Chancery was in existence during the early days of
Judge Pope and was conducted for upward of twenty-
five years by Tilden Moulton, who was succeeded, in
1863, by Henry W. Bishop, Jr. E. B. Sherman and
John F. Bennett are the additional masters.
The bankrupt law of 1867 created the office of Reg-
ister in Bankruptcy. Lincoln Clark was the first register,
and he held the office until January, 1870, when he
resigned, and Homer N. Hibbard was appointed to fill
the vacancy.
Homer Nash Hihhakd was born November 7, 1S24, in
Bethel, Windsor Co., Vt., the son of Samuel and Edith (Nash)
Hibbard. Mr. Hibbard is descended from Robert and Joan
" Hibbert," who were members of the Congregational Church ai
Salem, Mass., in 1635. He is of the sixth generation, thus : Rob-
ert (2d), Nathaniel, Zebulon, Zebulon (2d), Samuel and Homer
X. Through, his mother, a daughter of Phineas Nash — he is in
the same degree removed from Thomas Nash — a member of Rev.
John Davenport's colony of Quinnipiac. now New Haven, Conn.
In 1846, Mr. Hibbard entered the University of Vermont, and
graduated in the class of 1S50. He then became principal of the
Burlington High School for two years, when he entered the 1 >ane
Law School of Harvard University, remaining until the spring of
1S53. He continued his law studies for six months longer at Bur-
lington, when he was admitted to the Bar Coming to Chicago,
he was admitted to the Bar, in Illinois, November 7, 1853. and
formed a partnership with John A. Jameson, with whom he re-
moved to Freeport in 1854. In 1856, lie formed a partnership
with Martin P. Sweet, of that city, and took an active part in its
educational interests, being president of the Board of Education.
He was appointed master in chancery, and elected city attorney,
and in this latter capacity drafted its charter and codified its ordi-
nances. In i860, he returned to Chicago, to re-join his former
partner in the firm of Cornwell, Jameson & Hibbard, which was
dissolved in 1865, by the election of Mr. Jameson to the Bench;
he afterward formed the firm of Hibbard, Rich & Noble, which
was dissolved during 1S71. In January, 1S70, Mr. Hibbard was
appointed by Judge Drummond register in bankruptcy for Chi-
cago, a position he has since held. In i860, he took up his
residence in Hyde Park, where he has been a member of the Board
of Education for ten years, and its president many times. He
married Miss Jane Noble in 1855 (born in 1828, a daughter of
Hon. William Noble, a lawyer and postmaster of Burlington, Vt.).
CLERK OF THE UNITED STATES COURTS.
William Henry Bradley, clerk of the United States Dis-
trict Court and of the United States Circuit Court for the Northern
District of Illinois, was born at Ridgefield, Conn., November 29,
1S16. His grandfather was an officer in the Revolutionary War,
holding the rank of colonel, and during the administration of
Washington and Adams was United States marshal for the District
of Connecticut. His father, a graduate of Vale, was a lawyer of
prominence in Connecticut, and became one of the judges of Fair-
field County. Voting Bradley was educated at Ridgefield Academy,
and was about to enter Vale when his father died, in 1833. This
event changed his career, and he commenced his business life as
teller in the City Bank of New Haven. In 1S37, at the age of
twenty-one, he removed to Galena, then one of the most stirring
and promising cities in the Northwest. There he became clerk of
the County Court, and, in 1S40, clerk of the Circuit Court of Jo
Daviess County. This position he held, by repeated appointments
and re-elections, until 1S55, when. Congress having created the
Northern District, Judge Drummond, with the concurrence of
Judge McLean, appointed Mr. Bradley clerk of the United States
Circuit and District courts for the new district; and on March 22,
1S55, he entered upon his duties. This position he has held for
thirty years, to the entire satisfaction of the courts, the Bar, and the
community, winning their regard and commanding their respect
He has also held other positions of trust and confidence. He is
one of the trustees of the Newberry estate ; was at one time presi-
dent of the Young Men's Christian Association, director and
president of the West Division Railway, and deacon in the New-
England Congregational Church. He has been a member of the
Church since 1S31. In May. 1841. he married Miss Ada Sopho-
more Strong, of Roxbury, Litchfield Co., Conn.
UNITED STATES COMMISSIONER.
