Arkansas State Supreme
Court justice, Elbert Hartwell English
was born near Capshaw's Mountain, Madison County, Alabama,
the son of James English and Mary Nancy McCracken. His father
was a farmer and a soldier in the War of 1812. Elbert attended
the country schools and graduated from the academy at Athens.
Elbert
began the study of law in 1837 in the office of George
Houston and he was admitted to the bar in 1839 and practiced
law in Athens until 1844. At that time he moved to Little
Rock, Arkansas, where he practiced law for ten years. He was
appointed a supreme court reported that year and given charge
of the statutes reports in 1846.
In 1854
English was elected chief justice of the supreme court
of Arkansas to fill the unexpired term of Justice Watkins
and was reelected for a full term in 1860. Justice English
continued on the bench during the Civil War and then resumed
the practice of law in Little Rock. Upon the adoption of the
constitution in 1874, he was again elected chief justice,
serving until his death in 1884. Judge English's rulings made
a considerable effect on the laws of Arkansas.
Elbert Hartwell English
married twice, first in 1840 to Julia
Fisher of Alabama who bore him three children, Peyton, Elberta,
and Macklin. His second wife was Mrs. Susan Wheless. Judge
English died in Asheville, North Carolina.
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