Chatham County GaArchives Biographies.....McAlpin, Henry 1860 - living in 1913
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 October 14, 2004, 11:59 pm

Author: William Harden
p. 646-647

   HON. HENRY McALPIN. A man particularly well fitted for important judicial
position is the Hon. Henry McAlpin, judge of the court of ordinary, whose record
for efficiency and judicial bearing has won the admiration of the entire
Savannah bar. He was born in Savannah, the scion of families who have for
several generations given splendid citizenship to the city and state and Georgia
has no more loyal son than he. The year of his birth was 1860 and he is the son
of James Wallace and Maria Sophia (Champion) McAlpin, both of whom were natives
of Savannah and both of whom are deceased. The paternal grandfather, Henry
McAlpin, was a native of Scotland who came to Savannah in 1805 and ever since
that date the name McAlpin has been a prominent and honored one within its
boundaries. On his mother's side, Mr. McAlpin is a great-grandson of Reuben
Champion, who, at the age of fifteen enlisted in the Continental army and served
until the close of the Revolutionary war, his demise occurring in 1832. He was
the son of Dr. Eeuben Champion, who was a surgeon in the Continental army and
who died in 1777 while on duty at Fort Ticonderoga. Judge McAlpin's maternal
grandfather was Aaron Champion, who came to Savannah in 1812. Thus on both side
of the house, the scene of a century's history has been laid in this city. The
subject resides in the noted homestead, "The Hermitage," which is situated on
the Savannah river, about two miles west of the city and which was built by his
grandfather, Henry McAlpin. This stately old residence with its beautiful
grounds and surroundings, is one of the show places of Savannah and one of the
most celebrated in the South. It has been the scene of many notable gatherings,
and in its time has entertained beneath its roof many of the socially and
intellectually prominent. It has been the home of the McAlpins since the early
'30s.

   Judge McAlpin received the advantage of the best of educational facilities,
first attending the schools of Savannah and then matriculating in Princeton
University, New Jersey, from which famous institution he was graduated in the
class of 1881. Following this he studied law in the law department of Columbia
University, New York City, and also pursued his preparation for the profession
of which he was to become an ornament in the law department of the University of
Georgia at Athens, graduating from the latter institution with the degree of LL.
B. in the class of 1883. In 1884 he began practice in Savannah and from the
first has encountered success and has won an enviable reputation in the field in
which have been his endeavors. In 1901 he was elected judge of the court of
ordinary of Chatham, and this position he still holds, having been re-elected at
each succeeding election, every four years. Under his administration Chatham
county has won the reputation of possessing the best ordinary's office in the
state of Georgia. This court has jurisdiction in all probate matters and
litigation in connection with the settlement of estates. Judge McAlpin is
especially well fitted for the adjudication of these important matters and his
decisions have a remarkable record from the standpoint of non-reversal by the
higher courts. His efficiency and ability as an ordinary are supplemented by a
highly capable office force that keep everything systematically arranged, filed
and indexed, in modern business method, making everything of easy convenience,
not only to the office, but to the attorneys and others having matters to look
up in connection with estates and litigation in connection therewith.

   Judge McAlpin is a thirty-second degree, Scottish Rite Mason, and a Shriner.
He is also prominent in Odd Fellowship, being Past Grand Master of Georgia. He
also belongs to the Elks, the Knights of Pythias, and is president of the local
lodge of Eagles. He is a member of the Oglethorpe Club, the Yacht Club and is an
ex-captain of the Georgia Hussars. In addition to his official duties, he has
other interests of wide scope and importance.

   Judge McAlpin has one daughter, Mrs. Claudia Thomas (McAlpin) Whitney. She is
the daughter of his first wife, whose maiden name was Claudia Thomas, who was a
native of Athens, Georgia, and whose demise occurred in Savannah in May, 1908.
His second wife, who, before her marriage, was Miss Isabelle Wilbur, was born in
South Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.


Additional Comments:
From:

A HISTORY OF SAVANNAH AND SOUTH GEORGIA
BY
WILLIAM HARDEN

VOLUME I
ILLUSTRATED
THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY
CHICAGO AND NEW YORK
1913

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