THE BENCH AND THE BAR

The first practicing lawyer in the County, as far as is known, was Nicholas Purdue Olding.
For many years he was not only the father but the grandfather of the Bar. Born in England,
1751; educated at Oxford; his friends intended him for the Church, but on completing his
course, he turned his attention to law.  Having finished his law course, he came to America
at the time of the American Revolution and took arms in defence of the mother country.  At
the close of the war, he came to Halifax with his wife and two children.

In 1784 he was admitted to the Bar, and entered upon the practice of his profession with
great promise.  But he had received a wound in the head, which rendered him unfit for the
excitement of the Bar and the social habits of the time.  About 1797 he received a grant of
land at Merigomish from Governor Wentworth.  Soon afterwards he moved there and settled on
Point Betty Island, where he lived the remainder of his life.

He did not regularly practice as a barrister, but did considerable law business, writing
deeds and issuing legal documents.  He generally attended the court at Pictou until near the
close of his life.  Though brought up in the Church of England, he joined the Presbyterian
Church, under Dr. McGregor's ministry.  His wife died in 1841 in the 87th year of her age,
and he in 1845, in his ninety-fifth year.  They had lived together for the long period of
sixty-four years.  Mr. Olding was well educated, had a high sense of honor, and maintained
throughout his life a reputation for integrity and justice.

Among the early members of the legal profession in the county were: Robert Hatton, who came
from Ireland in 1813; Thomas Dickson, who was a Colchester man; Henry Blackadar of Halifax,
who represented the district in the legislature for nearly a dozen years; Martin I. Wilkins,
born at Windsor, practiced law in Pictou, and afterwards became Prothonotary of Supreme Court
in Halifax, which office he held up to time of his death.  He was a Barrister of marked
ability, but was rather eccentric in his manner.  Daniel Dickson, born at Truro, N. S., died
December 27, 1878, was father of Wm. A. Dickson of Pictou.  A. C. McDonald the second son of
George McDonald was born at the West River in 1821.  Having been admitted to the Bar, he
entered into partnership with Daniel Dickson for the practice of law. In 1853 he married
Sarah Brown DeWolfe of Pugwash. He died in 1869, in the forty-eighth year of his age.  He was
a man of good judgment; and fair dealing characterized his legal career.

John MacKinlay, son of Rev. John MacKinlay at one time pastor of Prince St. Church, practiced
law in Pictou town for many years and died there December 1888.  James Fogo, was born in
Glasgow, came to Pictou when a lad, was educated at Pictou Academy, studied law in the office
of Jotham Blanchard, was admitted to the bar in 1837, became Judge of Probate 1850.  He died
in 1897.  Edward Roach was a native of Cumberland County and practiced in New Glasgow.  David
Matheson was born at West River and died September 1886.  For the last twenty-five years of
his life he was Prothonotary and Clerk to County Court at Pictou.

One of the best known of the earlier members of the bar, was Jotham Blanchard. He was, by
birth, a New Englander, but by education and residence a Pictonian. Inasmuch as his whole
public life was spent in Pictou, the County can fairly claim him as one of her sons.  Mr.
Blanchard was born at Peterboro, N., H., in 1800.  He was the eldest son of Jonathan
Blanchard.  When he was fifteen months old, his parents removed with him to Truro.  A few
years later the family removed to West River, Pictou, where his father bought George
McConnell's farm and built what was known as the Ten Mile House.

Afterwards they removed to Pictou Town, where Jotham studied at Pictou Academy, being one of
the first class of students in that institution.  He studied law in the office of Thomas
Dickson, and was admitted to the Bar in 1821.  He soon became one of the most eminent
practitioners in Eastern Nova Scotia. His time and energies were largely devoted to fearless
advocacy of popular rights and to support of Pictou Academy and higher education.

Mr. Blanchard was an able lawyer, a keen debater, a forceful writer; and he used his powers
unstintedly for the best interests of the country.  He ended his brilliant career in 1840 in
the fortieth year of his age and it is not to the credit of his fellow countrymen, that his
grave lies unmarked in the Old Cemetery in Pictou.

Hon. Hiram Blanchard was born in Pictou, in 1820, educated at Pictou Academy, and called to
the bar of Nova Scotia in 1843, when only twenty-three years of age.  He practiced law for
some years in Halifax.  He represented the County of Inverness in the Legislature for several
years, and was for a short time Premier of the Province. He died in 1874.

Sir Charles Townsend, Chief Justice of Nova Scotia says: "Hiram Blanchard was at one time
regarded as one of the best and most successful lawyers in the Province.  While he could not
be called a well-read and diligent student of the law, yet he possessed in an eminent degree,
the faculty of quickly absorbing all the facts, and the law bearing thereon in the case in
hand."   He was a brother of Jotham Blanchard.

