Memorials to Deceased Members from "Proceedings of the Thirty-Third Annual Meeting of The Virginia State Bar Association of Virginia Held at Virginian Hotel Lynchburg, VA June 6th, 7th and 8th, 1922"
After a short illness, John Pickrell passed away on the 27th of May, 1921. His death took place at the Johnston-Willis Hospital, Richmond, Va., shortly after he had been moved from his rooms at the Westmoreland Club, where he had made his residence for many years.
Mr. Pickrell was born in the City of Petersburg, Va., on January 7, 1855, and was the son of Z. W. Pickrell and Matilda McCaw Pickrell. Mr. Pickrell was survived by three brothers, Dr. George N. Pickrell, of the United States Navy; Percy A. Pickrell, of Powhatan County, Va., and Z. W. Pickrell, Jr., of California, and one sister, Mrs. Henry Patterson, of Richmond, Va.
Mr. Pickrell, after preparation, therefor in the schools of Petersburg and Richmond, entered the University of Virginia in the year 1874 and graduated therefrom with distinction in the year 1878, receiving the degree of Master of Arts. During his degree year he also took up the study of law. He then taught school for two years at Pampatike, King William County, Va., and in 1880 was admitted to the bar in the City of Richmond, where he continued the practice of law up to the time of his last illness. He first formed a partnership with Mr. C. C. McCray, and later in 1883 formed a partnership with Captain John A. Coke, under the firm name of Coke & Pickrell, which firm, with the addition of Mr. John A. Coke, Jr., as a junior member in 1898, continued until Captain Coke's death in January, 1920. The partnership of Coke & Pickrell was at the time of its dissolution one of the oldest law firms in the State and one of the best known.
Mr. Pickrell was profoundly interested in his profession, and from the beginning of his career at the bar of this city he showed in a marked degree those qualities of mind which in later years made him one of the ablest lawyers in the State. His reputation for ability was well known and recognized, and among no class was his ability better recognized than among his fellow-lawyers. Probably Mr. Pickrell was consulted by his fellow-lawyers on difficult and intricate legal problems more often than any other lawyer at the Richmond Bar. No lawyer ever practiced his profession upon a higher plane or with a greater regard to the ethics of his profession than Mr. Pickrell. He was a lawyer of the old school. In this day, when the profession is being commercialized to such a large extent, the lawyer who preserves the ancient traditions of his calling is the exception rather than the rule. The making of money, which is one of the main, if not the main, objects of most men, whether engaged in professional pursuits or otherwise, found very little place in his make up. Mr. Pickrell was a bachelor and a man of inexpensive habits, and until later life, when he contributed generously to the support of relatives, the question of money seemed to play very little part, and even then he seemed to desire no more than was necessary for the objects to be accomplished. His interest was in the practice of his profession. He practiced law for the love of it, the emoluments being more or less incidental. Mr. Pickrell was consequently a moderate charger. As illustrating his attitude in such matters a case may be mentioned. In a very large and important suit, he decided upon a fee at the conclusion of the litigation, but was persuaded by others to render a bill for double the amount, which was done. The client, however, sent a check for 50 per cent more than the doubled amount, stating that in its opinion the services were worth the amount of the check.
If, however, there was one characteristic of Mr. Pickrell's career as a lawyer that stood out more prominently that any other, it was what might be called his professional conscientiousness. It mattered not whether the case was large or small, it received the same careful, painstaking consideration and investigation. He did not believe in that class of opinions commonly known as "horseback opinions." His opinions were given only after he had thoroughly satisfied himself by investigation. He took nothing for granted, but always insisted for his own satisfaction in running down the authorities. He was never so happy as when investigating a legal problem, and of oftentimes would be so interested and absorbed the he would lose all idea of the passage of time. He had no hour to quit work or even for meals, and would often work into the night, even when not pressed for time. Under such circumstances he accumulated an immense amount of legal knowledge, which together with his well-trained legal mind, made him an advocate in court that commanded the respect of his ablest adversary.
Although of rare and unusual ability, and though not lacking in that quiet confidence which comes from thorough preparation and knowledge of those subjects with which he had to deal, Mr. Pickrell was yet one of the most modest of men and lacking in those pushing qualities, which get many a man of small mental attainments well on the road to success. His reputation for ability was such, however, that he enjoyed a large and important practice, and he was retained as counsel in many of the most important cases that have arisen in recent years in the State and Federal courts of the city. His employment in such cases often came as the result of a suggestion by other lawyers to their clients that Mr. Pickrell be associated in the conduct of the case.
