JOSEPH D. BETHUNE
History of Arizona, 1898

Judge Bethune, who, in his efforts to preserve law and 
order, has shown much wisdom, good judgment and has 
balanced the scales of justice with an impartial hand.  
He is a native of Georgia, born in Columbus, July 3, 
1842, and the son of James N. and Frances (Gundy) Bethune, 
natives of that state.  The father was a soldier in the 
Seminole War, served as Captain and was General of the 
militia of Georgia at an early day and was always known 
as General Bethune.  A lawyer by profession he held many 
offices and being a man of much more than the average 
ability, a graduate of the University of Georgia and a 
contemporary of Calhoun, Crawford and others, was well 
known all over the country.  For many years he was editor 
of the "Columbus Times," and he founded the "Columbus 
Inquirer" which is still published there. One of the 
most prominent and popular men of the State, his career 
was a brilliant one from start to finish.  Before he had 
reached his twenty first year he was made solicitor 
general of his district in Georgia.  His death occurred 
in Washington in December, 1895.  His father, John 
Bethune, was surveyor general of Georgia for many years.  

Joseph D. Bethune passed his boyhood and youth in his 
native county and by the time the Civil War broke out 
had received a good literary education in the public 
schools. He dropped his books, however, and in April 
1861, enlisted in Company G., Second Georgia Regiment, 
and served through the greater part of the war.  He 
participated in all the principal engagements in the 
South and was twice wounded, once at the Battle of 
Chickamauga and again at Malvern Hill.  He was obliged 
to go to the hospital and has never fully recovered 
from the one received at Chickamauga.  In 1864 he was 
in command of a company of artillery with the rank of 
first lieutenant and served in that capacity until 
captured or until the close of the war. He surrendered 
at Macon Georgia and afterward went north and settled 
at Warrenton, Virginia, where in connection with 
farming, he practiced law until 1876.  from there 
he moved to Los Angeles, California, practiced his 
profession and was registrar of the United States 
Land Office for two and a half years.  He then 
resigned and in March 1893, removed to Tucson Arizona 
on account of his health, and practiced law here 
until 1894 when he was appointed judge of the First 
District Court of Arizona, a position he has held 
up to the present time.  As a lawyer and judge he 
has but few equals in the Territory and as a citizen 
and neighbor is highly esteemed.

Judge Bethune was married in 1869 to Miss Mary Agnes 
Clark, a native of Virginia and a daughter of a Baltimore 
merchant.  Six children have been given them: Frank, 
James N., Isabelle, Joseph D., Fannie and Mary Agnes. 
Mrs. Bethune is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

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