Crawford County, Ohio - Chapter 29: Bench and Bar, 1912

Chapter 29: Bench and Bar

The Ordinance of 1/8/ - Formation of the Courts - President and Associate Judges - Justices of the Peace - Crawford County Laivyers - Some Interesting Cases.

Sixteen years before the admission of Ohio into the Federal Union the foundations of law and order throughout the great Northwestern Territory, of which it formed a part, were laid by the passage in Congress of the "Ordinance of 1787." The author of this compact, who was also chiefly responsible for its passage, was the Rev. Mannasseh Cutler, one of the leading directors of the Ohio Company, formed for the development of lands and the planting of settlements along the valleys of the Ohio, Muskingum and Scioto rivers. This compact, which has been called the true corner-stone of the northwest, declared that "religion, morality and knowledge being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall always be encouraged." It also forever prohibited ' slavery within the territory and, strange to say, was passed by the aid of the southern members of Congress, every one of whom voted for it. This result was accomplished through Dr. Cutler's ability and adroitness as a politician. Ample provision was made for education, Section 16 of each township being set apart for school purposes. When the State Constitution was adopted in 1803 it was based in its essential parts of the Ordinance of 1787. The Judicial powers of the state were a Supreme Court of Common-Pleas and Justices of the Peace. The Supreme Court was composed of three members, in 1807 increased to four, and two members constituted

The Common Pleas Court consisted of a president judge elected by the Legislature, and in each county two or three associate judges were elected by the Legislature to sit with the president judge when he visited that county and form the court. Each court appointed its own clerk to serve for seven years, but the clerk must have a certificate signed by a majority of the Supreme Court certifying as to his cjualifications for the position.

Soon after the organization of the county, Bucyrus was selected as the county seat, and in July, 1826, the first term of the Common Pleas Court was held at the residence of Lewis Cary, on the south bank of the Sandiisky river, on the site of the present residence of C. H. Shonert.

The presiding judge on this occasion was Ebenezer Lane, of Norwalk, who had been appointed in 1824. This circuit was No. 2,. and included all the northwestern part of the state, Crawford County having been attached to, this circuit on its organization. Judge Lane was a native of Northampton, Mass., and a graduate of Harvard University in the class of 1 8 1 1 . He had studied law under Judge Matthew Griswold, at Lyme, Conn., had been admitted to the bar in 1814, and commenced practice at Norwich, Conn. In the spring of 1 81 7 he came to Ohio, settling first at Elyria. In May, 18 19 he was appointed prosecuting attorney of Huron County and in October of the same year removed to Norwalk. After his election by the Legislature in 1824 as presiding judge of the Second Circuit he continued to discharge the functions of that office until the fall of 1830, at which time he was elected judge of the Supreme Court of Ohio, a position he held until the winter of 1844-45, ^vhen he resigned. He then accepted the presidency of the J\iad River & Lake Erie Railroad Company and for ten years after was engaged in- the management of railroads in Ohio. In the fall of 1855 he became counsel and resident director of the Illinois Central Railroad Company, with his residence at Chicago, and was thus occupied until March, 1859, when he resigned and retired to private life. He was a scholarly man, a close student, not only of his profession, but also of science and general literature, and was prompt in the discharge of every duty. His legal ability is evidenced in his opinions contained in the Ohio Supreme Court Reports and he possessed in a high degree the respect and esteem of his fellow members of the bench and bar and the confidence of the people generally. He died at Sandusky, Ohio June 12, 1866.

Judge Lane was succeeded on the bench of the Common Pleas Court by Da\id Higgins, also of Norwalk, who held the office of president judge for the full term of seven years, from 1830 to 1837. He was a man of fine personal appearance and of good ability, a firm believer in a strict construction of the law, and would brook no opposition, and as a result his relations with his legal brethren and the people were not so harmonious as those of his predecessor. His ability and integrity, however, were unquestioned. In the winter of 1837-38 his term came to a close and he retired to private life.

Ozias Bowen of Marion was the successor of Judge Higgins, and held the office of president judge for two terms, or fourteen years, until the judicial system under the Constitution of 1802 was superseded by that of the Constitution of 185 1. Judge Bowen was born at Augusta, X. Y., July I, 1805. He was admitted to the bar at Canton, Ohio, in September, 1828 and soon after began practice at Marion. In 1856 he was appointed by Governor Chase a judge of the Supreme Court, to fill a vacancy

The Associate Judges were generally of the same political party as the majority in the Legislature at the time of their election. Yet the names of the judges in Crawford County show that it was an indispensable qualification that the men selected should be of such high standing and character that the people would ha\'e confidence in the court and respect its decisions. These men, although none of them were lawyers, received the title of judge.

The first associate judge in this county was E. B. Merriman, elected in 1825, when Crawford was under the judicial supervision of Marion, the Legislature electing two Marion men and one from Crawford. The next year Crawford was organized and its first three associate judges were elected on Jan. 26, 1826, five days before the act was passed organizing the county. The following were the associate judges in Crawford County with the dates of their election. The office was abolished in 1851 by the adoption of the present Constitution.

In the early days there were few lawyers in the little towns, and when court met and the judge arrived, he was followed by a retinue of attorneys, who accompanied the court from town to town. Judge Lane's circuit at that time included all of northwestern Ohio; the roads were bad, sometimes only trails ; many streams had to be forded, and the lawyers carried their books from town to town; once it is of record that in the fording of a heavily swollen stream the law library of the party was swept away. They entered towns sometimes covered with rain and mud, but with the fire and internal refreshments promptly served by the jovial landlord, were soon made comfortable. Court days were great days for the little towns in those early times. It brought the citizens in touch with the outside world, and every evening the tavern was crowded to listen to the latest stories and hear the inside of all political developments.

The first court was held in the lower front room of Lewis Gary's residence, and upstairs the jury was sent; if Sarah Gary's school was in session at the time education was suspended to let justice hold sway. Among the lawyers who followed Judge Lane on his rounds were Andrew Goffinberry of Mansfield, known as "Gount" Goffinberry on account of his dignity and faultless apparel. Then there was John Spink, the wit of the northwestern Ohio bar and a favorite with everybody; James Purdy and John M. May of Mansfield; Gharles L. Boalt of Norwalk; Orris Parish of Delaware, and a few years later Gharles Switzer of the same place, as fastidious in dress as "Gount" Goffinberry, apd there being then a semblance of roads he used to arrive in state with a carriage drawn by two white horses. From Marion came Ozias Bowen and James S. Godman.

