Adams County, Ohio - Chapter 24, 1880

William Anderson

Was born in Manchester, Adams county, Ohio, March 11th, 1847 ; received his education in the common schools, and in 1870, commenced the study of law. He was admitted to the bar by the District Court of Scioto county, Ohio, April 26th, 1872, and located in Manchester, Adams county, where he has since been engaged in the practice of his profession.

Mr. Anderson's parents dying when he was young, he was left to depend upon his own resources. lie is cmphatically'a self made man, having worked his way to the honorable position he now occupies, unaided and alone.

Franklin D. Bayless

Was born in Adams county, February 2d, 1839. His preliminary education was acquired at West Union. During 1858-59 he was engaged in teaching school, but in 18G0-G1, returned to his books and student life. In the winter of 18Gl-"62, lie resumed for a brief period, the role of educator, and also^in the course of the bitter year, commenced the study of law, under the supervision Major J. W. McFcrren ( of the 70th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer bin try. ) In the following July lie enlisted as a private in the -t I'egimcnt, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. July 20th, 1864, at M< vt ii>on*s Depot, near Winchester, Virginia, he was severely wounded ( gun-shot) in and through both thighs. He was subsequently unfitted for active service, through the effects of this casualty, until lie was mustered out, in June, 1865. He had, however, in the preceding January, returned to his company, at Marti nsburg, Virginia.

. at Portsmouth, Ohio. In this year he was the Democratic nominee and candidate for the General Assembly, to fill the vacancy < - i-ionod by the decease of Colonel Phillips. Owing to the stn-iigih of the Republican party, then in power in tl»c county/ he " a- defeated by twenty votes. In 1869, he was elected Prosecuting Attorney for Adams county, and was re-elected in 1871. * In )>73. lie was the Democratic candidate for the Legislature, and "Wed his defeat to the local strife connected with the removal of | the. county scat. Since then he has- been constantly and successfully engaged in professional labors, and is widely and favorably known for his able conduct, particularly of criminal cases. He assisted in the prosecution of Frank Hardy, for the murder of J. M. Rice, his step:fathcr. This criminal, found guilty of murder in the first degree, received from the Governor a commutation of his sentence, and was condemned to imprisonment for life, lie assisted also in the prosecution of J. W. Harper, for the murder of Luther Collier, when a verdict for murder in the second degree was awarded. lie assisted also in the defense of Jamc9 II.

Ho also assisted in tho defense of Samuel N. Grcculoe, for t lie murder of William Monroe, and assisted in tho prosecution of James T. Lewis, for tho murder of Harrison Copas.

Attorney at law, office in Johnson's Block, ^Main street, West Union, Ohio. Mr. Billings was born at Milton, Saratoga county? N. Y., January 12th, 1815. Emigrated to Michigan in May, 1831, to Ashland, Ohio, in March, 1834, to Southern Ohio in May, 1837, located in Adams county, in February, 1843, in West Union Oct. 1851, was a school teacher from 1833 to 1851, admitted to the practice of the law in February 1851, elected to the office of Prosecuting Attorney of Adams county, in 1851, 1861, 1873 and 1875. He is the oldest member of the West Union Bar, now in practice.

Was educated at the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, studied law with Col. A. F. Moore, of Portsmouth, Ohio, was admitted to the bar by the District Court of Scioto county, at its April term, 1873. He began the practice of his profession at Manchester, the same year, where lie still remains, engaged in his profession.

Hon. James L. Coryell

Was born near West Union, Adams county, February 22d, 1830. He was the oldest child in a family of three children, whose parents were Salathiel Coryell and Nancy ( Holmes ) Coryell. His father, a native of Mason county, Kentucky, followed through life, principally agricultural pursuits.

In 1801, Salathiel Coryell, settled in Adams county, near West Union, where he resided until his decease, in 183S. He was a member of the old Coryell family, which in days long gone by, lived at Coryell Ferry, on the Delaware river, New Jersey. II is mother, a native of Adams county, Ohio, was a daughter of James Holmes, an early pioneer, and one of the original settlers of this county. She died in June, 1874.

