Defiance County, Ohio - The Bae, 1883

The Bae

FOR many years after the organization of Williams County, the seat of which was at Defiance, the legal services required in the newly settled country were rendered chiefly by an army of legal himinai-ies, who were accustomed to travel from county to county at the heels of the Presiding Judge. Business was then transacted much more expeditiously than at present, and a few days would suffice to complete the business in one town, and the joiu-ney would then begin to the next. Pixjbably almost as much time was consumed on the road as in court, so large were the circuits traversed, and so tedious the journeys. Many of the foreign practitioners already have been mentioned. The first intimation we have of a local attorney at Defiance is given in a letter written March 24, 1802, by James L. Gage and published in the Union Press, of Bryan, Ohio, in which he says: " In the winter of 1826, I opened a law office in Defiance, Williams County - I think the first in the county. It was in an upper room in the inn of Benjamin Leavell, an upright man, in whose excellent family I boarded. My office was also my bedroom, and on public days it was also the bed room of many othere. " Mr. Gage came to the Maumee country in 1824, settling iu-st in Maiimee. He did not remain long at Defiance, but moved from place to

The first lawyer to settle permanently at Defiance, was probably Horace Sessions, a full sketch of whom is given further on. He located at Defiance in 1833, and maintained a practice there for many years.

In 1836 or 1837, Cm-tis Bates located at Defiance and commenced practice at the bar. He was soon after elected State Senator. His election was successfully contested by his opponent on the ground that Mr. Bates had not been a resident of Ohio for the prescribed period. A new election was ordered, but the required period of residence having elapsed, Mr. Bates was placed in nomination again by his Democratic friends and re-elected his own successor by an increased majority. He afterward removed to Des Moines, Iowa, where he became a prominent attorney and politician. He was at one time the Democratic candidate for Governor of Iowa.

William C. Holgate, who is still an active practitioner of Defiance, was the next attorney. He came to Defiance in 1836, and two years later was admitted to the bar, and at once entered upon the labors and duties of his profession.

John B. Seamans practiced at Defiance from 1839 to 1841. Samuel H. Greenlee was an early practitioner, and died in 1852. Erastus H. Leland came to Defiance in 1841, but soon after removed to Bryan and became a prominent attorney. He afterward returned to Defiance. Hamilton Davison removed to Defiance in 1849 and was received in the land office. He had previously been admitted to the bar and been engaged in practice, but subsequent to coming here has given his attention chiefly to other pursuits.

George W. B. Evans was a practicing attorney at Defiance in 1845, and rendered efficient service in organizing Defiance County. He was a social and promising young attorney, but left the county before establishiag a practice. He emigrated to California at the commencement of the gold excitement and died at San Francisco.

John M. Stilwill came to Defiance and began practice about 1846. He served as Justice of the Peace for a number of years. After a practice of some time he removed to Bloomington, 111.

Wo jlsey Wells came to Defiance as Commissioner for the sale of Western Reserve School Lands. After a practice here of some years he removed to Fort Dodge, Iowa.

The firm of George B. Way and William Sheffield was one of the earliest and most successful at Defiance. The former came from Toledo, was a fine scholar and brillaht speaker and was elected and served as Judge of the Common Pleas Court. He afterward received an official appointment and removed to Washington, D. C. Mr. Sheffield was from Napoleon. He became Receiver of the United States Land Office at Defiance.

David Taylor came to Defiance about 1852 and was clerk for his father, John Taylor, who was Receiver in the land office. He read law, was admitted, and became a successful politician and lawyer. He, about 1860, received an appointment as Paymaster in the service, and was afterward paymaster in the regular army. He died in Leavenworth, Kan.

Peesent Bar

The attorneys now in practice at Defiance are as follows: S. S. Ashbaugh, C. E. Bronson, William Carter, J. F. Deatrick, B. F. Enos, E. H. Gleason, Hardy & Johnson, Harris & Cameron, Sherrod Heacock, W. C. Holgate, S. A. Justice. G. W. Killey, Knapp & Scott, Latty, Hill & Peaslee, Abijah Miller, Newbegin & Kingsberry, M. E. Orcutt, W. M. Randall, John W. Slough, S. T. Sutphen, William C. Travis.

Hoeaoe Sessions

This gentleman, whose moral, social and professional qualities were widely known and highly valued throughout the Maumee Valley, was born in Painesville, Ohio, April 16, 1812, and removed to Defiance in 1833. He was married to Miss Lucia C. Candee, January 3, 1854, at Watertown, N. Y., and died at Adrian, Mich., June 6, 1868. Mr. Sessions left no children living - two having died in infancy, and one daughter at the age of five or six years. After his decease, his widow returned to her former home at Watertown, N. Y., but afterward removed to Painesville, where within the last two years she married Mr. George W. Steele, a prominent capitalist of that place, who has since about April 4, 1881, died.

We will give the proceedings of a meeting of the bar held at the court house in Defiance on the 15th of June, 1868, at which William C. Holgate, who during a period of more than a quarter of a century was his intimate associate and friend - was made chairman, and Edwin Phelps, secretary, which will convey an idea of the esteem in which Mr. Sessions was held by his professional brethren- Upon accepting the position tendered Mr. Holgate addressed the meeting as follows :

Brethren of the Bar: Horace Sessions is gone. The All-wise Being who rules and governs the affairs of men has taken him to Himself. He died at Adrian, Mich., on the 6th inst. , where he had stopped off to visit a friend as he was returning from the Republican

National Convention at Chicago, which he had been attending as a delegate. I was present at his death, and with other friends and citizens of our town accompanied his remains to Painesville, in this State, where on the 9th they wei'e interred in a beautiful cemetery near the tomb of a loved little daughter and of a father and mother and other relatives.