When the first court was held David H. Beardsley came over from Marion to act as temporary clerk on the organization of the court. Zalmon Rowse was selected as clerk and on the first meeting of the Supreme Gourt at Bucyrus his C[ualifications were certified to and he became the first clerk of the court of the county. At that time the attorneys in the place were John H. Morrison, who was county treasurer; Isaac H. Allen, appointed the first prosecuting attorney, Michael Flick and Gharles Stanberg.

The first record found in this county is of the July term of 1832, when the supreme judges coming to Bucyrus were Joshua Collett and Ebenezer Lane, the latter having been elected a supreme judge by the Legislature in 1830. They heard eight cases. The first court house had been completed, as the record states the court met in the court house. July was the month for meeting in Bucyrus and in 1833 the judges attending were Joshua Gollett and Reuben Wood, who heard nine cases. In 1834

Joshua Gollett and Ebenezer Lane were the judges hearing eight cases; 1835, Joshua Gollett and Ebenezer Lane; 1836, Ebenezer Lane and Reuben Wood; 1837, the same judges; 1838, Peter Hitchcock and Frederick Grimkie. Zalmon Rowse was Supreme Gourt clerk, with his bond fixed at $10,000.

The justices of the peace were an important court in those days. The custom appears to have prevailed for the citizens to pick out some man or men in each township, whose common sense, honor and integrity were unquestioned. This man was selected justice of the peace and was kept in office, and when he was an exceptionally good man the only way he could escape the position was by running for some county office or dying, the latter being the only safe course, as John Gampbell was elected justice in Whetstone, and tried to escape the job by being elected to the Legislature, but his neighbors wouldn't have it, and for a while he held both offices. No one appeared to mind his double salary, for the reason his legislative pay was very little, and the emoluments received from the office of justice were still less. More than half a century ago the citizens of Ghatfield commenced electing John Burgbacher as justice, and when he became county commissioner they let him off for two terms, but when he returned in 1871, they again pressed him into the service as justice and he was holding the office when he died 30 years later. Mr. Burgbacher has the record, having been elected justice for 13 terms of three years each. His partner, Frederick Hipp had only eighteen years, but after he was elected to the county office he never went back to Ghatfield. The other veteran justices were Amos Morse of Auburn, David Ogden of Jackson, William Hise of Liberty and John Warner of Vernon with thirty years each ; S. A. Mc- Keehen of Liberty, Abraham Underwood of Polk, Harvey Glose of Texas and W. B. Gummins of Whetstone, with 27 years each, the last two persons being modern, as they still hold the position. Mr. Glose inherited the office, as his father, Nelson Glose was justice from 1852 to 1873; C. D. Ward, of Bucyrus, John Holman of Holmes, Gharles B. Shumaker of Polk, Solomon Harley of Sandusky, J. F. Goder of Tod, and John W. Humphrey of Vernon have a record of 24 years, with Messrs.

Harley and Coder still in office. Frederick Hipp of Chatfield and Matthias Kibbler of Cranberry had 21 years, making 17 men who averaged 27 years each. Another gentleman with a record of eight terms in this county can well be called the movable justice. In 1873 and 1876 Rufus Aurend was elected justice by the citizens of Tod township, but he left there and moved across the line into Holmes township and in 1880 the citizens there elected him to the same office. After being elected for four terms in Holmes he moved over into Liberty as the only way to escape being a justice, as Mr. Hise and Mr. McKeehen were serving so faithfully in that township there was no danger of any justiceship being thrust upon him. Misfortune followed him, as he reached Liberty just as Mr. Hise, ripe in years, was called to his reward, and Mr. Aurend in 1900 was elected to the office. He served one term and came to Bucyrus, where aspirants for every office were so numerous that he would be allowed to pass his declining days in peace. But in 1 91 2 a vacancy occurred in the office and the township trustees looking around for some suitable and competent man to place in the position, selected Mr. Aurend, He accepted, and commenced business ; his first case came on, and after what was no doubt a correct decision, the attorney who had lost found that the new justice had omitted some formality in the securing of his commission; he therefore appealed the case, averring that Mr. Aurend "was not qualified to act as justice." This was the final' blow; a riian who had served in three townships, and who had given satisfaction for more than twenty years, to have his qualifications doubted by a young attorney. The attorney explained, the friends argued, but it was useless, and he threw up the job, but had established- the record of having served as justice of the peace in four townships.

The people of today little know what sound sense and what absolute justice was dealt out by these officers more than half a century ago, and the court records show what townships had these practical men and kept them in office, for from those townships few law suits came up to the county court; they had a way of settling their cases, and settling them right, believing what was just and right was law. A

About 1830 Robert Mays was justice of the peace of Lykens township. Settlers were few and far between and hogs ran at large, the honesty of the few settlers being the only assurance that stray pork would be returned to the rightful owner. But one shiftless settler named Pratt found it easier to kill stray pork- :ers than to raise his own. He had been arrested and fined several times for his petty stealing, but stray hogs continued to disappear and the pork was frequently traced to Pratt's shanty. Finally, he was caught in the act of stealing one of his neighbor's hogs, and Robert Mays, decided to try a new method for putting a stop to his depradations. Pratt was illiterate, and like all petty thieves an arrant coward. Squire Mays had him arrested by the constable and brought to his cabin for trial, and the neighbors were notified to appear as witnesses. The evidence was clear, there being no question of the man's guilt, but the squire went further, and many other cases were traced to Pratt. Finally the justice, putting on his most solemn look, reviewed the man's many cases of stealing, called his attention to the fact that he had been several times fined for similar offenses; that in a new country, remote from courts, it was the duty of the justice to protect innocent citizens from such outrages ; that the right of property must be held sacred; that warnings and fines had all been useless, and much as he regretted it, he saw no other way of protecting the people than by sentencing the man to death. It was therefore the judgment of the court, that the constable procure a rope immediately, and the man be taken to some convenient tree and there hanged by the neck until he was dead. The man begged and pleaded for his life, but the justice was firm, and dispatched the constable for a rope, and instructed the settlers to look up some suitable tree on \\hich the man could pay the penalty for his crimes. This left no one in the cabin but the justice and the terrorstricken wretch. The justice took advantage of the occasion to depict in the most gruesome terms the disgraceful death the man had brought on himself by his acts, and the scared man finding all hope gone did exactly what was anticipated. He made a dash from the cabin, one of the early pioneers said he went through the window. The alarm was given, and the man's speed was accelerated by shots being fired in his direction, care being taken not to hit him as he fled through the woods. The squire, the constable and the witnesses followed in hot haste, yelling and screaming, and skillfully managing to keep just close enough to the fleeing man to spur him to renewed exertions, and finally after an hour's chase the pursuing party returned to the cabin. Nothing was ever heard or seen of him again, and no report ever reached the settlers as to where or when he stopped running.

