|
|
THE OLD
MEMBERS OF THE CALHOUN AND KALAMAZOO
COUNTY BARS BY A. D. P. VAN BUREN
THOMAS B. CHURCH
Thomas B. Church was born in Dighton, Bristol county. Mass. [1821], graduated at Trinity college, Hartford, Conn., studied law at Marshall, Mich, with Gordon and Woodruff, 1839-41, and was licensed to practice in the Kent county circuit court, at Grand Rapids, where he early removed and where he has since lived. He was elected a representative to our state legislature in '51 and '55, Mr. Church says: "I was not really a member of the Calhoun county bar; while in Marshall I acted as clerk and agent principally. " But, as he first located in Marshall, and as he was so well known there, we give a sketch of him here. He, as I remember him, was tall and commanding in person, evincing the man of intellect and thought. He was known as a lover of books. His attainments in science and literature are of a varied and extensive range. His public efforts, both at the bar and on the rostrum, have been marked by occasional exhibitions of extraordinary power, with passages of thrilling eloquence. Mr. Church has ever been a man of social and genial turn of mind,
but of a lymphatic temperament. Hence his interest has not been easily aroused, his sympathies awakened, or his enthusiasm kindled. As a natural consequence, his public efforts have been quite unequal in their effect and power. The first half of his speech may be dispassionate, or cold, logical argument, but, if his feelings then warmed to the subject, his action became impressive, his words, animated with intense thought, came with increasing force until they flowed with the resistless power of a tornado. His best efforts, as said, were born of great occasions. He is now living at Grand Rapids, and - is about retiring from active public life.
Michigan
Page 16
|
|
|
|
|
|