Philip Augustus Hoyne is a native of the city of New York,
born on November 20, 1825. He came to Chicago in 1S41, and en-
tered the office of his brother, Thomas Hoyne, who had preceded
him about five years, and began the study of law ; but in the course
of a year went to Galena, and remained until 1S44, when he returned
to Chicago as agent of a St. Louis fur company, which position he
relinquished after a trial of a few months, and returned to Galena.
Mr. Hoyne settled permanently in Chicago in 185 1, where he en-
gaged in real estate business with the late Colonel J. B. F. Russell.
He was elected clerk of the Recorder's Court of the City of Chi-
cago in lS;3, and held that office five years. During his leisure
moments he resumed the study of law, and was admitted to the Bar
454
HISTORY OF CHICAGO.
earlv in i5;5. and to the Supreme Court of the United States on
February 3, 1868. While acting as clerk of the Recorder's Court
of Chicago, he was appointed United States Commissioner for the
District of Illinois, bv Hon. Thomas Drummond. judge of the
United States District Court, January 9, 1S55. He is the oldest in
the service in the Northwest. " Mr. Hoyne has held numerous pub-
lic positions, having been a member of the Board of Education of
Chicago nine years, acting as its president two successive terms. In
earlv times he Was connected with the fire and military departments,
having been a member of the old Chicago Artillery years prior to,
and at, the breaking out of the Civil War. In connection with Hon.
lohn Wentworth, E. G. Keith, Judge Bradwell, and others, he was
instrumental in starting the Union League Club in the winter of
1SS0. In connection with M. E. Stone, of the Daily News, D. K.
Pearson, and others, he took the initiative in the movement for a
memorial of the great fire. He is usually foremost in all the enter-
prises of the dav, and is widely and familiarly known. He was a
member of the Republican State Central Committee of Illinois from
1S76 to 1SS1. He was married, on April 29, 1S49, t0 M ' ss Teresa
C. French, daughter of the distinguished grammarian, D'Arcy A.
French. Thev have two sons, William A. and John Thomas.
Mr. Hoyne is an Odd Fellow, and has held some of the highest
offices in that fraternitv. He is a life member of Waubansia Lodge,
No. 160. A. F. & A. M.; Washington Chapter, No. 43, R. A. M.;
Chicago Commanderv, No. 19, K. T.; and of Oriental Consistory,
32-% S P.R.S.
THE STATE COURTS.
The Judges of the Circuit Court. — Cook and
Lake counties constituted the seventh judicial circuit
until the re-organization of the courts of Cook County
by the Constitution of 1S70.
In 1S55, Hon. George Manierre was elected judge
of this court, and re-elected in 1861. He served until
his death, in May, 1863.
George Manierre was born in New London, Conn., in 1S17.
He was of Norman-French extraction, his great grandfather having
emigrated from Normandy with a colony of Huguenots about 168c
and settled in New London. There, the father of Judge Manierre
was born, bred and married, and there he died in 1S31, leaving four
children. In 1831, immediately after the death of her husband,
the widowed mother, with her two sons, George and Benjamin,
moved from New London, and made a home in New York City,
where George entered the law office of Judge John Brinkerhoff. In
1S35, young Manierre left the city of New York and settled in Chi-
cago, to which place his half-brother, Edward Manierre, and his
half-sisters, Mrs. George W. Snow and Mrs. J. B. Gray had pre-
ceded him. He at once entered the law office of J. Young Scam-
mon. to pursue those studies which he had begun in the city of New
York. He also identified himself with such literary efforts as were
then being made by the citizens of the young town, being elected
vice-president of the Chicago Lyceum during his first year's resi-
dence. He was appointed deputy clerk of the Circuit Court in
1836. On July 15, 1839, he was admitted to the Bar. At the
opening of 1840 he formed a partnership with George W. Meeker,
the firm being Manierre & Meeker ; office No 118 Lake Street. In
1341. he was placed in charge of the Chicago Democrat, Hon. John
Wentworth being absent attending the Harvard Law School. The
extensive reading and diligent study of Mr. Manierre made his
editorial labors a marked success. He was elected city attorney in
1841, and served one year, was again elected in 1S43, but resigned
in July, Henry Brown being appointed his successor. During 1S44,
he commenced the revision of the charter (passed in 1837) and the
laws and ordinances, afterward completing and publishing the
work in a single volume, which constituted, until about 1853, the
basis of all amendments to the municipal organization. In 1S41,
when the Young Men's Association absorbed the Chicago Library
ion, Mr. Manierre beeame identified with the former, being
one of the lecturers before the association and serving as its presi-
dent in 1846. He was also one of the founders of the present Law
Institute and Library, in which he was warmly interested up to the
