HON. NORMAN M. BROADWELL, ex-County Judge, in the course of a long practice extending over a period of more than thirty-five years, has met with more than ordinary success in his profession and is regarded as one of the leading lawyers of Springfield. He has during this long period of time often been called from private life to assist in the administration of public affairs and has filled various prominent civic offices.

The Judge is a native of Morgan County, Ill., where he was born August 1, 1825. His parents were Baxter and Mary (Lindley) Broadwell, natives of New Jersey. They lived among the pioneers of the Little Miami Valley in Ohio for several years, and came from there to Illinois in 1818, and were among the first settlers of Morgan County. They came here by keel boat which was then the popular mode of travel, and after their arrival Mr. Broadwell took up land near Morgan City and opened a farm. His useful labors as a pioneer were brought to a close by his death in Morgan County in 1833. His widow did not long survive him but died in 1837. To them were born seven children, of whom four are now living: Norman M.; Louisa, wife of J. V. Swetting of Wisconsin; Miss Jane Broadwell, a resident of Springfield, and James M., of Burlington, Iowa, who at one time was part owner of the Hawkeye.

Our subject passed his boyhood days in Morgan and Scott Counties and obtained his education in the common schools. His first business was that of a bookseller in Jacksonville, which he continued only a year, abandoning it to enter upon the study of law in the office of Lincoln & Herndon in Springfield in the year 1850. After a year's hard study directed by those noted men he was admitted to the bar with a good standing and opened an office for the practice of his calling in Pekin, Tazewell County. He remained there until 1854 when he established himself in his profession in this city and has since been in active practice here.

During these years Judge Broadwell has had several partners, among whom were some of the most celebrated men of the Sangamon County Bar. He was at one time associated with Senator Shelby M. Cullom for about a year, and was in partnership with Gen. McClernand six or eight years until the Hon. William M. Springer was admitted to the firm, with whom he continued five years. For the last few years he has been with Judge Gross. It is an interesting fact in the history of his practice that in the first case he tried in a court of record, Lincoln was the opposing counsel, and in the last case that the lamented president tried in this city our subject was his assistant.

November 4, 1856, was the date of the marriage of our subject to Miss Virginia, daughter of Washington and Ann Iles, natives of Kentucky. Her parents came to Illinois in an early day of its settlement about 1826, and were among the pioneers of Sangamon County. Maj. Iles, a brother of Mrs. Broadwell's father, located the city of Springfield and was one of the founders thereof. Mr. and Mrs. Broadwell live in one of the many pleasant homes for which Springfield is noted, and which is replete with substantial comfort. They are the parents of four children, namely: Annie, Virginia, Louisa, wife of Harris Hickox; and Stuart, a druggist in Springfield.

Judge Broadwell is a man of mark in his community, his standing as a citizen being second only to his high position as a lawyer, and both in public and in private life his bearing is irreproachable. Several important offices have been entrusted to his care and he has never failed to justify the confidence placed in him by the people. He was a member of the Legislature in 1861, and in 1862 was elected County Judge to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Judge Power. He held that office for four years and discharged its duties with characteristic dignity, impartiality, and never failing justice. In 1867 his fellow citizens placed him at the head of the municipal government as Mayor of Springfield. His course in that high office so redounded to the benefit of the city and his administration of local affairs was so satisfactory, that he was re-elected to the same position in 1869. Politically he stands with the Democrats, and socially he is a valued member of the masonic fraternity.

A portrait of Judge Broadwell accompanies this biographical review.