A well-known name of later years, was that of Hon. James McDonald, who was born at
Bridgeville, East River, July 1, 1828.  He was familiarly known and honored by his generation
in Pictou County as "Jim" McDonald.  His family was among the first Scottish Highlanders who
came to Nova Scotia and settled on the East River.  His grandfather, James Macdonald, known
as "The Deacon," was one of the founders of the Anti-Burgher Church, and, like all the family
was in politics a strong Radical.  His father settled in New Glasgow where his son was
educated.  Some of the older people still remember him as the bright, active lad, who without
any advantages, got himself an education and fought his way up to the high position of Chief
Justice of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia.  He studied law in the office of the well-known
Hon. Martin I. Wilkins and was admitted to the Bar when only twenty-three years of age.

He practiced law first in Pictou for twelve years, and in 1863 removed to Halifax where he
was conspicuous among the leaders of the Bar.  In 1878 he was made Minister of Justice in the
Sir John Macdonald's Government.  He was appointed Chief Justice of Nova Scotia in 1881;
retiring on a pension in 1904, he was presented with a handsome piece of silver by the bar of
Nova Scotia as a testimonial.  He declined the honor of Knighthood, and passed the closing
days of his life at "Blink Bonnie" on the Northwest Arm, where he died October 3, 1912, in
the 85th year of his age.  Almost his entire life was spent in his native province.

He was married, in 1856, to Jane Mortimer of Pictou, by whom he had a large family.  Two of
his sons are in the legal profession; Wallace McDonald at Edmonton, Alta., and James A.
McDonald at Halifax.  One of his daughters is married to Sir Hibbert Tupper, Victoria, B. C.,
and another to Mr. Stuart Tupper, Winnipeg, Man., both sons of Sir Charles Tupper, a third is
married to the Rev. L. H. Jordan, D. D., Oxford, England. In that great historic debate of
giants in what is known as the Pacific Railway Scandal, in 1873, the palm was unanimously
awarded to Hon. James McDonald, for his aggressive debating power and skill in defence.  At
that time Sir John A. Macdonald said of him, "As true as steel; and is, I think, the ablest
man in the House of Commons."

On the first day of October, 1845, there was born at East River another lad, who afterwards
became one of Pictou's most popular sons, Duncan C. Fraser.  He too, was without material
advantages; but he was of good Scottish ancestry. By push and perseverance he worked his way
up until he attained the Governorship of the Province.

He received his education in the common schools, and later at the Normal School, Truro.
After graduating with a B.A. degree from Dalhousie College, he taught school for some time
before being called to the bar in 1873.  He had a strong instinct for political life, and was
a popular debater.  Local politics paved the way for his career at Ottawa, where he
represented the County of Guysboro for many years.  He occupied a seat on the, Bench of the
Supreme Court of Nova Scotia for a few years, but gave it up to take the Lieutenant
Governorship of Nova Scotia.  His appointment was received with acclamation, and he was very
popular with the people.

Governor Fraser had a notable career in Parliament, at the Bar, and on the Bench.  His
influence was widely felt throughout the country.  He was one of the best stump speakers of
his day, a rare story-teller, and a genial companion.  Because of his ready wit and powers of
oratory he stood out prominently in the public life of his time.

He received the degree of LL. D., from Dalhousie College, and D.C.L., from St. Francis Xavier
and King's Colleges.  He died in 1910.  In 1878 he married Bessie G. Graham of New Glasgow.
One of his sons, Alister Fraser, is practicing law at Moose Jaw, Sask.

Hon. James G. Forbes, has for nineteen years been County Court Judge of St. John, N. B., and
a pillar of the Presbyterian Church of that city.  For many years he has been connected with
the Canadian Bible Society and the Lord's Day Alliance and also with the British and Foreign
Society of London, of which he is one of the Vice Presidents.

He is a brother of the Revs. John F. and Adam G. Forbes and a native of the County, born in
1838.  He took a course in law at Harvard University, and was admitted to the bar in 1865.
He was long a successful practitioner in St. John where he has resided for over half a
century.

Hon. Angus McGillivray was admitted to the bar in 1874, practiced in Antigonish, and was
retained in many important cases, civil and criminal.  He was appointed Judge of the County
Court in 1902 and was Speaker of the House of Assembly in 1883.  He resides at Antigonish, N.
S.

