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HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 419
at different times the referee in bankruptcy for Erie and OttaAva counties.
In addition to those above mentioned and still actively carrying on
their legal work are: Charles IT. Cramer, Hewson L. Peeke, George E.
Reiter, Thomas B. Hoxsey, Russell K. Ramsey, Henry J. Schiller, Edmund
H. Savord, Claude J. Minor, Earl C. Krueger and Joseph G. Pyle,
all of Sandusky, and II. R. Williams of Vermillion and George F.
Eschenroeder of Milan.
There are thirty practicing laAvyers at the bar in this county, not
counting the resident judges. Philip C. Scherkle came to the bar in
1878 and was from 1882 to his death in 1887 associated with E. M.
Colver in the practice.
The present roll of attorneys of Erie County compares favorably in
legal ability Avith the honored ones AVIIO have passed from earthly scenes.
Because the business organizations have become more complicated and
are conducted by corporations to a far greater extent than by individual
OAAmers, so laAvyers must knoAv more of the methods of modern business
and there is less demand for forensic efforts on their part. The lawyer
in order to be useful in his community must be a practical business man
as well as educated and skilled in professional knowledge and legal
acumen.
In the year 1883 I (HeAvson L. Peeke) went to the territory of Dakota,
as it then Avas before the state was divided, for my health, being
the only man in the community who Avas there for his health. The other
inhabitants unanimously told me that they were not there for their
health and I believed them at that time and have never had any reason
to doubt their statement since.
While in Dakota I AAas admitted to the bar at Huron on March 16,
1883. The requirements for admission to the bar at that time were
extremely liberal, being largely dependent on pull and the temper of the
examining committee. A man named Harris and myself constituted the
entire class admitted to the bar at that time. As I read law in the office of
A. B. Melville he Avas appointed by the judge as one of the committee,
Avhile a lawyer named Sturgis Avith whom Harris read Avas appointed
the other member of the committee.
Harris had the foresight to provide a half dozen bottles of Avine and
a box of cigars Avhich lubricated the process considerably. After a feAV
cigars had been smoked and a feAV drinks had been taken by the committee
the oral examination began in the evening. Out of forty ques-.
tions Harris ansAvered none except the last, Avhen Melville said to him,
'' NOAV Harris Ave will ask you something that you knoAv something about,
'Avhat is rape?' " The next morning after a very uncomfortable half
hour before Judge Edgerton, who Avas then judge of the District Court,
Avho asked us how we would sue a promissory note, on Avhich subject Ave
showed abysmal ignorance, Ave Avere admitted to the bar. The judge
remarked that Ave Avere no more ignorant than many that he had known.
I arrived in Sandusky December 31, 1883, and because I had not