Genealogy of the Olmsted family in America : embracing the ...

Biographical 449
and was soon recognized as a leading lawyer throughout all Northern
Pennsylvania.
In 1862 he was elected to the State Legislature to represent Tioga and
Potter Counties, and having been re-elected, served in that capacity for three
successive terms.
In 1865 he was chosen and served as Speaker of the House of Representatives
of Pennsylvania.
In 1868 he was elected to the State Senate, where he took an important
part and served with distinguished ability.
He was appointed by Governor John F. Hartranft to be President
Judge of the district comprising the counties of Bucks and McKean, to fill
a vacancy caused by the death of the former incumbent. His services upon
the bench were so satisfactory that there was an earnest desire on the part not
only of the bar, but of the people generally, to elect him for the full term, if
he would consent to move into the district. He declined to do so, however,
preferring to return to his home and to his practice in Northern Pennsylvania.
In 1874 he was the Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor, but
that was an " off year " for the Republican party, the Democrats electing
all State officers and capturing the Legislature as well.
In 1882 he was elected Additional Law Judge for the Fourth Judicial
District, composed of the Counties of Potter, Tioga and McKean. By subsequent
legislation the district was divided and he became the President
Judge for the Forty-eighth District, comprising Potter and McKean Counties.
At the expiration of his first term he was re-elected and served the second
term of ten years, when he voluntarily retired, declining to be a candidate for
re-election. His second election was practically unanimous and his judicial
service at all times eminently satisfactory and highly commended by the public
generally. He was active and energetic in the disposition of the business of
the Court. He was a very patient listener, but quick to act and rule. When
he first came to the bench, the business of the court was several years behind,
but, by holding extra sessions and keeping attorneys and litigants busy in
the dispatch of business, he soon brought it up to date and kept it there.
During his administration the wheels of justice ran very smoothly and satisfactorSy.
It may truthfully be said that for more than twenty years, he exemplified
in the highest degree the attributes of judgeship which, as defined
by Socrates, are " to hear courteously, answer wisely, consider soberly, decide
impartially."
The extensive and lucrative practice which he enjoyed previous to his
elevation to the bench, aided by fortunate investments in timber, gas and other
properties, placed him in possession of a comfortable fortune. Since his retirement
from the bench, he has devoted his time to the management of his own
affairs and to the development of improvements for the public good in which
he has always been foremost. He was very active in securing the building
of the railroad which now connects Coudersport with the outer world. He
organized the Citizens Water Company, of which he was made President;
was instrumental in organizing the Citizens Gas Company, the Citizens
Safe Deposit & Trust Company, in the erection of the Soldiers' Monument,
also in organizing the Coudersport Library, to which he donated a brick Ubrary
building; in 1908 he gave to the community a large two-story building for the
use of the hose company. At the time of this writing, he is living in his luxurious
home in Coudersport and, thanks to a temperate and well ordered life,
is well preserved even in his eighty-fifth year.