Lucas, Judge Daniel B.,
LL.D.
Judge Lucas was one of the most distinguished lawyers, jurists and
literateures that this State has produced. He was born in Charlestown,
Jefferson County, Virginia, March 16, 1836, and was known as "the poet of the
Shenandoah Valley." He came of distinguished ancestry, who for generations
have been prominent in the wars and the public affairs of Virginia, even prior
to the Revolution. He possessed a poetic temperament, and was an orator of
power and force. He was a graduate of the University of Virginia, and was the
valedictorian of his class. After his graduation he entered the law school of
Judge Brockenbrough at Lexington, Virginia, and graduated therefrom in the
class of 1859. Early in 1860 he removed to Richmond, and at the opening of the
Civil War cast his fortunes with the South, and became a member of the staff
of General Henry A. Wise. He had many experiences and narrow escapes, but
emerged from the conflict unscathed and unharmed. During that period he wrote
several poems that rendered him famous, one of which was'' The land where we
were Dreaming," also "The Wealth
of Eglantine," "The Maid of
Northumberland." A volume of
poems, "Ballads and Madrigals," etc.
He returned to his
home in Charlestown, and in 1870 formed a partnership with Thomas C. Green,
who subsequently became one of the ablest lawyers and most distinguished
jurists of the Commonwealth, and by his ability, training and skill young
Lucas took high rank in the profession. He had a large practice in the State
and Federal Courts, and especially in the Supreme Court of the State, many of
his cases being of great importance, which he managed with signal success.
While devoting himself assiduously to his profession and many spare hours to
poetic compositions, he yet found time to deliver numerous platform lectures
on literary subjects. Among his most notable lectures were those on Daniel
O'Connel, John Brown, John Randolph and Henry Clay.
He always took a
high position on, and maintained a strong adherence to, the Democracy of the
fathers of that party, against the alleged departure from the faith and
doctrines of Jefferson, Madison and Monroe, and was instrumental in the defeat
of the Hon. Johnson N. Camden, the Democratic nominee, for a seat in the
United States Senate in 1887, because of that alleged departure. The
Legislature failed to elect a Senator, and after its adjournment Governor
Wilson appointed Mr. Lucas to that position during the interim. But a
special session of the Legislature was held the following April and Judge C.
J. Faulkner was elected to the existing vacancy, and thus that controversy was
ended.
Mr.
Lucas was a Regent of the West Virginia University for eight years and showed
an active interest in the educational affairs of the State; and in July, 1876,
he was tendered the Deanship of its Law Department, an honor which his large
law practice compelled him to decline. For the same reason he declined to
accept the position of a Circuit Court Judge which was tendered to him to fill
the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Judge John Blair Hoge. He was
elected a member of the West Virginia Legislature in 1884, and was re-elected
in 1886. His opposition to sumptuary laws and the coeducation of the sexes in
the State University were very marked. He also vigorously favored a system of
high license and equalization of taxation of all property, whether real or
personal, corporate or individual, maintaining that inequality of taxation had
been the bane of all Republics. Taking him all in all he proved to be a
legislator of great influence and ability.
On the death of
Judge Thomas C. Green, a member of the Supreme Court of Appeals of the State,
his former law partner, Mr. Lucas was, in 1889, appointed to fill that
vacancy, and in 1890 he was elected to fill Judge Green's unexpired term,
which he ably did until January 1, 1893. His opinions are marked by careful
thought and a full knowledge of, the law, and are expressed in correct
language and with the grace that bears the touch and taste of an accomplished
scholar. Rarely is there found in the ranks of men one so symmetrical in mind
and character, one so sound in judgment, so unerring in moral perception, and
so faithful to duty as the subject of this brief memoir. He was by no means a
robust man, and yet he was capable of almost unlimited labor and application.
He was married in 1869 to Miss Lena Brooks, of Richmond, Virginia. They had an
only child — a daughter. He departed this life aged above three score and
ten.
In
1844 the West Virginia University conferred upon Judge Lucas the honorary
degree of Doctor of Laws, which was, in every respect, a well merited
compliment and fully deserved.
[Bench and Bar of West Virginia by George
Wesley Atkinson, 1919 - Transcribed by AFOFG]