East River has the distinction of having given to Canada, three political leaders, Hon. James
McDonald, Hon. D. C. Fraser, and Hon. Simon H. Holmes.  Mr. Holmes was born at Springville,
in 1831, a son of Hon. John Holmes, Senator.  He was admitted to the bar, and practiced
successfully in Pictou for many years, devoting part of his time to journalism.  For four
years he was Premier of the Province.  He resides at Halifax where he has been Prothonotary
of the Supreme Court for thirty-two years.

John D. McLeod is at present, Judge of Probate for the County of Pictou, a position he has
held for a number of years.  He was born at West River, being descended from an old Highland
family, was educated at Pictou Academy, studied law, and was admitted as a barrister in 1866.

Charles D. Macdonald, B.A., son of A. C. Macdonald, was born in Pictou in 1854.  He entered
Dalhousie College in 1869 when only 15 years of age.  At 21 he was admitted to the bar.  He
practiced in his native place until 1890, when he removed to Halifax.  In 1897 he located in
Edmonton, Alta., where he died some years later.  He was a brilliant linguist.  For several
years he was editor of the Pictou News.

Hon. George Geddie Patterson was born at Green Hill, and is a son of the late Rev. George
Patterson, D. D.  He is a graduate of Dalhousie University and Law School, and practiced in
New Glasgow, where he now resides.  He was appointed Judge of the County Court in 1907.

Edward Mortimer Macdonald, was born in 1865.  Educated at Pictou Academy and Dalhousie
University, he was admitted to the bar in 1887.  He has successfully practiced his profession
at Pictou, where he is head of the firm of Macdonald, Ives and Chipman.  He has represented
the County of Pictou in Parliament since 1897.  Mr. Macdonald has always taken an active part
in political matters and is today one of the most influential leaders and supporters of the
Liberal Party.

The leader of the Conservative party in the Local House, Halifax, is Charles E. Tanner, also
a lawyer and a native of Pictou town, born there in 1857.  In 1888 he was appointed Recorder
and Stipendiary Magistrate for the Town and still holds that office.

The list below gives 63 names who entered the legal profession from the County.  The place of
birth and present location is given.

BELL, ISAAC, New Glasgow; Winnipeg, Man.
Son of late Hon. A. C. Bell.

BLANCHARD, HIRAM, Hon., Pictou; Died 1874.
Premier for the Province.

BROWN, ROBERT, Saltsprings; California.

BROWNRIGG, Wm. H., Pictou; Deceased.

CAMERON, JOHN McKINLAY, Scotch Hill; Calgary, Alta.

DICKSON, Wm. A., K.C., Pictou; Pictou, N. S.

DOUGLAS, JOHN C., B.A., LL.B., Stellarton; Glace Bay, C. B.
Member of the Legislative Assembly.

DOULL, JOHN, LL.B., New Glasgow; New Glasgow, N. S.

ELLIOTT, GEO. H., Pictou; Deceased.
Mr. Elliott was the son of the Rev. Charles Elliott, the first Episcopal minister in Pictou.
Born in 1842, admitted to the bar in 1868, died in 1904.  He practiced law in Pictou.

FITZPATRICK, H. K., B.A., LL.B., Scotsburn; New Glasgow, N. S.
Brother of Rev. Jas. Fitzpatrick, New Annan, N. S.

FOGO, JAMES, HON., Pictou; Died 1897.
Judge of Probate.

FORBES, JAMES G., HON., Blue Mountain; St. John, N. B.
Judge of the County Court.

FRASER, ALISTER, B.A., LL.B., New Glasgow; Moose Jaw, Sask.

FRASER, DUNCAN C., HON. B.A., LL.D., Churchville; Died 1910.
Lieutenant Governor of the Province.

FRASER, JAMES A., New Glasgow; Deceased.

FRASER, JAMES H., B.A. Harvard Univ., Alma Toronto, Ont.

FRASER, THOMAS M., LL.B., Hopewell; Saskatoon, Sask.

GRAHAM, ROBERT H., B.A., K.C., New Glasgow; New Glasgow, N. S.

GRAHAM, RODERICK D., New Glasgow; Graduated, 1914.
Brother of Robt. H. Graham.

GRAY, WM. S., B.A., LL.B., Hopewell; MacLeod, Alberta.

GUNN, ALEX. D., LL.B., East River, St. Mary's; Sydney, C. B.
Mayor of Sydney.

HOLMES, SIMON H., HON., K.C., Springville; Halifax, N.S.
Prothonotary of Supreme Court.

HUGGAN, M., IRA, Avondale; Boston, Mass.

IVES, WELSFORD B., LL.B., Pictou; Pictou, N. S.

LANE, CHARLES W., Pictou; Lunenburg, N. S.

LANGILLE, ROBERT M., M.A., LL.B., River John; Sydney, C. B.

