U.S. Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ -- USGenNet Inc. -- Please read the U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on the following page: --------------------------------------------------------------------- History of Wetzel County, West Virginia by John C. McEldowney, Jr., 1901 Pages 102-103 JUDGE M. H. WILLIS. Judge M. H. Willis, present Judge of the 4th Judicial Circuit, was born near Mole Hill, Ritchie county, W. Va., January 31, 1862. He received a sound English education, and at the age of sixteen began teaching school, during vacation being engaged in ordinary farm work. Later he attended the Harrisville High school, and subsequently the State University at Morgantown. His education was finished at the Northern Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso, Indiana, where he took a collegiate course, and was valedictorian of his class of seventy-six graduates. From this school Mr. Willis was graduated in 1886 with the degree of B. S. Having completed his studies he resumed teaching in Dakota, and later taught in Wisconsin. Having chosen law as a profession he in the meantime applied himself diligently to its study. In 1889 he came to West Union, and was for three years principal of the WestiUnion graded schools. For two years he was principle of Wesley Academy at Berkeley Springs, W. Va., retaining, however, his residence in West Union. Mr. Willis was admitted to the bar in 1890, and since the spring of 1893 has been actively engaged in the practice of law with success. His court papers are models of neatness and accuracy. As a counselor and adviser he is safe, reliable and conservative. He is a clear, thinker, a logical reasoner, and is regarded as one of the ablest advocates of the Doddridge county bar. Possessing thorough scholarship and an analytical mind, he closely investigates his cases and rarely forms a wrong conclusion. As showing the high regard in which he is held in his profession, it might be mentioned that at a recent term of the circuit court of Ritchie county in the absence of Judge Freer, he was chosen Special Judge of that court. His work as such commended itself to the bar and he was highly complimented by both press and bar for the fairness and accuracy of his decisions. In 1900 he was elected Judge of the Fourth Judicial Circuit, which position he still holds, performing the duties of said office with ability. ------------------------------------------------------------------- If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access other articles in this book by going to the following URL which contains a linked index for the book. http://www.us-data.org/wv/wetzel/history/mceldowney.html -------------------------------------------------------------------