time of his death. In 1843, he was elected alderman from the First
Ward, to promote some beneficial legislation with respect to the
public schools ; — in fact, he was ever a warm and able friend to the
cause of education, serving as school commissioner from 1844 to
1852; becoming a member of the first board of regents of the Chi-
cago University in 1859; continuing in that capacity and upon the
board of counselors of the Law Department up to the time of his
death; and receiving other substantial tokens from the public of the
appreciation in which he was held. During his term as school
commissioner he devoted himself sedulously to the establishment
of schools, the re-organization of the school system, and th:
management of the school fund, which had, since the panic of 1837,
been endangered, both principal and interest. Under his super-
vision, school affairs were placed on a safe footing and the common
schools of the county put in successful operation. Judge Manierre
was ever active in furthering all public and private improvements
bearing upon the material prosperity of Chicago, being one of the
most prominent of the leaders whose efforts resulted in the calling
of the River and Harbor Convention, which met in this city in June,
1847. In 1853, he was appointed master in chancery of the
county by Hon. Hugh T. Dickey, judge of the circuit court, which
office he filled up to the time of his own election as judge of the
same court in 1855. His term commenced upon the 25th of June,
of that year. He was re-elected in i36i, as the unanimous nominee
of both parties, and held the office at the time of his death, May 21,
1863. As an instance of the prodigious industry and executive
ability of Judge Manierre, it may be stated that, during the thirty
years' previous existence of this court, twenty-two thousand cases
had been filed, and of this number seventeen thousand were disposed
of by him during his eight years' occupancy of the Bench. When
it is remembered that he was one of the most energetic men in Chi-
cago in educational and political matters and works relating to the
material improvement of the city, some idea mav be gained of his
great ability and mental activity. It will be inferred, as was the
case, that Judge Manierre was a powerful champion of freedom in
every form. The record of his life proves this statement most
forcibly. Commencing with the first anti-slavery meeting held in
Chicago, January 16, 1S40, up to the time of his death, Judge
Manierre was a bold and consistent defender of personal liberty.
As a young man he acted as vice-president of that meeting that de-
nounced the "Black Code" of Illinois. In 184S, with Isaac N.
Arnold, William B. Ogden, Thomas Hoyne and Daniel Brainard,
he called a Free-soil Convention at Ottawa, which nominated a Yan-
Buren and Adams electoral ticket and inaugurated the first formal
anti slavery movement in Illinois. Cook County was triumphantly
carried for the ticket in the election which followed in November.
This was the starting point of the revolution in American politics
which made Lincoln president in i860, and finally abolished slavery.
Again, in 1S54, with E. C. Larned, he was counsel for the first
colored man who was arrested under the fugitive slave act. The
trial of the case before the United States Commissioner. George W.
Meeker, created the most intense public excitement. The negro
was discharged, and the colored people of the city publicly acknow-
ledged their appreciation of Judge Manierre's services. At the
breaking out of the Rebellion, ludge Manierre, who had abandoned
the Democratic for the Free-soil party, in 184S, became one of the
most earnest supporters of the U"nion cause, a member of the Union
Defense Committee, and in every way actively identified with the
opponents of slavery extension. At that time he joined the Re-
publican party, with which he acted forever afterward. It was no
cause for wonder that the death of such a man should be looked
upon as a public calamity. His funeral was attended by the mem-
bers of the Bar in a body, all the officers of the various courts, the
Mayor and Common Council, and the most prominent men in the
city in many walks of life. Amid the tolling of the city bells the
funeral cortege moved toward Graceland Cemetery. Here, the
most graceful and heartfelt tributes were laid upon the grave of
this kind friend, good citizen, just judge, and earnest and brilliant
man Judge Manierre was married in 1S41 to Ann Hamilton Reid,
daughter of William Reid, barrister of Glasgow, Scotland. At his
death he left a widow and four sons, who still survive him. His
children are George, William R., Edward and Benjamin Manierre.
On the death of Judge Manierre, an election for
judge of the seventh circuit was held on the 30th of
June, 1863, and resulted in the election of Erastus S.
Williams, republican, over Benjamin F. Ayer, democrat.
Erastus Smith Williams was born in Washington County,
New York, on May 22, 1821. His father was a lawyer and a man
of superior attainments. In 1836, he took up his home in Illinois.