At the time of his death Mr. Pickrell was general counsel in the United States of the Imperial Tobacco Company of Great Britain and Ireland, Limited; general counsel of the National State and City Bank, and advisory counsel for the Virginia-Carolina Chemical Company, besides having a large clientele outside of such regular retainers. His services were in such demand that during the last years of his life he was compelled to decline many cases of importance owing to lack of time in which to give such matters attention.
In addition to his legal knowledge, Mr. Pickrell had a wide acquaintance with the best literature, and devoted his evenings to reading, of which he was very fond. He was an interesting and cultured talker, and was a popular member of the Westmoreland Club, where he lived. Although a bachelor, and living largely at the club away from the refining influence of the gentler sex, he never lost in the slightest degree that refinement of manner, nor failed to exhibit those qualities of gentleness, kindness and courtesy which he possessed in so eminent a degree. He was an ornament to the legal profession of his city and State, and his sterling qualities of heart and mind marked him as a man among men.
John A. Coke, Jr.
After a short illness, John Pickrell passed away on the 27th of May, 1921. His death took place at the Johnston-Willis Hospital, Richmond, Va., shortly after he had been moved from his rooms at the Westmoreland Club, where he had made his residence for many years.
Mr. Pickrell was born in the City of Petersburg, Va., on January 7, 1855, and was the son of Z. W. Pickrell and Matilda McCaw Pickrell. Mr. Pickrell was survived by three brothers, Dr. George N. Pickrell, of the United States Navy; Percy A. Pickrell, of Powhatan County, Va., and Z. W. Pickrell, Jr., of California, and one sister, Mrs. Henry Patterson, of Richmond, Va.
Mr. Pickrell, after preparation, therefor in the schools of Petersburg and Richmond, entered the University of Virginia in the year 1874 and graduated therefrom with distinction in the year 1878, receiving the degree of Master of Arts. During his degree year he also took up the study of law. He then taught school for two years at Pampatike, King William County, Va., and in 1880 was admitted to the bar in the City of Richmond, where he continued the practice of law up to the time of his last illness. He first formed a partnership with Mr. C. C. McCray, and later in 1883 formed a partnership with Captain John A. Coke, under the firm name of Coke & Pickrell, which firm, with the addition of Mr. John A. Coke, Jr., as a junior member in 1898, continued until Captain Coke's death in January, 1920. The partnership of Coke & Pickrell was at the time of its dissolution one of the oldest law firms in the State and one of the best known.
Mr. Pickrell was profoundly interested in his profession, and from the beginning of his career at the bar of this city he showed in a marked degree those qualities of mind which in later years made him one of the ablest lawyers in the State. His reputation for ability was well known and recognized, and among no class was his ability better recognized than among his fellow-lawyers. Probably Mr. Pickrell was consulted by his fellow-lawyers on difficult and intricate legal problems more often than any other lawyer at the Richmond Bar. No lawyer ever practiced his profession upon a higher plane or with a greater regard to the ethics of his profession than Mr. Pickrell. He was a lawyer of the old school. In this day, when the profession is being commercialized to such a large extent, the lawyer who preserves the ancient traditions of his calling is the exception rather than the rule. The making of money, which is one of the main, if not the main, objects of most men, whether engaged in professional pursuits or otherwise, found very little place in his make up. Mr. Pickrell was a bachelor and a man of inexpensive habits, and until later life, when he contributed generously to the support of relatives, the question of money seemed to play very little part, and even then he seemed to desire no more than was necessary for the objects to be accomplished. His interest was in the practice of his profession. He practiced law for the love of it, the emoluments being more or less incidental. Mr. Pickrell was consequently a moderate charger. As illustrating his attitude in such matters a case may be mentioned. In a very large and important suit, he decided upon a fee at the conclusion of the litigation, but was persuaded by others to render a bill for double the amount, which was done. The client, however, sent a check for 50 per cent more than the doubled amount, stating that in its opinion the services were worth the amount of the check.
