Frank J. Washabaugh Biography


	This biography appears on pages 858-859 in "History of Dakota Territory" 
	by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. IV (1915) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				HON. FRANK J. WASHABAUGH. 

	Hon. Frank J. Washabaugh was an eminent jurist of South Dakota, 
serving on the bench of the circuit court of the eighth judicial 
circuit in Deadwood at the time of his death, which occurred on the 
29th of May, 1902, at Baltimore, Maryland, whither he had gone for 
treatment in the Johns Hopkins Hospital. His birth occurred at Bedford, 
Pennsylvania, July 2, 1849. His father, Major Daniel Washabaugh, was 
born on a farm near Hagerstown, Maryland, October 17, 1803, and was of 
German parentage. He was reared to habits of industry and his life was 
one of energy and enterprise crowned with success and the respect of 
his fellow men. In early manhood he went to Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, 
and prior to 1840 he removed to Bedford, that state. He was energetic 
and capable and in manner was genial and kindly, so that he early won 
popularity. The recognition of his ability led to his election to the 
Pennsylvania legislature on the whig ticket in the '40s. He received a 
good majority although the county was at that time normally democratic. 
He afterward became pro-notary of his county and again and again he was 
returned to that position until he had served for many terms. His 
remarkable penmanship was a feature of his profession aside from his 
other qualities. The records were faultlessly kept and can be seen 
today in the old courthouse. 

	In ante-bellum days Major Washabaugh became a stanch supporter of 
the cause of abolition and when the republican party was formed to 
prevent the further extension of slavery he joined its ranks. He aided 
in assisting the fugitive slaves on their way northward, his home 
becoming a station on the famous "underground railroad." He was 
acquainted with John Brown and other distinguished abolitionists of 
that day. With the outbreak of the war his sympathies were all with the 
Union and he sent his eldest son, William, to the front as a member of 
the Seventy-sixth Pennsylvania Volunteers, this son dying while on duty 
with his regiment in South Carolina. Daniel Washabaugh had been 
appointed by his personal friend, Governor Andrew G. Curtin, of 
Pennsylvania, to a position in the office of Alexander Russell, 
adjutant general, at Harrisburg. All through his life his course was 
marked by a spirit of patriotism that manifested itself in many ways 
and he did everything in his power to promote the public welfare. His 
life was at all times active and useful and even in his last years he 
took delight in performing certain kinds of work, being especially 
interested in gardening. He died January 10, 1894, at the home of his 
daughter, Mrs. W. S. Barndollar, at Everett, Pennsylvania, when over 
ninety years old. His life had been guided by Christian belief, his 
membership being in the Presbyterian church. In early manhood he had 
wedded Sarah McLaughlin, who was born in Washington county, near 
Hagerstown, Maryland, August 9, 1808. Their wedding was celebrated 
September 7, 1826, and for more than a half century they made their 
home in Bedford, Pennsylvania, a spirit of genuine hospitality ever 
being found at their fireside. They became the parents of twelve 
children, of whom eight reached adult age. Like her husband Mrs. 
Washabaugh was a devoted member of the Presbyterian church and died in 
that faith some years prior to Major Washabaugh's decease. 

	Their son, Frank J. Washabaugh, spent his boyhood days at the old 
home in Bedford, Pennsylvania, and after attending the public schools 
there entered Lafayette College at Easton, Pennsylvania, from which he 
was graduated. The reports which reached him concerning the northwest 
led him to seek the opportunities offered in this section of the 
country and he made his way to Yankton, where he entered upon the 
practice of law in connection with his brother-in-law, Oliver Shannon. 
He soon gained recognition as an able member of the bar and as the 
result of the careful preparation of his cases and his cogent reasoning 
before the courts he won many verdicts favorable to his clients. At 
length, attracted by the gold discoveries in the Black Hills, he went 
to that district, arriving at Rapid City in 1877. He thereafter engaged 
in placer mining and a little later he was called to the office of 
district attorney for Pennington county. Still later he was made deputy 
clerk under General A. R. Z. Dawson, at that time clerk of the courts. 
When Judge G. C. Moody went upon the bench of that district he 
appointed Mr. Washabaugh clerk of the United States court. Throughout 
his life he was active at the bar, on the bench or in framing the laws 
of the state. In 1882 he was elected a member of the territorial 
council and made such an excellent record in office that he was chosen 
to that position in 1884, 1886 and 1888. Following the admission of 
South Dakota into the Union he was elected a member of the state senate 
and was reelected in 1890. When his legislative term had expired he 
reentered the field of general law practice as a partner of Judge Moody 
under the firm style of Moody & Washabaugh, which connection was 
continued until 1898, when the junior partner was elected county judge 
of Lawrence county. His decisions were strictly fair and impartial and 
characterized by a masterful grasp of every problem presented for 
solution. He was reelected in 1900 but before the close of his second 
term resigned to take up the duties of judge of the eighth judicial 
circuit, having been elected to the circuit bench in November. His 
judicial record was unassailable. He never allowed personal views to 
warp his opinion and he ever maintained the dignity of the court and 
demanded that others should respect it. The proceedings on the part of 
everyone were orderly and his opinions were regarded as models of 
judicial soundness. 

	On the 27th of May, 1880, Judge Washabaugh was united in marriage 
to Miss Lilla E. Edmunds, a daughter of former Governor Newton and 
Margaret B. (Heartt) Edmunds, of Yankton, South Dakota. They became the 
parents of two children, Margaret and Paul. Judge Washabaugh was 
devoted to the welfare of his family arid counted no personal sacrifice 
on his part too great if it would promote the happiness of his wife and 
children. He attained high rank in Masonry in both the York and 
Scottish Rites, held many Masonic offices and exemplified in his life 
the teachings and tenets of the craft, which are based upon a 
recognition of the brotherhood of man and the obligations thereby 
imposed. When ill health overtook Judge Washabaugh he went to 
Baltimore, Maryland, hoping to receive benefit by treatment in the 
Johns Hopkins Hospital, but this hope was futile and he there passed 
away. The bar association passed resolutions of respect and there was a 
joint memorial meeting held in the Congregational church, for the 
interment was made at his old home in Pennsylvania. At that meeting 
many of the prominent citizens of this section of South Dakota bore 
testimony to the high character of Judge Washabaugh as a man, as a 
citizen, as a lawyer, as a jurist, as a friend and as a Christian 
gentleman. He held to the highest ideals in life and stood ever for 
honesty, culture and righteousness. He never deviated from high 
principles, which he believed should be the foundation of every man's 
character. He closely followed the Golden Rule and he again and again 
extended a helping hand to a fellow traveler, giving needed assistance 
or speaking the word of encouragement which heartens another to take up 
again the duties and burdens of life. Nature endowed him with strong 
intellectual force and other talents, which he used wisely and well, 
and his life so truly embodied high ideals that his example is indeed 
worthy of emulation and should serve as a source of help and 
inspiration to all who knew him.