Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 04.pdf/250

 The Supreme Court of Indiana. few clear-cut sentences, to the core of the case. He cited few authorities. His opin ions, consequently, are short, but perspicuous. There is no uncertainty about his meaning, or what he decides. He was, perhaps, the finest equity lawyer in the State, or who ever sat upon the Supreme Court bench. Jeremiah Sullivan. Judge Sullivan was born July 21, 1794, at Harrisonburgh, Va. His father, a Cath olic, came from Ireland and married a Meth odist woman. Of the two children from this union, the daughter died an infant. His father designed him for the priesthood, but Jeremiah preferred the law. He graduated at William and Mary's College. Having read law, he was about to enter on the practice, when the War of 18 12 broke out, and he en listed in the army. He rose to the rank of captain, for his " bravery and good conduct." At the close of the war, declining an offer of partnership with his old preceptor, he started for Louisville, Ky.; but upon his arrival at Cincinnati he was recommended to go to Madison, Ind., which he did, and there set tled. In 1820 he was elected to the legis lature as a supporter of Monroe, and was ap pointed one of the commissioners to lay off the site selected for the future capital of In diana. In the legislature he proposed the name of Indianapolis for the new capital, and it was adopted, although at first received with derisive shouts of laughter. In 1824 he was defeated by William Hendricks for Congress. In 1829 he was appointed by Governor Ray one of the land commissioners to adjust the conflicting claims of Ohio and Indiana concerning the land granted by the United States for the construction of the Wabash and Erie Canal, and elicited the com mendations of both Governors of the two States. His connection with the canal lasted until 1836. When appointed judge, May 29, 1837, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of McKinney, his associates were Dewey and Blackford; and he continued on the bench nine years. It may safely be said

227

that the bench as a whole was never better than during their nine years. Dewey was a man of originality and power; Blackford of learning, scholarship, and acumen; and Sul livan of scholarship combined with power, though inferior to Dewey, and a graceful diction that has not been surpassed by any member of the Supreme Court bench. He was the ablest writer of the three. His opinions are models of legal composition. The decisions of the court at this period have been repeatedly cited by the Queen's Bench of England; and the court rose to a dignity and reputation unequalled by any of the newer States, and surpassed not far by any of the older. Although the characteristics of the three judges were radically different, yet they combined and served to procure for the bench this high reputation. In later life Sullivan was a Whig; and on the breaking out of the Rebel lion he was an earnest supporter of the ad ministration, one of his sons becoming a brigadier-general in the Union army. In 1869 he was appointed by Governor Baker judge of the Jefferson County criminal court; and at the following general election he was elected judge : but when he was to open court for the first time as a judge elected by the people, the members of the bar were shocked to hear that he had died only two or three hours before the morning hour for calling court. He died Dec. 6, 1870. Of him Hon. Joseph E. McDonald said, in a public address : "Asa judge, he was learned and inflexibly just, and an ornament to the bench. As a practising lawyer, he was able and honorable, and an ornament to the pro fession. As a sincere Christian, he was an ornament to the church. As a man of ex alted personal character, he was an ornament to society." Thomas L. Smith. Judge Smith held his office 29, 1847, until the incoming the new Supreme Court. He Dewey, and was a Democrat.

from Jan. judges of succeeded When ap