Until James L. Coryell was twenty' years of age, his days were spent alternately in working on the farm during the summer months, and attending a country school in winter season, lie then assumed the role of educator, in a school in Adams county, where, with the exception of a period of six months passed in Scioto county, he was assiduously engaged in pursuing the vocation of teacher. During these years he applied himself wisely and pcrscvcringly to the task - to him an agreeable one - ofac_ cumulating knowledge, and l>\ ;i ^il directed course of study and reading, greatly enlarged the boundaries of his literary at tainments. For two years, he acted as school examiner of Adams county. In the fall of 1859, he was elected County Auditor, was rc-clcetcd to the same position in 1861, and held the office for four years. In 1864, lie was elected Justice of the Peace, and with the duties of that office and the practice of surveying, was afterwards constantly engaged for about six years.

In 1869, he was elected Probate Judge of Adams county, was re-elected in 1872, and again in 1875. In 1S79 lie was chosen a Representative in the Ohio Legislature, which position lie now holds.

Having in preceding years directed his attention to the study of the law, and thus qualified himself for its practice, he was admitted to the bar in 1875.

Politically, bis principles connect him with the Democratic party, while his religious views arc expressed in the creed of the Presbyterian church.

He was married in 1854, to Mary McGranagan, a native of Virginia, who died in 1866. He was-Rgain married in 1869, to Ilannah ( Briggs) McFcrren.

William C. Coryell

W. C. Coryell was bom at West Union, Ohio, February 18th, 1859. He is the only son of Judge James L. Coryell. He attendded the public schools of West Union, until he was sixteen years old, and in the fall of 1875, he entered the Oh ap University, at Athens; here lie remained one year, but believing that the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, more fully met his necessities, he entered that institution in the year 1876. lie remained at Delaware until the year 1879, when sickness compelled him to retire from study and return to his home. lie is now reading law with F. D. Bavless, Esq., of West Union. Mr. Coryell is often engaged in his own county as a surveyor, in which work he is proficient and reliable. In his studies as well as labors, lie clearly exhibits the care and promptness of bis father.

John C, Compton

The subject of this sketch was born June 20th, 1853, five miles east of West Union, on the West Union and Portsmouth road. At this place his father, Alexander Compton, has lived since 1816. John being the youngest living cf the family, remained on the farm until ho was cightoon yours old. Ho then began teaching school in tho *' country districts. " At tliojiguof twenty ho unloved the National Normal School, at Lebanon, Ohio where lie graduated in the Scientific Class of 1875, and received the degree of A. B. at tho same Institution in 1870. Mr. Compton now returned to Adams county, and in tho summer of 77 taught an advanced grade of teachers at Jacksonville. Duriii" tho two following years ho was employed at a good salary as Principal of tho schools at Bcntonvillc, Ohio. In 1879 he was made Superintendent of tho West IJiiion Public Schools. While engaged in tho business of teaching at tho latter place ho has also pursued tho study of tho law under tho tutorship of F. ]). Baylcss. To the logal profession ho will devote the remainder of his life.

In 1854, lie removed to Joliet, Illinois, where he was admitted to the bar by the District Court of Will county. After practicing his profession there some two years, Mr. Downey again returned to Winchester, and engaged in the practice of the law in all the courts of Adams and the adjoining counties.

George C. Evans

Was born at West Union, Adams county, Ohio, February 20th, 1858. He first attended the village schools, then went to Salem Academy one year. Afterwards went to Marietta College until he finished tlje sophomore year, when he was called home on account of the sickness of his father. During two years after lie left college, he devoted himself to the study of the law, under the tuition of his father, E. P. Evans.

The subject of this sketch was born in the town of Northampton, Northamptonshire, England, April 27th, 1854, was educated at Kettering Grammar School, 1865-67. In January, 1868, he went to London University, where he remained until December 1809, when he obtained a diploma. In April, 1870, lie commeno thc study of law, with Geoffrey Hawkins; was enrolled as an attorney of England, in May, 1875, practiced in England until January, 1877, when he came to New York, where he was admitted to practice in March, 1877. From that time until June, 1S78, he traveled to various parts of the United States. In August, 1878, lie settled ii^Jefferson township, Adams county, and commenced the practice of law in all the courts.

