BIO: Hon. Charles HUSTON, Centre County, Pennsylvania

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including the 
Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing Biographical 
Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. 
Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898.
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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, pages 23-24

HON. CHARLES HUSTON (deceased), who was one among the honored and distinguished 
citizens of Bellefonte, Centre county, was of Scotch-Irish origin, born in 
Plumstead township, Bucks county, Penn., January 16, 1771.  He was the eldest 
son of Thomas and Jane (Walker) Huston.  His grandfather was one of the early 
immigrants to the State of Pennsylvania.
  A mere lad during the Revolution, many of its incidents were indelibly 
impressed upon his memory.  His education was received at Dickinson College, 
Carlisle, Penn., from which he was graduated in 1789 with the honors of his 
class.  During the year 1790-91 he taught a select school at Carlisle, meanwhile 
studying law with Thomas Duncan, with whom he was afterward associated on the 
Bench of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.  In 1792-93 he was employed by the 
trustees of the college as tutor of the languages.  Among his pupils was Chief 
Justice R. B. Taney, of the Supreme Court of the United States.  In his 
autobiography the Chief Justice says of him:  "I need not speak of his character 
and capacity, for he afterward became one of the first jurists of the country.  
He was an accomplished Latin and Greek scholar, and happy in his mode of 
instruction.  And when he saw that a boy was disposed to study, his manner to 
him was that of a companion and friend, aiding him in his difficulties.  The 
whole school under his care was much attached to him."  In October, 1794, Gen. 
Washington went through Carlisle on his way to quell the Whiskey Insurrection.  
Mr. Huston joined the expedition, and his vivid description of its various 
incidents will long be remembered by the many who had the good fortune to number 
him among their acquaintances.
  In those days lawyers traveled the circuits on horseback, and there remains a 
description of Mr. Huston's costume:  slouched hat, drab three-caped overcoat, 
green flannel leggings tied around the legs with black tape, homespun dress 
coat.  Thus attired, with boots and leggings covered with mud, for want of time 
to change his dress, he was compelled to enter the Supreme Court sitting in 
Philadelphia, where to the astonishment of the Bar, he delivered one of the 
ablest arguments they had ever listened to.  In the spring of 1807 he removed to 
Bellefonte, attending faithfully to an enormous practice until his appointment 
by Gov. Findlay to the presidency of the courts of this district.  He was a 
powerful advocate before a jury, and the memory of the remarkable speech he made 
in the Barber & Kelley case in court at Bellefonte still lingers, a traditionary 
witness of his forensic ability.  He presided over the Fourth District for eight 
years with distinguished ability.  Such was his influence with the jury, that in 
the course of these whole eight years he granted but two new trials.  In 1826 he 
was appointed, by Gov. Shultz, one of the justices of the Supreme Court of 
Pennsylvania, in the arduous and responsible duties of which he continued until 
the expiration of his commission in 1845.  How ably he discharged these duties 
will be best learned from his humerous opinions in full thirty-five volumes of 
reports.  The last four years of his life were spent in the compilation of his 
work entitled "An Essay on the History and Nature of Original Titles to Land in 
the Province and State of Pennsylvania."
  Judge Huston's wife, his only son and two daughters he had followed to the 
grave, and these afflictions weaned his thoughts from this world, and he looked 
for a better.  He was a commun-

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 24

icant in the Presbyterian Church, and died as he had lived, a firm believer in 
the truths of Christianity.  His death took place November 10, 1849, he being in 
the eightieth year of his age.  He left to survive him two daughters, the one 
the wife of the Hon. James T. Hale, of Bellefonte, and the other the wife of 
Gen. E. W. Sturdevant, of Wilkes Barre, both since deceased.