MACDONALD, ALVIN F., B.A., LL.B., Hopewell; Halifax, N. S.
Editor, Morning Chronicle.

MACDONALD, CHAS. D., B.A., Pictou; Died in 1908.

MACDONALD, DONALD D., Bailey's Brook.
Grad. of Law School, Halifax, 1914.

MACDONALD, EDWARD M., K.C., M.P., Pictou; Pictou, N. S.

MACDONALD, JOHN W., B.A., Pictou.
Son E. M. Macdonald, M.P.

MACDONALD, WILLIAM C., B.A., Bailey's Brook; Halifax, N. S.
Wm. C. and D. D. Macdonald are sons of late D. D. Macdonald, Bailey's Brook.

McDONALD, A. C., West River; Died in 1869.

McDONALD, A. J., Lismore; Died at Mabou, C. B.

McDONALD, JAMES, HON., Bridgeville; Died in 1912.
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia.

McDONALD, WILLIAM, Pictou; Pictou, N. S.

McGILLIVRAY, ANGUS, HON., Bailey's Brook; Antigonish, N. S.
Judge of the County Court.

McGILLIVRAY, JOHN, McLennan's Brook; Died in 1901.
Born April 2, 1847. Educated at Dal. College.  Began the practice of law in New Glasgow,
1877.

McINNES, HECTOR, K.C., Lyon's Brook; Halifax, N. S.
Lecturer on the Practice and Procedure of Law, Dalhousie University, Halifax.  Firm McInnes,
Mellish, Fulton & Kenny.

MACKAY, ADAMS A., K.C., River John, Halifax, N. S.

MACKAY, ALEX. T., B.A., Pictou.
Grad. Halifax Law school, 1913.

MACKAY, IRA W., M.A., Ph.D., Scotsburn; Saskatoon, Sask.
Prof. Political Economy, Univ. of Saskatchewan.

MACKAY, HARRY B., LL.B., Scotsburn; Westville, N. S.

McKAY, NEIL F., West River; Kaslo, B. C.

McKAY, RODERICK G., LL.B., East River, St. Mary's; New Glasgow, N. S.

McKINLAY, JOHN, Pictou; Died in 1888.

MACKENZIE, GEO. A., Four Mile Brook; Deceased.
Rev. Chas. B. Mackenzie, Galliopolis, Ohio, and A. Stanley Mackenzie, President of Dal.,
University, Halifax, are sons of late Geo. A. Mackenzie.

MACLELLAN, R. W., B.A., LL.B.
Mr. Maclellan was a son of W. E. Maclellan, Post Office Inspector, Halifax.  He was seriously
injured in a game of football, from which he died November 10, 1910, at the age of 23.  He
was a young man of great promise, clever, manly, and to all appearances had a brilliant
career before him.

MACLELLAN, W. E., LL.B., Durham; Halifax, N. S.
Post Office Inspector for Nova Scotia.

MCLEOD, JOHN D., K.C., West River; Pictou, N. S.
Judge of Probate.

MADDIN, JAS. W., LL.B., Westville; Sydney, C. B.

MARTIN, JOHN J., B.A., LL.B., Stellarton; Cranbrook, B. C.

MATHESON, DAVID, West River; Died 1886.

MUNRO, HENRY T., B.A., Pictou; Cambridge, Mass.
Asst. Prof., International Law, Harvard University.

PATTERSON, GEO. G., HON., M.A., LL.B., Green Hill; New Glasgow, N. S.
Judge of the County Court and Lecturer on evidence at Dalhousie University, Halifax, N. S.

POWER, JOHN J., M.A., K.C., Pictou; Halifax, N. S.

ROSS, JOHN U., K.C., Pictou; Pictou, N. S.

SINCLAIR, DONALD C., B.A., LL.B., New Glasgow; New Glasgow, N. S.

STEWART, JAMES McGREGOR, B.A., Pictou.
Grad. Halifax Law school, 1914.  He is a son of James McGregor Stewart, who took his degree
of B.A., from Dalhousie in 1876; afterwards practiced law in Pictou.  Dr. John Stewart,
Halifax, and Rev. Thos. Stewart D.D., Presbyterian College, are brothers of the last named.
Their father was Rev. Murdoch Stewart, Whycocomagh, C. B.

TANNER, CHAS. E., K.C., M.P.P., Pictou; Pictou, N. S.
Leader of the opposition in the House of Assembly, Halifax, N. S.

TURNER, J. W. M., Merigomish; Died in California.

TWEEDIE, T. M., LL.B., Stellarton; Calgary, Alta. Harvard Law School, Member Legislative
Assembly.

VAIR, JAMES D., B.A., Pictou. Grad. Halifax Law School, 1913.

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