Our relations with him and his worth require something more than the usual resolutions of respect and sympathy. Being the first lawyer that ever settled and stayed here, he may truly be called the father of the Defiance bar. He was also a pioneer of our valley, and the son of a noble patriot of our country and pioneer of our State. In 1794, under Anthony Wayne, his father was in the -great battle that first secured the white man possession of and title to the lands we occupy, and he helped to construct the fort which gives our town its name. In 1800, he settled on a farm near Painesville, and there on the 16th day of April, 1812, Horace Sessions was born. He was a vigorous, stout boy, delighting in agricult. ural pursuits and in watching the habits and caring for the animals reared upon the farm. But at the age of twelve years a great misfortune befell him. He was taken down with a severe sickness, resulting in a fever sore that racked his constitution, shattered his nervous system, producing untold pain and crippling him through his whole life. His father ' dying in 1827 , left him a poor, crippled boy, and a widowed mother and sisters in destitute circumstances. His bodily infirmities incapacitating him for farm work, he reluctantly relinquished his favorite calling and cast about to see what else he coald do to make a living for himself and his destitute relations. This resulted in his choice of the law for a profession.

Being admitted to the bar at the age of twentyone, he lu-st went down the Ohio and Mississippi Eivers as far as Vicksbui'g without finding a satisfactory location, when returning he came to the Maumee Valley and settling at Defiance in 1833, he began the first practice of his profession. Defiance at that time was the county seat of Williams County, and to it was attached several other counties for judicial purposes. Though the field was entirely open, there being no other lawyer here, professional business was very limited. But Horace Sessions was poor; he had a mission to fulfill and he would not be idle. In addition to his professional duties, he wrote in the county offices and taught in the district school. I see several present here who, like myself, have a lifelong business acquaintance with him. Mine, perhaps, has been of the longest and of the most intimate character. Thirty-three yeai-s ago, accompanying my father from the State of New York, on a toiu- of exploration to the Wabash, with an eye to a settlement at Fort Wayne, we spent a week or more as we were passing at Defiance. During that week, I first became acquainted with Horace Sessions, and I have often since thought that acquaintance fixed my destiny in my choice of a future home, and brought me a year later to come here to live. At the time Mr. Sessions was occupying a room in the second story of a brick building on Lot 58 of the original plat of Defiance, which building was the court house, and I may add the schoolhouse and also the "meeting house" of the village. In the same room were kept most of the offices of the county. He invited me to occupy the room with him and continue the study of the law, which I had before begun. His bed was in the same room, and this we occupied together. From that time to the time of his decease, whilst a generation of men have passed from earth, we continuously have occupied an office together. From the time he came here, each summer he would go to the home of his aged mother, consoling and comforting her with his presence and giving that material aid that relieved the wants of herself and family. And glad was I the other day whilst assisting at Painesville in the last duties to the dead on eai'th to hear an aged and eminent statesman of that place say, Mr, Sessions has been very generous with his father's family; he has ever most bountifully supplied them. And here let me say his generosity was not confined to his relatives alone. In all his dealings he was liberal. Every charitable enterpi'ise and good caiise he helped on. He was industrious, temperate and frugal in all his habits. He cut his own wood at his office for years; he built his own fires at home. He sought property only to make himself independent and to do good, and in this God bountifully blessed him, as he will evei' bless any man of like industry, temperance, carefulness, fi-ugality and honesty of purpose. As a lawyer, to understand, digest and to bring to a successful issue delicate, intricate and complicated business matters, Horace Sessions had few or no superiors, and I believe uo party selecting him as their coiinsel or ever had occasion to regret their choice. He was warm in his friendships, social in disposition, hospitable, unostentatious and mild in his manners. He was uniformly the same unruffled Horace Sessions yesterday, to day and to-morrow. Though unobtrusive and mild, within him was a heai-t; he has said to me, that never had a sensation of fear, which statement his tmthfulne^ leave me no reason to doubt. It is a part of the history of that county that his father was the bravest man that ever lived on Grand River. Truly can we say as we look back on the battle of life he has fought, Horace Sessions was a brave son of that brave man. To him the summons came suddenly. His sickness was brief and severe Loving hearts and willing hands did all that could be done to stay the dreaded approach of the destroyer. Confident that the trying hour had come, he calmly approached the grave like one who wraps the drapery of his couch about him and lies down to pleasant dreams.

Od motion, a committee of five, consisting of AVilliam Carter, Edwin Phelps, Hamilton Davison, William D Hill and Henry Newbegin, were appointed, to draft resolutions expressive of the feelings of the members of this bar, which committee, through their chairman, Hon. William Carter, reported the following: ^^Wherea^, by a dispensation of an All-wise Providence, our late associate and brother, Horace Sessions, has been removed from our midst by death, it is, by the bar of Defiance County, as expressive of the great loss they have sustained, Resolved, That in the death of Horace Sessions the bar of Defiance County has lost one of its oldest, ablest, most useful and worthy members, and this community one of its most worthy citizens. Resolved. That we sincerely deplore'the loss of our departed brother and associate, and shall revere his memory as one whose prof e.ssional life was without blemish and worthy of imitation.

Resolved, That these resolutions, together with the proceedings of this meeting, be published in the Defiance papers, with the request that the same be copied in the several papers j)ublished in the Maumee Valley, and at Painesville, Ohio.

It was also resolved that the proceedings of this meeting be presented by the Chairman to the Honorable Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Defiance County- at its next session, with the request that the same be entered upon' the journal of said court. William C. Holgatb, Chairman.

