University of Nebraska College of Law - Yearbook (Lincoln, NE)

Page 39 text:

lion. william UD. Giffin The subject of this sketch was born December 14, 1853, in West- moreland county, Pennsylvania. His parents were both Ameri- cans, their ancestors for several generations having been natives of Pennsylvania. He received the common school education in his native county and attended Sewickley Academy at the same place. Later he also attended Knox College, Illinois. Judge Gitien is a graduate of the Law Department of the State University of Iowa, where he received the degree of LL.B. in 187 6. After coming to Nebraska he was four years county judge of York county. His present home is at Tecumseh, where he is a member of the law firm of Davidson :St Giffen. He holds the chair of Lecturer on 1Vills, in the College of Law, which position he has held for some time and fills with credit. He is not a large man, but what he lacks in size he makes up in energy and serious, intense interest in his work. He is in love With his subject and always ready and anxious to explain the difficult points.

Page 38 text:

Egon. john G. watson John C. VVatson was born September 20, 1850, at St. Louis, Missouri. After completing his common school education he en- tered the University of Michigan, Where' he graduated in 1873. Upon being admitted to the bar he located in Nebraska, and has made this state his home ever since, during which time he has established a wide reputation as an acute and able jurist. As a criminal lawyer he easily leads the Nebraska bar. In 1878 he was elected district attorney of the Second Judicial District, comprising the counties of Lancaster, Cass, Nemaha, and Otoe, serving four terms in that capacity. He was elected to the legislature in 1887, and in 1889 as tloat representative from Otoe and Cass counties was elected speaker of the house, in which capacity he achieved distinction as a parliamentarian. He was also re-elected to the house in 1891 and 1893. Under Presi- dent Harrison he was tendered the position of attorney general of Alaska, but declined the appointment. In 1894 he was elected to the state senate. Mr. lVatson holds the chair of Lecturer on Criminal Law in the College of Law, which position he has held for tive years. His home is in Nebraska City.

Page 40 text:

Ziubge Iiacob Sawcett Judge Jacob Fawcett, lecturer on the Law of Insurance, was born at Benton, LaFayette county, Wisconsin, April 9, 1847. He attended a country district school until the age of fourteen, but had none of the advantages of a high school or college educa- tion, as he enlisted in the army before he had attained his fifteenth birthday, and remained in the War till its close. He Was Wounded at Shiloh three days before he was iifteen. Before going into the army he had commenced to learn the trade of blacksmithing, and he took this occupation up as soon as he laid down his arms. Mr. Fawcett, at this time, began the study of law, Working at his forge during the day and reading Blackstone by the light of the midnight oil. He was admitted to the bar in the same county Where he had formerly plied his trade as a blacksmith. Before- coming to Nebraska Judge Fawcett served four years in the city council of Galena, Illinois, and held numerous other positions of trust. He was elected judge in the fourth judicial district of Ne- braska November 5, 1895, which position he now holds.