James B. Bradwell

James Bolesworth Bradwell (April 16, 1828 – November 30, 1907) was a prominent Illinois lawyer, judge, and politician.

Educated initially in a log schoolhouse, Bradwell later attended Wilson's Academy in Chicago and Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois.

He gained a reputation as an outstanding process artist and produced the first halftone ever made in Chicago, which was a portrait of Melville Fuller.

[1] Following their marriage, James and Myra Bradwell moved to Memphis, Tennessee where they opened a school.

In addition to passionate addresses, Bradwell wrote and performed songs promoting the Union cause, thus gaining him the nickname of the "sweet singer of Cook County".

During his time on the bench, Bradwell gained a reputation as one of the country's leading probate jurists.

[1] In 1875, Bradwell represented Mary Todd Lincoln after her son Robert had her involuntarily confined to Bellevue Place, a psychiatric hospital in Batavia, Illinois, and, together with his wife, played a key role in convincing a court to declare Mary Todd Lincoln competent to handle her own finances.