The early bar of La Fayette, up to 1831, consisted of Joseph Tatman, Joseph Cox, Andrew Ingram, David Patton, Moses Cox, Albert S. White, William M. Jenners, Thomas B. Brown, Aaron Finch and John Pettit.
       
Rufus A. Lockwood came to La Fayette in 1832, a young man, formed a partnership with A. S. White, became eminent as an advocate, went to California during the gold excitement, became one of the most prominent lawyers of the State, and on his return journey to La Fayette with his family he was drowned in the wreck of a vessel upon which he was sailing.
       
The pioneer lawyers from other counties practicing at the La Fayette courts were: John Law, from Vincennes; Thomas H. Blake, James Farrington and E. M. Huntington, from Terre Haute; C. Fletcher, W. Quarles and C. D. Morris, from Indianapolis; James Rariden, from Richmond; Caleb B. Smith, from Connersville; J. B. Chapman, from La Porte; Joseph A. Wright and William P. Bryant, from Rockville; Thomas J. Evans,  P. H. Patterson, Edward A. Hannegan and David Wallace, from Covington; R.A. Chandler, from Williamsport; Henry S. Lan, P. M. Curry, J. Angle and S. C. Willson, from Crawfordsville, and J. VanMeter, Septimus Smith, T. D. Beard, J. Stetson and Burrel B. Taylor, from points not known to the compiler.
       
From the above it will be properly inferred that the whole State of Indiana was considered as one vast circuit, and that the pioneer lawyers, like Methodist preachers, had all the rough and ludicrous experiences of pioneer travel.
       
Rufus A. Lockwood, now deceased, was, perhaps, one of the most remarkable men identified with this bar.  His eccentricities were so marked and his ability so consummate, that a quarter of a century has not obliterated their memory in this community.
       
Hon Daniel Mace--the most plausible of men--filled many high stations.  He was elected to Congress twice, and was instrumental in bringing about the nomination of Andrew Johnson for the Vice-Presidency, and was rewarded by him with the post office at La Fayette; and while in possession of that office, he committed suicide.
       
Hon. John Pettit, a man of great natural ability, filled the office of United States Senator, Chief Justice of Kansas, and served one term on the Supreme Bench of Indiana; died in 1877.
       
Hon. Albert S. White, a good lawyer, a fine scholar and excellent gentleman.  He was several times elected to Congress, and at the time of his death, in 1864, he was District Judge of Indiana.
       
Samuel A. Huff, for many years a prominent lawyer of La Fayette, later of Indianapolis, in 1837, was elected a member of the House of Representatives of Indiana, and afterward served as Judge of the Circuit Court.
       
Zebulon Baird, from 1845 to 1875, was one of the leading lawyers of the county and of the State.  He was remarkable for his brilliancy in and devotion to his profession, as well as for his eccentricity of manner.
       
Robert C. Gregory was a man of great industry, and highly esteemed by all.  He served one term of six years on the Supreme Bench of the State of Indiana.
       
John L. Miller was one of the active members of the bar.  He served one term in the State Legislature, and held the office of postmaster at La Fayette during Grant's administration.
       
Thomas B. Ward has removed to Washington, District of Columbia.
       
Hon. Godlove S. Orth was one of the prominent lawyers and statesmen of Indiana.
       
James R. Carnahan, who was Prosecuting Attorney, and during the Rebellion was Captain of a company, has removed to Indianapolis.
       
William B. and Robert Gregory have moved away.  So also have Frank W. Coombs, A. McMillen and Edward H. Brackett.  The last named was an "exhaustive" lawyer, and for many years a partner of Hon. G. S. Orth.  Alva Parson and Henry F. Blodgett are dead.
       
John A. Stein was a thorough lawyer and a gentleman of considerable literary ability.
       
The following are the present bar of La Fayette.  Sketches of most of them will be found in the biographical department of this work.  (They are listed in the order they appear in the book).

Mark Jones has retired on account of age; Aholtz has gone upon a farm,
and one or two of the others have their business mainly elsewhere.