Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 3.djvu/29

 II— JUDGES SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS

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Rives, Alexander, son of Robert Rives, an eminent merchant of Virginia, and brother of Hon. William C. Rives, was born at Oak- ridge, Nelson county, Virginia, June 17, 1806. He was educated at Hampden-Sidney College, and the University of Virginia, graduating from the latter in 1828. He was elected to a professorship in Washington College, and accepted, but followed it imme- diately with a declination, was admitted to the bar, and engaged in practice. He was originally a Democrat, but because of oppo- sition to the sub-treasury project of Mr. Van Buren became a Conservative in 1840, and joined the Whig party in 1844. During the civil war, he was a strong Unionist, and bit- terly opposed secession. After the war, he acted for a time with the Conservatives, and then with the Republicans. He was a mem- ber of the state convention of 1850-51 ; of the house of delegates in 1852-53; and of the state senate in 1859-61. He was appointed a judge of the supreme court of appeals, De- cember 19, 1866. In 1870 he was the Repub- lican candidate for congress from his district, and was defeated by R. T. W. Duke. The same year, he was appointed judge of the U. S. district court for the western district of Virginia, by President Grant, and contin- ued in that office until his death. He was a rector of the University of Virginia, and a member of the board of visitors, 1865-66. He was an Episcopalian ; "he was kind, courteous and forbearing to all, a beautiful example to those who shared his intimate acquaintance." He was married (first) to

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Isabella Bachen Wydown, daughter of the Rev. Samuel Wydown, a native of England, and an Episcopal minister; he married (sec- ond) Sallie Hearsley, daughter of Dr. George Watson, of Richmond. After his first marriage he resided at Charlottesville until 1833; then at his seat, "Carlton," on "Monticello," until 1873 ; and then at his home, "Eastbourne Terrace," Charlottes- ville, where he died, September 17, 1885, in his eightieth year.

Thompson, Lucas P., was born in Nelson county, Virginia, but moved to Staunton, where he was made judge of the circuit court in 1831. He continued in this office for many years, and was elected in 1866 a judge of the supreme court, but died before taking his seat. He had a law school at his home in Staunton.

Jo3aies, William T., born in Accomac county, Virginia, March 14, 1817, son of I'homas R. Joynes, a lawyer of ability, who is mentioned by Henry A. Wise, in his "Seven Decades of the Union." He settled in Petersburg, in 1839, and by his studious habits and talents soon gained for himself an enviable reputation as a lawyer. He was appointed United States district attorney, and discharged the duties of that position with marked ability. In the summer of 1863 he was elected judge of the first judicial dis- trict, under the Confederate establishment, which position he held until the termination of the war. In the fall of 1865 he was elected to the legislature of Virginia. Dur-