One of the first law suits in Liberty township was before Ichabod Smith, justice of the peace, on a complaint against Isaac Weatherby for running his saw-mill on the Sabbath Day. The defendant brought in testimony showing the uncertain nature of the stream; that the water-power was an important item of his property; that when the water was sufficient to run the mill it must be utilized, otherwise there would be great loss to him, and delays and inconvenience to his customers. The justice held that when the water was there the mill ought to be allowed to run, even if it was Sunday, whereupon he discharged \Veatherby md taxed the costs against the complainant. Of course the law of the state prohibited labor on the Sabbath, and the complainant appealed to the court above, when the judgment for costs against him was set aside. The complainant was conscientious in his protest against labor on the Sabbath day, and the only way to stop the mill was to buy it, which he did, and leased it to his brother-in-law, who was as religious as himself, and the mill did not run on Sunday.

Another case was before Squire Elias Markley. A man named Smith sued Charles Dony for pay for grain. The account had stood for months, and there were counter accounts, and in the mix-up Dony was given a judgment against Smith for $8, and when the judgment was announced Dony refused to take it, saying Smith owed him only $2.

John Slifer was a justice of the peace in Liberty township from 183 s to 1841. He was the man who laid out the village of Annapolis. He was a fine scholar, and an excellent penman, but at times exceedingly careless in his writing. One time he sent a transcript to the Court of Common Pleas so illegible that it was almost impossible to read it, and Judge Ozias Bowen, who was puzzled over the document, expressed his disgust with the remark, "The people must be fools to elect such ignorant men as justices of the peace." Josiah Scott was present, and was well acquainted with Slifer, .and he remarked to the judge: "How would it be, j.udge, if this ignorant justice could write a better hand than either of us !" Slifer happened to be present in the court room, and he came forward and asked the clerk, Zalmon Rowse, for a pen and sheet of paper, which were given, and which he paid for. He took the transcript, and made a copy in a neat and faultless hand, the most perfect of writing, and handed it to the judge. Bowen looked at it with astonishment, and turning to Slifer, exclaimed, "Why didn't you write in that way before?" Slifer looked at the judge, and then quietly replied, "Because, sir, I supposed I was writing it for the perusal of men, and not of boys," and then turned and stalked out of the court room.

Squire Peter Worst was a justice in Bucyrus township in the thirties. He was a tailor by trade, and had his shop about where the Kehrer Block now is. A case came before him, and with his docket by his side, he sat on his bench, cross-legged, and sewing while the trial was going on. The plaintiff argued the case, and the squire laid down the cloth on which he was working, picked up the docket, and was making his entries. The lawyer for the defense was on his feet to reply, and waited patiently for the attention of the court. Becoming impatient, he finally inquired: "Doesn't the court wish to hear any evidence on the other side?" The squire, having finished his entries, picked up his cloth and resumed his work, and gazing calmly at the attorney through his glasses, said : "Oh yes, you can talk just as much as you please, but I have decided the case in favor of the plaintiff." It was this same honest old justice of whom Judge Hall remarked, "When I die, I want Peter Worst to settle my estate !" The judge did die in 1863, and like the bright and careless, intellectual and brilliant man he was, he left no will, but Peter Worst was his administrator, and the neat and exact accounts

One of the pioneer justices in an adjoining township was Robert Newall, who sometimes decided cases according to his own views of equity, without regard to either law or precedent. A man named Andrew Clark wished to bring suit against Martin Mason for a balance claimed for work performed on a millrace. It was against pioneer ethics for a justice of the peace to encourage litigation, and Squire Newall endeavored to effect a settlement between the parties without resorting to the law, but, being unable to do so, he issued a summons to Constable Kline against the said Martin Mason, the writ being a verbal one, and the constable's mace of authority was a buckeye club, with which he was instructed to belabor the said defendant over the "head and shoulders" until he would consent to accompany the officer to the court room of the justice. Force, however, was not required in this case, as Martin recognized the potent power of the constable's club, and he obeyed the summons promptly and was soon arraigned before His Honor, who required that plaintiff and defendant each make a statement of his side of the case, and after this was done the court decided that Mason should pay to Clark two bushels of corn, and continuing said : "Clark being a poor man and having no horse, you, Mason, shall deliver the corn at Clark's house. Forever after this you are to be good friends and neighbors, and if either shall ever fail in the least particular to obey this order, I will have the offender before me and whip him within an inch of his life. As for myself, I charge no fees. Not so with Constable Kline ; his charge being a quart of whisky, which plaintiff and defendant will see is brought into court as promptly as possible for the use of all present."

Another case, and although at a much later date was nearly fifty years ago, occurred in Bucyrus. George Donnenwirth was the justice and a man was brought before him for petty stealing. He had as his attorney Alfred C. Cattley, who was reading law in the office of S. R. Harris. It was a clear case, but in the course of the examination, Cattley asked that the prisoner be sworn. The justice was indignant at the idea of a thief being allowed to give testimony, and promptly refused to let him testify. Cattley stated that by a recent law the man could testify, and the justice insisted on seeing the law, so the student went over to the office of Mr. Harris, and returned with the printed slip. The Legislature was in session, and had just passed the law allowing a criminal to testify in his own behalf. The squire put on his glasses, read the law over carefully, and after some reflection, said: "Well, it appears to be the law, and this court will always obey the laws of the state, whatever they are." He studied over the matter again, and finally turned to the attorney and said very disgustedly, "The man can testify," and voiced his indignation with the remark, "but I want to tell you before hand I shan't . believe a d - n word he says." And he didn't, for the man got thirty days.

When the second term of court was held in Bucyrus, the brick schoolhouse had been built and this was used for court purposes, and if the case was to a jury, these gentlemen were escorted to some convenient room in the village where they were locked up until they reached a decision, and in fine weather sometimes held their consultation in the woods back of the schoolhouse, the sheriff sitting on a stump at some distance keeping his eye on them.