S. Newton Griffith

S. Newton Griffith was regularly admitted to the bar as an attorney and counselor at law, in the State of Kentucky, November 1st, 1877, immediately after which lie removed to Ohio, and located in the city of Ironton, at which place he was licensed bv the District Court at its April term, 1878, as an attorney and counselor at law and solicitor in chancery. lie practiced law in Ironton two years anyone month, when he removed to Manchester, Adams count}', where he i9 now located, engaged in the practice of his profession.

The subject of this sketch was born in West Union, August 26th, 1854, worked on a farm in his early years, commenced teaching in 187^\yhcn only eighteen years of age. In the spring of 1874, commenced the study of law, under tli,c instruction of Baylcss & Thompson, of West Union. At the September term of the Adams comity District Court, was admitted t3 the bar, where he has since been engaged in t lie practice of his profession.

John W. Mason

Was born on the old homestead of his father, four miles cast of West Union, September 28th, 1845, where he grew to years ol manhood, woi king on the farm during the summer, and attending school in the winter, which lie continued to do- until 1868, when he commenced teaching. lie, however, attended the Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio, in 1870-71. lie read law with T. J. Mullen, and was admitted to the bar at the city of Hamilton, Ohio, April 1st, 1873. Since that time lie has been engaged in the practice, and also farming, the latter employment, with its pure air and bright sunshine sccm9 more congenial t« his tastes, and better suited to bis constitution, than pouring over musty volumes and dry formal details of principles of law and the decisions of courts, or the intellectual conflicts of the noisy forum.

Thomas J. Mullen

Was born if Clermont county, Ohio, February 24th, 1824, and worked on a farm in his earlier ycaas. Afterwards attended the High School in Felicity, two years, and in 1846, commenced the study of law with lion. Thomas L. Hamer and Sandus AV. Johnson, of Georgetown. He was soon compelled to cease his studies on account of ill health, and went South for its improvement.

In 1848 he again commenced his law studies, was admitted to the bar in 1851, and commenced practice. In 1852, he was a candidate for Prosecuting Attorney, but failed of an election. In 1853, lie was elected a Justice of the Peace in Georgetown, but soon removed to AVest Union, where he has had an extensive practice.

He was for many years a school examiner of Adams county, was Prosecuting Attorney tour years, and a . member of the Constitutional Convention, in 1873.

Was born on Gift Ridge, Monroe township. He says his early life was that of die common country boy of those davs - working on the farm in summer and attending the " district" school in winter. Thus, except one term at the Grammar School of Manchester, did Mr. Naylor obtain his education. Having went through his course of study, he commenced the study of the law, in the office of E. P. Evans, of West Union, and on the 5th day of September, 1855, was admitted to the bar at the September term of the court at that place, and at once commenced the practice there, which he continued until the breaking out of the rebellion. He then laid aside his books and briefs and entered the service of his country, as Captain of Co. C, 7th O. V. C.

After the expiration of his term of service, he returned to his native county, and resumed the practice of his profession at Manchester, where he slill resides.

Chester W. C. Naylor

Was born on Gift Ridge, Monroe township, Adams county, October 20th, 1849. He claims to be a lineal descendant of John Nailor, the right hand man of Robin Hood, during the predatory residence of that bold Earl in the green woods of England.

Mr. Naylor, like other country boys, worked at whatever was to do about a farm, managing to obtain a liberal education. On October 22d, 1866, he commenced teaching, which he followed until March, 1869. lie then commenced the study of law with E. P. Evans, of West Union, and on the 20th of October, 1870, his twenty-first birth day, was admitted to practice at the bar, by the District Court of Hamilton county, at Cincinnati. He then entered into a partnership with his former preceptor, Mr. Evans, which continued until the failing health of the latter compelled him to retire from business.

Mr. Naylor is not at present actively engaged in the practice of his profession, but is acting as deputy Auditor of the county, with the intention of resuming his profession of law at an early day.

