Franklin County, Alabama - Lawyers to 1927

William COOPER was, perhaps, the greatest lawyer from a purely legal standpoint, in the history of Franklin County. In fact, according to the late John A. STEELE, he was one of the greatest lawyers in Alabama prior to the Civil War. Mr. COOPER was born in Brunswick County, Va., in 1802, died at Tuscumbia, Ala., in 1887. When three years of age his parents moved to Nashville, Tenn. He was educated in the University of Nashville, and read law under Hon. Ephraim FOSTER who was later U. S. Senator from Tennessee. Mr. COOPER was admitted to the bar in 1823, and first located at Russellville, Ala. In 1828 he located at Tuscumbia, then a town of Franklin County. He was a central figure at that place for many years. He was at one time Chief of the Chickasaw Indians, and was called "Oolisk," meaning four eyes, due to the fact that he wore glasses. Mr. COOPER was a Whig, and a free thinker. His one ambition was to be a successful lawyer.

Felix Grundy NORMAN was another prominent lawyer of Tuscumbia before the Civil War. He was a native of Rutherford County, Tenn. Mr. NORMAN was Mayor of Tuscumbia for many years, a very prominent Mason and represented Franklin County in the lower house of the Legislature in 1841, '42, '43, '44, '45, '46, '47 and 1848.

William Pinkney JACK was an active lawyer at Russellville before the Civil War. He was one of Franklin's representatives in the State Legislature in 1859-60 and in a special session of 1861. Mr. Jack married a daughter of Ben HARRIS, one of Franklin's outstanding planters, and was the father of W. P., (Jr.) and John F. JACK, who were brilliant lawyers and talented along various lines, but who unfortunately were dissipated.

George C. ALMON, prominent lawyer at Russellville, after the Civil War, was born in Lawrence County, Ala., in 1852. He was a brother of Ed. B. ALMON, Congressman from the Eighth District. Mr. ALMON was one of the most brilliant lawyers in Franklin history. He was associated for some time with Hon. W. I. BULLOCK at Russellville and was also at Belgreen. Mr. ALMON was State Senator in 1883-87 and 1888-89, and Probate Judge of Franklin County two different times. About 1908 he removed to Denver, Colo., where he resided until his death.

J. W. BOLTON was formerly a well known lawyer of Franklin County, but has retired from active life. He was located at Belgreen, when it was the county seat, and later moved to Russellville. Mr. BOLTON was born in old Frankfort about seventy years ago, and lived there and at Pleasant Site while growing up. He is a son of the late Redden and Eliza (BYRD) BOLTON and is related to many prominent Franklin County people.

W. J. JAMES, a son of W. A. and Mary (PACE) JAMES, deceased, was a very prominent lawyer of Russellville, during the earlier years of the twentieth century. Mr. JAMES represented the county in the lower house of the State Legislature in 1903.

Among other lawyers of the past who have practiced in the present Franklin County were: John SEAL, Sr., a Virginian; Judge C. P. ALMON; G. K. McGREGOR; C. M. SHERROD; "Dode" SEVIER; Col. J. T. EZZELLE; Cato D. GLOVER and ______ REDWINE.

It is also interesting to note that Thos. W. SADLER, a former Congressman of Alabama, once lived in Russellville; that Henry C. TOMPKINS, of Franklin County, was Attorney-General of Alabama in 1878; that Ed. B. ALMON, Congressman from Alabama, was admitted to the bar at Belgreen and practiced law there for two years; that James KIRK, outstanding lawyer of Tuscumbia, and Walter KIRK, attorney in Texas, were reared in Russell's Valley; and that J. Mason DOUGLASS, a progressive and brilliant lawyer of Dayton, Ohio, was reared in Russellville. Among still other successful lawyers who were born or reared in Franklin County, but do not live in the county are: Ernest B. FITE, O. L. TOMPKINS, Albert HESTER.

The present lawyers of Russellville and Franklin County are as follows:

Democrats:—Travis WILLIAMS, present State Senator; H. D. JONES, Solicitor; B. H. SARGENT, Judge of Law and Equity Court; W. H. KEY, Sr., former State Senator; W. H. KEY, Jr.; J. L. ORMAN, County Solicitor; W. H. STELL; W. H. QUILLIN, present representative in the lower house of the State Legislature; H. H. HAMILTON and W. H. THOMAS.

Republicans:—W. L. CHENAULT and J. Foy GUIN, Solicitor of the Law and Equity Court.

Wm. S. BATES, who was born at BATES', or CHISHOLM's Mill, near where Felix WOOD now resides, made a very successful lawyer. His parents were among the earliest settlers of Franklin County. They later moved on Little Bear Creek and erected another mill. Wm. S. BATES was a citizen of Houston, Miss., a great many years and served Chickasaw County as Probate Judge. We are advised that he was a man of sterling character.

John Henry JONES a son of the late Josiah JONES, Baptist minister, resides at Alton, Oregon County, Mo. He left Franklin County about 1879, and has been a citizen of Alton Since March 1881. He has been successful in his adopted home, as the following extract from a letter to the author will show:

"The people (of Oregon County, Mo.) have treated me very nicely. I have served them eight terms in county office; three tenns as county assessor; three terms clerk of circuit court; and two terms as Sheriff."

Evidently Mr. JONES must have conducted himself most laudably.

Source: "Distinguished Men, Women and Families of Franklin Co., Alabama" by R. L. James, Pub. circa. 1927-1930, pages 63, 64, 65. Copy of book located in the Franklin County Library, Russellville, Alabama but not in very good shape as of June 2002.

UPDATE: In May 2004, I visited the new Franklin County Archives Building in Russellville, Alabama, and found they had procured a copy of the original hardbound book by R. L. James and it was in excellent condition. ……Ann Glasgow