Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 05.pdf/444

 The Supreme Court of Appeals of Virginia.

409

Revolutionary era and the modern era of son of Botetourt, Dr. Wm. N. Anderson American history, — between the times of of Greenbrier, and Gen. Joseph R. Ander Washington, Patrick Henry, and Jefferson, son of Richmond City — were all men of and the times of Lincoln, Jefferson Davis, great force of character, and great distinction in their respective professions and spheres and Robert E. Lee. He received his education first and chiefly of duty. It is rarely that a single household at his father's fireside, under the tuition of has given to the world four men of such his devoted mother; then at the school of marked characteristics, ability, and useful Curtis Alderson; then for one session at the ness; and their sister, Mrs. Robert Glasgow,

was as admirable as a school at Ben Salem, , woman as they were Rockbridge County, as men. Va., during which time In his early profes he lived at Greensional life he for several forest, the home of his years had a small class brother-in-law, Robert of young law students Glasgow, Esq.; after to whom he gave in wards for several years struction. Among at the FincastleClassithose who belonged to cal School, conducted this class, and were by the Rev. Robert trained by him for the Logan; and subse bar, were Eli Phlegar quently at Washing and Daniel Hoge, of ton College, at which Montgomery County. institution he gradu In a few years the ated with distinction demands of his prac at the age of nineteen. He read law under tice were so engrossing the direction of Flem that he had to give up ing B. Miller and his law class; but he derived advantages Chancellor Allen Tay from his systematic lor, and came to the bar when just twentystudy in order to pre one years of age; and pare himself for his WALLER R. STAPLES. duties as an instruc within a year after tor, the benefit of wards, on the 8th of December, 1830, he was married to Mary which he realized throughout his profes Ann Alexander, daughter of Andrew Alex sional and official life. He was an earnest and laborious student ander of Rockbridge. He always realized that whatever of success he achieved was of the law, — of law as a science, a science largely due to the sweet influence which she of broad principles and profound philosophy. He was a lawyer of few books, but those cast over his life and home. Following in the parental footsteps, he were of the best, and were faithfully studied united with the Presbyterian Church at Fin- and mastered. He entered upon his profession with that castle, in which he succeeded his venerable father as a ruling elder. His faith in God earnestness and enthusiasm which usually was the absolute and confiding trust of a characterizes successful effort; and in its practice he always adhered strictly to an child. His three brothers — Col. John T. Ander- elevated code of ethics. At the bar he