PROCEEDINGS IN HONOR
OF THE
MEMORY OF JOHN H. DILLARD
In the Supreme Court, 7 May, 1896, the Attorney-General, announced the death
of John H. Dillard, formerly an Associate Justice, which occurred at his home
in Greensboro, and the Court adjourned as a mark of respect to his memory.
Thereupon a preliminary meeting of the bench and bar was held, Chief Justice
Faircloth presiding and Thomas S. Kenan acting as secretary. A committee was
appointed to draft resolutions, and the following gentlemen were named: James
E. Shepherd, L. M. Scott, R. R. King, J. T. Morehead, James C. MacRae, S. F.
Mordecai and Thomas S. Kenan. An adjournment was then taken until Thurs¬
day, 14 May, 1896, when the committee, through its chairman, Mr. Shepherd, sub¬
mitted the following report :
“John Henry Dii.lard was born in Rockingham County, on 29 November,
1819. After preparation at Patrick Henry Academy, in Virginia, he entered the
University of this State, remained two years (taking first distinction in his
studies), and left on account of ill health. He began to read law in the office of
the late James T. Morehead, at Greensboro, and graduated in 1840 from the
law department of William and Mary College, in Virginia. He practiced at
Richmond and at Patrick Courthouse until 1846, when he removed to Wentworth.
He was Commonwealth Attorney in Virginia, and was County Attorney and Clerk
and Master in Equity in Rockingham County for a number of years. On 13
January, 1846, he married Ann I. Martin, daughter of Joseph Martin, of Virginia.
In 1862 lie raised a company of volunteers and entered the service of the Con¬
federate States as captain. After his removal to Greensboro in 1868 the law
firm of Dillard, Ruffin & Gilmer was formed, and continued until 1876 as Dillard
& Gilmer, Ruffin' having retired on account of ill health. When he removed to
his farm in Rockingham County he formed a partnership with his son-in-law,
John T. Pannill, which continued until he was elected, in 1878, as an Associate
Justice of the Supreme Court. The record he made in the discharge of the duties
of that high office was highly creditable, and one which should be the pride of
any judge to enjoy. He resigned in the spring of 1881, and was succeeded by
Thomas Ruffin, Jr. He then moved back to Greensboro, and continued the prac¬
tice in association with other members of the bar. For a number of years he was
connected with Judge Dick in the conduct of a law school at Greensboro, which
gained great reputation. He was for years an elder in the Presbyterian Church
and a teacher in the Sunday school, and in the performance of these duties he
displayed the same ardor and perseverance and ability which characterized him
as a practitioner at the bar and as a judicial officer. He was modest, and self-
assertion was not one of his traits — honors were literally thrust upon him. He
possessed a unique attractiveness — plain in his habits, but his social graces were
always observable. He was greatly beloved by all who knew him, and notably by
the members of the bar. His courtesy to them and especially his assistance to the
young lawyer in advice, etc., were ever conspicuous. His greatest reputation, per¬
haps, was that of an equity lawyer, and his high personal character, great integrity
and sterling honesty were known of all men.
‘ ‘ He died at his home in Greensboro, 6 May, 1896.
“Resolved, That in the death of Judge Dillard we recognize the great loss
sustained by the State and the profession, and we tender to his family our warm¬
est sympathy.
“Resolved, That a copy of these proceedings be transmitted to the family, and
be presented by the Attorney-General to the Supreme Court, with the request that
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