Mark O'Niel was born at Maysville, Kentucky, May 14th, !8.>0; moved from there in 1864, two miles north of Manchester, where his father now resides. In 1874, he left his home and was absent three years, during which time he was atLockburn, Franklin county, Ohio, where he was principally educated. In the latter part of 1876, he returned to his home, near Manchester, where he has since resided.

Was born April 5th, 1846, in the village of Dunkinsville, received his education mainly in the common schools, and a§ soon us old enough, commenced teaching; with a widowed mother to support, lie had no small difficulties to overcome.

IIo devoted his spare hours to the study of law, and was, in September, 1H77, admitted to tho bar by the District Court at West Union, at its September term. In April, 1879, ho moved to West Union and entered upon the practice, Hon. J. T. Mullen kindly giving him the privilege of his law library. Mr. P. tried his first case at the May term, 1879.

Wnsborn in Jacksonville, Adams county, January 27th, 1845. He was the sixth in a family of eight children. Ills father died " hen Mr. Shinn was hut six years old. He was placed in the family of Judge Henry Oursler. with whom he lived until he w.i- twenty-four veurs olu, in which time he had received a pretty good education, having attended tho Miami Univorsity at Oxford. and tho Ohio University ut Athens.

Having attained his years of majority, he was, in 1868, elected county Clerk, and was re-elected to the same office in 1871. While serving in the Clerk's office, he devoted all his spare time to the study of the law, and was admitted to the bar by the District Court of Adams county, at its September term, 1874, since which time he has devoted most of his attentoin to the practice of his chosen profession.

V. 1 Henry Scott

Henry Scott was born in Greene township, Adams county, March 6th, 1838. He is the second in a family of five children, of John and Susannah Scott. He received his first education in the common schools of the country, then for awhile attended the North Liberty Academy, and afterwards, the West Union High School, under the care of Professor Williams.

He removed to Jefferson township, where at the age of twenty-one, he commenced teaching, which he followed some years. In 1863, he was elected Justice of the Peace for that township, to which office he was re-elected three terms, but before the expiration of his last term, he was elected County Treasurer, which office he held two terms. In the mean time, he devoted all his spare hours, during these years, to the study of the law, and was admitted to the bar by the District Court of Adams county, at its September term, 1878. Soon after this he entered into a copartnership with F. D. Bayless, in the practice of the law - in West Union.

D. W. Thomas

The subject of this sketch in 1860, commenced the study of the law with tho late Col. J. R. Cockcrill, of West Union. He enlisted in the army in 1861, which interrupted his studies blit after bis return from the war, in 1804, he resumed them, and on the 1st day of October, 1864, was admitted to the bar by the District Court of Brown county, Ohio. He located in West Union, and since then has been continually engaged in the practice of his profession.

Luther Thompson

Was born near Dunkinsville, Adams county, Ohio, December 10th, 186S. He received bis education mostly at the National Normal School, of Lebanon, graduating there in the Scientific class of 1871. Read law with F. D. Bayless, of AVest Union, and was, on the 24th day of April, 1873, at Portsmouth, Ohio, admitted to the bar; has ever since followed the profession of law, and is now the senior member of the firm of Thompson <fc Evans.

Jacob Mahan Wells

Was born in Clermont county, Ohio, June 8lh, 1821. He hud as good opportunity of an education as the schools of this section, at that early day, afforded. These opportunities, he improved; commenced teaching in 1841, which profession he followed ten years, in the meantime diligently employing his leisure hours in t he study of the law, under E. P. Evans, of AVest Uiiion. lie was admitted to the bar by the District Court of Pike county, Ohio, November, 1854, and immediately commenced the practice of the profession. Ardent and fearless in the advocacy of what be conceives to be right, be immediately obtained a large practice, which he has retained to the present time. There has not been a case of homicide in Adams county, that be has not been employed on one side or the other.

He is a firm and consistent Republican, from conscientious convictions of duty. Asa husband and father be is kind and indulgent to a fault. He has been twice married. By bis first marriage be bud seven children, lie is now in bis fifty-ninth year; and in the full possession of bis physical and mental powers.