John Beaston Semans

John Beaston Semans, brother of William Semans, was born in Monroe County, Ohio, December 16, 1804. His parents had moved for a short time to the Ohio side of the Ohio Eiver. He worked upon his father's farm in Highland County until old enough to be apprenticed to a trade, when he entered the office of the Hillsboro Gazette, to learu printing. In 1825, shortly after he had closed his apprenticeship, he went to Wilmington, Ohio, and became proprietor of the Wilmington Argus. In August, 1829, having sold the Argus, he removed to La Payette, Ind., then a small village, and commenced the publication of the La Fayette Free Press, the only paper in Northern Indiana. In 1836, having disposed of the Free Press, he removed to Defiance, and for two years " was enga'ged in mercantile pursuits, in company with his brother William. He then published the Defiance Barometer, and afterward the Defiance Banner, for a short time - small, 'yet sturdy and independent papers; meantime he studied law with Curtice Bates, and was admitted to practice in 1839. He engaged in the active practice oE law in Williams (Defiance) County and the surrounding counties until 18-11, when he was solicited by his friends to return to La Fayette. Ind., and re-purchase the Free Press. He did so, changing its name to the La Fayette Journal. On his return to La Fayette, he was admitted to practice in the Tippecanoe County Court, but the care of his paper so engrossed his attention that he neglected to work up any law practice. He was fearless in his advocacy of what he deemed the right, being an antislavery Whig. He was a member of the national convention of 1844, which nominated Henry Clay for President, and he most earnestly advocated his election. He, too, had inherited an unquenchable opposition to slavery, and when, in 1848, the Whig party nominated Zachary Taylor as candidate for President, he believed it had sold itself to the slave power, and refused to advocate Taylor's election. At the solicitation of leading Whigs, and at a great sacrifice, he sold his paper and retired from editorial life; he continued, however, advocating the cause of liberty by frequent contributions to anti-slavery journals. In 1847, he was appointed Collector of Tolls on the Wabash & Erie Caual, which position he held at the time of his death, August 22, 1853. John B. Semans was pre-eminently a philanthropist. The motto which he adopted for his paper was " While I have Liberty to write, I will write for Liberty." In politics, nothing is right that will not meet the sanction of morality. Every human being he regarded as his brother. He was a Royal Arch Mason, and was buried with Masonic honors. He had long been a consistent, active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a member of the official body and a teacher in the Sunday school; though, during the last four years of his life, he was a pronounced believer in the doctrines of the [Church of the New Jerusalem. He was of medium height, inclined to full habits and of a reiwarkably benign and pleasant countenance; a man whom one would always choose as his friend. He was 'three times married, and was the father of ten children, six (daughters) are now living.

William Semans

born in Cecil County, Md. ; his mother, Sinai (Mo- Kay) Semans, was bom in the State of Delaware. They were married in Delaware, and moved to the Virginia side of the Ohio River, near Wheeling, at the close of the last century. For a time they moved to the Ohio side, and then returned to Virginia. "When William was about ten years old, his father settled in Highland County, Ohio. The father of Simon was a farmer, and lived and died the owner of slaves, but his son early became an uncompromising enemy to slavery, a trait much developed in his sons, and so he sought a home for himself and family in a free State. William, with his brothers, of whom he had foui-, he being eldest, worked upon his father's farm, attending such schools as they had in the neighborhood until he was about sixteen years old, when he determined to fit himself for the practice of law. The better to do this, and that he might have his winters for study, he apprenticed himself to his brother-in-law, Eobert Wason, who had married an older sister and who lived in Hillsboro, to learn brickmaking and brick-laying. With Mr. Wason he worked summers and lived at home in winter, clearing land, making rails and attending a school taught by a paternal uncle, Benjamin Hill, who could cipher through the rule of three and was thought to have a wonderful education. Through his assistance and his own studious habits, he got so far advanced that he was soon enabled himself to teach the winter schools in the neighborhood. The first slate he owned he purchased by cutting several cords of wood for a merchant of Hillsboro. He continued, after learning'his trade, to work at it in summer through that region, making the brick and building houses, and as the demand was limited he was compelled to travel over a large exlent of country seeking business. He was now about twenty-four years of age, had saved up some money, and was about fitted to enter Miami University, at Oxford, which had about this time opened its doors to students, when, by some unfortunate venture, he lost all his money. He was now thrown back on his labor. His brother-in-law, Eobert Wason, had, about the year 1842, removed to Defiance, some two years after the laying-out of the town by Phillips and Leavel, and was engaged in working at his trade when he could find employment. In the summer of 1826, William went to Defiance to visit his sister, Elizabeth Wason, and her husband. They prevailed upon him to stay, and teach a winter school. During the summer he helped Mr. Wason make brick, build chimneys and lay hearths for the cabins in the neighborhood. The brick was made and burned on a plot of ground northwest of the old burying-gi'ound near the Auglaize. He continued his work for several years, teaching school during the winters. He helped make.

burn and lay the brick of the old court house on Wayne street, near the Presbyterian Church and east of county buildings. Meantime, he commenced acting as Deputy County Clerk for Dr. John Evans, and was in his office for several years. He was Auditor of old Williams County for a time, and served as Justice of the Peace for many years. He, during this time, studied law with Amos Evans, a brother of Dr. John Evans, and cousin of Pierce Evans, and was admitted to practice some time in 1835. He immediately commenced active practice in the counties of Williams, Henry, Paulding, Putnam and Van Wert, following the Circuit Judges in their rounds from county to county on horseback, with the required books and papers in a portmanteau, the roads being sometimes but blazed paths through the forests of the black swamp. In 1836, he entered into partnership with his brother, John B. Semans, who had removed to Defiance from La Fayette, Ind. , in a general mercantile business, and continued for two years. The store room was in his residence, on the northeast cor ner of Jefferson and First streets, the present residence of Mr. Davidson. This house he built in 1831, the first brick dwelling house in the town. In 1838, the store was closed, and he devoted his entire time to the practice of law. About this time, he entered into partnership with Andrew CofSnbury, of Maumee City. Mr. Coffinbury, usually called Count Coffinbury, practiced in the same judicial district; a man of strange talents, full of humor and of a poetical temperament. Many a time has the writer of this sketch, in boyhood days, listened in rapt attention to the weird stories, the improvised verse and the comical oddities of this remarkable man, while he was in atfceadance at the Defiance (Williams) County Court. He -was the life of the jolly band of men that went from county seat to county seat during all those long years. A volume of poems was the result, printed in 1842, through the subscription of his fellow-attorneys, entitled " The Forest Ranger; a Poetical Tale of the Wilderness in 1794." The scene is laid in and about the plateau of Defiance, at Girty's Point, and near the battle-field of Fallen Timbers, during Wayne's campaign. When mesmerism came in vogue, the Count became wonderfully skilled in the art, and many are the sittings he used to have with us children, showing his wonderful power in controlling our wills, and through his mesmeric influenye causing us to do all sorts of ludicrous things. It was the children's holiday when the Count came around. To return to the subject of our sketch. We find that close attention to business and a constitutional tendency to dyspepsia had seriously' affected his health, BO in 1844 he withdrew from all law practice for a time. In 1846, he commenced building the Defiance

