Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 04.pdf/287

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The Green Bag.

formed his judgment was excellent and I attorney; and in 1862 was appointed asses sound. His opinions are usually short, but sor of internal revenue. After retiring from clear and pointed. After his retirement, the bench in 1871, President Grant appointed Jan. 3, 1871, he resumed the practice at La him a commissioner, to adjust claims of Fayette, and continued at it until his death, English subjects against the Federal gov ernment, and against the English govern which occurred Jan. 25, 1885. ment by American subjects, arising from the John T. Elliott War of the Rebellion. This commission One of Judge Ray's associates was John was composed of three members, — Right Tindall Elliott, who served at the same time, Hon. Russell Gurney of England, Count and was of the same politics. He was born Louis Corti of Italy, and the subject of this in Indiana, near Richmond, Feb. 7, 1813, sketch. Their decision was final, and both and suddenly died at his home in New Cas nations interested agreed to abide by it tle, Feb. 12, 1876, of apoplexy. He lived in without evasion or delay. It required two and near New Castle fifty-two years, and his years to adjust these claims, amounting to education was limited to the common schools. two hundred and twenty million dollars. In In 1837 he was Secretary of the House of 1879 he was appointed one of three to re Representatives of the State, and the next vise the civil and criminal codes and other year was elected prosecuting attorney. In statutes of the States; and was continued 1839 ne was chosen State Senator, and in in office until 1882 for the purpose of pub 1844 judge of the Circuit Court. Being re lishing the revised statutes of 1881. These elected in 1851, he resigned the following statutes are the State's last official edition, and year, and accepted the presidency of a rail are the equal of that of any State. He still road. In 1855 he was again elected judge practises law. Judge Frazer has great power of the Circuit Court, which place he held of condensation, and his opinions are models until he took his seat on the Supreme Court of brevity and conciseness. The opinion of bench. His career on the nisi priits bench no man ever on the Supreme Court bench was remarkably successful and satisfactory carries with it more respect and weight than to his constituents; and his opinions bear that of Judge Frazer. evidence of great industry and a clear knowl John Pettit. edge of the law. They stand well with the profession. The subject of this sketch was born at James S. Frazer. Sackett's Harbor, N. Y., July 24, 1827, and Still another contemporary of Judge Ray received an academical education. He was was Judge Frazer of Warsaw, who was born admitted to the bar in 1838, and began prac in Hollidaysburg, Pa., July 17, 1824. Thirteen ticing at La Fayette, Ind. He served two years afterward his father moved to Wayne terms in the State legislature; was a mem County, Ind.; and at the age of sixteen James ber of the twenty-eighth, twenty-ninth, and began reading law, supporting himself by thirtieth Congresses, and of the State con teaching school. When twenty-one years stitutional convention of 1851. He was a old he was admitted to the bar, and opened Pierce presidential elector in 1852, and was an office at Warsaw, where he yet resides. United States Senator from 1853 to 1855. In 1847, 1848. and 1854 he represented his elected to fill the vacancy caused by James county in the legislature as a Whig and then Whitcomb's death. President Buchanan ap pointed him Chief-Justice of the Territory of as a Republican, and took an especial in terest in the common schools of the State. Kansas. In 1870 he was elected a judge of He was author of most of the school law of the Supreme Court and served six years, at 1855. In 1852 he was elected prosecuting ' the end of his term being forced to retire