Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 04.pdf/293

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The Green Bag.

resides at Fort Wayne, engaged in the prac tice of the law. Compared with his brother judges, his opinions are few. They are, how ever, of more than the usual length, and bear undoubted evidence of great research and labor. He was exhaustive in the search for and the examination of authorities; and while his opinions are able, and will rank well in this or any other State, yet Judge Zollars was restive under the restraints his office imposed upon him. He was better fitted for the profession of an advocate than that of the bench, and he desired to return to that field. It was therefore with reluc tance that he consented to stand the second time for the office of judge, and his defeat did not bring to him any regret for his per sonal loss. Edwin P. Hammond. When Judge Woods resigned, Governor Porter appointed Judge Hammond, May 14, 1883, his successor; and he continued to serve until Jan. 6, 1885, having been de feated at the polls by his Democratic adver sary, Joseph A. S. Mitchell. Judge Ham mond is an Indianian, having been born at Brookville, Nov. 26, 1835. When he was fourteen his father moved to Columbus, Ind., and in 1854 the son went to Indianapolis as a clerk in a store. He studied law with his brother, Hon. A. A. Hammond, afterwards Governor of the State, and graduated from the law school of Asbury University, at Greencastle, Ind., in 1858. The same year he located at Rensselaer, Ind., where he still resides. In 1861 he enlisted in the volun teer service, and was commissioned first lieu tenant, coming out of the service as colonel. During this time he was elected State Rep resentative; but he stayed at the front, and finally marched with Sherman to the sea. In March, 1873, Governor Hendricks, a Demo crat, appointed him judge of the thirtieth judicial circuit; and he was elected to the same position in the following October, and again in 1878, without opposition. His ca reer on the Supreme Court bench was a sur

prise, for he made a better judge than his friends expected. His opinions are clear and pointed; there is no mistaking what he decides. Judge Hammond is one of the most genial and pleasant gentlemen one can meet with. In all things he is the acme of courteousness. but unostentatious, unaf fected, and unassuming. He is modest and retiring, and a steadfast friend. After he retired from the bench in 1885, he resumed the practice, but was re-elected circuit judge in the fall of 1890. Joseph A. S. Mitchell. Judge Mitchell was born near Mercersburg, Pa., Dec. 21, 1836, and died at his home in Goshen, Ind., Dec. 12, 1890. Graduating at an academy, he studied law at Chambersburg, Pa., and was admitted to the practice in 1858; and in 1860 moved to Goshen, where he opened an office. In 1861 he en listed in the volunteer service, and rose to the rank of captain, remaining there until January, 1865. He fought at Shiloh, Stone River, and Chickamauga, where Judge Ham mond, afterwards his political adversary, commanded a regiment. After the war he resumed the practice at Goshen, and con tinued in it until he ascended the Supreme Court bench, Jan. 6, 1885, having unsuccess fully made the same race in 1880. At the time he ascended the bench he was one of the chief counsel of a large and important railway company, having its road in the northern part of the State. In 1879 he was a member of the American Bar Association, having for one of his associates Hon. Benja min Harrison. In 1890 he was re-elected to the Supreme Court bench, but died shortly before the time his first term expired. " It may be written with strict truth," said the committee in presenting a memorial to the bench, "that he was a just judge; and of no man can greater praise be truthfully spoken. He possessed, in an eminent de gree, the qualifications of a judge; he was upright and impartial, courteous and pa tient, learned and able. His morality was