Mills, at tlie upper lock of the canal; this he finished, in connection with Frederick F Stevens, a brother-in-law. In 1847, he resumed the practice of the law. In 1850, he sold his residence at the corner of Jefferson and First streets to H. Davidson, and, with Ephraim A.. Greenlee, a Deiiance attorney, he removed to La Fayette, Ind. , and formed a partnership in the practice of law. When the territories of Kansas and Nebraska were opened for settlement, he became interested in the making of them free States, and determined to change his home to Kansas. In 1855, he temporarily removed to Defiance, and, for the time being, entered into the practice of law with Edward H. Phelps. In 1859, his plans beiog perfected, he removed to Kansas, settling in Leavenworth, his unfinished business, however, frequently recalling him to Defiance. The summer of 1860 was spent in Defiance. The latter part of the summer he left for his home, not being in good health; after reaching home, his disease, a complicated trouble with stomach and brain, rapidly prostrated him, and he soon yielded to its power, dying the 14th of September, 1860. He was a man of excellent judgment, conscientious and painstaking in the preparation of his cases, cautious to a fault, but firm in his belief and aggressive to offensiveness when he thought the right in peril. He believed every criminal, no matter how vicious, should have a fair and reasonable defense, lest justice be too severe; but many is the time that the writer has seen him put to his wits' end when he had found himself on the wrong side of the case, and his client demanding what seemed, by development of testimony, an unjust claim. A maxim he always impressed on his children, which he said he had learned in active law practice, is never to judge any cause until the other side had been heard. There are two sides to every case, he would frequently say. He was above medium height, of full weight, powerful in frame and of good presence. Not fluent in speech, he did not excel when addressing a jury, unless in a case where his feelings became deeply stirred, but in the preparation of a case, in examining witnesses and in discovering the weak points of an adversary, he had but few superiors at the bar in which he practiced. He early became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and after he settled in Defiance, before any regular church organization was formed, he helped form, and was the Superintendent of a Union Sunday school. He and an old colored woman were the first memborn of the first class of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Defiance, and through his instrumentality Defiance first became a preaching place for Methodist preachers. It was through his means that the old frame Methodist Church was built; he for some years carried the entire indebtedness of its building, imperiling thereby his own property interests. While residing in Defiance, he was always a Class Leader, Steward and Trustee, His home was always known as the home of the Methodist preacher. When a Masonic lodge was constituted in Defiance, he was made a Mason, taking his degrees in Tuendawie Lodge. In early life, through ancestral influence, he inclined to federalism, and when the Whig party was formed he was an active member. He was a pronounced Protectionist of American labor, and intensely American in his feelings. Born in a Slave State, of slave-holding ancestry, he had the good fortune to have a slaveryhating father, from whom he learned to hate slavery with intense hatred. Being of a judicial mind, and of conservative tendencies, he did not rush into extremes in anything, and so belonged to the Emancipation rather than the Abolition wing of the Whig party, and was always a warm advocate of emancipation. He aided in forming the Republican party, and was always ready to advocate its principles, either in public or in private.

He was married in Defiance on the 19th of November, 1834, to Mrs. Mary W. Wells, widow of Joshua W. Wells, of Piqua, Ohio, and daughter of John Oliver, who was then living on the south side of the Maumee, east of the Auglaize, on a farm. Four children were born of this union, two boys and two girls. Two died in infancy and two are now living - William Oliver, born August 23, 1835, who is Professor of Chemistry in the Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio, and Anna E., born June 4, 1848, wife of Eev. Orville J. Nave, of the Ohio Conference of the Method jst Episcopal Church, and Post Chaplain in the United States army.

Samuel H. Greenlee

" Died, on the 23d day of February, 1852, at the residence of his brother-in-law, J. P. Ayers, in Highland Township, Samuel H. Greenlee, Esq. , of Defiance, in the thirty-fifth year of his age. Mr. Greenlee had been declining for the last twelve months with consumption of the lungs, but, with the natural buoyancy of his nature, he hoped eventually to overcome his disease; especially did he look forward to the returning spring as a time when he should recover at least a portion of his lost health; but, alas, his friends too plainly saw, by the progress of the insidious destroyer that had fastened itself on his vitals beyond remedial power, that this was but the delusive syren voice of hope. Mr. Greenlee, although but a young maa, has always since his coming to this place held an enviable position among our most prominent citizens. He was noted for his public spirit, his liberality and his unflinching devotion to those principles which he deemed promotive of the public good. He was also distinguished for the exactitude of his business habits, and above all for the probity of his character; it has been the fortune of but few men to have their vrord, in matters of business, more implicitly confided in than was his. Mr. Greenlee was a self-made man; he had neither the advantages of a good education, nor pecuniary means to start himself in the world. By improving the leisure moments afforded him in his daily avocations in studying the law, he attained to a reputable standing in the legal profession. By economy, industry and application to business, he acquired a competence for his family. By his public and private virtues he obtained esteem and consideration among his fellow-men. The absence of his example and influence is truly a public loss to this community. During his residence among us, he was frequently commissioned with important public trusts, by both State and local authority, which he invariably executed in the most satisfactory manner. But in private life, that little world where the heart reigns supreme, his many virtues proved the goodness of his nature. They who knew him best loved him most. Warmhearted, affectionate, generous and hospitable, his intimate friends will cherish his memory among the most sacred recollections of the past. "

At a meeting of the members of the bar of Defiance County, held on the evening of February 24, 1852, pursuant to public notice, at the ofSce of Davison & Welles, Hamilton Davison, Esq., was appointed Chairman, and Woolsey Welles, Esq., Secretary. Whereupon it was

Resolved, That a committee be appointed by the Chairman to prepare and report resolutions in reference to the recent decease of Samuel H. Greenlee, Esq. , a member of the profession, late of Defiance.

