in the paternal line of Irish ancestry. He was educated in the public school and by private instruction, studied law in the of fice of Hon. William C. Kinney at Belleville, began the practice of JACOB W. law at Bloomington in 1848, was elected Judge of the County Court of McLean County in 1852, served as Circuit Judge as successor of David Davis from 1862 to 1870, and was Judge of the Supreme Court from that time until 1888, when he declined to be a candidate for re-election. He was during that time Chief-Justice of the court for three years. His opinions begin with the 54th and end with the 126th volume of the Illinois Reports. One of his prominent later opin ions was that rendered in the case of Mar shall Field v. Levi Z. Leiter, 118 lll. 17, a case involving party-wall rights in valuable

235

property in Chicago. The present Federal Chief-Justice, and Robert Todd Lincoln, Minister to England, were among the attor neys in this case. While Chief-Justice, Judge Scott conducted the proceedings of the court with a dignity quite worthy the office. His relations with the bar were pleasant. His abilities and character secured him the respect of the people and the pro fession. Benjamin R. Shel don has had a longer judicial career, includ ing his service in the Circuit Court, than any other judge of this tribunal. He was graduated at Williams College, and studied law at Yale. He was Circuit Judge from December, 1848, till July, 1870, and thence till June, 1888, he was a member of this court, and Chief-Justice thereof three years. He declined a re-elec tion. His learning and experience made him a most efficient judi cial officer. His inter WILKIN. course with the pro fession was dignified and friendly. His long and honorable career upon the bench has secured him a respect which makes pleasant his retirement at Rockford from official duty. John H. Mulkey was a member of this court nine years from June, 1879, and ChiefJustice one year of that time. He declined a re-election. He had enjoyed probably as extensive a practice as any lawyer in South ern Illinois, and had been a Circuit Judge. He was a profound real-estate lawyer. His opinion in Fort Dearborn Lodge v. Klein, 115 lll. 177, discussing the plea of liberum