HENRY DIXON GREEN. The American bar offers the finest opportunities for preferment of any country upon the face of the earth, its members being privileged, if the talent is not wanting, to attain not only the grandest distinction in the profession, but it is the easiest way of approach to the highest official places in the land. What is more, the American bar can show an array of eminent talent, of profound erudition and of judicial ability equal to that of England, France or Germany. The Howell County bar has, during the past half century, been greatly distinguished for the learning and talent of its members, who know no such word as fail when pitted against lawyers of other sections. A very bright and most successful young attorney of the above mentioned county is Henry Dixon Green, who has won victories at the bar that would have reflected credit upon its oldest members. He is one of the best known lawyers of south Missouri, is affable and genial, making friends wherever he goes, and prominent attorneys in his section say he is one of the best trial lawyers in the State.
Mr. Green was born in Henderson County, Kentucky, in 1851. His father, H. D. Green, was a captain in the Confederate Army. and died while in service. In 1876 our subject left his native State and went to Howell County, Missouri, where two years later he was admitted to the bar, having read law with Hon. A. H. Livingston, the present nominee of the Populist party for Congress. For years after this he and Mr. Livingston were law partners, and he was also in partnership with B. F. Olden for about seven years. Mr. Green acted as claim agent for the Kansas City, Fort Scott & Missouri Railroad for about a year, and afterward had charge of the claim department of the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company for the territory of Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado and the Indian Territory, but resigned and resumed the practice of law at West Plains, Missouri, in partnership with George R. Chaney and W. A. Gardner. This is one of the strongest law firms in southern Missouri. In the year 1878 Mr. Green married at West Plains, Miss Mary M. Monks, the daughter of Col. William Monks, who is a gallant ex-Union soldier. Mrs. Green is a strong Republican while Mr. Green is a strong supporter of Democratic principles, but their home life is happy and peaceful. They have a daughter and three sons, healthy, vigorous children.
From 1879 to 1880 Mr. Green was probate judge of Howell County, Missouri He is so well known to the people of the county that he needs no recommendation from us. His eloquence and power before the courts of this and other circuits have won for him a name and fame that is second to none in this part of the State. The following, copied from the West Plains Gazette, speaks for itself:
“It always affords us great pleasure to speak well and commendatory of any one and every one who is deserving. The Gazette always aims to give honor to whom honor is due. Especially is this the case when a young and ambitious professional gentleman, one of our own citizens, performs his duty successfully, truthfully and excellently. In this connection it is our pleasure to speak of the speech made by Henry D. Green, last night, in the case of the State vs. A. H. Livingston. Mr. Green, as he said, had a double duty to perform-the defense of a gentleman who he believed to be innocent, and the defense of a friend. And right well did he do his part. His speech was of two hours’ duration, and from the opening to the close he made a close, argumentative, analyzing, earnest, well-knit, connected, logical, convincing and powerful speech. We have never, in fact, heard the speech made by Mr. Green last night equaled at the bar. This is putting it broadly, but is, most emphatically, meant as said. Mr. Green has never claimed to be a criminal lawyer, but his effort last night would have done credit to any criminal lawyer.”