The Chairman thereupon appointed William Sheffield and William Carter, Esqs., upon said committee, who reported the following preamble and resolutions :

Whekeas, It has pleased the Almighty disposer of human events to remove, by death, from our midst, and from scenes of activity and usefulness, our professional brother, Samuel H. Greenlee, Esq., late of Defiance, and his brief professional career has been marked by fidelity, industry and an upright and honorable bearing; therefore

Resolved, That we deeply sympathize with his afflicted family and friends in that recent bereavement which has deprived his companion of an affectioaate, provident and faithful husband, his children of a kind and prudent father, this community of an energetic, eificient business man, and the members of

Resolved, That we tender to his afflicted family and relations our sympathies in this their painful bereavement, and in testimony of respect for our deceased brother, the members of the bar will attend his funeral, and wear the usual badge of mourning for a period of thirty days.

Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be presented to the widow of the deceased, and be published in the newspapers in the town of Defiance.

died at Defiance, December 28, 1880, in the prime of manhood; one of the leading attorneys of Defiance, a citizen whom everybody respected, and whose death all mourn. In early life, Mr. Myers learned printing, under Judge Greene, in the Democrat office. At the breaking-out of the rebellion, he enlisted in the Sixty-eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served his country faithfully. At the close of the war, he returned to Defiance, studied law, and for many years was partner of Hon. W- D. Hill. His legal attainments were of a high order, and as such were recognized in all the courts of this section. Dropping off in the height of his usefulness, his death was a loss to the community. Mr. Myers married Etta, eldest daughter of H. S. Hunter, of Defiance, May 4, 1875; to them was born one daughter, Carrie Gertrude.

Whereas, Gilbert L. Myers, who for many years was an honored member of this bar, having departed this life since the last term of this court, and we, as members of the same profession, desiring to exp^jress our high regard for the memory of the deceased, do

Resolve, That in the death of Bro. Gilbert L. Myers, our profession has lost one of its most industrious, honest and useful members. Being an indefatigable worker and thorough and careful student, and fearless in the discharge of his professional duty, we have long since learned to admire him for his professional worth, and shall ever love to remember him for his good qualities and gentlemanly deportment in the practice of his profession, and, while regretting our own great loss, we are not forgetful of the afflicted family of the deceased, each of whom wa beg to assure have our heartfelt sympathy in the loss of a dear companion and father.

Ebastus H. Lelaxd

" Hod. Erastus H. Leland, a prominent and leading lawyer of Northwestern Ohio, died at his residence, in Defiance. March J 2, 1863, of consumption, aged abort forty-eight years. The deoeased was a native of Vermont, read law in Ashtabula County, Ohio, and immigrated to AYilliams County about the year 1841, where he continued to reside until 1849, at which time he removed to Defiance. He represented the Defiance District in the Legislature during the session of 1854, of which body he was a leading and prominent member. He was an able and accomplished lawyer, standing second to no member of the profession in the Maumee Yalley. When the Thirtyeight Regiment was organized, in the fall of 1861, he was appointed Adjiitant, and remained with the regiment through its Kentucky campaign, and until his failing health compelled him to retire from the service. " - Northwestern.

Ma.T. Samuel A. Strong

Died, on Friday last (September "22, 1865), in this place, Samuel A Strong, aged thirty-five years. Maj. Strong was a native of Vermont, and he resided in Defiance about fourteen years, and possessed the confidence and esteem of the citizens generally. Maj. S. was a Captain in the Twenty-first Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry in the three months' service, and, on the re-organizatfon of the regiment for three 3'ears, was appointed its Major, which he was forced to resign on account of ill-health, after something over a year's service. Mr. Strong married Emma G., only daughter of Hamilton Davison, of this place, by whom he had a family of five children, three boys and two girls, viz.: Charles H., William H., Frances, Edward A. and Marion. Charles H. graduated at Wooster University, Ohio, in June, 1879, and died at Defiance April 9, 1880, aged twenty -two years.

At a meeting of the Defiance County bar, held in the coiu't house September 23, 1865, Horace Sessions was chosen Chairman and S. T. Sutphen Secretary. William Carter and J. F. Deatrick were appointed a committee to draft resolutions expressive of the sentiments of the bar on the much-regretted death of Brother Strong. Said committee reported the following preamble and resolutions, which, on motioQ, were adopted ;

Wheeeas, By a dispensation of an All- wise Providence, our late associate and brother, Samuel A. Strong, has been removed from our midst by death, and the bar of Defiance County, as expressive of their great loss they have sustained, do

Resolve, That in the death of Samuel A. Strong he bar of Defiance County has lost one of its ablest, useful and worthy members, and this community one of its most energetic and enterprising citizens.

Resolved, That we sincerely deplore the loss of our departed brother and associate, and. shall revere his memory as one whose professional life was without a blemish and worthy of imitation;

Resolved, That these resolutions be published in the Defiance Democrat and Paulding Press, and copies of the same be presented to the family of the deceased. Also, on motion, it was

Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be presented to the Court of Common Pleas of Defiance County, at the next term thereof with a request that they be copied into the record of said court.

Thomas Cowen

In presenting a sketch of the life and character of Thomas Cowen to the readers of the history of Defiance County, we cannot do better than to introduce the subjoined obituary notice, published at the time of his death in the Bryan newspaper:

