Rowley Registry
Published Local Histories

Bates, Samuel P; History of Erie County, Pennsylvania, 1884

By an act of Congress passed in 1866, Erie was named as one of the places for the sittings of the United States District and Circuit Courts for the Western District of Pennsylvania. .... Cases are appealed from the District to the Circuit Court, and from the latter to the Supreme Court of the United States. ... The first session of the District court was held in this city in January, 1867, and of the Circuit Court in July, 1868, Judge Wilson McCandless presiding. Both courts were regularly held by him until Hon. William McKennan, of Washington County, was sworn in as Circuit Judge at the January term of 1870. Judge McCandless continued to serve until July 24, 1876, when he was honorably retired on account of advanced years, and was succeeded as District Judge by Hon. Winthrop W. Ketchum, Luzerne County. Judges McKennan and Ketchum were both sworn in and began their official duties at Erie. The latter died early in 1880, and Hon. M. W. Acheson, of Washington County, was appointed his successor. Judge Acheson was present for the first time in Erie at the July term of 1880. Judge McCandless died at Pittsburgh in 1880.

The regular terms of both courts at Erie commence on the second Monday of January, and the third Monday of July. The January term was held at Erie every year until 1875, since when, for some reason, it has been omitted. The county receives $150 from the United States for the use of the court house at the July term.

The other officers of the court since their sessions began in Erie have been as follows. (The terms show when they first appeared in their official capacities in this city)

Marshalls--
July term, 1867 -- Samuel McKelvey, Allegheny County.
January term, 1868 -- Thomas A. Rowley, Allegheny County.
July term, 1869 -- Alexander Murdoch, Washington County.
January term, 1873 -- John Hall, Washington County.
July term, 1882 -- J. S. Rutan, Beaver County.
Col. Hall had been Deputy Marshal for several years before his appointment as Marshal.

District Attorneys--
July term, 1867 -- R. B. Carnahan, Allegheny County,
July term, 1870 -- H. Bucher Swoope, Clearfield County.
July term, 1874 -- David Reed, Allegheny County.
July term, 1875 -- H. H. McCormick, Allegheny County.
July term, 1880 -- William A. Stone, Allegheny County.

Clerks-- District Court--
Whole term -- S. C. McCandless, Allegheny County

              Circuit Court--
July term, 1868 -- Henry Sproul, Allegheny County.
July term, 1870 -- H. D. Gamble, Allegheny County.

Deputy Clerks at Erie -- District Court--
July term, 1867 -- George W. Gunnison, Erie.
July term, 1869 -- George A. Allen, Erie.
July term, 1873 -- F. W. Grant, Erie.

              Circuit Court--
July term, 1868 -- George W. Gunnison, Erie.
July term, 1869 -- George A. Allen, Erie.
July term, 1871 -- A. B. Force, Erie.