HISTORICAL SKETCHES
of the Bench and Bar of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania
[Contents] [Next-Introduction]
FOREWORD TO THE 1961 EDITION
As the late R. G. Collingswood remarked, “there are in history no beginnings and no endings,” and continuity has been particularly evident in Pennsylvania History. But forgetting continuity for the moment, we are here dealing with but one aspect of local history—the Bench and Bar of Lycoming County. All of the accompanying background, the social, intellectual and political aspects of history have had to be largely omitted, except for incidental references as they occur naturally in our narrative. Limited then as the scope of our subject is, we cannot afford to draw generalizations. For as that brilliant historian, Eileen Power, has said the only generalizations we can accurately draw from history is that there are no generalizations.
It is the editor’s hope that our readers, drawn chiefly from the legal profession, may derive some profit and pleasure from the perusal of this compilation. May the hardships endured by some of our brethren in their efforts to become lawyers serve as an inspiration to those others who may aspire to our calling. Remember always that the law is a jealous mistress and demands undivided attention and loyalty.
Many friends have aided me in this undertaking. Paul C. Gilmore, editor of the (Williamsport) Sun-Gazette, has been most helpful, and the members of our bar have courteously and care fully answered the questionnaires sent them. I am indebted to William H. C. Huffman, Williamsport, Pa., the Fackenthal Library of Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, Pa., where Judge Ellis Lewis taught; Library of Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pa., where Judge Thomas Cooper taught, for the illustrations in this book; and to Albert S. Faught, Esq., and the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, both of Philadelphia, Pa. My thanks to them all.
Benigne lector: Ignoscas aliquot erroribus
vel machinae vel calami!
Williamsport, Pa.
February, 1961
Marshall R. Anspach
FOREWORD TO THE 1989 EDITION
It is our pleasure to present this new volume, briefly listing all living resident members of the Lycoming County Bar, including those who have retired. More extended treatment has been accorded to our judges, whether living or deceased, and to all resident attorneys who have died since 1960.
We are particularly pleased to reissue, under this same cover a facsimile reprint of the late Marshall Reid Anspach’s magnificent volume, Historical Sketches of the Bench and Bar of Lycoming County, 1795—1960, first published in 1961.
Various members of Lycoming County Bar have assisted our committee in the writing of these sketches, most especially the judges, each of whom prepared his own, and Clifford A. Thomas, retired editor of the Williamsport Sun-Gazette, has also been most helpful.
Williamsport, PA.
May 1, 1989
The Bar History Committee
John C. Decker, Chairman
Charles R. Bidelspacher
Charles F. Greevy, III
Charles Leslie Knight
J. Neafie Mitchell
Steven John Moff
Paul W. Reeder
Paul A. Roman
Honorable Thomas Wood
John C. Youngman, Sr.
