xliv CARNEGIE INSTITUTION 



From August to November, 1848, he was a law student in the 

 office of Hon. Willis Hall, Corporation Counsel of New York city, 

 and was then assistant classical teacher in the Worcester. Mass., 

 High School for a year, after which he returned to Nashville and 

 continued his legal studies in the office of Hon. William F. Cooper, 

 later a Justice of the Supreme Court of Tennessee. In Septem- 

 ber, 1851, he settled permanently in St. Louis, Mo., was admitted 

 to the bar in October, and began practice. During the year 1852 he 

 was assistant editor of the Si. Lout's Intelligencer, and represented 

 that paper at the National Whig Convention in Baltimore, but 

 afterward devoted himself entirely to the practice of his profession. 

 In 1872 he formed a partnership with George W. Lubke and 

 John Preston Player, and the firm of Plitchcock, Lubke and Player, 

 thus formed, continued until 1882, when Mr. Lubke was elected a 

 Judge of the Circuit Court, soon after which Mr. Player died. 



Mr. Hitchcock then practiced alone for two 3'ears, and in 1884 

 formed a limited partnership with Judge George A. Madill and 

 Hon. Gustavus A. Finkelnburg, which expired in 1890. He con- 

 tinued with the latter until July, 1891, and afterward again prac- 

 ticed alone. He devoted himself especially to equity, corporation 

 and constitutional law. 



For over forty years he was deeply interested in Washington 

 University, St. Louis, of which he became a director in 1859, and 

 vice president in 1886. In August, 1867, he helped organize its 

 law departmient, known as the St. Louis Law School, and for the 

 first twelve years was dean. He was also professor of various de- 

 partments of law until his retirement, in 1884. 



After Lincoln's debate with Douglas on the Kansas-Nebraska 

 question, he joined the Republican party and became an active oppo- 

 nent of slavery. In January, i86i, he was elected a member on the 

 " Unconditional Union " ticket of the Missouri State Convention, 

 which was called by the Secession Legislature to consider the rela- 

 tions of Missouri to the Union, but which disappointed expectations, 

 and deposed both governor and legislature, and for more than two 

 years carried on a provisional state government. Pie took an active 

 part in its proceedings and attended all its sessions until its final 

 adjournment, on July i, 1863. 



He had earnestly desired active service in the war, and as soon as 

 the Union interests in his own State permitted, he entered the army 

 and was appointed Assistant Adjutant General, U. S. Volunteers, and 



