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Moses Sherburne was appointed one of the brought disaster, and an assignment for the benefit of creditors followed. Judge Chat- Associate Justices by President Pierce in 1853. He was a native of Maine, having field retired from the bench in 1857, and re been born at Mount Vernon in March, 1808. sumed the practice of the profession. "During his term in Minnesota," writes After being admitted to the bar, he located Mr. J. F. Williams, " he had become widely at Phillips, where he resided until his removal acquainted with the people of the Territory, to Minnesota. At the time of his appoint ment he had filled a judicial position for and was much respected by them as an up many years. He took his seat at the January right citizen, a learned lawyer, and a gentle

term, 1854, and served man of high honor and until 1857. cultivated mind. As years rolled on, they ^^^f After retiring from brought him increas the court, he continued ing honors from a wid to reside in St. Paul, and practised law with ening circle of friends. much success until Wherever he went his his death in 1868. venerable and digni Judge Sherburne was fied appearance made a man of more than him- an object of re spect. His large ex average ability. He perience of men and was an influential member of the Con public affairs, and his stitutional Convention quick perception made him an agreeable com of 1857, 'n '858 panion." He frequent was a member of a ly attended the con commission appointed ventions of his party by the Legislature to in the State; and al revise the general laws though not taking a of the State. He was very active part in an eloquent speaker, politics, his advice was and won for himself always eagerly sought. the title of "the old At various times he man eloquent." WILLIAM H. WELCH. received the nomina One of the first tions of his party for acts of President Bu Chief-Justice, Attorney-General, and Member chanan's administration was the appointment of Congress; but in the then condition of of Rensselaer R. Nelson and Charles E. parties in the State an election upon the Flandrau as Associate Justices of the Su preme Court of the Territory, in place of Democratic ticket was hopeless. At an ad vanced age Judge Chatfield was again raised Justices Sherburne and Chatfield. to the bench. In 1870 he was appointed The names of Nelson and Flandrau are Judge of the Eighth Judicial District of the closely identified with the judicial and politi State, which position he held until his death, cal history of the Territory and State. Judge Oct. 3, 1875, at his rural home in Belle Nelson was born in Coopertown, New York, Plaine. Over his grave there stands a gran on the 12th day of May, 1826. His father, ite monument bearing this inscription : — Samuel Nelson, was for many years one of the most eminent judges of the Supreme "The able and upright Judge, the honest man. Erected by the bar of the State." Court of New York, and later Associate Jus