Thomas Stevenson Espy

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Husband Thomas Stevenson Espy ^{1 2 3}

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           Born: 26 Mar 1814 - Espyville, Crawford Co, PA 3
     Christened: 
           Died: 24 Dec 1895 - Fort Madison, Lee Co, IA 4
         Buried: 

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         Father: Patterson Espy (Abt 1786-1859) 5
         Mother: Mercy Freeman (Abt 1787-1862) 1

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Wife

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           Born: 
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Children

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General Notes: Husband - Thomas Stevenson Espy

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He came to Franklin, Pennsylvania, from Crawford County early in the thirties, and became one of the prominent lawyers of Venango County. He was a strong, vigorous thinker, possessed excellent judgment in all matters pertaining to his profession, and as an advocate was logical and forcible, but lacked somewhat the faculty of illustration. He was retained as counsel in many of the most important cases in the district, and in his relations with other members of the legal fraternity was kind and courteous, and at all times endeavored to sustain the honor and dignity of his calling. He abandoned a large and lucrative practice in 1844, and emigrated to Iowa. [HVC 1890, 176]

He was educated at Gamble's academy, Jamestown, Pennsylvania, and Roberts' select school, Andover, Ohio; studied law under the direction of Judge Alexander McCalmont; was admitted to the bar in 1838, and immediately thereafter commenced the practice of his profession in the office of his preceptor, and upon the elevation of that gentleman to the bench succeeded to his practice, and although a young man, retained that practice, and as the years passed increased it. From what is now known of his clientele whose names appear in the record of his cases, it is inferable that he must have, within a few years, acquired a high standing as a lawyer.
In 1844 Mr. Espy removed to Fort Madison, Iowa, where he established himself in the practice of the law, and incidentally became interested in business enterprises of his uncle, Doctor George R. Espy, a former prominent Pennsylvanian and citizen of Franklin. He also became interested in public affairs, serving continuously as a school director during ten years, four years in the senate of Iowa, and for some time as general of the militia of that state.
In 1863 General Espy removed to St. Louis, where he pursued the practice of his profession until old age overtook him, when he returned to Fort Madison. While residing in St. Louis he came within one vote of reaching the goal of his ambition, the bench of his adopted state.
About 1855 he returned to Franklin on a business visit. At that time he appeared to be a man of considerable culture; he was dignified in his deportment and courteous in his intercourse with young members of the bar. From the attention shown him by the older lawyers and other citizens it was evident that his position had been an enviable one.

1 —, The History of Crawford County, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: Warner Beers & Co., 1885), Pg 906.

2 —, History of Venango County, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: Brown, Runk, & Co., Publishers, 1890), Pg 176.

3 —, Proceedings of the Celebration of the First Centennial of Venango County, Pennsylvania (Franklin, PA: The Venango County Bar Association, 1905), Pg 78.

4 —, Proceedings of the Celebration of the First Centennial of Venango County, Pennsylvania (Franklin, PA: The Venango County Bar Association, 1905), Pg 79.

5 —, The History of Crawford County, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: Warner Beers & Co., 1885), Pg 578, 906.