JAMES M. POLLOCK, who for many years was prominently connected with the Bar and Bench of Jefferson County and was one of the most highly esteemed citizens of southern Illinois, was born May 10, 1818, near Belfast, County Down, Ireland, and died at his home in Mt. Vernon in 1893. His father, William Pollock, was a Scotchman, who during the war in his native country removed to the Emerald Isle and there married. The Judge was the fifth in the family of nine children. He remained at home until sixteen, when alone he crossed the broad Atlantic to America and joined a brother who was living near Tarentum, Pa. He began earning his livelihood by working as a farm hand, and while thus employed he purchased some law books and commenced the study of the profession in which he afterwards achieved distinction. Having saved sufficient money he later entered Alleghany College, from which he was graduated with honors in 1849. The following year he was admitted to practice, and soon afterward was licensed to practice in the Supreme Court of the state.

In 1849 Judge Pollock was united in marriage with Miss Caroline M. Lyon, aiid with his bride located in New Castle, Pa.

In 1852 he was elected State's Attorney of Lawrence County, Pa., and served four years. He then determined to seek a home in the west on account of failing health, and in April, 1857, came to Mt. Vernon, where he resided until his death. From the time of his arrival in the above-named city he was prominently connected with the Bar, and in the year 1863 was elected Circuit Judge, which position he creditably filled for nine years, winning high praise from all who noticed the just rulings and his careful administration of affairs. He possessed a keen, quick mind, a retentive memory, and as a speaker was logical, concise, clear and convincing. The position with which he was honored was well merited and its duties were ably discharged.

In early life Judge Pollock united with the Methodist Church, but for about thirty years before his death held membership with the Presbyterian Church, in which he served as Ruling Elder for some time. He was ill only two days. For some time his health seemed failing, but he continued his attendance in the court room until Friday, when he suffered a stroke of paralysis and on Sunday he passed peacefully away. His sterling worth and strict integrity won him the high regard of all, and his honorable, upright life as a lawyer, judge and citizen is worthy of praise.

William C. Pollock, the elder son of Judge Pollock, was born in New Castle, Pa., in 1853, and was four years old when his parents came to Mt. Vernon. He was educated in the State University of Champaign, being graduated therefrom in 1875, and after studying law with his father was admitted to the Bar July 1, 1877. He then continued practice with his father until July 1, 1887, at which time he received a Government appointment at Washington, in the office of the Assistant Attorney-General, in the Department of the Interior. Thus he served until July 6, 1893, when he was appointed Chief of Indian Affairs.

On the 19th of December, 1881, William C. Pollock married Miss Augusta M. Grout, daughter of the late Judge Grout, and a sister of Mrs. C. D. Hane, wife of the Mt. Vernon banker. Mr. and Mrs. Pollock reside in Washington and are quite widely known in the Capitol City. The official positions which he has filled have in him an able incumbent, one ever faithful and true in the discharge of public duties.

James L. Pollock, the younger son, was born in Mt Vernon in 1858, and after attending the com mon schools was graduated from the State University at Champaign in 1878. Wishing also to enter the legal profession and make its practice his life work, he read law with his father and brother and was admitted to Ihe Bar in 1880. He then became a member of the firm, and after his brother's withdrawal he continued practice with his father up to the time of the Judge's death, when he succeeded to the business.

On the 2d of January, 1889, James L. Pollock was united in marriage with Miss Florence, daughter of William Capps, of Mt. Vernon, and their union has been blessed with three children, Clarence E., Raymond and Alice.

Mr. Pollock has held the office of City Attorney for one term but has never aspired to official preferment, as he desires rather to attend strictly to his law practice and to his real-estate and abstract business.

Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record Clinton, Washington, Marion and Jefferson Counties, Illinois"
Chapman Publishing Co, Chicago, 1894
Page 544-545
Submitted by Sandy Bauer