Thomas T. Cowen was born in the city of Dublin, Ireland, February 10, 1836. His father, Benjamin Cowen, was an Irish gentleman, noted for his culti vated manners and superior business capacity. He was Clerk of the Royal Canal Company for a period of twenly-five years, during which time it is said that no blot, erasure or stain marred the records intrusted to him. While in the canal company's service, the elder Cowen acquired a competency, amounting to several thousand dollars, a part of which he proposed to set aside for the benefit of his children. Thomas, his eldest son, was the especial object of his regard, and he spared neither pains nor expense in giving him the rudiments of a first-class education. Thomas manifested a great fondness for books, and at an unusually early age he was wont to learn and declaim the speeches and arguments of learned statesmen and lawyers. In 1844, when Thomas was eight years of age, his father's health failed him, so that he was unable to do any kind of business. The care of the family and business management of the estate devolved upon Mrs. Cowen, who did the best that she could; but being a lady of retiring habits and unaccustomed to the ways of business, the means acquired gradually dwindled until 1848, when she deemed it expedient to emigrate to America, hoping that a change would benefit her husband's health, and enable her to obtain a home and bring up her children in comparative comfort. They arrived at New York in August, 18t8, and immediately came to Defiance, where they halted for a few Aveeks, and moved thence to Butler, Ind., where Benjamin Cowen died in September, 18-19. The mother, never a strong woman, broke down under the accumulated weight of affliction and sorrciw, and Thomas became the main stay and support of the family. It is related by those who Imew the family, that Thomas, at that time but thirteen years of age, was manly beyond his years, industrious and frugal; that he labored diligently and faithfully to support his Avidowed mother and six orphan sisters. About 1851, Thomas removed the famih' to Defiance, and did such labor as a boy could find to do. He was for a time in the employ of the Wabash Railroad Company, and assisted in the preliminai-y surveys of that road. About 1855-56, he went into the law ofiice of Phelps & Leland, first as a clork and afterwai'd as a student. He soon attracted the attention of prominent members of the bar by his close application to study, his admirably drawn legal papers and his rare business capacity. When admitted to the bar, brilliant success was predicted for him, but the war breaking out soon thereafter, changed, for a time, his plans and purposes. He was an earnest advocate of coercion, and in furtherance of his opinions offered his services in behalf of his country. On the -Ith of Octobei-, 1861, he was appointed Second Lieutenant, was soon after assigned to the Sixty-eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and, on the '21st of December following, went into camp at Napoleon. In January, 1863, the regiment moved to Camp Chase, and soon afterward to Fort Donelson, where it arrived in time to pai'ticipate in the capture of that stronghold. It is unnecessary to follow the regiment in all its marches, skirmishes, battles and sieges dtu'ing the war; suffice to saj' that its history is part of the history of the war, and its battle fiags are inscribed with the evidences of the prominent part it bore in the conflict. Soon after the capture of Doneison, Lieut. Cowen was promoted to First Lieutenaut, and his superior qualifications and gen eral deportment commending themselves to his superior officei-s, he was appointed Adjutant of the regiment, and afterwai-d Adjutant General of Brigade, which position he held until some time after reaching Chattanooga, when, declining further promotion, he was mustered out of service. The ta-ite saying that a good citizen always makes a good soldier was fully examplified in the case of Lieut. Cowen. His comrades beai"" willing testimony to his valor, and his official reports were regai'ded as models of promptness and efficiency. Soon af t«r his return to Defiance, he formed a partnership with Maj. Strong, and resumed his profession. The partnership was continued until the death of Mr. Strong, when Mr. Cowen became a partner of Hon. AV. D. Hill, with whom he remained several years. Many important cases were intrusted to their management, and the law firm of Hill & Cowen acquired a name in the district, to which, we may say without disparagement to Mr. Hill, the junior member contributed no small share. During his residence in Defiance, Mr. Cowen was elected Mayor of the village, an office he filled to his own honor and the satisfaction of his friends. In 1866, March 8, he married Miss Georgiana Richards, oE Defiance; to them were born three children, one daughter, Mary A., and two sons, Benjamin O. and William R. Mrs. Cowen was born in Xenia, Ohio, February 8, 1837; moved to Defiance with her parents in November, 1846. In 1870, Mr. Cowen came to Bryan, and became the law partner of Hon. A. M. Pratt. It was a new era for him - it brought him into closer contact with abler legal minds than he had before contended with; the field was worthy his labor; he applied himself with renewed energy, and rapidly won his way to the front, and took rank with the leading lawyers at the Williams County bar. He was on the high road to prosperity and renown when death claimed him. Never, perhaps, in its history, has this community been so profoundly shocked as it was on last Sabbath (January 19, 1873), by the sudden and wholly unexpected death of Mr. Thomas T. Cowen. For two years and more Mr. Cowen had lived and moved among us, the very picture of health, and with every prospect, to all human appearance, of a long life. Up to the very moment of his death he had appeared well and hearty, and when it was announced that he had fallen before the great destroyer, death, without a moment's warning, the announcement fell upon the community like a clap of thunder from a cloudless sky. The circumstances attending his death are as follows: He arose Sabbath morning, apparently as well as usual, except that he complained of a pain in his head. About 10 o'clock he started down street, saying to his wife that he would not go to church, but would go down to his office and write a letter to his sister in Kansas. Mrs. Cowen proceeded to chiu'ch, and, after service, started home. Passing by Mr. Cowen' s office, she stepped in, when there sat her I husband in his chair - dead. His head was thrown back and it was evident, from the fact that the ink was not yet dry in the pen with which he had been writing, that he had been dead but a few moments. Terribly shocked, ^Irs. Cowen sprang to the door and called for assistance, when persons who were passing by from church rushed in. Medical aid was at once I summoned, but it was too late. [The immediate cause of the death of Mr. Cowen was undoubtedly due to heart disease. - Ed.J The news of the death soon drew a crowd about the office, and as one after another passed in to gaze at the inanimate form so suddeclr and unexpectedly stricken down, strong men were bowed with grief, eyes u.nused to weep were suffused with tears, and one and all stood almost speechless, feeling that they were in the presence of death, and realizing how impotent is man when the hand of the destroyer is upon him. As soon as possible the body was removed to the house of the family, where it was dressed for the grave. During the afternoon and evening, many of ou.r leading citizens called to offer their assistance, to speak a word of comfort to the bereaved ones, or to shed, with the almost distra<5ted widow, the sympathizing tear. The personal character of Mr. Cowen was endowed with all those high qualities that contribute to the formation of an almost perfect man. Invariably courteous, alike to friends, acquaintances and strangers, at all times manifesting a respect for their opinions, yet not forgetting to exact what was due to himself ; a keen perception of the right, and a strong, unyielding devotion to principle;' a courage unquestioned, but controlled by temper, kind and respectful to others, and honor intact, he won troops of friends and admirers from all ranks and conditions of people, and became one of the recognized leading spirits in community, county and district. In early life, Mr. Cowen was a Republican, and voted for Abraham Lincoln in 1860; but soon after entering the military service, his political opinions underwent a change, and he became a Democrat, of the conservative school. He recognized party only as far as its aims tended to serve the greatest good to the greatest number. Personally, he had no ambition for political distinction. He sought to aid rather than direct in the counsels of his political friends, and his advice was always well received, because he seldom yielded to the impulse of the moment, but made his tongue wait upon his judgment, which was always marked with strong, practical good sense. Once, since he came among us, he yielded to earnest solicitation, and stood for the office of Village Solicitor. His election, in a precinct quite evenly divided, is a fair criterion of the estimation in which he was held by his fellow-citizens. Last season he was repeatedly solicited to allow his name to be used in connection with the office of Judge of Common Pleas, but he invariably declined, alleging, as a reason for his declination, that he was too young and inexperienced to occupy a position so honorable and responsi ble. In' the more intimate and tender relations which bound him to kindred and family, he was all that friendship could claim or affection enjoin - an affectionate son, a kind brother, a most devoted husband