The first early records of the court are in 1834, Hon. David Higgins was the presiding judge, and his associates were Abel Cary, Josiah Robertson and George Foe. The first grand jury of which there is any record was composed of the following persons : David Ellis, foreman; John Burwell, Emanuel Deardorff, David Marquis, Joseph Hart, William Arnold, Adam Beck, Isaac Cornell, James Higbee, William Scott, Robert Foster, Isaac Rice, Joseph S. Smith, William Cooper, William Robinson.

At this term several cases were called, and the papers were reported missing, and it is probable Judge Higgins, who was a trifle irritated, made some reflections on the clerk for the next day the following appears on the court docket :

"Personally appeai-ed in open court Zalmon Rowse, who being duly sworn, doth depose and say that he is clerk of the court, and that on the night of the i6th day of March, 1834, some person or persons entered the clerk's office of the Court of Common Pleas and took from the proper place of deposit the files and papers belonging to the causes pending in court, that the same have been taken beyond the reach or knowledge of the deponent and he knows not whether said papers have been destroyed or what has become of them."

Further Zalmon Rowse tendered his resignation as clerk of the court, and the judge accepted it, and turned around and reappointed him for another term of seven years, showing if he was irritable at times, he was just. The record shows that thirteen cases were called and had to be continued on account of the records being stolen, so minor business was mostly transacted. A wave had swept over the town against gambling so a special grand jury was called to investigate the matter, and Samuel Norton was made the foreman, and true bills were returned against six of the most prominent men in the village for gambling, and the next day they found six more, and followed it up with a batch of fourteen. A few were fined but most of them acquitted, some of the cases being carried over for several terms. Several tavern keepers were fined $5 and costs for selling liquor to the Indians, after which their licenses were renewed for another year.

The court held three terms a year, and the prosecutor was allowed $100 a year for his services, the sheriff and clerk each being allowed $60 a year.

At this term of court, a case was heard and damages of $25 were allowed the plaintiff by the presiding judge. It is probable the law was very strongly in favor of the plaintiff, but the three associate justices had an idea that real justice was on the side of the defendant, and they reversed the verdict and found for the defendant, and further ordered that the plaintiff should pay the costs.

When the next term arrived, the sheriff must have had his doubts as to whether the judge had recovered from his anger, as he summoned no jury. The court met on Monday, Feb. 10, and there being no quorum they adjourned until Tuesday. The next day Associates George Poe, Abel Gary and Hugh Welsh were there, and they granted a few administration papers, and adjourned until Wednesday, and that day the Hon. David Higgins showed up, and proceeded to business by ordering the sheriff to secure a jury immediately, which he did, most of them Bucyrus men.

The securing of a jury was no easy matter in those days, and the records show instances of men being fined for ignoring the summons. A story is told of the county west of Crawford in 1835. The country was sparsely settled, the farmers were busy, and the sheriff had great difficulty in securing a jury. On the morning of the second day, the judge' opened the court and asked the sheriff if the jury was full. The sheriff replied : "Not quite full yet, judge. I have eleven men locked up in the jail, and my dogs and deputies are after the twelfth man."

In 1834 David Chute was granted a license to keep a tavern in Chatfield township for $8; Aaron M. Decker, tavern in Liberty township, $5; John Luke, tavern, Liberty township, $5; Abraham Hahn, Bucyrus, tavern license renewed he to pay $10 and all arrearages.

At the July term in 1836, the docket contains the entry "Franklin Adams admitted to the Bar." Below is written in pencil, "Came from Mansfield, August, 1837." For seventy years he was a practitioner at the Crawford County bar.

Several parties were tried for minor offenses, and given five days' confinement in the county jail on bread and water. The same term when the spasm of reform swept over the city in regard to gambling, three men were brought before the court charged with horse stealing and were discharged.

The first penitentiary case of which record is found was on Sept. 29, 1838, when Ephraim Eaton admitted he was guilty of stealing a horse, and was sentenced to the penitentiary at hard labor for three years, and to pay the costs of the prosecution, amounting to $30.88.

Another case of ]\Ir. Scott's was against John Luke. Seventy years ago ^Ir. Luke kept a tavern where the boundary road crosses the Sandusky river in Sandusky township. It was a popular resort, and in the early days did a large business. In front of the tavern was the usual post, and on top of it was the signboard on which was painted a black horse, so it was known as the Black Horse tavern. One of the neighbors had some trouble with Mr. Luke, and he hired Scott to conduct the case for him. The trial came off, and it was to a jury. One of the jurymen was Resolved White of Auburn township who has handed down the story. In the course of his speech, Mr. Scott warmed to his subject, with the following very far from flattering reference to the defendant:

" In six days God made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh he rested; and then he took the scraps which he could not use in the formation of the earth or the animals that walked on the earth, or in the fishes of the sea or the reptiles that crawled upon the earth ; he rnoulded this refuse into human form, and with his fist he punched in two eyes, and put on a nose, and he called it John Luke."

Another similar case was in 1844, when a hog case was being tried in the court house ; the attorney for the prosecution was Jude Hall of Upper Sandusky, the stealing having occurred in the Wyandot part of Crawford. In his speech to the jury he said : "Why, gentlemen of the jury, you may put one foot upon Hercules, and the other upon Jupiter, and lay your telescope, straddle of the sun, and gaze over this wide creation, and you can't find as mean a man as John Smith."

This same gentleman in a case at Bucyrus, thus alluded to the opposing counsel : "Why, your honor, he's a mere circumstance, a fabric, a ruta baga."

A similar illustration occurred at Bucyrus, years later. An important case was on, and John R. Clymer was one of the attorneys, and speaking of one of the young attorneys of the opposition, with a wave of the hand he brushed him aside, with the remark: "He amounts to no morein this case than a fly on the periphery of a wheel."