Young Williams passed his early years in attending school and
receiving instruction from his father. When he was about twenty
years of age he commenced the study of law in Chicago, under the
direction of Messrs. Butterfield & Collins, and was admitted to the
Bar in 1844. From that time until his election as judge he pursued
the successful practice of his profession, holding a high position,
though not ranking among the foremost of his contemporaries.
He had a reputation for conscientiousness in adherence to duty
and for a breadth of learning in his profession that largely com-
mended him to his brethren of the Bar when a successor to Judge
Manierre was to be chosen ; and his whole career on the Bench
amply vindicated their choice. Elected in 1863. he was re-elected
in 1S67 and again in 1S73, serving until 1879, During these six-
teen years, though subjected to a bitter hostility from certain quar-
ters, he deserved and maintained the reputation of a learned and
&>-?-
z.
THE BENCH AND BAR.
455
just judge. As an illustration of his ability to hold with even hand
the scales of justice, may be mentioned the libel suit of Judge Van
H. Higgins against The Times, in 1865. The suit was com-
menced to recover damages, laid at $35,000, for a publication in
The Times, charging Judge Higgins with malfeasance in office,
by using his position as judge of the Superior Court to influence a
chancery suit wherein he was plaintiff. The fact was that Tudge
Higgins had commenced the foreclosure of a mortgage in the
Superior Court, of which he was judge, but not a judge on the
chancery side. He certainly had no wrong motive, and probably
thought, that as there could be no contest over the suit, and as he could
by no possibility hear the case himself, one court was just the same
as another. In the trial of the libel, the case turned on the admis-
sibility of certain evidence which, if admitted, tended to exonerate
the defendants. After a long and patient hearing, Judge Williams
admitted the testimony. The plaintiff was taken greatly by sur-
prise and before the case was given to the jury, dismissed it, the
attorneys, and plaintiff as well, showing a good deal of exaspera-
tion against the judge. Judge Williams took occasion to say, that
as far as his feelings were concerned, they were far more friendly to
the plaintiff than to the defendants; that his associations had been
with the plaintiff and his friends and not at all with The Times
people; but that he believed the law to be according to his ruling,
and that he must follow it irrespective of his feelings. The truth
was, The Times had been very hostile to him, as it continued to be
to the close of his judicial career. In private life Judge Williams
was highly respected. He was twice married. His first wife (1850)
was Rebecca Woodbridge, a daughter of Rev. Dr. Woodbridge, of
Massachusetts. This lady died during 1S64. In 1869, he married
Mrs. Sophia H. Morton. After his retirement from the Bench,
Judge Williams resumed the practice of the law, in which he con-
tinued to do a lucrative business until his death in 1S84.
In 1870, the courts of Cook County were re-organ-
ized by the new Constitution. Section 23, Article VI.,
of that instrument provided that the County of Cook
should be one judicial circuit; that the Circuit Court
should consist of five judges, until further increased as
therein provided; and that the judge of the Recorder's
Court of Chicago, and the judge of the Circuit Court,
should be two of said judges.
The judge of the Recorder's Court was at that time
William K. McAllister, who was elected in the fall of
1870 to the Supreme Court of the State ; he accordingly
did not serve as circuit judge at that time. William W.
Farwell, Henry Booth and John G. Rogers were elected
as the additional judges under this constitut : onal pro-
vision, and during December, 187 1, Lambert Tree was
elected to the vacancy caused by the resignation of
Judge McAllister.
William Washington Farwell is a descendant, in the
sixth generation, from Henry and Olive Farwell, who emigrated
from England and settled in Concord, Mass., in 1635. He is a
son of John and Almira (Williams) Farwell, and was born January
5, 1817, at Morrisville, Madison Co., N. Y. He entered Hamil-
ton College in 1S33, and graduated in the class of 1S37. In 1S38,
he began the study of law, under the direction of Otis P. Granger,
Morrisville, N. Y.; and in the autumn of 1S40, entered the office
of Potter & Spaulding, of Buffalo, where he completed his studies
and was admitted to practice, in 1841, at the fall term of the
Supreme Court, held in Rochester. He returned to Morrisville,
where he began to practice, continuing it successfully for seven
years. In May, 1S48, he came to Chicago, remaining here until
the spring of 1849. when he joined a small party, and set out, by
the overland route, for California. Nearly six months were
consumed in the weary journey. He remained in Sacramento
and San Francisco until the summer of 1S50, when he returned to
New York, by way of the Isthmus of Panama. On February 12,
1851, he was married to Mary E., daughter of Otis P. Granger.