The Willams and Defiance County Bar met at the court house, pursuant to call, and organized by appointing the Hon. S. E. Blakeslee, Chairman, andL. E. Brewster, Esq., Secretary.

On motion, Mr. Selwin, N. Owen and John A. Simon, of Williams, and "William D. Hill, of Defiance County, were appointed a Committee on Resolutions. The committee reported the following preamble and resolutions, which, on motion, were adopted, to wit:

Whereas, By the decree of a mysterious Providence, death, without a note of warning or premonition, has come into our midst and taken from us our honored brother and professional associate, Thomas T. Cowen, in the very bloom of his manhood and his usefulness, and

Wheeeas, It is due to his memory that we give some expression to our appreciation of his worth, and otu' keen sense of our loss, therefore be it

Resolved, By this meeting of his late professional associates, that words are too weak to bear to the world an adequate expression of the deep sense of sadness at our loss, the warm personal affection for our dead brother, the many tender recollections of his busy and useful life and the profound and sad solicitude for his stricken family, which fill our hearts at this moment and seem struggling for utterance, but nevertheless, as an inadequate expression of our feelings on this occasion, be it further

Resolved, That in the death of Thomas T. Cowen the legal profession has lost an able, honored and distinguished member, as well as an eminently genial and social companion; society an exemplary citizen, and an upright man; the cause of justice a fearless champion; his bereaved family a faithful and an affectionate husband and father, and humanity a steadfast friend, and that we regard the startling event as not only a sad personal bereavement but a serious public loss.

Resolved, That to his family we tender the profound sympathy and solicitude of those who knew him better - and hence esteemed him higher - -than all others save those to whose hearts he was endeared by the nearer ties of wife and kindred, and by these solemn presents we say to them that, should they ever be in need of earthly friends, they shall come to us, and it shall never be in vain.

his more immediate professional associate and late partner in business, Brother A. M. Pratt, that we are deeply sensible of his irreparable loss, in being thus bereft of the valuable aid and co-operation of an honest and eminently capable business associate, as well as the society of a genial and gifted friend, whose confidence was ever the safe repository of the most sacred and secret trusts.

Resolved, That the Secretary of this meeting be and he is hereby instructed to furnish a copy of these resolutions respectively to the widow of the deceased; to his late partner in business, to each newspaper published in this subjudicial district, and that such further appropriate action be taken as may be necessary to spread these resolutions upon the respective joutnals of the several courts in this sub-judicial district.

Thomas T. Oowen

The death of this gentleman occurred at Bryan, on Sunday, January 19, 1873. The supposed cause, heart disease. He was found dead, sitting in a chair in his office about noon, having left home in his apparent usual health but two hours before. The news cast a gloom over our community, where Mr. Cowen has been a residi^nt for many years. He leaves a wife and three children, and his loss will be sincerely mourned. A rising lawyer, he bade fair to take a front rank in his profession. He had resided at Bryan but about three years, where he was a partner in the law firm of Pratt & Cowen, His funeral took place on Tuesday, and was largely attended, over two huhdi-ed of his Masonic brethren and nearly all of the attorneys of Williams and Defiance Counties being present.