Josiah Scott once went to Osceola to try a case before Squire Tuttle, and after he had made his eloquent and convincing argument, as he thought, to the jury, the opposing counsel spoke of the effort of the future Supreme Judge in the following vigorous style: "The gentleman may roar like a salamander, but my positions are adamantine, and must prevail."

ne of the ablest in those early days, but had a een tongue. At one time he was conducting case in which he became very much interested, nd after the evidence was all in he was satsfied he would lose, so he opened his remarks 0 the jury, about as follows : "May it please he court: By the perjury of witnesses, the ^norance of the jury, and the corruption of he court, I expect to be beaten in this case." iere, the judge, who was Patrick G. Goode, nterrupted him with the remark : "What is hat you say, Mr. Morrison?" The latter oolly replied: "That is all I have to say on hat point," and commenced his address to his 'ignorant" jury. At another time he had a eparation case, where the wife had taken the hild, and the husband wanted it, so Morrison or the husband, got out a writ of replevin, and he sheriff seized the child, and two disinterested parties were appointed to appraise the 'alue of it. They failed to agree, and two nore were appointed with a like result; while he third set of appraisers were at work, a )rother of the mother of the child grabbed the nfant and mounting his horse, started away at ull speed. Morrison gazed after the vanishing lorseman, and remarked : "There goes my ase. I could replevin the devil out of hell, if

Charles Stanberg was known as the "linsey voolsey" lawyer, as he appeared in court wearag a suit of that material. Both he and klichael Flick left at an early date.

Josiah Scott arrived in June, 1829. One of lis first cases was before Squire Jas. Stewart, wo miles east of Bucyrus. He walked out and lack. His client was Charles Bacon, and icott asked him if he thought $1.50 was too luch to charge for his services. Bacon thought ot, and the charge was made, but Scott over- Doked the collecting of the bill for years, le was a great student, and at times very abent minded. In 1840 he was a member of he Legislature, and on one of his trips to Tolumbus, George Lauck, who was county reasurer, gave him a package containing the noney for his semi-annual settlement with be state treasurer. Reaching Columbus he Dok the package from his saddle-bags and ut it in his pocket before going in to breakast. After he left the dining-room he found the money was gone, he hurried back and fortunately found the package under the table, it having slipped from his pocket. At another time he had business at Marion, and he hung up his coat in the hotel office, and went to bed. The next morning the coat was still there, but the pocket-book containing $500 was gone. Scott was a great friend of the Indians who called him "Big Head," as he wore a number 8 hat. He used to take part in their sports, and in all their cases he was the attorney for the Indians. One of the Indians named a son Josiah Scott, and when the Wyandots went west in 1843, Josiah accompanied them. Mr. Scott was born in Washington county. Pa., in 1803, and graduated with high honors from Jefferson college, Pa., in 1821. He taught in that college, studied law and was admitted to the bar. Located at Bucyrus, in 1829.

When the war was over the Michigan boundary came up in 1835. Mr. Scott raised a company but the matter was settled by the courts and the company was not needed. In 1840 he represented the county in the Legislature and about 185 1 went to Hamilton, Butler County, Ohio, where he continued the practice of his profession.

In 1856 he was appointed, by Governor Chase, a judge of the Supreme Court, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Judge Ranney, and in October of the same year he was elected to serve the full term of five years, being subsequently re-elected in 1861 and 1866. He returned to Bucyrus in 1870 and at the close of his last term as judge resumed practice at the bar. In 1876 he was appointed, by Governor Hayes, as a member of the Supreme Court Commission, a body composed of five judges, created in 1875, to dispose of a part of the accumulated business then on the docket of the Supreme Court, and having the same jurisdiction and power in respect to such business as the Supreme Court itself. Elected chief judge for one year by his associate members of the commission, he served ably in that capacity, and subsequently remained a member of the commission until February i, 1879, the close of its term.

Judge Scott was an eloquent advocate and an able and learned lawyer and jurist. He was a man of excellent education, a fine mathematician and well read in the classics. He was moreover a Christian gentleman, an elder for years in the Presbyterian church, of genial disposition, sparkling wit and endowed by nature with a fine presence. His active professional career covered a period of half a century, the great part of which time was spent in this community and no man was better understood and more highly appreciated and esteemed. He died June 15, 1879.

George Sweney was born near Gettysburg, Pa., in 1796. After graduating at Dickinson college, he studied law and was admitted to the bar. Beginning about 1820, he practiced his profession for ten years at Gettysburg. In 1830 he came to Bucyrus, where he continued in his profession. He was elected prosecuting attorney, and while holding that office, in 1838, was elected a member of Congress from the Fourteenth Ohio district, being reelected in 1840. In 1853 he removed to Geneseo, III, but, after an absence of three years, returned and was again elected prosecuting attorney. After his term in this office he retired from the bar. He died in Bucyrus, Ohio, Oct. ID, 1877. Mr. Sweney was a man of fine appearance, honorable character and amiable manners. He was a good lawyer but his tastes inclined him more to the study of science and literature than to the practice of his profession, which was always more or less distasteful to him. He was plain and domestic in his habits and was never so well contented as when engaged in his favorite studies in the quiet and retirement of his own home.

John Smith came in 1832, but did not practice law until later. At first he kept a dry goods store on the west lot of where the Quinby Block now is. He later was elected justice of the peace, and had his office in a frame just west of the Rowse Block. He was an office lawyer, and did much in the way of conveyancing, writing wills, and settling estates. He was an exceedingly conscious and upright citizen. He was a widower and his daughter kept house for him. He died in his office forty years ag® and at the time of his death was about eighty years of age.

In August, 1837, Franklin Adams located m Bucyrus.' and had his office opposite the court house, boarding when he first arrived with Samuel Norton, and when the Lutherans sold their property opposite the court house in 1858, he bought the balance of the corner and built the brick which was his office for so many years. In 1838 he was appointed prosecuting attorney, succeeding George Sweney who had been elected to Congress that year, and in 1839 he was elected to that office, and reelected for two more terms. He died in 1908, having been a member of the Bucyrus bar for over seventy years.

John M. Armstrong practiced law in Bucyrus from 1838 to 1843. He was a graduate of Norwalk Seminary and had studied his profession under Judge James Stewart, of Mansfield, graduating at the Cincinnati law school. He was a well educated and accomplished man, but was partly of Indian blood, his father, Robert Armstrong, who had been taken prisoner by the Indians, having married a quarter-blood Wyandot woman. In 1839 he was the Whig candidate for prosecuting attorney against Franklin Adams, but was defeated. He moved west in 1843 with the Wyandot Indians to where the town of Wyandot, Kansas, now stands. A few years later he died at Mansfield where he had stopped for a visit, \\hile on his way back from Washington, having gone there on business connected with the Indians. His wife was a daughter of Rev. Russell Bigelow, a prominent Methodist preacher in the early days.

