SETTLE, Thomas, jurist, born in Rockingham county, North Carolina, in 1791 ; died there, 5 August, 1857. He received a common-school education, was admitted to the bar, and practised at Wentworth, North Carolina lie entered public life in 1816 as a member of the house of commons, and was in congress in 1817-'21, haying been elected as a Democrat. He was again in the legislature in 1826-'8, the last year was speaker of the house, and in 1832-'54 was a judge of the supreme court of North Carolina. Judge Settle was eminent for his virtues, learning, and legal ability.--His son, Thomas, jurist, born in Rockingham county, North Carolina, 23 January, 1831, was graduated at the University of North Carolina in 1850, read law, served in the legislature in 1854-'9, was speaker of the house the latter year, and a presidential elector in 1856, casting his vote for James Buchanan. He supported Stephen A. Douglas for the presidency in 1860, and used his influence to prevent secession, but, when the civil war began, entered the Confederate army as captain in the 3d North Carolina regiment. After a service of twelve months he returned to civil life and became solicitor of the 4th judicial district. He united with the Republican party in 1865, was elected to the state senate in that year, became its speaker, and took an active part in reconstruction measures, fie was a judge of the state supreme court in 1868-'71, and resigned to become United States minister to Peru, but held office for only a few months on account of the failure of his health, was an unsuccessful candidate for congress in 1872, and in June of that year was president of the National Republican convention, held in Philadelphia. He was reappointed a justice of the state supreme court in 1873, and was defeated for governor in 1876. In 1877 he became United States district judge of the northern district of Florida.