LEVI B. TAFT. This distinguished member of the legal profession has made his home in Pontiac for some years, and is devoting himself to his practice, in partnership with Ex-State Senator Samuel W. Smith. During much of the time since Mr. Taft became a member of the bar he Las been associated with other distinguished lawyers, and be has had a large practice, won many victories, much fame and considerable wealth. He is descended from families of high repute in New England, and he has himself added to the lustre of the name he bears, by his distinguished services in the legal arena and in official stations.

The father of our subject, Benjamin Taft, was born in Richmond, N. H. His ancestors were among the earliest settlers of Uxbridge, Mass. His life on earth was brief, his death occurring in 1823, in Bellingham, Mass. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Vienna Cook and was the daughter of Thaddeus and Rhoda (Ballou) Cook. The latter was a descendant of Maturin Ballon, a co-proprietor with Roger Williams, the Colonial founder of Rhode Island, in his Providence plantations, whose name first appears among those co-proprietors in 16466. Vienna Cook was born March 29, 1795, at Bellingham, Mass., and was there married August 31, 1820, to Benjamin Taft. She died in Pawtucket, R. I., during the year 1867, when about seventy-two years old.

The Hon. L. B. Taft was born in Bellingham, Norfolk County, Mass., August 6, 1821. He spent his boyhood on a farm, and while taking a part in live duties pertaining to its cultivation was privileged to attend the district school. In 1834 he came to Detroit, this State, where he continued his studies and worked in the store of his uncles, Col. Levi and Olney Cook. His academic education was obtained partly at Hopkins Academy, at Old Hadley, Mass., and partly at Franklin, Mass.; he entered Dartmouth College in 1839 and was graduated in 1843. The same year he returned to Detroit and studied law with the Hon. Jacob M. Howard. In 1845 he was admitted to the bar by the State Supreme and Federal Circuit Courts. Judge Taft began his professional work at Detroit as a partner of the Hon. H. H. Hobart, and after the removal of that gentleman to Wisconsin, was associated with Oscar F. Cargill. In 1848 Judge Taft removed to Niles, where he joined another distinguished firm, his successive partners being the Hon. George H. Jerome and Judge Hiram F. Mather. He served one term as Recorder, and was also City Attorney, and from 1851 to 1853 was Prosecuting Attorney of Beirien County. He with Judge Mather then removed to Chicago, and during his residence there was associated with Judge Hiram F. Mather, the Hon. Thomas B. Bryan, Vice President of the Columbian Exposition; Judge T. Lyle Dickey, late one of the judges of the Supreme Court of Illinois; the Hon. George C. Bates and Col. W. W. Wheeler (of the Twenty-eighth Michigan Infantry during the Civil War).

Judge Taft was engaged as solicitor for the complainant in one case which remained in the courts for twelve years, that of J. C. Freer, administrator of Price vs. Horatio Seymour et. al., executors and devisees of Henry Seymour, deceased, in the United States Circuit Court of the Northern District of Illinois. Judge Conklin, of New York, and others argued the case for the defendants in the United States Court, and Judge Kernan and the Hon. Roscoe Conkling, the latter a brother-in-law of Horatio Seymour, argued on the same side in the United States Supreme Court. Both courts decided in favor of complainants (Seymour vs. Freer, 8, Wallace, 202). Judge Taft and his partner received $18,500 fees in the case, which involved rights to property valued at nearly a half million.

Judge Taft resided in Chicago and Lake Forest for a period of sixteen years and during that time, with his partner, Judge Mather (with whom there were occasionally other partners) was among the the foremost in his profession in the Garden City. He was also for twelve years a member of the Chicago Board of Education, and part of the time its President. In 1865 he removed to Lake Forest of which he was one of the originators. In 1868 on account of impaired health, he removed to Pontiac, Mich., and bought a farm of two hundred and forty-one acres in that vicinity, adapted to stock-raising and general production. This he carried on for eight years, regaining his health and reaping financial benefit from his good management. Subsequently he resumed the practice of law at Detroit, and in 1873 was appointed. Judge of the Sixth Circuit in Michigan. After serving out the term he returned to Pontiac and took up his law practice here. For a time he superintended his farm, but he finally sold it and gave his attention exclusively to legal matters.

Judge Taft was married in Pontiac December 24. 1846, to Julia A., daughter of Jacob G. and Ann (Grow) Bishop. There have been born to them seven children five of whom are still living. Mrs. Taft is a superior woman, descended on the maternal side from Thomas and Rebecca (Holt) Grow, conspicuous early New Englanders, whose progeny has everywhere won a good reputation. One conspicuous branch of them held a reunion at Waterford, this State, in August, 1&85, which mustered over two hundred relatives and passed off with great eclat. Judge Taft has long been an Elder and Trustee in the First Presbyterian Church of Pontiac, and was for a number of years a Director in the Oakland County Agricultural Society. He has always been a leading and active Republican, and prominent in the ranks of the party, not only in Michigan, but also while residing in Illinois.

Judge Taft is tall in person, commanding in appearance and courteous in manner. His portrait, presented in connection with this biographical notice, will be lit once recognized by the majority of our readers as that of a man eminent at the bar of this State. His long professional career and his natural traits have moulded him into a type of lawyer and jurist which, in dignity, culture and ability, marks the highest order of his profession. On the bench he showed a true conception of the duties of the position, alert, impartial, learned and honest. By his bearing he gave courage to the younger and commanded the respect of the older practitioner. As a lawyer his daily application, research and practice have given him a wide reputation as reliable counsel and a successful .advocate, which with his personal qualities have attracted to him a large circle of friends and patrons.