He resumed practice in Morrisville, and remained there until the
fall of 1854, when he returned to Chicago. In spring of 1S55, he
became a member of the law firm of Goodrich, Farwell & Scoville.
In 1856, Mr. Scoville retired, and Sidney Smith entered the firm.
Mr. Goodrich was elected judge of the Superior Court, and retired,
re-entering the firm on the expiration of fiis term. The firm
continued until 1S70, at which time, Mr. Farwell was elected one
of the judges of the Circuit Court He held that position for nine
years, being re elected in 1S73. His official duties during his term
of service were mainly in the chancery department. Upon retiring
from the Bench he resumed the practice of his profession, which
he still continues. In 18S0, he was chosen professor of equity
jurisprudence, pleadings and practice in the Union College of Law,
of this city, which position he still holds. In politics, he was from
the first an abolitionist, but he voted for the Free-soil candidates,
and has always acted with the Republican partv. He has, from
his youth, been a member of the Congregational Church. His only
living children are Granger Farwell and John William Farwell.
John Gorin Rogers, chief-justice of the Circuit Court of
Cook County, is a marked illustration of the force of heredity, as,
for two hundred years, both his paternal and his maternal ancestors
have been prominent and often illustrious members of the learned
professions. His father, George Rogers, who died in Glasgow,
ky., in March, 1S60, was the leading physician in that part of the
State. There, on the 2Sth of December, 1818, was born fohn (..
Rogers. He received his preliminary education at Centre College,
graduating from the law department of the Transylvania Uni-
versity, at Lexington, in 1841, as Bachelor of Laws. Immediately
commencing the practice of his profession in his native town, he
continued to labor successfully in that field for eighteen years. So
great a love did he have for his chosen work that, although repeat-
edly urged to enter the province of politics, he steadfastly refused,
only receiving those marks of public esteem which would tempo-
rarily distract his attention from the great world of legal action.
During his early manhood he was a Whig, but after the Bell-Ever-
ett contest, in i860, he identified himself with the Democratic party.
In 1S48, he was on the Taylor electoral ticket ; in 1852, was chosen
to the same position on the Scott ticket, and in 1856, was a mem-
ber of the convention that nominated Fillmore for the presidency.
Judge Rogers came to Chicago in December, 1857, and his career
here has also been one of steady progress in the respect, confi-
dence and admiration of the public. As a lawyer, he became
famous for his knowledge of real estate law. Furthermore, he
was an eloquent pleader and a keen debater, his remarkable mem-
ory furnishing him with a wealth of precedent and citation. In July,
1870, upon the adoption of the new Constitution, he was chosen
an associate judge of the Circuit Court, his commission being dated
August 11, 1S71. He was again elected in 1873, in 1S79, and in
18S5, and has served as chief-justice of the Court since June, 1879.
Judge Rogers is an Odd Fellow of high standing. In 1S49, he joined
Glasgow Lodge, No. 65, and on his removal to Chicago, 'connected
himself with Excelsior Lodge, No. 22. After having represented
that body in the Grand Lodge for several years, he was, in 1863,
elected Grand Master of the State of Illinois, and in 1869 was
chosen grand representative to the Grand Lodge of the United
States, at Baltimore. In 1876, he was again called to the same
high post of honor. During the great fire, judge Rogers was
treasurer of the Relief Committee appointed by the Odd Fellows,
and disbursed some $125,000 to the grief-stricken people of Chi-
cago. The work of that body, during the calamity, did much to
lift the whole city from its threatened depression, and all who
served upon it are entitled to the lasting gratitude of its people.
Judge Rogers has ever been an ardent supporter of the cause of
temperance as distinguished from fanaticism, having been chosen
Grand Worthy Patriarch of the Sons of Temperance while yet a
resident of Kentucky. He was married on December 17, 1S44, to
Miss Belle Crenshaw, of Glasgow, Ky., a daughter of B. Mills
Crenshaw, a former chief-justice of that State. They have four
children, two boys and two girls.
Henry Booth, one of the founders of the law department of
the University of Chicago, and for nine years a judge of the Circuit
Court of Cook County, was born in Roxbury, Litchfield Co.,
Conn., August 19, 1S1S. In 1S36, he completed his studies at the
Roxbury Academy preparatory to entering Yale College, graduat-