Plumas-Butte County CA Archives Biographies.....Sexton, Warren T. 1823 - 1878
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Author: Fariss & Smith (1882)

   JUDGE WARREN T. SEXTON.—He was born in Warren county, New Jersey, in 1823,
and while still a young boy his father moved with his family to Michigan, and
there engaged in building railroads by contract. At an early age he fitted for
and entered Ann Arbor College. While there he imbibed a strong penchant for the
classics, which led him, during his later years, to study the works of the
ancient authors for his recreation. The failure of his father in business,
before he had finished his course, compelled him to leave college and engage in
the active pursuits of life. In 1849 he crossed the plains with the Wolverine
Rangers, and in October of that year came to Butte county. His first and only
mining was done at Long's bar. He was elected county clerk in June, 1850, and
held the position until 1853, when he became district attorney, serving as such
for two years. He resided at the old town of Hamilton during its period of
county-seatship; and when Bidwell's bar became the favored spot, he followed its
fortunes until they waned, and then took up his permanent abode in Oroville. The
early records of the courts of that county are all in his well-known
handwriting. Care and neatness pervade all the work of his life. While at
Bidwell's bar he formed a law-partnership with Judge C. F. Lott, who still
survives him. During this partnership he rarely appeared in court to argue
either questions of law or fact. Being naturally timid and diffident, he had no
desire to speak in public. He has often remarked that he thought he had left the
imprint of his fingers on the table in the old court-room at Bidwell, as he
nervously grasped it when addressing court or jury. While Judge Lott did the
talking, Judge Sexton gave his attention to the preparation of the case, and it
was prepared with the skill of a master hand. In 1857 he was elected district
judge, beating Judge Lewis by a large vote. He was re-elected in 1863, and again
in 1875. In 1869 he was defeated for the same position by Judge Lott. It will be
seen that he has held the position of district judge for fourteen years and
three months. The last time he appeared in court he was hardly able to walk up
the stairs leading to the court-room; but when on the bench, he sat as erect as
ever, listening to the argument of counsel. On the eleventh of April, 1878, he
died at his residence in Oroville. Judge Sexton was married at Rough and Ready,
in this state, November 14, 1855, to Miss Z. Stevens, who still survives him.
There were born to them two children, Warren Sexton, Jr., and a daughter, both
of whom are at present residing in Oroville. In Plumas county, as in every other
part of the district, Judge Sexton was generally admired and loved. His charge
to the jury in the celebrated Francis murder case elicited the highest eulogiums
from the bench and bar of the state.

   The memory of the eminent virtues and abilities possessed by Judge Sexton
will be kept alive in the minds of the people, and it will be long ere another
can rise to usurp the place he holds in their hearts.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

Illustrated History of Plumas, Lassen & Sierra Counties

San Francisco: Fariss & Smith
(1882)


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