Hon. Richard Linney Newnham Hon. Richard Linney Newnham, superior court judge, a sagacious and prosperous lawyer of Grand Rapids, was born in London, England, September 20, 1850, a son of Richard B. and Hannah (Harrison) Newnham, now residents of Saugatuck, Mich. Richard B. Newnham was a police officer in London, and was married in Stafford-shire, England, in 1839. In 1862 he came to the United States, and, the Civil War being then under full way, he enlisted in the navy, in defense of the national flag, and served faithfully until the end of the war. After an honorable discharge, he settled in Saugatuck, Mich., where he has served as justice of the peace, township clerk and supervisor. Of his marriage with Miss Harrison have been born thirteen children, of whom eight reached mature years, viz: John in England; Lucy, wife of Edwin Crossman, captain of an ocean steamer and resident of Bristol, England; Hannah C., in England; Mary A., married to a Philip Frost, and also in England; Richard L., whose name opens this sketch; Eliza, widow of Joseph G. Annesley, of Saugatuck, Mich.; Stephen L., a lake navigator, and Marie, a principle of a school in Hastings, Nebr. Mr. and Mrs. Newnham are members of the Episcopal church, and in politics Mr. Newnham is a democrat. Hon. Richard L. Newnham, when a boy, sold newspapers in the streets of London, then became a telegraph messenger, and next, for two and a half years, was a copy holder in the proof-reading department of the London Morning Post. At the age of sixteen years and five months he landed in New York city, and February 19, 1867, come to Michigan and found employment in the saw-mills at Saugatuck during the summer months, while the winter months were devoted to attendance at school. In 1871 he began teaching during the winter season and in 1874 entered the normal school at Ypsilanti, from which he graduated in 1875; from the spring of 1876 to the fall of the same year he passed his time in study in the law office of Judge Padgham, at Allegan, Mich., was then admitted to the bar, and at once began practice at Saugatuck, where he met with decided success, and remained until 1880. This year, in order to enlarge his field of operations he removed to Allegan, where his practice was greatly enlarged and where, in 1892, he was appointed prosecuting attorney to fill a vacancy of one year. In 1894 he was appointed United States assistant attorney for four years, and in the same year he came to Grand Rapids, and here has since enjoyed an excellent general practice. In the spring of 1899, Mr. Newnham was nominated by the democratic party of Grand Rapids as its candidate for the office of superior court judge, and was elected by 578 votes over Julius M. Jamison, and took his seat May 1, 1899. Mr. Newnham was united in marriage, in Allegan, September 20, 1878, with Miss Annie M. Higinbotham, a native of that city, born July 28, 1853, a daughter of Peter N. and Mary (Northrop) Higinbotham, of English descent. This marriage has resulted in the birth of four children, named as follows: Stephen L., Alice M. and Lucy A., and Laura A., twins. In religion Mr. Newnham is an Episcopalian, while his wife adheres to the Presbyterian faith. Politically, Hon. Mr. Newnham is a democrat, as is indicated above, is secretary of the democratic congressional committee, and from 1892 to 1894 was a member of the democratic state central committee. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of the Maccabees, of the Court of Honor, and of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Professionally he has made a success, and owns realty in Grand Rapids and Saugatuck, and makes his home at No. 749 Wealthy avenue, Grand Rapids. His social relations are most pleasant, and he and his wife enjoy the sincere esteem of the best families in the city. The career of Judge Newnham is another evidence of what pertinacity of purpose can accomplish, especially when accompanied by an unswerving honesty and an inflexibility of integrity such as have characterized him throughout life, and the eminent position he now fills is but a just recognition of his probity, as well as his consummate ability as a lawyer. Richard B. Newnham, the father of Hon. Richard L. Newnham, was born at Knightsbridge, London, May 24, 1819, twenty-five minutes after the birth of Queen Victoria at Kensington palace, just adjacent. Marie, the youngest of Richard B.’s children, was born May 24, 1863, and the twin daughters of Hon. Richard L. Newnham, Lucy A. and Laura A., were born May 24, 1885. In the fall of 1899, Judge Newnham sent to the Queen a photograph of his people who were born on the same day on which her majesty’s birth took place, and in recognition received a photograph of four members of the royal family--of different generations--including the Queen herself, the Prince of Wales, the Duke of York, and the infant son of the last named.

Transcriber: Barb Jones
Created: 10 January 2009