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Breckenridge portrait hung in courthouse
By Lynn A. Wade
Herald-Tribune
Nevada, Mo. -- The portrait of Missouri Appeals Court Judge Patricia Breckenridge, Western District, now hangs in the Associate Courtroom in the Vernon County Courthouse.
Breckenridge's likeness joins those of Vernon County's prior associate circuit judges, also known as probate judges or magistrates, carrying on a time-honored tradition.
Breckenridge became judge at the age of 28, in Vernon County, and holds many fond memories of those with whom she worked and of many moments from her unique perspective on the bench.
She recalls an active group of women who became outraged about violence in the home against women and children during her tenure in Vernon County. "There was such an outpouring of concern," she said. Out of that concern, she said, grew the Council on Families in Crisis and the Moss House, a local shelter for victims of domestic violence. Much was accomplished during that time, and much has been accomplished since.
Beyond the strides made in the community and the serious matters, there were lighter moments she recalls as well.
She recalls a dissolution of marriage case in Cedar County, in which a man was trying to impress on her the evil deeds of his wife. The man said she'd left a rotting cantelope on the counter.
"I remember smiling to myself, thinking he wouldn't like to see what was on my kitchen counter," at the time.
Those watching the presentation in the courthouse laughed, and Breckenridge, her voice quivering with emotion, also took a moment to recall those who had worked with her, naming them one by one. She'd believed herself to be a wonderful manager, but after leaving Vernon County, she found she had few skills in that realm, because the workers in Vernon County were so dedicated and self-motivated that they'd made that aspect of her job easy.
Current Associate Circuit Judge Jerry McBeth presented the portrait and hung it on the courtroom wall, saying he was honored to do this for a friend and mentor, shaking Breckenridge's hand as he held up the portrait for those in the room -- family, friends, judges and a handful of retired and working attorneys and court workers.
All applauded Breckenridge, in honor of her years in Vernon County and in honor of her accomplishments since. She was appointed by then Gov. Christopher S. "Kit" Bond, in January 1982, as associate circuit judge of Vernon County to fill an unexpired term. She was elected to the office in 1982, and re-elected to two more terms. She has served as president of the Missouri Assoication of Associate and Probate Judge, a member of the Missouri Task Force on Gender and Justice and was co-chair of the Gender Fairness Implementation Committee. She was appointed to her appellate judicial seat in 1990 by then Gov. John Ashcroft and retained by voters since. She became a member of the American Bar Association Foundation and a Council of State Governments Toll Fellow. She has received the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law's Citation of Merit and The Missouri Bar President's Award.
Breckenridge's portrait brings the total to 13 hanging the the associate courtroom.
Judge Albert Badger, who became probate judge in 1886, was the first such judge in Vernon County.
Judge Ashby Gray was among the youngest to hold the office and died in office, at the age of 35.
Hampton P. Gray, Ashby Gray's father, was appointed by the governor to finish his sone's unexpired term and was known as being, "Gifted with a big brain."
He was followed by Judge T. J. Meyers, who took office in 1902 and was re-elected twice. He was the first native Vernon Countian to hold the office .
F.R. Moss served four terms, and was very popular. Notations under his portrait note that he "knew almost everyone in the county."
G.H. Frey took office in 1930.
W.T. McCaffree took office in 1938 and served two terms. He died in 1951, at the age of 44.
H.A. Kelso took office in 1946, on McCaffree's retirement, after Kelso had served eight years as Vernon County prosecutor. Kelso served 16 years as probate judge before being appointed as circuit judge, where he served for many years.
A.E. Elliot was probate/ magistrate judge from 1963 to 1967.
Robert Stone McFarland held the office from 1967 to 1975. He died in office on July 20, 1975, reportedly while playing golf.
Everett Teel was appointed in August 1975 and served until Dec. 31, 1976.
William C. Sterett was associate circuit judge, 1977-'81.