Macoupin County
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Biography - VICTOR HEMPHILL

Judge Victor Hemphill was born near Carlinville in 1882. He is a son of Robert S. (who died in 1924) and Mary Ross Hemphill. The parents are descendants of Macoupin county pioneers and the family has a long record of high quality citizenship, which has added much to the interesting history of Macoupin county. Judge Hemphill's mother is a resident of Carlinville.

Judge Hemphill attended the Carlinville schools and graduated from the local high school and Blackburn college. When he had finished his college education he taught in the Virden high school. Having the practice of law in mind as his life's work, he attended Washington University, St. Louis. He graduated from the law department of that institution in the class of 1905. The same year he was admitted to the bar in Missouri and Illinois. Following his admission to the bar Judge Hemphill established an office in his home city. In politics he is a Democrat. Shortly after beginning the practice of his profession he took an active interest in politics. He was elected state's attorney in 1916 and was re-elected in 1928. He was an able prosecutor. He was elected mayor of Carlinville in 1921 and served three terms in that position, leaving a record of duty well performed. In 1933 he was elected to the circuit bench from this, the seventh judicial district. Judge Hemphill is a member of the legal fraternity, Phi Delta Phi, and of the Illinois State, and American Bar Associations.

It is not often that such a busy and useful career has fallen to one of Judge Hemphill's years. His extensive practice; his success as a state's attorney, and mayor of his native city, helped to give him the necessary experience and background to fit him for the high position he holds today. And hard work, close application and study of the problems with which he has had to deal, have enriched his store of knowledge upon which he can draw in the office which he occupies.

In 1915, Judge Hemphill was united in marriage with Miss Adele Loehr, accomplished daughter of Theodore C. Loehr, of Carlinville. They have two children, a daughter, Barbara, and a son, Robert T. Hemphill. Judge Hemphill and family are residents of Burton Place. As a diversion from work. Judge Hemphill plays golf.


Extracted 15 Dec 2018 by Norma Hass from History of a Famous Courthouse, by W. B. Brown, published in 1934, page 39.


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