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resemble somewhat the production of an emi In 1865 he was elected Prosecuting At nent sculptor — every feature clear and well torney of Highland County, Virginia. He defined. The lights and shadows of his mind continued his practice until 1882 when he so encompassed them that they stand forth was appointed by Governor J. B. Jackson to on the printed page to be seen and under fill the unexpired term of Judge James F. Patton, deceased, on the bench of the Su stood of all men. He was possessed of so fine a grade of preme Court of Appeals of West Virginia. what is called " common sense " that it be To the same position he was elected in 1882 came uncommon and often was with him in to fill this unexpired term, and again in 1884 the rescue of obscure and yet material facts, for a full term of twelve years. Here he

the turning points remained until in in a cause. 1890 he resigned. He had acquired a In 1859 he re competence from his ceived his license practice and from and began the prac profitable invest tice of the law at ments, and after his Lewisburg, Virginia, retirement from the now West Virginia. bench he only ac Here he lived the cepted a few cases greater part of his in the highest courts. life until July 24, As is said of him by 1 896, the date of his Judge Okey John death. son, " His opinions In 186: he volun are models. They teered in the Con come fully up to the federate army and proper standard of was adjutant of the judicial opinions, 27th West Virginia nothing repeated, regiment of the fa nothing omitted, mous " Stonewall long enough to make Brigade" until 1863, everything clear, not when he was cap too short so there tured and held pris A. C. SNYDF.R. might be a feeling oner in the old Athethat the reasoning was ofincomplete. disappointment They neum at Wheeling until 1864. At the first and second battles of Bull Run, Harristown, Winchester, Cross generally give but one reason for the point Keys, Port Republic, the Seven Days' Battles decided and that the best one, and each point around Richmond, Fredericksburg, Chancel- sustained by only the most pertinent author lorsville and Gettysburg, he was in the thick ity. He wrote many opinions which will be est of the fight. He was wounded and was found in seventeen volumes of our Supreme Court Reports, from the twentieth to the unable to again join his army. thirty-sixth inclusive. They are all there, In 1869 he married Miss Henrietta H. clear and convincing. Corey of Lewisburg. Five children resulted "He was a most conscientious judge. His from this marriage. whole aim was to decide the case according After the war he resumed the practice of to law, without regard to consequences. the law.