History of Saginaw County, Michigan; historical, commercial, biographical, profusely illustrated with portraits of early pioneers, rare pictures and scenes of olden times, and portraits of representative citizens of today, [Vol. 2]

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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY

fearless in prosecuting offenders under the law, especially those violating
the law regulating the sale of liquors, and was zealous in enforcing the
collection of taxes imposed by that law. He declined reelection to the
office and in 1892 resumed his practice in both the Circuit and Supreme
Courts. For eighteen years following he was retained as counsel in many
of the most important cases arising in this circuit. While his practice was
general in character, he preferred chancery cases and in these he gained a
high reputation.
In 1909 Mr. Kendrick was returned to the Bench under an appointment
by Governor Warner, to fill a vacancy. In the following November he was
elected to the office and reelected in April, 1911, to fill the full term from
1912 to 1918. In all he served nearly twelve years on the Bench, greatly
to his credit and to the cause of justice and right.
In 1901 he was appointed a member of the Michigan Advisory Board
of Pardons, on which he continued to serve for eight years. During this
time he was influential in securing the passage of the indeterminate sentence
and parole law and under this law instituted new and modern methods of
handling the matter of reformation of criminal offenders. From every aspect
he well merits the high regard and esteem in which he is held by citizens
generally, irrespective of political creed or personal views. In 1918 he again
resumed his practice of the law in association with his son, Raymond R.
Kendrick.
Judge Kendrick was married November 3, 1875, to Miss Adaline Bristol,
who was born at Almont, Michigan, September 25, 1852. Three children
blessed this union, two sons and one daughter: J. Lucius, Ethel E. and
Raymond R. Mrs. Kendrick is a woman of high intellect, charming personality, and among her fine attainments she is an artist and musician of
ability. For many years the family home has been at 1520 Genesee Avenue.
JULIUS B. KIRBY
Julius B. Kirby, managing secretary of the Saginaw Board of Commerce, was born at Eureka, Clinton County, Michigan, June 19, 1873. His
parents were natives of Ohio, the father, Thompson Kirby, having been
born in Knox County in 1832, and the mother, Henrietta Brown Kirby, at
Mt. Gillead in 1834. They came to Michigan in the early fifties and settled
in Clinton County, where they engaged in farming until 1886 when they
removed to the village of Ashley. Thompson Kirby, who served four years
in the civil war, died there in March, 1899, at the age of sixty-seven years,
while Mrs. Kirby lived to enoy the venerable age of eighty-three, until
February 6, 1917.
Julius B., the next youngest of the family of six children, was educated
in the village school at Ashley, and graduated from the high school in June,
1892. He then entered the law office of Kelly S. Searl, at Ithaca, as student,
where he remained two years. He was examined for admission to the Bar,
June 19, 1894 (the twenty-first anniversary of his birth), and admitted to
practice by the Judge of the Circuit Court. On April 1, 1895, he entered
into a partnership with his preceptor, under the firm of Searl and Kirby,
which continued for three years. With a taste for the law and traits which,
under favorable conditions, promote success in life, he made an honorable
career in his chosen profession.
In politics Mr. Kirby was, and is, an earnest Republican, keenly desirous
of the success of his party, but not inclined to leave the duties of his
practice and business to seek public office. His energy, ability and perse