SMETHPORT — Attractively framed photos of McKean County’s former judges dating back to 1877 are now displayed on the walls outside the main courtroom at the courthouse in Smethport.

The portraits were hung Friday afternoon during a program recognizing the county’s jurists, some of whom were elevated to state and federal appellate courts, bringing honor and recognition to themselves and the county.

President Judge John Pavlock and Judge Christopher Hauser conducted the program, assisted by law clerk Matt Sniscak, who showed the pictures while the judges read the respective biographies. Those relatives of the former judges who attended the program were given the opportunity to speak briefly and accompanied officials to the hall for the placing of the photographs.

After opening the program and recognizing those who spent about eight to ten months in the planning, Pavlock then gave a brief history of the county’s court system, beginning in the early years, 1804 to 83. McKean County was formed in 1804. Until 1833, McKean was placed in judicial districts along with Bradford, Susquehanna, Tioga and Potter counties.

That year saw the state legislature form the 18th judicial district, which included McKean, Potter Warren and Jefferson counties.

“In those early days when the judges traveled so much to hold court, they never knew whether there would be cases to hear and the trip would be worthwhile,” Pavlock said.

It wasn’t until 1901 that, in responding to demands from McKean and Potter residents, these two counties had their own judicial district, and McKean remains in the 48th district.

Judge Thomas Morrison was McKean County President Judge from 1877 to 1903, when he was named to the Pennsylvania Superior Court and served until 1911. He died in 1916.

A Civil War veteran, Morrison moved to Smethport in 1875.

Judge Joseph Bouton served on the bench from 1903 to 34. Prior to becoming judge, he served as McKean County District Attorney, proving to be a fearless prosecutor.

Judge Charles Hubbard served the county 30 years, from 1934 to 64, during which time he heard many notable cases and dealt with the devastating fire that destroyed the third courthouse, which was replaced by the current structure.

Judge Glenn Mencer was district attorney from 1956 until he was named judge in 1964. Six years later, then-Gov. Raymond Shafer appointed him to the newly-formed Commonwealth Court, which hears cases against the Commonwealth. President Ronald Reagan named Mencer to a federal judgeship for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

During his years on the federal bench — 1982 to 94 — Mencer shuttled between federal courthouses in Erie and Pittsburgh and particularly enjoyed presiding at naturalization ceremonies.

As a jurist, he balanced firm convictions about the law with compassion for the people who appeared before him.

From 1970 to 81, Judge William Potter was in office. Like some of his predecessors, Potter moved to the judgeship after being district attorney from 1964 to 70. Gov. Raymond Shafer appointed him as president judge.

Potter also followed in the footsteps of his father, E. Gurdon Potter, who was a prominent lawyer and district attorney.

Following 22 years as a Bradford lawyer and community leader, Richard Brandow was initially appointed by the governor to an interim term as the 48th Judicial District’s sole judgeship. He was elected to a full ten-year term in 1983.

Brandow began his new term in January 1984, but passed away a short time later on May 31.

Kane native Judge John Cleland served as President Judge from 1984 to 2008, when he joined the Pennsylvania Superior Court, an appellate court that hears both civil and criminal cases.

Recognized as an outstanding legal scholar, Cleland was appointed by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to preside over several high profile cases, such as the Sandusky case, which has been praised as a model of judicial efficiency.

He also chaired the Interbranch Commission on Juvenile Justice, which resulted in major and meaningful changes for the protection of juveniles in the dependency and delinquency systems.

A practicing attorney in Smethport, Judge John Yoder Jr., spent ten years as the McKean County Public Defender from 1971 to 81. In 1981, he became a district judge in Smethport and served in that position for 22 years.

In 2003, Yoder became the county’s second judge, serving for five years. He served as President Judge during 2008 and 2009.

Judge Joseph Willson, also a Smethport native, served as a U.S. District Court judge from 1953 to 98, after being appointed by President Dwight Eisenhower.

During his collegiate days, Willson played football for the University of Pennsylvania team in the Rose Bowl and against “Red” Grange, the “Galloping Ghost.”

During his Navy service, Willson assisted in the arrangements for a crucial conference between President Franklin Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.

Also part of Friday’s program was the dedication of the plaque honoring the former district magisterial judges, beginning with Carroll Clayton of Bradford, 1970 to 74.

The plaque also lists the names of William Bunce, Kane, 1970 to 76; Betty Straneva, Kane, 1974 to 76; Leroy Lucas, Bradford, 1974 to 76; Robert Zimmerman, Bradford, 1976 to 88; Patricia Morey, Kane, 1976 to 82; Edward Rosenswie, Smethport, 1970 to 81; David Dar Feheley, Eldred, 1971, and Joe Frampton, Bradford, 1970 to 80.  

Also, John Geibel, 1980 to 88; John H. Yoder, Smethport, 1981 to 2004; Kenneth Jadlowiec, Bradford, 1982 to 86; Alden Anderson, Kane, 1982 to 94; Thomas Ackerman, Bradford, 1988 to 2005; Barbara Boser, Bradford, 1988 to 2004; Michael Kennedy, 1994 to 2011; Christopher Hauser, Bradford, 2000 to 06; and James Miller, Smethport, 2004 to 05.

Pavlock announced that the Honor Roll of Members of the McKean County Bar Association in Service to Our Country has been updated with more names.

A second plaque, also displayed outside the large courtroom, contains the names of county bar association members who served in wars and peacetime.

Smethport Magisterial District Judge Bill Todd of Smethport spoke briefly about the change of this office from former times when the officials were known as justices of the peace.