Person:William McAllister (11)

Information on William McAllister

From "The American Biographical Dictionary":

HON. WILLIAM K. McALLISTER.

WAUKEGAN.

The subject of this sketch is a profound lawyer and able jurist, a native of Salem, Washington county, New York. He was born in 1818. He labored on his father's farm until eighteen years of age, and then entered college. He commenced the study of the law at the age of twenty-one years, with a Mr. Henry, in Wayne county, and afterward completed his legal course in Yates county; thence he removed to Albion, where he remained in the successful practice of the law ten years, and gained a high reputation as a lawyer, and was acknowledged the peer of some of the ablest lawyers in the state of New York. In 1854 he removed to Chicago, where he has since resided, practicing law, until his elevation to the bench. He was a candidate for judge of the superior court against Judge Jameson in 1866, and was defeated. In 1868 he was elected judge of the recorder's court by a large vote. In 1870 he was elected to the supreme court; resigned in 1873. Later he was elected to the circuit bench of Cook county, and still later, one of the judges of the appellate court for the northern district, a position which he still holds to the utmost satisfaction of all. His examination of a subject is very exhaustive and thorough, the authorities are weighed and compared, and principles are traced to their source. His power of analysis is very great, being one of the few men who are able to select leading cases almost intuitively. Although he gives due credit to adjudicated cases, he has a broad philosophy and power of comprehension, and a refinement in his perceptions that enables him to go deeper than any other has ventured into the mysteries of legal science, and bring to light new truths and establish principles not before illuminated, having the faculty of exploring new ground in the field of jurisprudence, without departing from well authenticated rules and maxims.

His motives are never questioned, and all confide in his judgment. Chief-justice John Marshall in his best days was never more revered and admired by all who knew him than Judge McAllister is to-day by his associates on the bench, the members of the bar who appear before him, and the public whose servant he is, and whose interest he never forgets. He modestly wears the laurels he has won, is never austere or unapproachable; while he observes and maintains proper dignity, he at once puts at ease the humblest individual who comes before him.

In general appearance Judge McAllister is very prepossessing. He is of medium height, and well proportioned, has a high, broad forehead, large blue eyes, a small and sensitive mouth lighted by an expression of kindness and benevolence. As a lawyer he was noted for his industry, great knowledge of the law, and accuracy, a logican of the highest order, extremely conscientious, with the utmost candor, his power before a court or jury, was almost unlimited, always conforming to a high standard of professional ethics. His sincerity, kindness and honesty have become proverbial, and so high is his moral character that no man dare attack it. He unbends himself from official strain, with great facility and elasticity. He is a lover of music, poetry and fine arts, and is well versed in general literature. Aside from his seen qualifications professionally, he is a profound scholar. No man is more loved, or more highly respected than Judge McAllister in the community where he moves.

1. ↑ ^1.0 1.1 International Genealogical Index. ( The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint, 1999-2008).