Judge Henry H. Coolidge
August 6, 1805 – May 31, 1884
Niles Democrat, Published June 7, 1884, page 4, microfilm Niles District Library
Death of Judge Coolidge.
Henry Hiel Collidge died at his residence in this city May 31st, age 79 years, 9 months and 25 days.
He was born at Leominster, Mass., August 6th, 1805. He was left motherless when not quite two years old. Leaving home at an early age he entered Amherst College, intending to study for the ministry but was prevented by causes over which he had no control. In 1832 he removed to Montreal and engaged in teaching music and was for sometime an organist in the Roman Catholic Cathedral. He came to Niles in 1833 or 1834, and entered the law office of Kidder Green. In 1835 he removed to Edwardsburg and opened a store for George W. Hoffman, but soon after went into business for himself. He was married July 11th, 1838 to Sarah A. Mead, who survives him.
Retiring from commercial life, he engaged in teaching day schools and singing schools evenings, reading and studying law whenever he could get a leisure moment, displaying that ceaseless industry and indomitable perseverance which were characteristic of him.
Together with his beloved wife, he united with the Presbyterian Church in 1841, under the stated supply of Noah M. Wells, of which Church he was a ruling elder for twelve years and ever an exemplary member.
In 1844 he was admitted to the bar and immediately engaged in active practice being elected Prosecuting Attorney of Cass county in 1850. In 1856 he was a delegate to the convention where the Republican party was formed. He removed to this city in 1859 and in 1862 was elected Prosecuting Attorney of Berrien county. He was a delegate to and took an active part in the deliberations of the State Constitutional Congress [illegible] Judge Blackman, in 1872, he was appointed Judge of this circuit, and was elected to the same position on the expiration of the term. Resigning in 1878 he again engaged in the practice of the profession which he continued actively to adorn until April last, since which time bodily infirmity has, for the most, interfered with his labors.
This is but an outline sketch of one who did much in making our history and whose work is not yet ended. He was a self-made man in every respect. Quiet, unassuming and unostentatious, he never sought offices but filled those to which he was called, as a duty he owed to his fellow men – that he filled them not only acceptable, but what was far better, well, we all know.
Naturally possessed of a logical mind and being of studious habits he early attained a high place in his profession. His decisions while on the bench were clear, and succinct, and conscientiously given. His course as a prosecutor and as a judge showed that regarding the punishment of a criminal as a public necessity he believed the example to the community should never outweigh regard for the reform of the criminal. His decisions were just but often tempered by a wisdom which time makes more and more apparent.
Strong in his convictions on all subjects, particularly those of a religious nature, the broad charity of his character never suffered him to offend others – he contented himself with the endeavor to prove his belief more by his acts than his words.
Naturally a teacher he never laid aside this profession but unconsciously taught useful lessons to those about him each day of his life. In social life he shone as few do – here his learning, his wit and his enjoyment of everything in the way of innocent amusement made his companionship a thing to be sought after and prized; never did he appear to more thoroughly enjoy himself than when among children, with whom he was a universal favorite.
He was essentially a man looked up to; who attracted attention and whose influence was felt. The value of such a character cannot be overestimated; his silent influence and the acts of his life will bear fruit hereafter.
The gentle goodness of his heart was never better manifested than in his treatment of the young men with whom he came in contact. He could not but know his superiority to them but never in act or in word did he show it and his unvarying kindness to them will long be remembered by those to whom “the judge” spoke a kind word of sympathetic encouragement when kind words were few.
In so public a life he could not but make some enemies yet they are but few while many are they who mourn that he has yielded his breath yet rejoice that he lived.
Now, indeed, does he rest in his God “to whom nothing is great or small but the doing His will.”
Niles Weekly Mirror, Published June 4, 1884, page 4, microfilm Niles District Library
Death of Judge Henry H. Coolidge.
It becomes our sad duty to chronicle the decease of our most worthy and esteemed citizen, Henry H. Coolidge, who died at his residence in this city on Saturday evening last, at 9 o’clock, after a short but painful illness. Judge Coolidge was born at Leominster, Mass., August 5, 1805, and was near 79 years old. He was educated at Amherst College and paid for his tuition by teaching school during vacation. After leaving college he went to Montreal, where for two years he taught music. He came here in 1836 and clerked, it for George W. Hoffman in a dry goods store for a short time. In 1837 he went to Edwardsburg, in Cass county and was engaged in the dry goods business for four or five years. After which he taught school, and all this time he was improving his leisure moments in studying law. In 1838 he married Sarah A. Mead, of Edwardsburg. He was admitted to the bar in 1844, and elected Prosecuting Attorney of Cass county in 1850. He removed with his family to Niles in 1859 and has resided here ever since. In 1862 he was nominated on the Union ticket and elected Prosecuting Attorney of Barrien county, the duties of which office he discharged with great fidelity. In 1867 he was a delegate to the State Constitutional Convention. In 1872 he was appointed by the Governor Circuit Judge in place of Judge Blackman, resigned. In 1876 he was elected to that office by the people, and resigned in September 1878, having held that office about six years. Great regret was expressed by all at his resignation, for he faithfully and honestly discharged its duties, and was frequently called to try cases outside his district. Such satisfaction did he give that nearly every county in his district favored his nomination for Judge of the Supreme Court. It was understood by a few that his resignation was on account of the meager salary and that his son Orville, being in active practice before him, made it somewhat unpleasant. Since his resignation he has been engaged in the active practice of his profession, and up to the time of his last illness he was engaged in an important law suit at Berrien, when he was attacked with bilious cholic. While he has been at his office since, he never recovered from this attack. The serious illness of his companion, whom he loved so much, and with whom he had lived 46 years, preyed heavily upon him and no doubt hastened his death.
Judge Coolidge was noted in his ability in preparing carefully cases for trial. Nothing escaped his observation in law or evidence. His memory never failed him, but was brilliant up to the last. His great benevolence and generosity led him into great pecuniary losses. For over 40 years he was a member of the Presbyterian church, and while at Edwardsburg his home was ever open for ministers of all denominations. He was a man of untiring industry, never wasting a moment’s time. From the mental toils of the day it was a recreation to enjoy with friends innocent games, and he was one of the most social and genial members of society. He will be greatly missed at the bar, in the church, the Sunday school, by his family, and hosts of friends. The members of the bar attended his funeral in a body on Monday at 4 p. m., and conveyed his remains to the family burying ground, in Silver Brook Cemetery, followed by a large concourse of sympathizing citizens.
(Above was reprinted in Buchanan Record, Published June 5, 1884, page 2, microfilm Niles District Library)
St. Joseph Valley Register, Published June 4, 1884, page 8, microfilm Niles District Library
Death of Judge Coolidge.
Judge Henry H. Coolidge, of Niles, died Saturday night after a brief illness. He was judge of the Niles circuit six years, and for many years one of the leaders of the bar in that county. He was about 80 years old.