My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM M. NEWTON. Many of our most brilliant men are cut down in the prime of life, seemingly because the physical man is too weak to sustain, the mental strain under which it labors. William M. Newton was of this class. His early life was passed with toil and hard study to attain an eminence which he finally reached. His maturer years were marked by close application, that his client’s interests should not suffer, and he had the confidence of those who employed his talent, and the respect and consideration of his brother barristers, even though they were opposed to him at the bar, because he disdained subterfuge and petty advantages. William M. Newton was a son of John and Sally (Loomer) Newton, and was born in Norwich, New York, October 30, 1827, and died at Jamestown April 11, 1887, aged fifty-nine years and six months. His father, John Newton, went to Busti town in 1832 and settled as a farmer, and died a number of years ago.

William M. Newton early gave evidence of a bright mind, which developed rapidly as he approached manhood, but his parents were struggling to maintain a family of five children, and the young man got naught but such advantages as the common schools afforded. He early determined to master the law for his life profession, and his studies were directed to attain this end. Various labor was performed to secure means, and he spent the winters teaching school, principally in Chautauqua county.

On June 3, 1848, he married Prudence Barber, a daughter of Elihu Barber, an old resident and farmer of Poland, who served as a drummer boy in the war of 1812. He had two children: Agnes, who married Ed. D. Warren; and Otis J., who wedded Mary E. Wilcox, and has two children, Burt and Maud. Mrs. Newton was of great assistance to her young husband in his studies. Instead of being a burden to him, she was the bright star which led him onward, and Mr. Newton, in later years, gave her great credit for his attainment in legal study.

In 1850 he entered the office of Madison Burnell, of Jamestown, who was one of the most prominent lawyers of western New York. His practice was extensive, and the young student had excellent opportunities for practice in the justices court long before his admission to the bar. After spending two years with Mr. Burnell, he attended the law school at Ballston Spa, Saratoga county, this State, where he rapidly improved in legal knowledge and style of oratory. Naturally gifted with an eloquence which swept away all doubt, he soon acquired a reputation for effective advocacy. He was admitted to practice in all the courts of the State early in 1853, and on the 5th of December, following year, he formed a partnership with the Hon. C. R. Lockwood, of Jamestown, which continued only a year, when Mr. Newton went to Waterloo, Black Hawk county, Iowa, where he remained about seven years, and was elected district attorney. During the sixties he returned to Jamestown and followed his profession with great success until his death, which occurred in 1887. Mr. Newton’s death cast a gloom on the legal fraternity of Chautauqua county. Probably, excepting his family, none missed him so completely as his brother lawyers, who were wont to listen to his eloquence and wit. Politically, Mr. Newton was originally a democrat, but being of large ideas he saw the fallacy of parties and expressed himself as a rigid adherent of no party. His integrity of purpose and regard for the people, induced him to “act for the maintenance of right.” “To his conscience, there were inconsistencies in the prevalent teaching of orthodox religionists, which he regarded as inconsistent with divine goodness, and from a sense of duty, although not allying himself to any particular denomination, he advocated the more liberal sentiment of the time.” “He regarded superstition and bigotry as relics of darkest ages, which should succumb to the purer light and higher education of the present.” He was devoted to his family, to his friends and to his profession, and although nearly sixty years of age, was still a young man, for age cannot be numbered by years. He is survived by his wife, one son and a daughter, Agnes, — Mrs. Warren.

Ed. D. Warren was a journalist of extraordinary ability. He was born in Trenton, Oneida county, N. Y., July 1, 1849, was educated at Jamestown academy and learned the printer’s trade. He then took up editorial work and was soon recognized as a brilliant writer and a successful journalist. The Jamestown, and Springfield, Mass., papers were well acquainted with him and prized the products of his pen. The Union of the last named city was his home for ten years. He then went to Concord, N. H., and took charge of the Blade. It was there that he did the best work of his life. In 1884 he returned to Springfield and in the fall of 1888, assumed the editorship of the Paper World, a monthly publication devoted to the news of periodicals and paper production, which position he held until a few weeks before his death when exhausted vitality compelled him to relinquish his pen and surrender his desk. He died at Boston, Massachusetts, March 9, 1890, leaving a young wife in sorrow. His health had never been rugged. For years he had been a sufferer and many days were spent at work by force of will only. His employers respected, and fellow employees admired him for the determination not to give up, which though unspoken was displayed, and it was only when completely exhausted that he quit.

Ed. D. Warren was a republican, a member of De Soto lodge, No. 155, I. O. O. F., and an active Christian worker in Sabbath-school and church. His wife is now living at her home, on Lake View avenue, Jamestown.