In the spring of 1844 the Bucyrus bar was strengthened by the accession of Lawrence W. Hall, who came here from Cuyahoga county. Elected prosecuting attorney for the county, he held that position by successive elections from October, 1845, to October, 1851. At the fall election of 1851, the first under the new constitution, he was elected a judge of the Common Pleas Court, and served in that office until February, 1857. He was a member of the National House of Representatives, being elected in 1856. He subsequently continued the practice of law in Bucyrus until his death, which took place January 18, 1863. Judge Hall was a successful practitioner, and was a politician as well as a lawyer. He was kind and genial in disposition, was very popular and was noted for his urbane manners while on the bench. Being associated with that party that was opposed to the prosecution of the War for the preservation of the Union, he was arrested in 1862 and for a number of

And Represent A.Tive Citizens

Josiah S. Plants came from his father's farm in Liberty township to Bucyrus and worked at the trade of shoemaker, and while at work kept a law book beside him from which he studied. Later he was taken from his' shoemaker's bench to teach in the schools. He then read law under Josiah Scott, and was admitted to the bar, and in 1844 began the practice of law in Bucyrus.

In the fall of 1858 he was elected a judge of the Common Pleas Court for a five years' term, beginning in February, 1859. He was distinguished for industry, honesty of purpose, devotion to his friends, fidelity to his clients, and earnestness and force as a public speaker. His promising career was unfortunately cut short, his death taking place August 23, 1863, as the result of wounds received by the accidental discharge of a gun while hunting in Indiana.

Joseph E. Jewett, who came from Wayne county, conducted a law office in Bucyrus from 1844 until the fall of 1848, whn he removed to Des Moines, Iowa. While here he assisted in organizing a Masonic lodge, and was the first master. He was also the first captain of the fire department.

Enoch W. Merriman, born in Bucyrus in 1830, was admitted to the bar in 1853 and practiced until the spring of 1861, when he responded to President Lincoln's first call for troops, and was lieutenant of the first company that left the county, Co. C of the Eighth Ohio. He died in camp at Grafton, W. Va., August 12, 1 861.

Burr Morris, born in Stark county in 1829, was educated at Findlay Academy, read law with Henry Brown of Findlay, Ohio, and was graduated at the Cincinnati Law School in 185.S. In the following year he was admitted to the bar and began practice in Bucyrus. He was twice elected prosecuting attorney, first in October, 1861, and again in 1863. Subsequently removed to Albany, Linn county, Oregon ; he was there elected county judge and died while in office in November, 1866.

Henry C. Rowse, son of Zalmon Rowse, born in Bucyrus in 1835, practiced law here for about three years, beginning in 1857. He was mayor of Bucyrus in i860. He died at Rockford, 111.^ in October, 1862, at the time of his death holding a position as clerk in the Interior Department at Washington.

Samuel J. Elliott began law practice at Bucyrus in August, 1857. In August of the following year he was appointed probate judge of Crawford county by Gov. Chase, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of P. S. Marshall. Mr. Elliott was the only Republican that ever held office in the court house since the Republican party was formed. He held the office until October 18, 1858, when his successor was elected and qualified. In 1859 he removed to Wapakoneta, where he subsequently died.

William S. Fitzsimmons, born in Crawford County in 1841, read law under D. W. Swigart at Bucyrus and was admitted to the bar in March, 1868. In March 1861 he enlisted in the 8th Regiment, O. V. I., with which he saw much hard service. He was severely wounded at Antietam, and finally died from the effects of his wounds, at Bucyrus, on July II, 1870.

Robert McKelley was born in Lancaster county, Pa., in 181 5, and removed to Knox county, Ohio in 1834. Subsequently coming to Bucyrus, he commenced law practice here August I, 1842. In 1845 he was appointed by President Polk registrar of the land office at Upper Sandusky. Here he had charge of the sales of the lands of the Wyandot reservation, holding the office until its removal from Upper Sandusky. From January to October, 1852, he was probate judge of Wyandot county, being the first to hold that office. In January, 1854, he was elected a director of the Ohio & Indiana Railroad Company and was its president the last year of its separate organization. While serving on its board of directors he originated the movement for the consolidation of the three companies owning the continuous line of railroad between Pittsburg and Chicago, resulting in the organization of the Pittsburg, Ft. Wayne & Chicago Railway Company. He was also for several years a director and solicitor of the latter company. He was a member of the Ohio senate for Crawford, Seneca

Abraham Summers commenced the practice of law in Bucyrus in 1850. He was elected prosecuting attorney for Crawford county in 1855 and was re-elected in 1857. He was subsequently twice elected probate judge, in i860 and 1863. He afterwards removed to Hicksville, Ohio, where he died.

William M. Scroggs came to Bucyrus with his father in 1839. He was conductor on the first passenger train that came to Bucyrus. Was admitted to the Bar, but practiced very little, becoming Mayor of the village and county auditor.

Conrad W. Butterfield opened a law office in Bucyrus in 1853 ^^'^ practiced here until i860, when he removed to Lima, Ohio. Returning to Bucyrus in 1863 he resumed practice here and remained until 1870, when he removed to Madison, Wis. He was a man of literary tastes and was the author of several works, including a "History of Seneca County, Ohio," and a "History of Col. Crawford's Expedition Against the Indians in 1782," which latter work has had a wide circulation, and is the standard authority on that campaign. He died at Madison, Wis.

Abner j\I. Jackson, admitted to the bar in September, 1854, began practice in Bucyrus. From 185 1 to 1855 he served as auditor of Crawford county and was elected prosecuting attorney of the county in October, 1859. In 1 87 1 he was elected judge of the Fourth Subdivision of the 3rd district of the Common Pleas Court, composed of Crawford, Hancock, Marion, Seneca, Wood and W^yandot counties. In 1874 he resigned and removed to Cleveland, Ohio, from there he went to Silverton, Col., where he died.

Cyrus Linn, James W. Smith, John D. Sears and I. F. Price all practiced law in Bucyrus for short periods in the forties and early fifties, subsequently removing to other localities, J. D. Sears removing to Wyandot county when it was organized in 1845, and becoming the leader of the bar in that county. In 1873 he was elected without opposition to represent \\''yandot county at the Constitutional Convention. Some years ago he retired from practice and made his home in California where he died in September, 191 2.

Cyrus Sears, born in Delaware county in 1832, came to Crawford county with his parents in 1836. Graduated at the Cincinnati Law School in 1856 he began practice in June of that year at Upper Sandusky. From April I, 1857, to June 15, 1859, he practiced his profession in Bucyrus, when he removed to Upper Sandusky. In August, 1861, he enlisted in the nth Ohio Independent Battery of Light Artillery, and subsequently made a brilliant record as a soldier, being several times promoted, and in April, 1863, becoming Lieut. Colonel of the nth Louisiana Volunteers, afterward named as the 49th U. S. Colored Infantry. He behaved with great gallantry in various battles and was recommended for promotion by Generals Hamilton, Rosecrans and Grant.