If, however, there was one characteristic of Mr. Pickrell's career as a lawyer that stood out more prominently that any other, it was what might be called his professional conscientiousness. It mattered not whether the case was large or small, it received the same careful, painstaking consideration and investigation. He did not believe in that class of opinions commonly known as "horseback opinions." His opinions were given only after he had thoroughly satisfied himself by investigation. He took nothing for granted, but always insisted for his own satisfaction in running down the authorities. He was never so happy as when investigating a legal problem, and of oftentimes would be so interested and absorbed the he would lose all idea of the passage of time. He had no hour to quit work or even for meals, and would often work into the night, even when not pressed for time. Under such circumstances he accumulated an immense amount of legal knowledge, which together with his well-trained legal mind, made him an advocate in court that commanded the respect of his ablest adversary.
Although of rare and unusual ability, and though not lacking in that quiet confidence which comes from thorough preparation and knowledge of those subjects with which he had to deal, Mr. Pickrell was yet one of the most modest of men and lacking in those pushing qualities, which get many a man of small mental attainments well on the road to success. His reputation for ability was such, however, that he enjoyed a large and important practice, and he was retained as counsel in many of the most important cases that have arisen in recent years in the State and Federal courts of the city. His employment in such cases often came as the result of a suggestion by other lawyers to their clients that Mr. Pickrell be associated in the conduct of the case.
At the time of his death Mr. Pickrell was general counsel in the United States of the Imperial Tobacco Company of Great Britain and Ireland, Limited; general counsel of the National State and City Bank, and advisory counsel for the Virginia-Carolina Chemical Company, besides having a large clientele outside of such regular retainers. His services were in such demand that during the last years of his life he was compelled to decline many cases of importance owing to lack of time in which to give such matters attention.
In addition to his legal knowledge, Mr. Pickrell had a wide acquaintance with the best literature, and devoted his evenings to reading, of which he was very fond. He was an interesting and cultured talker, and was a popular member of the Westmoreland Club, where he lived. Although a bachelor, and living largely at the club away from the refining influence of the gentler sex, he never lost in the slightest degree that refinement of manner, nor failed to exhibit those qualities of gentleness, kindness and courtesy which he possessed in so eminent a degree. He was an ornament to the legal profession of his city and State, and his sterling qualities of heart and mind marked him as a man among men.
John A. Coke, Jr.
Memorials to Deceased Members from "Proceedings of the Thirty-Third Annual Meeting of The Virginia State Bar Association of Virginia Held at Virginian Hotel Lynchburg, VA June 6th, 7th and 8th, 1922"
After a short illness, John Pickrell passed away on the 27th of May, 1921. His death took place at the Johnston-Willis Hospital, Richmond, Va., shortly after he had been moved from his rooms at the Westmoreland Club, where he had made his residence for many years.
Mr. Pickrell was born in the City of Petersburg, Va., on January 7, 1855, and was the son of Z. W. Pickrell and Matilda McCaw Pickrell. Mr. Pickrell was survived by three brothers, Dr. George N. Pickrell, of the United States Navy; Percy A. Pickrell, of Powhatan County, Va., and Z. W. Pickrell, Jr., of California, and one sister, Mrs. Henry Patterson, of Richmond, Va.
Mr. Pickrell, after preparation, therefor in the schools of Petersburg and Richmond, entered the University of Virginia in the year 1874 and graduated therefrom with distinction in the year 1878, receiving the degree of Master of Arts. During his degree year he also took up the study of law. He then taught school for two years at Pampatike, King William County, Va., and in 1880 was admitted to the bar in the City of Richmond, where he continued the practice of law up to the time of his last illness. He first formed a partnership with Mr. C. C. McCray, and later in 1883 formed a partnership with Captain John A. Coke, under the firm name of Coke & Pickrell, which firm, with the addition of Mr. John A. Coke, Jr., as a junior member in 1898, continued until Captain Coke's death in January, 1920. The partnership of Coke & Pickrell was at the time of its dissolution one of the oldest law firms in the State and one of the best known.
