Hon. Charles Beckwith, Chief Judge of the Superior Court of
Buffalo

On the Superior Court bench is the Hon. Charles Beckwith. He was born in Genesee County, this State, and in 1836, when but a child, was taken by his parents to Michigan, before it had yet been made a State. His early home was at Kalamazoo, where his mother still lives. He saw a good deal of the toils and privations of frontier life, as well as its pleasures, particularly boyhood adventures with gun and trap in the deep forests. He prepared for college
under I. A, B. Stone, D. D., afterwards founder and President of the Kalamazoo College; entered Michigan University and graduated in 1849. He then went to Mississippi, where at Holly Springs he entered the law office of Col. H. W. Walter. In 1852 he was admitted to the bar of Mississippi.

These years form an extremely interesting period in the history of Mississippi, as well as of the South generally. The young man from Michigan frequently heard and saw Jefferson Davis and others prominent in subsequent political events.

Not long after being admitted to the bar, Mr. Beckwith came to Buffalo. Not having practiced sufficiently for admission to the New-York bar, he submitted to an examination, and in 1854 was admitted to practice, being in the class with the Hon. William Dorsheimer. In i860 he was elected Alderman from the Fifth Ward and served four years. In politics he has always been a Democrat. He was twice President of the Council, and in 1863 was elected acting Mayor to serve during the absence of the Mayor, the late William G. Fargo, who paid a visit to the Pacific coast. Acting Mayor Beckwith held office for several months during the period of the memorable drafts and riots. In the fall of 1863 he was elected City Attorney, and held the office for one term, during the years of i864-'65. He was elected to his present office of Judge of the Superior Court in the fall of 1877.

Judge Beckwith has always been noted as a safe and reliable counselor; a man in whose judgment his clients always reposed absolute confidence. As a judge he is conservative and careful, weighmg all judgments with great care and deliberation. The great aim of his life seems to be to give in every case even-handed justice to all. On the bench, as elsewhere, he is the soul of courtesy, and is a universal favorite with the Dar. His opinions in General Term are exhaustive and thorough, revealing learning and research. His life is quiet and scholarly. He enjoys his books and his profession and avoids publicity.

The Buffalo Sunday Morning Express of January 31, 1886 (out of Copyright)

Hon. Charles Beckwith, Chief Judge of the Superior Court of
Buffalo

On the Superior Court bench is the Hon. Charles Beckwith. He was born in Genesee County, this State, and in 1836, when but a child, was taken by his parents to Michigan, before it had yet been made a State. His early home was at Kalamazoo, where his mother still lives. He saw a good deal of the toils and privations of frontier life, as well as its pleasures, particularly boyhood adventures with gun and trap in the deep forests. He prepared for college
under I. A, B. Stone, D. D., afterwards founder and President of the Kalamazoo College; entered Michigan University and graduated in 1849. He then went to Mississippi, where at Holly Springs he entered the law office of Col. H. W. Walter. In 1852 he was admitted to the bar of Mississippi.

These years form an extremely interesting period in the history of Mississippi, as well as of the South generally. The young man from Michigan frequently heard and saw Jefferson Davis and others prominent in subsequent political events.

Not long after being admitted to the bar, Mr. Beckwith came to Buffalo. Not having practiced sufficiently for admission to the New-York bar, he submitted to an examination, and in 1854 was admitted to practice, being in the class with the Hon. William Dorsheimer. In i860 he was elected Alderman from the Fifth Ward and served four years. In politics he has always been a Democrat. He was twice President of the Council, and in 1863 was elected acting Mayor to serve during the absence of the Mayor, the late William G. Fargo, who paid a visit to the Pacific coast. Acting Mayor Beckwith held office for several months during the period of the memorable drafts and riots. In the fall of 1863 he was elected City Attorney, and held the office for one term, during the years of i864-'65. He was elected to his present office of Judge of the Superior Court in the fall of 1877.

Judge Beckwith has always been noted as a safe and reliable counselor; a man in whose judgment his clients always reposed absolute confidence. As a judge he is conservative and careful, weighmg all judgments with great care and deliberation. The great aim of his life seems to be to give in every case even-handed justice to all. On the bench, as elsewhere, he is the soul of courtesy, and is a universal favorite with the Dar. His opinions in General Term are exhaustive and thorough, revealing learning and research. His life is quiet and scholarly. He enjoys his books and his profession and avoids publicity.

The Buffalo Sunday Morning Express of January 31, 1886 (out of Copyright)