SMETHPORT — A special ceremony to recognize the history of jurisprudence in McKean County will be held at 2 p.m. Dec. 16 at the county courthouse in Smethport.

McKean County President Judge John Pavlock said the ceremony will reflect on the history of the court in the county and on the individuals that have served as common pleas and magisterial district judges since the first judicial proceeding took place in the county in 1822.

Pavlock said the event will include the unveiling of a new Judiciary Service Display Area in front of the large courtroom and a presentation of the biographies of previous judges by Pavlock and Judge Christopher G. Hauser. At 2 p.m. that day, a portrait dedication ceremony will be held to honor the service of the county’s former and senior common pleas court judges, to recognize the contribution and service of current and previous magisterial district judges and to honor the members of the McKean County Bar Association, who have served the county.

Light refreshments will be served following the ceremony.

In 1804, McKean County and many other northwestern Pennsylvania counties were carved out of what was then Lycoming County (Elk and Cameron counties were later carved out from McKean County). The first judicial proceeding is reported to have been held in 1822. It was believed to be held in a residence as the first courthouse was not built until 1826.

Historians said there was limited need in those early years for judicial services because McKean County was mostly uninhabited. The disputes that did arise, both civil and criminal, could be addressed by judges from other counties, such as Bradford and Lycoming, who traveled here several times a year by horseback to hold court. This changed in the second half of the 1800s when first the timber and later the oil industry brought about significant change in McKean County, including a dramatic rise in population. With increased population came an increase in legal disputes and criminal filings and a push to create a separate judicial district for McKean County.

In 1883, a separate judicial district, with one judge devoted to its needs, was created for McKean and Potter counties. At the end of the 1800s there was a movement, partially driven by pride and partially by need, for McKean and Potter counties to each have their own sitting judge.  Therefore, in 1901 the 48th Judicial District was created to serve McKean County, and the 55th Judicial District to serve Potter County.

Since 1883, there have been 10 common pleas court judges that have served McKean County. Among those are the following: President Judge Thomas A. Morrison (1877-1903); President Judge Joseph W. Bouton (1903-1934); President Judge Charles G. Hubbard (1934-1963); President Judge Glenn E. Mencer (1964-1970); President Judge William F. Potter (1970-1981); President Judge Richard E. Brandow (1982-1984); President Judge John M. Cleland (1984-2008); President Judge John H. Yoder (2008-10); Pavlock and Hauser. Judge Joseph P. Wilson served U.S. District Court from 1953-1998.

Pavlock said the ceremony is open to the public and, therefore, no RSVP is required. However, during the outline of the biographies, county officials would like to recognize the attendance of any known family members and descendants of the former common pleas court and magisterial district judges. Notification of attendance can be made by calling the judge’s chambers at (814) 887-3323.

Any additional questions about the Dec. 16 ceremony can be addressed to Court Administrator Joanne Bly at (814)887-3323.