Laurence F. Bedford, City Attorney of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, and ex-Prosecuting Attorney of Chippewa county, Michigan, and a conspicious member of the bar of the Upper Peninsula—The legal profession embraces some of the most brilliant minds of the nation, and to win a name and a place of prominence within its ranks is no easy position, but must be obtained through earnest effort and close appiication, added to native skill and ability. The man in mercantile pursuits may enter upon a business already established, and the store may have previously secured a reputation which assures it success; but not so in the legal fraternity; a man must rise by his own merits or sink back into the ranks of hopeless mediocrity. That Mr. Bedford is so well known as a lawyer at once attests his ability.

This gentleman was born in Kent county, Ontario, and la a aon of William and Mary (Daly) Bedford, whose family embraced the lollowiog members: William J., Vincent, J., Kate H., Theresa G. and Cisra E. Mr. L. F. Bedford acquired his education in Grantham Academy, of St. Catharinea, Ontario, and on leaving that institution removed to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he entered the law department of the University of Michigan, to fit himself for a profession which he had determined to make his life work. There, in addition to his law studies, he made up the work in rhetoric, history and political economy, and in June, 1885, wsa graduated. On the 12th day of March previous he waa admitted to the bar before Judge Joalyn, of Ann Arbor, and on leaving the University he went into the office of Brennan & Donnally, a leading law firm of Detroit, where he remained from July 5, 1885, until the 27th of April, 1887, when he determined to take up his residence in Sault de Ste. Marie.

Mr. Bedford’s career before a jury in Chippewa county began in a criminal case as defendant’s counsel on the retrial of Timothy Coughian, who was convicted of the murder of the Paro boys on Sugar island, and was under sentence of fifteen years’ imprisonment. He was put to work on the case by Brennan & Donnally, obtained a new trial, and this time secured a verdict of manslaughter. Mr. Bedford’s flrst client in Chippewa county was the late lamented John G. Ferris, one of the pioneers of this locality and an honored and esteemed citizen. In 1890 our subject was nominated by the Democratic party for the office of Prosecnting Attorney, and was elected by a majority of fifty-six in a county where the usual Republican majority is one hundred and fifty. His work was as effective as an official in behalf of the State as it is as a private citizen in the interests of his client. While the incumbent in that office he was connecceu with the Harcourt-Dunn murder case, in which he secured the former’s conviction; also the case of Mrs. Dalton, for the killing of James Wise, in which a verdict of guilty was secured and a sentence to the House of Correction, her death ultimately occurring while in the insane asylum. In the case where Coulter was charged with the murder of his father, the accused man was at first acquitted, but was re-arrested on the charge of perjury, pleaded guilty and was sent to Marquette for ten years. But probably the greatest service which Mr. Bedford rendered Chippewa county and the Upper Peninsula was in breaking up the band of crooks and train robbers who had a den at Trout Lake and operated on the Soo Railroads, making that point exceedingly hazardous for the unwary passenger and hia valuable effects. The Prosecuting Attorney put an end to this highway robbery by sending a number of the band to Marquette for long terms and driving the remainder out of the county. He was the first Proaecting Attorney to succeed in suppressing houses of ill fame in the county and the enforcement of the “Breen act.” His efforts as an attorney for defense in the St Peter and William Fuhrman cases, recently, was rewarded with a verdict of acquittal in both cases. He was also acting City Attorney for Sault de Ste. Marie from the 1st of January to the adjournment of the Legislature in 1891, and was appointed City Attorney of Sault de Ste. Marie May 6, 1895.

Mr. Bedford was one of the incorporators of the first electric-light plant in this city, and was attorney for the first gas company that obtained a franchise in this city.

His success as a lawyer is certainiy well deserved, and his high reputation is well merited, coming in consequence of a skill and ability that has reaulted trom earnest labor, perseverance and masterly legal talent. Before judge or jury he is an able advocate, logical, clear and convincing, and a broad general information adds not a little to his power.

From the "Memorial Record of the Northern Peninsula of Michigan 1895"