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

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.

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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 41 text:

r Egon. ID. S. Summers Hon. Williamson S. Summers, lecturer on Statutory Construc- tion, came to Nebraska in 1885. At the age of fourteen his par- ents settled in La Salle county, Ill., Where he remained until taking his college course. He Hrst attended Cornell University, and afterwards Iowa State Agricultural College, from which latter institution he graduated in 1884 with the degree of LLB. After taking special courses in oratory in Chicago and Cincinnati, he took a course in law and political science at Ann Arbor. During vacations Mr. Summers studied law in the ofiice of Duncan McDougall, of Ottowa, Ill., and on coming to Nebraska began the practice of law in Beatrice. He immediately took great interest in the political movements in the state, and in 1886 and every campaign since he has igured conspicuously as a cam- paign speaker. Mr. Summers was appointed as deputy Attorney General five years 'ago and While in that position attained con- siderable prominence before the state. I-Ie always encourages the students by his announcement that the subject of Statutory Construction is one of the dryest and most abstract of subjects, and that it is only endured because of the absolute necessity of mastering it. After this announcement they are in such a frame of mind that if surprised at all it must be an agreeable surprise.