Jefferson County Illinois Biographies

Source: The Bench and the Bar of Illinois: Historical and Reminiscent 
By John McAuley Palmer
Submitted By: Cindy Ford

Samuel Lewis Dwight, judge of the fourth judicial circuit of Illinois, has 
gained an eminent position at the bar of Illinois, and in his present official capacity 
stands as the conservator of that right and justice which are the protection 
of human life and liberty. The legal profession demands a high order of ability, 
and the judiciary, it is unnecessary to say, requires not only ability but a rare 
combination of talent, learning, tact, patience and industry. The successful lawyer 
and the competent judge must be a man of well balanced intellect, thoroughly 
familiar with the law and practice, of comprehensive general information, possessing 
an analytical mind and a self-control that will enable him to lose his individuality, 
his personal feelings, his prejudices and the peculiarities of disposition in 
the dignity, impartiality and equity of the office to which right, property, life 
and liberty must look for protection. Judge Dwight has won high honors in his 
chosen calling and merit has been the ladder on which he has risen to fame. 

A native of Mount Vernon, Illinois, he was born March 15, 1841, and is a 
son of Lewis Dwight, a native of Dudley, Massachusetts, who was educated in 
Yale College, and when a young man came to the west. Locating in Mount 
Vernon, he engaged in teaching and also labored as a minister of the Methodist 
Episcopal church. He married Miss Mahala P. Casey, daughter of Governor Z. 
Casey, one of the distinguished men of the state. 
The Judge was reared in the city of his birth and there attended both public and 
private schools. Later he pursued a one year's course of study in McKendree College, 
after which, on the advice of his uncle, Samuel K. Casey, he became a law student 
in the office of Tanner & Casey, of Mount Vernon. His studies, however, were interrupted 
by his service in defense of the Union. Loyal to his country, he responded to the 
call for aid, and enlisted as a private of Company I, Sixtieth Illinois Veteran 
Volunteer Infantry. Later he was promoted to the captaincy of that company, 
and for a time served as aid de camp on the staff of General Vandever. His 
service included the celebrated march to the sea under General Sherman, and with 
an honorable military record he returned home at the close of the war. 

In 1866 Judge Dwight left Mount Vernon and removed to Centralia, where 
he completed his legal studies and was licensed to practice law. He then entered 
into partnership with Colonel Lewis F. Casey, which connection was continued 
until the death of the Colonel a few years ago. Judge Dwight then continued 
in the practice alone until his elevation to the bench in June, 1897. Careful 
analysis, close reasoning, logical deductions and clear, concise statements 
characterized his conduct of a suit. He realizes, as few men have done, the importance 
of his profession and the fact that justice and the higher attribute of 
mercy is often in his hands. His reputation as a lawyer has been won through 
earnest, honest labor, and his standing at the bar is a merited tribute to his 
ability. On the bench he is also demonstrating his power to handle with masterful 
skill the important and intricate questions which come before such a court, 
and by his fair and impartial course, based upon a sense of equity and guided by 
the soundest legal wisdom, he has won the confidence of the public and the highest 
respect of the bar. 

On the 4th of September, 1872, Judge Dwight was married in Centralia, 
Illinois, to M. Irene Noleman, the eldest daughter of Captain R. D. Noleman, 
who up to the time of his death was very prominent as a Republican and in business 
affairs. The Judge and Mrs. Dwight are identified with the Methodist 
Episcopal church, and socially he is connected with the Grand Army of the Republic, 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of'Pythias fraternity. 
In politics he has always been a stalwart Democrat and was elected on 
that ticket to represent Alarion county in the twenty-seventh general assembly 
of Illinois. While on the bench he fully upholds the majesty of the law, and in 
private life he is a social, genial companion and a loyal friend. 


 


 



Biography Index A - M
Biography Index N - Z
Home
All Pages ©  2001-2008
by
Cindy Ford

All Rights Reserved