Mr. Pickrell was profoundly interested in his profession, and from the beginning of his career at the bar of this city he showed in a marked degree those qualities of mind which in later years made him one of the ablest lawyers in the State. His reputation for ability was well known and recognized, and among no class was his ability better recognized than among his fellow-lawyers. Probably Mr. Pickrell was consulted by his fellow-lawyers on difficult and intricate legal problems more often than any other lawyer at the Richmond Bar. No lawyer ever practiced his profession upon a higher plane or with a greater regard to the ethics of his profession than Mr. Pickrell. He was a lawyer of the old school. In this day, when the profession is being commercialized to such a large extent, the lawyer who preserves the ancient traditions of his calling is the exception rather than the rule. The making of money, which is one of the main, if not the main, objects of most men, whether engaged in professional pursuits or otherwise, found very little place in his make up. Mr. Pickrell was a bachelor and a man of inexpensive habits, and until later life, when he contributed generously to the support of relatives, the question of money seemed to play very little part, and even then he seemed to desire no more than was necessary for the objects to be accomplished. His interest was in the practice of his profession. He practiced law for the love of it, the emoluments being more or less incidental. Mr. Pickrell was consequently a moderate charger. As illustrating his attitude in such matters a case may be mentioned. In a very large and important suit, he decided upon a fee at the conclusion of the litigation, but was persuaded by others to render a bill for double the amount, which was done. The client, however, sent a check for 50 per cent more than the doubled amount, stating that in its opinion the services were worth the amount of the check.
If, however, there was one characteristic of Mr. Pickrell's career as a lawyer that stood out more prominently that any other, it was what might be called his professional conscientiousness. It mattered not whether the case was large or small, it received the same careful, painstaking consideration and investigation. He did not believe in that class of opinions commonly known as "horseback opinions." His opinions were given only after he had thoroughly satisfied himself by investigation. He took nothing for granted, but always insisted for his own satisfaction in running down the authorities. He was never so happy as when investigating a legal problem, and of oftentimes would be so interested and absorbed the he would lose all idea of the passage of time. He had no hour to quit work or even for meals, and would often work into the night, even when not pressed for time. Under such circumstances he accumulated an immense amount of legal knowledge, which together with his well-trained legal mind, made him an advocate in court that commanded the respect of his ablest adversary.
Although of rare and unusual ability, and though not lacking in that quiet confidence which comes from thorough preparation and knowledge of those subjects with which he had to deal, Mr. Pickrell was yet one of the most modest of men and lacking in those pushing qualities, which get many a man of small mental attainments well on the road to success. His reputation for ability was such, however, that he enjoyed a large and important practice, and he was retained as counsel in many of the most important cases that have arisen in recent years in the State and Federal courts of the city. His employment in such cases often came as the result of a suggestion by other lawyers to their clients that Mr. Pickrell be associated in the conduct of the case.
At the time of his death Mr. Pickrell was general counsel in the United States of the Imperial Tobacco Company of Great Britain and Ireland, Limited; general counsel of the National State and City Bank, and advisory counsel for the Virginia-Carolina Chemical Company, besides having a large clientele outside of such regular retainers. His services were in such demand that during the last years of his life he was compelled to decline many cases of importance owing to lack of time in which to give such matters attention.
In addition to his legal knowledge, Mr. Pickrell had a wide acquaintance with the best literature, and devoted his evenings to reading, of which he was very fond. He was an interesting and cultured talker, and was a popular member of the Westmoreland Club, where he lived. Although a bachelor, and living largely at the club away from the refining influence of the gentler sex, he never lost in the slightest degree that refinement of manner, nor failed to exhibit those qualities of gentleness, kindness and courtesy which he possessed in so eminent a degree. He was an ornament to the legal profession of his city and State, and his sterling qualities of heart and mind marked him as a man among men.
John A. Coke, Jr.
After a short illness, John Pickrell passed away on the 27th of May, 1921. His death took place at the Johnston-Willis Hospital, Richmond, Va., shortly after he had been moved from his rooms at the Westmoreland Club, where he had made his residence for many years.
Mr. Pickrell was born in the City of Petersburg, Va., on January 7, 1855, and was the son of Z. W. Pickrell and Matilda McCaw Pickrell. Mr. Pickrell was survived by three brothers, Dr. George N. Pickrell, of the United States Navy; Percy A. Pickrell, of Powhatan County, Va., and Z. W. Pickrell, Jr., of California, and one sister, Mrs. Henry Patterson, of Richmond, Va.
