Biographies:  Judge M. F. Machen, 1930, Winn Parish, LA.
Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483
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From:  February 7, 1930 Winnfield News American

Monroe World Relates Story of Judge Machen And The "Carpetbagging" Regime

In a recent issue of the Monroe Morning World appeared an article about the
late Judge M. F. Machen, Sr., who was a resident of Winnfield.  The story
suggested by his son, M. F. Machen, Jr., recalls the "carpetbagging" regime,
and reads as follows:

"Days of the old 'carpet bagger' regime in Louisiana were recalled yesterday
by M.  F. Machen, 1411 North Second Street, who brought to the office of the
Morning World a clipping from a copy of the Ouachita Register printed in 1876.

"The clipping described a session of the Louisiana Supreme Court held in this
city in that year, at which three noteworthy figures in the legal annals of
the state were admitted to the bar.  The story told by the clipping, couched
in the brief, formal fashion of the time, is as follows:

     " 'Supreme Court.- The court met on Friday last; Chief Justice Ludeling
and Justices
         Howell and Morgan present.  The court was engaged hearing cases until
Tuesday 
         evening, when adjournment was had until next Monday.  The following
gentlemen:
         Messrs. Machen, of Winn Parish; Pearce, of Bienville; Hilgore, of
Union, and Naffe,
         of Morehouse, applicants at this term of the supreme court for
admission to the bar,
         were on Saturday night last, after examinations very creditable to
themselves, granted
         licenses to practice law.'

"The brief account of the admission of the young lawyers to the bar was, as
events subsequently proved, described an historic episode.  All the young men
admitted on that occasion to the Louisiana bar, became judges in the state.

"The same year of his admission M. F. Machen received an appointment as parish
judge of Winn Parish.  He was then only 26 years old.  The year was also
important to Judge Machen because of the fact of his marriage during the
period.  He was later appointed as district judge of the Fourth and Fifth
districts and still later he was elevated to the appellate bench in the
Thirteenth district, comprising the parishes of Richland, Madison, West
Carroll, and Union.  When Judge Machen received his appointment as parish
judge in 1876 he received commissions from both Governor Nichols and Governor
Kellogg, the latter the last of the "carpet bag" governors of Louisiana. 
Judge Machen died in 1904.

"The other three young attorneys of 1876 also became judges in the state. 
Judge Pearce is now occupying the bench at Ruston.  Judge Kilgore is living in
Baton Rouge.  Judge Naffe, of Morehouse, died several years ago.

"M. F. Machen, of this city is a son of the late Judge Machen.  Residing at
Monroe are also his mother, Mrs. M. F. Machen, Sr., and his two sisters, Mrs.
Roy Newsom and Mrs. Wesley Crump."

Judge Machen will be remembered here as a cousin of Mrs. C. M. Swanson.