Matthias Buchman, A\ho read law with Judge A. M. Jackson, was admitted to the bar in i860. He was prosecuting attorney of Crawford county from April, 1864 (succeeding Burr Alorris, who resigned), until October, 1865. Later he removed to Cleveland, Ohio.

Among the other lawyers who practiced in Bucyrus in the later fifties and early sixties, but who remained only a. short time, were Christopher Elliott, 1858; C M. Dodson, 1860- 1862; Archibald McGregor, 1858-60; J. A. Estill, 1858-59; John B. Scroggs, 1861-63; and Joseph R. Swigart, 1859. Mr. McGregor during his residence here, in addition to his law practice, engaged in the publication of the Crawford County Forum. He subsequently returned to Canton, from which place he had come. Stephen D. Young practiced two years in Bucyrus, from 1875 to 1877, when he removed to Norwalk, Ohio, and is now judge in that district. Walter B. Richie, who came from Lima, practiced in Bucyrus as a member of the firm of Richie & Eaton from 1876 to 1879, when he returned to Lima, became prominent in his profession and Grand Chancellor of the Knights of Pythias of the United States.

Robert Lee, born 1805 in Butler county. Pa., in 1823, removed with his father's family to Leesville, then in Richland county. In early manhood he was engaged in various business enterprises. In 1836 he was elected a member of the Ohio legislature for Richland county and was re-elected in 1837. For ten years, beginning with 1839, he held the office of justice of the peace. In 1849 he was elected by the Legislature an associate judge of the Court of

Common Pleas of Crawford county, and held that office until February, 1852, when it was abolished by the new constitution of the state. In 1853 he was elected state senator for Crawford, Seneca and Wyandot counties, and was chosen president pro tern of the senate. May I, 1854, serving during the illness of Lieut. Governor Myers. He was admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court May 3, 1854, but he devoted very little time to the profession of the law. For one term he served as mayor of Crestline. In 1869 he was elected probate judge of Crawford county, being re-elected in 1872, and made his home at Bucyrus until his death.

John Hopley came to Bucyrus in 1856 as superintendent of the Union Schools. Admitted to the bar in 1858, he began practice in partnership witth A. M. Jackson. In 1862 he visited England on professional business. On his return in the fall of the same year he accepted a clerkship in the Treasury Department at Washington, became secretary in the office of Secretary Chase, giving especially attention to the subject of finance. He was afterward transferred to the Currency Bureau, and had charge of the statistical division. In 1864 he resigned and engaged in a New York City banking establishment. In 1866 he was appointed examiner of National banks for the southern states and Kansas. In September, 1867, he purchased an interest in the Bucyrus Journal and became its editor, in the following May becoming sole proprietor of the office. He was appointed postmaster at Bucyrus in August, 1870 and held the position until January, 1879, and was reappointed in 1890, serving another four years. He died at his home in Bucyrus June 3, 1904.

Daniel W. Swigart, born in Franklin county. Pa., in 1824, came to 'Crawford county in the fall of 1846. He was appointed deputy clerk of the court, in which position he served until April, 1848, when he became clerk and held the office until January, 1852, when it became an elective office under the new constitution. Having graduated from the Cincinnati Law School, he was admitted to the bar in June, 1852, and at once opened an office in Bucyrus. During the Civil War he served in the Quartermaster's Department, with headquarters at Cincinnati, and was president of the Atlantic

Jacob Scroggs was born at Canton, Ohio, in 1827 and came to Bucyrus with his father's family in 1839. He was variously occupied for several years and in the meanwhile studied law, being graduated from the Cincinnati Law School in 1854. He was admitted to the bar in Hamilton county and in 1855 began the practice of his profession in Bucyrus. He was several times elected mayor of the village. He served during the greater part of the Civil War as chairman of the Crawford County Military Committee, and in 1864 and in 1880 was Presidential elector for this district.

Stephen R. Harris was born in Stark County, Ohio, in 1824. He finished his collegiate education at Western Reserve College in 1846, and, having read law with his uncle, John Harris, at Canton, Ohio, was admitted to the bar in 1849. In the same year he opened an office in Bucyrus, being in partnership with Josiah Scott, their association being continued up to the time of the latter's death, except during the time that Judge' Scott was on the bench of the Supreme Court and a member of the Supreme Court Commission. In 1895 Mr. Harris was elected to Congress from this district, serving one tenn. He died at his home in Bucyrus, Jan. 15, 1905.

James Clements was admitted to the bar in August, 1854. He had previously held the office of county sheriff, having been elected in 1845 ^"d re-elected in 1847. He was probate judge of Crawford county from February, 1864, to February, 1870.

Thomas Beer began the practice of law in Bucyrus in 1862, coming to the county as the editor of the Forum. In 1863 he was elected a member of the Legislature and was reelected in 1865. He represented Crawford county in the Constitutional Convention of 1873, and, as a member of the Committees on Judiciary and Municipal Corporations showed his great legal ability. In August, 1874, he was appointed by Gov. Allen a judge of the Fourth Subdivision of the third district of the Common Pleas Court, composed of Crawford, Hancock, Marion, Seneca, Wood and Wyandot counties, to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of Judge A. M. Jackson. In October of the same year he was elected by the people to fill the remainder of the term expiring in February, 1877. In the fall of 1876 he was elected to a full term of five years and reelected in 1881. In 1885 he was elected to the circuit bench and re-elected, serving until 1893.

John A. Eaton, born in Crawford county, Ohio, in 1853, was admitted to the bar at Columbus, Ohio, in October, 1876. iJntil May, 1879, he practiced his profession in Bucyrus as a member of the firm of Richie & Eaton. He then went to Kansas where he engaged in the banking business, in connection with his law practice.

John R. Clymer, born in Franklin county, Ohio, in 1834, acquired both a commercial and university education, and for two or three years in the later fifties was engaged in educational work. He was clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Crawford county from i860 to 1868, when he took charge of the Forum which he conducted for ten years. He \\as admitted to the bar at Tiffin, Ohio, in 1878, and practiced law in Bucyrus until his death. He was noted as one of the most finished speakers in the county. "

Frank S. Monnett was a graduate of the Delaware University, read law in Bucyrus, and was elected city solicitor. In 1896 he was elected attorney-general of the state, and reelected in 1898, and after his term of office expired has made his home in Columbus.

