Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on January 7, 1956.
Wheeler Soon To Have Its First Woman J.P.
By ROLLIE BERNHART
“Magistrate, “man-of-the-house”, and mother.
These are the jobs which Union township’s first woman justice of the peace, Mrs. Beverly M. Squires, of Wheeler, is filling.
She is “filling the shoes” of her late husband, Robert, who died unexpectedly Nov. 13, in serving out his unexpired term as justice of the peace, and is being both a father and mother to her five-year-old son, David.
This seems like quite an order, but Mrs. Squires is determined to make a success of it.
It was this same determination which impelled Mrs. Squires to weather the shock of losing her husband, and to do some clear thinking about the future of herself and her son.
Accompanied by Joseph Rowlandson, Union Township Trustee, she appeared recently before the Porter county commissioners and requested appointment to serve out the justice of the peace terms of her late husband, which officially had until 1959 to run.
Receives Commission
Her straightforward manner and the knowledge she had gained as a clerk and bookkeeper for her husband's court activities, received the approval of the commissioners for the Union Township Post. She received her commission from Gov. Greg on Dec. 30th.
Thus she became the second woman in Porter County History to assume the office of justice of the peace. Mrs. Edna Wilkes was a Liberty Township “JP” from 1939 to 1946. Known as the “flying Justice” (she held a pilot's license), Mrs. Wilkes was defeated in the 1949 primary.
The new justice of the peace in Union Township will be “in business” officially just as soon as her bond is filed and she receives the oath of office.
Meanwhile Mrs. Squires plans to attend a seminar at Purdue University next week which will deal with traffic court procedures.
A graduate of Emerson High School, Gary, Mrs. Squires stated that she has always had a natural interest for the legal and judicial professions. She appears as adept at consulting the two volumes of Indiana Laws she has on her book shelves, as she does working about her home and kitchen.
Mrs. Squires will conduct the duties of her office on a full-time basis, and will be available at all times in the spic-and-span red cottage at the end of Fourt street in Wheeler.
Although she believes in the theory that persons are innocent until proven guilty, this female “JP” will back up and support the state troopers who bring violators of the law to her Court.
“As far as I am concerned," she stated, "I'll go by their judgment. They have enough to do without being charged with looking for cases."
Speeders and motorists caught passing school buses, and brought before her had better beware. These are two types of traffic violators on which she intends to crack down.
In so far as making her office a Gretna Green for couples seeking to be tied in wedlock, Mrs. Squires prefers to be old fashioned.
“I’m just not the ‘marrying justice’ type. I just believed that marriages should be consummated in church."
David, her son, will be of age to start school next year. Until then she has no other desire than to stay at home and be both a “father” and mother to him.
Although the field of politics is new to her, she is determined to be a success. Rather wistfully she said, "If it only works out, I'd run for another term.”
Will Serve In Court, Kitchen
UNION TOWNSHIP’S First woman justice of the peace, Mrs. Beverly M. Squires (top), brushes up on traffic laws in her home on Fourth street in Wheeler, where she will hold court. She will serve out the unexpired term of her husband, Robert, who died Nov. 13th. Bottom, Mrs. Squires casts aside the dignity of the court, and dons an apron to prepare a meal.