chivalrous bearing that rendered him the equal of any
member of this historic bar. He was master of the science
of law, of jurisprudence as a noble science rather than a
means of livelihood, and when aroused his legal arguments
were terse, able and powerful. He was careful never to tres-
pass upon another; no one ever trespassed upon him
more than once. He was stainless in his professional
life and dealings. When we recall the names of his as-
sociates and competitors, and among them that he early
won eminence; that he was held by them worthy to be
their judge; that he disputed with varying fortunes, but
often with triumph, for the honors of the bar, it will be re-
alized that it is not flattery to say that he was full
worthy to be ranked with the ablest, the most eminent,
the most upright of his compeers."
                 W. C. GOODLOE.
  Judge William C. Goodloe was the last of the appoint-
ive and the first of the elective judges. He served for a
short time by appointment, but upon the adoption of the
new constitution, which inaugurated the elective system,
he was elected as first judge under the new order of
things. Many new and intricate questions of constitu-
tional interpretation arose during the first few years of
his judgeship, but in all of them he acquitted himself with
credit. Judge Goodloe was twice elected by the people,
serving until 1868, when he was defeated by Judge
Thomas. In point of time Judge Goodloe was the oldest
judge who sat upon the bench, having served this district
as judge for seventeen years. He lived but two years after
his defeat, and during that time was professor of law in
Transylvania University. Judge Goodloe was a native
of Madison County, and was born October 7, 1805. He
graduated at the Transylvania Law School in 1824, and
immediately began the practice of law at Richmond, and
was soon thereafter appointed commonwealth's attorney
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