Mr. Pickrell, after preparation, therefor in the schools of Petersburg and Richmond, entered the University of Virginia in the year 1874 and graduated therefrom with distinction in the year 1878, receiving the degree of Master of Arts. During his degree year he also took up the study of law. He then taught school for two years at Pampatike, King William County, Va., and in 1880 was admitted to the bar in the City of Richmond, where he continued the practice of law up to the time of his last illness. He first formed a partnership with Mr. C. C. McCray, and later in 1883 formed a partnership with Captain John A. Coke, under the firm name of Coke & Pickrell, which firm, with the addition of Mr. John A. Coke, Jr., as a junior member in 1898, continued until Captain Coke's death in January, 1920. The partnership of Coke & Pickrell was at the time of its dissolution one of the oldest law firms in the State and one of the best known.
Mr. Pickrell was profoundly interested in his profession, and from the beginning of his career at the bar of this city he showed in a marked degree those qualities of mind which in later years made him one of the ablest lawyers in the State. His reputation for ability was well known and recognized, and among no class was his ability better recognized than among his fellow-lawyers. Probably Mr. Pickrell was consulted by his fellow-lawyers on difficult and intricate legal problems more often than any other lawyer at the Richmond Bar. No lawyer ever practiced his profession upon a higher plane or with a greater regard to the ethics of his profession than Mr. Pickrell. He was a lawyer of the old school. In this day, when the profession is being commercialized to such a large extent, the lawyer who preserves the ancient traditions of his calling is the exception rather than the rule. The making of money, which is one of the main, if not the main, objects of most men, whether engaged in professional pursuits or otherwise, found very little place in his make up. Mr. Pickrell was a bachelor and a man of inexpensive habits, and until later life, when he contributed generously to the support of relatives, the question of money seemed to play very little part, and even then he seemed to desire no more than was necessary for the objects to be accomplished. His interest was in the practice of his profession. He practiced law for the love of it, the emoluments being more or less incidental. Mr. Pickrell was consequently a moderate charger. As illustrating his attitude in such matters a case may be mentioned. In a very large and important suit, he decided upon a fee at the conclusion of the litigation, but was persuaded by others to render a bill for double the amount, which was done. The client, however, sent a check for 50 per cent more than the doubled amount, stating that in its opinion the services were worth the amount of the check.
If, however, there was one characteristic of Mr. Pickrell's career as a lawyer that stood out more prominently that any other, it was what might be called his professional conscientiousness. It mattered not whether the case was large or small, it received the same careful, painstaking consideration and investigation. He did not believe in that class of opinions commonly known as "horseback opinions." His opinions were given only after he had thoroughly satisfied himself by investigation. He took nothing for granted, but always insisted for his own satisfaction in running down the authorities. He was never so happy as when investigating a legal problem, and of oftentimes would be so interested and absorbed the he would lose all idea of the passage of time. He had no hour to quit work or even for meals, and would often work into the night, even when not pressed for time. Under such circumstances he accumulated an immense amount of legal knowledge, which together with his well-trained legal mind, made him an advocate in court that commanded the respect of his ablest adversary.
Although of rare and unusual ability, and though not lacking in that quiet confidence which comes from thorough preparation and knowledge of those subjects with which he had to deal, Mr. Pickrell was yet one of the most modest of men and lacking in those pushing qualities, which get many a man of small mental attainments well on the road to success. His reputation for ability was such, however, that he enjoyed a large and important practice, and he was retained as counsel in many of the most important cases that have arisen in recent years in the State and Federal courts of the city. His employment in such cases often came as the result of a suggestion by other lawyers to their clients that Mr. Pickrell be associated in the conduct of the case.
At the time of his death Mr. Pickrell was general counsel in the United States of the Imperial Tobacco Company of Great Britain and Ireland, Limited; general counsel of the National State and City Bank, and advisory counsel for the Virginia-Carolina Chemical Company, besides having a large clientele outside of such regular retainers. His services were in such demand that during the last years of his life he was compelled to decline many cases of importance owing to lack of time in which to give such matters attention.
In addition to his legal knowledge, Mr. Pickrell had a wide acquaintance with the best literature, and devoted his evenings to reading, of which he was very fond. He was an interesting and cultured talker, and was a popular member of the Westmoreland Club, where he lived. Although a bachelor, and living largely at the club away from the refining influence of the gentler sex, he never lost in the slightest degree that refinement of manner, nor failed to exhibit those qualities of gentleness, kindness and courtesy which he possessed in so eminent a degree. He was an ornament to the legal profession of his city and State, and his sterling qualities of heart and mind marked him as a man among men.
John A. Coke, Jr.
Gravesite Details
Date Of Burial : 05/29/1921, Ref: Cemetery Records
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