Although not himself a native of Altoona, Pennsylvania, Nicholas Paris Mervine has practically never known any other home but this city, having come there at an age when even the most childish of associations are yet to be formed. Since that time he has become most closely associated with the community's life and affairs, so that today he is regarded as one of its leading citizens, and is a man looked up to and respected by all.
Born February 10, 1853, at Reading, Berks county, Pennsylvania, Nicholas Paris Mervine is a son of Nicholas J. and Jane (Paris) Mervine. His parents removed from Reading to Altoona when he was but three years of age and it was in the latter place that young Mervine received the elementary portion of his education, attending for this purpose the local public schools. He was indeed one of the first pupils to attend the newly-founded Altoona High School and one of the first graduating class. It was at this institution that he prepared himself for college, and upon his graduation, at once matriculated at Bucknell University and was graduated from that place with the class of 1873, taking the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Ten years later, on account of the distinguished part that he had played in life, his alma mater conferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts in course. He had in the meantime determined upon a legal career, and after graduation from Bucknell University, entered the law offices of the Hon. Louis W. Hall and Hon. Francis Jordan, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. In these offices and under the tutelage of Hall & Jordan for a term of over two years he continued his study of the law, at the end of which term he was admitted to practice at the bar of Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, in January, 1876. The first portion of his professional career was carried on at Harrisburg, but after a few months in that city he decided to return to Altoona, which he did, and was admitted to practice at the bar of Blair county. In 1876 he became associated in his practice with Daniel J. Neff, and this association continued until 1884, when it was dissolved and a partnership formed with W.S. Hammond, who is the subject of extended mention elsewhere in this work. The firm of Mervine & Hammond continued in existence until 1890, and then Mr. Mervine withdrew and continued his practice alone. At the same time he opened an office in the newly-completed Masonic Temple, where he had a suite of rooms built especially for himself and where he has remained ever since that time. He has been engaged in the general practice of his profession in Altoona and the surrounding regions and practices before the county, State and United States courts. By his own efforts he has raised himself to a position of leadership in the county bar, a position which is well recognized by his professional colleagues and the community-at-large. Mr. Mervine is a member of the State Bar Association and of the American Bar Association, and has long been active in directions looking towards the general advancement of legal conditions in the State and country. In politics Mr. Mervine is a staunch Republican, and was for many years a warm friend and associate of Matt Quay, the Republican leader in Pennsylvania for many years.
Nicholas Paris Mervine was united in marriage on February 20, 1883, with May Rickabaugh, a daughter of John N. and Sarah (Elder) Rickabaugh, old and highly respected residents of Blair county, Pennsylvania. To Mr. and Mrs. Mervine two children have been born, as follows: Maude, who is now the wife of Frank A. Newhall, of Uniontown, Pennsylvania; and May Paris Mervine.
Mr. Mervine is a fine example of that sterling type of character that has become associated in the popular mind with the American bar and which has so potently influenced the tone of American ideals and institutions. Honesty and sincerity are the foundation of his character, a certain austerity of conscience, perhaps, which is never exercised fully, however, save in judging himself, and tempered in its action towards all others with a wide tolerance of human frailties and shortcomings. A strong and practical ethical sense, a happy union of idealism, with a practical knowledge of the affairs of the world, and strong domestic instincts, these are the marks of the best type of Pennsylvanian, and these are an accurate description of the character of Mr. Mervine as his friends know him and in his dealings with all men.
Frank M. Eastman. Courts and Lawyers of Pennsylvania: A History, 1623-1923. New York: American Historical Society, Inc. 1922, pp. 232-234.
Contributed by: Nancy.