Blair County PA Archives Biographies.....Fisher, Isaac ???? - 1857
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Judy Banja http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00004.html#0000757 January 5, 2025, 11:59 am

Source: Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Blair Co, PA: Philadelphia, 1892.
Author: Samuel T. Wiley

ISAAC FISHER 
was a lawyer noted in the whole profession along the Juniata valley.  In
person, mind and manners he was peculiar.  He was a member of the Huntingdon
bar, and during the first years after the organization of the county attended
all the courts.  In person he was huge, weighing about three hundred pounds,
generally neat in dress, seldom appearing in court without gloves; of very
extensive reading, with no end of research in the particular case trial.  He
was the horror of the court, because of his unlimited citation of
authorities.  Always bland and respectful, but having a secret contempt for
any lower one than the supreme court, he frequently said he would rather have
one or two "good exceptions" in the court below than a verdict.
   He was a thorn in the side of Judge Burnside, and was about the only lawyer
he was afraid of.  While a law student Judge Black was present at the trial
of several cases in which he was counsel.  One case, between John Dougherty
and Jack, Wigdon & Co., about the year 1853, was on trial.  Mr. S. S. Blair
and Mr. Fisher were counsel for Dougherty.  A legal question arose during the
trial, which was likely to prove disastrous to Dougherty's case.  Mr. Blair
was on his feet arguing the point with his usual force; the judge seemed to be 
against him, when Mr. Dougherty said, somewhat excitedly, to Fisher, "Why don't 
you say something, Mr. Fisher?"  "Why, my dear sir," he replied, "whenever I
attempt it, that young man of yours takes the words right out of my mouth." 
He was the man who, after the jury had rendered a verdict against him, and in
face of the charge of the court, moved at once for a new trial, which was
instantly granted, when he turned to the jury, who had not yet left the box,
and with a wave of his hand, said, "You twelve lawyers can now go home!"
   He died about the year 1857.  His last appearance was in the court at
Huntingdon, on the hearing of a motion for a new trial.  He always seemed to
be moving for new trials.  He had argued his reasons; the court's intimations
were strong against him.  Mr. Fisher suggested that the jury must have totally
misapprehended the evidence.  Judge Taylor said, "I see, Mr. Fisher, you have
but little confidence in modern juries."  Said Mr. Fisher, with a bow, and utmost 
blandness, "And very little more in modern courts."  And with this parting 
shot at courts and juries, he left the court room, never to enter it again.

Additional Comments:
Originally submitted 2001. Transcribed by Janet Gray.

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