Smith W. Bennett read law in Bucyrus, was admitted to the Bar, and in 1897 went to Columbus as Assistant Attorney General and chief counsel in that office, and after ten years' service made his home in Columbus.

W. C. Lemert was born in Texas township, March 4, 1837. He attended the academy at Republic for one year, then Heidelberg College, finishing his education at the Ohio Wesleyan University where he graduated in the class of '58. He read law with Franklin Adams and was admitted to the bar in 1859. He practiced for two years when the war broke out, and he entered the army, becoming colonel of the 86th Ohio ; after four years' service he was mustered out, and devoted his time to railroad building.

Among tne present practitioners in Bucyrus, are David C. Cahill who was admitted to the bar in December, i860, and practiced law in Bucyrus until April, 1865. He then went West, spending two years in California and Oregon. Subsequently returning to Bucyrus, he resumed practice here in June, 1867. In the fall of 1873 he was elected clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Crawford county, and held that position from February, 1874, until February, 1880, after which he returned to the practice of law.

Ebenezer B. Finley was born at Orville, Wa)me county, Ohio, in 1833. Some years of his earlier life were spent in the West. In 1859 he located in Bucyrus and, having studied law under his uncle, Stephen R. Harris, was admitted to the bar in June, 1861. In the fall of that year he recruited a military company, was elected first lieutenant, the company becoming a part of the 64th Regiment, O. V. I. The regiment was present at the battle of Shiloh. Disabled by an accident, Mr. Finley retired from the service in September, 1862, and resumed the practice of law in Bucyrus, and was mayor of the village for two years. He was twice elected to Congress, in 1876 and 1878, and as a member of the House of Representatives distinguished himself by speeches on various public questions, during his second term serving as chairman of the Committee on Public Expenditures. In 1884 he was appointed adjutant-general of the state under Gov. Hoadly and had charge of the Ohio troops at Cincinnati when the rioters burned the Hamilton county court house. In 1896 he was elected circuit judge to fill the \acancy occasioned by the resignation of Judge Henry \Y. Seney. \^'ith David C. Cahill he is the practitioner in the county. Besides a \'ast amount of legal work, he has devoted much time to historical research, being an authority on the Mound Builders.

Judge J. C. Tobias read law in Bucyrus, was admitted to the bar, and in 1887 was elected probate judge of the county, serving for six years. In 1897 he was elected Common Pleas judge, serving two terms of five years each.

Kenton, Ohio, in September, 1875, and was for tour years prosecuting attorney of the county; Charles GalUnger, of the hrm of Finley & Gallinger, was also prosecuting attorney for two terms. Judge Edward Voilrath was appointed circuit judge by Gov. Herrick in 1905. Judge C. F. Schaber was elected probate judge in 1905 and re-elected in 1908. Wallace L,. Monnett, of the firm of Scroggs & Monnett was referee in bankruptcy for a number of years. W. J. Schwenck is the present prosecuting attorney. William C. Beer is the present referee in bankruptcy, and also served as city solicitor. O. W. Kennedy is the present city solicitor. Other attorneys are L. C. Feighner, R. V. Sears, Charles J. Scroggs, Alfred S., Samuel and Godfrey Leuthold, James W. Miller, J. W. Wright, Edward J. Myers, and Benjamin Meek, who was one of the leading attorneys in Wyandot county, before his removal to Bucyrus a few years ago.

Abraham Underwood was admitted to the bar in 1855. He was twice elected mayor of Galion in 1878 and 1871. He served as justice of the peace for twenty-seven years.

Henry C. Carhart read law under Judges Brinkerhoff and Geddes, at Mansfield, Ohio, and was admitted to the bar in July, 1852. After practicing a year at Mansfield he removed, in October, 1853, to Galion. He was mayor of Galion for three years, from April, 1854; postmaster from May, 1861, until August, 1864. He was also a member of the Galion Union school board, and a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1876.

James W. Coulter, born in 1846, in Coshocton county, Ohio, read law with Judge Thomas Beer, at Bucyrus, and was admitted to the bar in August, 1865. He immediately began the practice of his profession in Galion. He was elected prosecuting attorney of Crawford county in 1869 and re-elected in 1871. He served as a member of the county board of school examiners and of the board of education of the Galion Union schools.

Seth G. Cummings was prosecuting attorney of Crawford county from 1873 to 1877. He moved to Mansfield where he continued the practice of his profession.

John DeGoUey was admitted to the bar at Chambersburg, Pa., in 187 1. He removed to Galion in 1874 and commenced practice in 1876. In 1879 he was elected corporation attorney, being the first to serve under the city charter. He later removed to Marion.

George W. Ziegler was admitted to the bar in 1876. He was elected prosecuting attorney of Crawford county in 1877 and re-elected in 1879, ^"d later represented the county for two years in the legislature.

Alexander F. Anderson was admitted to the bar in 1869, and after practicing at Findlay and at Carey, removed to Galion in October, 1878, where he remained but a few years.

The present members of the bar in Galion are R. W. Johnston, who also has an office at Columbus, where he devotes most of his time ; he has been both mayor and city solicitor of the city. W. J. Geer, who has also served as mayor and city solicitor. Carl H. Henkel, who was four years prosecuting attorney of the county. Carl J. Gugler, the present city solicitor. H. R. Shuler who has been city solicitor. A. W. Lewis, Frank Pigman, J. W. McCarron, F. M. Shumaker, Dean C. and J. M. Talbott, and R. C. Tracht.

The early members of the bar at Crestline were Lemuel R. Moss, from 1852 to 1854; James W. Paramore, John W. Jenner, Samuel E. Jenner and O. B. Cruzen, the latter admitted to the bar at Bucyrus in 1869. Nathan Jones was admitted to the bar at Norwalk, O., in 1855, began practice at Crestline in 1856. He was twice elected prosecuting attorney of Crawford county, in 1866 and 1868.

Of the present members of the bar, at Crestline, the oldest is P. W. Poole, who was admitted to practice at Bucyrus in 1865. He has been several times elected mayor of Crestline, and served two terms as prosecuting attorney of the county, from 1893 to 1899.

Judge Daniel Babst was admitted to the bar at Columbus in 1871. He has been several times mayor of the village, and in 1907 was elected common pleas judge, a position he still holds.