JOHN ANDREW PETERS Sprague's Journal of Maine History Vol. VI Nov. Dec. 1918, Jan. 1919 No. 3 Page 79-80 JOHN ANDREW PETERS Born in Ellsworth, Maine, Oct. 9, 1822. Died in Bangor, Maine, April 2, 1904. Graduate of Yale College; studied law, as admitted to the bar, and had a large practice; member of the Maine legislature 1862- 1864; Attorney-General of Maine 1864-1866; elected as a republican to the fortieth, forty-first, and forty-second congresses; appointed a judge of the Supreme Court of Maine, in 1872; chief justice in 1883; resigned from the bench in 1901. Some years ago Maine's great statesman, James G. Blaine was in social converse with some trusted friends when on of them asked him, "whom do you regard as the greatest man in Maine?" Quickly and with much emphasis he answered: "John Peters of Bangor is by far the biggest man in our state today." His name was then a household word all over Maine. When spoken it was a token for thought and speech in a brilliant and hu- morous vein. One who did not have readily at hand a new and original "John Peters story" was of doubtful standing as lawyer, politician or publicist. And yet a new generation of bright young lawyers are coming to the front who know him only as they study his sound, clear and logical legal opinions handed down in the Maine law reports. As a man they have no knowledge of him other than is tradi- tional. They have heard their older associates in speaking of him sigh, and utter the echo of a former chorus of thousands of Maine people, "well there never was but one John Peters; there can never be another." In the history of Maine's jurisprudence this just judge has a high place that time can never obliterate. Yet his name lingers in our memory as a man among men, beloved by all. He was great intellectually. His instinctive knowledge and understanding of hu- man nature was amazing. He detested hypocrisy. He hated shams. He love humanity and his vision of men and things was big and broad. He was a true type of real manhood. (c) 1998 Courtesy of the Androscoggin Historical Society ************************************************* * * * * NOTICE: Printing the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. * * * * The USGenWeb Project makes no claims or estimates of the validity of the information submitted and reminds you that each new piece of information must be researched and proved or disproved by weight of evidence. It is always best to consult the original material for verification.