The History of Genesee, MI, Chapter X, Early Lawyers

EARLY LAWYERS.

Among the Flint lawyers who probably tried cases in this building was James Birdsall, who came to the village in 1839. He was a native of Chenango county, New York, where he had been a banker, politician, extensive lumberman on the Susquehanna river, president of the Norwich bank, and a member of the lower house of Congress; he was seventy-three years old at the time of his death in Flint in 1856. Artemas Thayer was admitted to the bar in Flint in the same year Mr. Birdsall came; he later became an extensive dealer in real estate. Alexander P. Davis, a native of Cayuga county, New York, removed to Flint in 1842 from Livingston county, Michigan, and for nearly thirty years was one of the most prominent lawyers in the county; he was elected tot he office of prosecuting attorney, state senator and others positions of honor. Levi Walker, a native of Washington county, New York, came to Flint in 1847. He held many positions of high honor and rendered signal services to his fellowman. Of him it has been said, "As a lawyer, he stood in many respects at the head of his profession. His opinion upon any law point was considered by his professional brethren as almost conclusive." At the time of his death, while he was a member of the Legislature, the speaker of the house said: "It is no exaggeration to say that in the death of Mr. Walker the house has lost one of its best and ablest members. Shrinking from no labor, with watchful attention to every detail, he was never satisfied until he had thoroughly mastered his subject. Then, with clearness for argument and aptness of illustration, he presented his views, almost invariably to receive the sanction and approval of his associates."