Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 03.pdf/70

 The

Vol. III.

No. 2.

Green

BOSTON.

Bag.

February, 1891.

DAVID DUDLEY FIELD. By Irving Browne. THE family of which the subject of this sketch is the oldest member, trace their descent — with better warrant, it would seem, than many American families — back to the time of the Conqueror William. But they really stand in no more need of ances tors than the first Napoleon, who was " his own ancestor; " for they are the most nota ble American family of the present time, and have no parallel in our history except the Adams family. By their own unaided talents they have raised themselves to the first rank in eminence and wealth, and have adorned all the learned professions and the pursuit of commerce in its largest sense. The father of this eminent branch was the Rev. David Dudley Field, of Haddam, Conn., and Stockbridge, Mass., —. a clergyman of acknowl edged learning, piety, and strength of char acter. In addition to his namesake and son there are still living, of his children, Stephen J. Field, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States; Cyrus W. Field, the great merchant and projector of the Atlantic telegraph cable system; and Henry M. Field, the distinguished cler gyman, author, and editor of the New York " Evangelist." Emilia Ann, a deceased daughter, married the Rev. Josiah Brewer, the well known early foreign missionary; and their son, David J., is an Associate Justice on the Federal Supreme Court Bench. Another son, Timothy B., was a brilliant naval officer, and was lost at sea at the age of twenty-five. Another deceased son, Mat thew D., was one of the most celebrated of the -

civil engineers of this country; and his son, Matthew D., is an excellent physician in the city of New York. Another deceased son, Jonathan E., was a lawyer, early settled in Michigan, and was thrice President of the Massachusetts Senate. His son, Stephen D., is a very eminent electrical expert and inventor. The subject of this sketch was born at Haddam, Conn., in 1805. When he was nine years old his father taught him Latin, Greek, and Mathematics. He entered Wil liams College in 1821, and graduated in 1825. He studied law a few months with Harmanus Bleecker, in Albany, and finished his studies in the city of New York with Henry and Robert Sedgwick, who were from Stockbridge. He was admitted an attorney and solicitor in 1828, and counsellor in 1830, and immediately formed a partnership with Robert Sedgwick. He continued in active practice in that city for more than half a century. It took him much longer to get out of practice than to get in, and he always conducted a great and lucrative business, dealing in concerns of vast monetary impor tance and representing the interests of the largest merchants and corporations in the metropolis. It is understood that he accu mulated a large property in the legitimate pursuit of his profession. As a practitioner he united the powers of a sagacious adviser and learned lawyer with those of a powerful advocate in a very remarkable and unusual de gree. While at no time celebrated as a mere orator, his voice was potent in the courts, and