Hamilton Davison

Hamilton Davison was born in the town of Hartwick, Otsego Co., N. Y., on the 5th of March, 180G. His ancestors were of English descent, and immigrated at an early date to America, settling in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. His parents were married in Monson, Mass., in 1789, and soon after moved to Otsego County, N. Y., and cleared up a fai'm on land purchased of Judge Cooper, the father of Fennimore Cooper, the novelist, on the head- waters of the Susquehanna Kiver, near to Cooperstown, the county seat of said County of Otsego, whore they lived until the times of their death. His mother dying when he was eleven years old, his father, a few years after, married Matilda Spalding, whose first husband was the Rev. Mr. Spalding, the reputed author of the Mormon Bible. He was the youngest of a family of eight children and brought up on the farm, employed at manual labor till the age of sixteen, when he became a student in the Hartwick Academy, a Lutheran institution erected in 1816, adjoining his father's farm, and placed under the charge of the Rev. Ernest Lewis Hazelins, a Prussian by birth and a very able and accomplished scholar and teacher, and who afterward became one of the Professors in the Lutheran University at Gettysburg, Penn. After his preparatory studies in the aforesaid academy, the subject of this sketch entered the sophomore class in Hamilton College, N. Y., where he graduated in 1826. Immediately after his graduation, he went to New Jersey, and became tutor in the family of a Mr. Taylor, a prominent citizen and^slave-holder in said State, where he became acquainted with the workings of the system of slavery, but in the mildest and most benignant form, for a kinder master and a more happy, contented and jovial set of domestics and work hands were surely not found elsewhere. In the summer of 1828, having caught the Western fever, then prevalent in the Eastern States, he emigrated to Ohio in company with the family of one Maj. Hunt, and located in the town of Urbana, Champaign Coanty, where he taught school, studied law with John H. James, who is still living; was admitted to the practice under the jurisdiction of the venerable Reuben Wood. Married, July 1, 1830, Miss Louisiana Gibler, two yoars his junior, and with whom he is now living. Five children have been born to them, viz.: Frances M., born June 9, 1831, and who died when nearly sixteen years old; Emma G., born February 14, 1833, and now living in Defiance, the widow of Samuel A. Strong, deceased; William H., born July 13, 1836, and died at the age of five years; John H., born August 5, 1842, and Lewellyn C.,born November 13, 1844, and both now living and engaged in business together in Defiance. In the fall of 1833, he moved to Lima, Allen Co , Ohio, then a new town, but recently laid out in the dense forest. Here the first thing to do was to buy a lot for about $10 and build a beech- log cabin, which he did to be in unison with the other twelve or fourteen citizens of the place, there being but one small frame building then on the town plat. In this then sylvan village, and long before it eovild be said he spent the happiest years of his life - all friendly, all sociable and on a common level; all anxious to enjoy life and to see others enjoy it. Here he commenced the practice of his profession, and soon found enough to do, if not in the office in out-door exercises in leveling the tall trees suirounding his cabin. Appointed Prosecuting Attorney soon after his arrival, he held the office for several years, adding much to the then slim business of the courts. The signing commissions for Notaries Public was not then one of the chief duties of the Governor of Ohio, as Gov. Oorwin said it was in his time, as the subject of this sketch was, for about three years in Urbana and for a longer period in Lima, the only official of that character in the place. In October, 1835, he was elected by the people Surveyor of Allen County, which office he held for the term of three years. In January, 1839, he received, from the Hon. Wilson Shannon, then Governor of Ohio, a commission as Captain of the First Ai'tillery Company of the First Regiment, Second Brigade, of the Twelfth Division in the militia of the State, a newly organized company, of which he was chosen Captain. The only exploit performed during its term of service, worthy of note, was the procuring from the officials of Columbus, a nine-pounder iron cannon, which in a short time became, as all such implements of war usually do in small villages, both an annoyance and a nuisance. But this one, fortunately, soon after "busted," without injury to any one, and with it the said Artillery Company, as well as the military aspirations of the Captain. During the exciting campaign of 1844, a political paper, called the Lima Reporter, was started in Lima, to advance the cause of the great commoner and statesman, Henry Clay, and Mr. Davison was selected as editor, the duties of which position, so agreeable to his feelings, he discharged with all the energy and ability of which he was capable. He continued as editor for about two years, and left the paper in a flourishing condition. In 1848, he was chosen by the Northwestern Congressional District of Ohio a Delegate to the Philadelphia National Convention, in which Gen. Zachary Taylor was nominated as the AVhig candidate for the Presidency. In 1845, he was chosen by the Legislature of Ohio Receiver of Public Moneys in the State Land Office, then held at Lima, with Julius C. Curtis as Register. He was re-elected in 1848 and again in 1851. In the winter of 1849, the Legislature, ordered the State Land Office to be removed to Defiance, Defiance County, the United States Land Office formerly at Lima having been recently moved to that place, and the greater body of the lands owned by the State and yet vacant being in that county. Consequently, in obedience to the order of the Legislature, the Receiver moved, in April, 1849, the Lima State Office to Defiance, as well as the office then held at Perrysburg, as the Legislature had directed the two offices lobe united, the lands in the Perrysburg District having been nearly all sold. As IMr. Curtis, the

Register, did not move his family to Defiance as the Receiver did, consequently the latter had the whole duties of the office to attend to, the former only coming at the end of each quarter to assist in making and certifying the official retui-ns to Columbus. . All the lands belonging to the State, in former years, had been appraised at prices varying from $1.25 to $3 per acre, and, as the sales were rather dull at these prices, the Legislature, a short time before the offices were removed to Defiance, at the suggestion of the officers in the same, reduced, very wisely, the price of all the State lands 33 per cent to actual settlers, in quantity not to exceed 160 acres to each purchaser, which brought the price down, especially the $1.25 land, within the reach of almost any one having ambition and energy enough to get any land at all. Consequently, the sales of the State lands, for a couple of years after the office was removed to Defiance, were very rapid, and the northwestern portion of Ohio, especially the county of Defiance, owes its present prosperous condition, in a great measure, to the happy reduction by the State in the price of her lands. The United States and State Land Offices were held in the same building, that then stood on the ground near the Maumee bridge, where Charley Krotz' business block now stands. Before daylight on the morning of the 10th of April, 1851, while the Register of the United States Office, Abner Root, who usually slept in the office, was away, the building was mysteriously fired and entirely consumed with nearly all its contents. The Receiver of the State Office saved the different plats of the vacant land in the district, by which he was enabled to continue the sale of the same, but every plat, book and paper belonging to the United States Office were consumed, consequently suspending sales in that office until the Register went on to Washington and procured a list of the vacant land, and afterward made sales from that list. In 1852, the Legislature abolished the offices of Register and Receiver of the State Office, after the great bulk of the State lands had been sold, and directed the office to be in charge of a " Land Agent." Gen. Reuben H. Gilson was appointed such Agent, and in the course of a couple of years disposed of the most that were still vacant, when, in 1854, Levin Porter was elected said agent, and in 1857, after all had been sold, all the books, papers, etc., belonging to said office were returned to the office of the State Auditor at Columbus, Ohio. The United States Office was also removed, a few years after the fire, to Chillicothe, Ohio. The subject of this sketch, Mr. H. Davison, did not seek to renew the practice of the law after he came to Defiance, nor did he become encased in any steady business. Being the owner of a valuable stone-quarry, near Charloe, in Paulding County, he, iu connection with Calvin L. Noble and Samuel H. Steadman, took the contract for building the stone- work, piers and abutments of the ^bridge over the Maumee Eiver for the ^V abash Railway, which was completed in 1853-54. He afterward became engaged in the lumber business, in consequence of the death of his son-in-law, Samuel A. Strong, in 1865, who had started the planing mill business, and in 1866 built the planing mill and sash factory now owned by Messrs. Strong & Cheney, and for a few years carried on the business in connection with his sons, John H. and Lewellyn C. Davison, but since he has sold the same, he has lived in blessed retirement from the turmoil and trouble of business, and hopes so to live the short remnant of his days, and then die in peace with God and man.

Geoege W. Killey

George W. Killey, son of Daniel H. and M. A. (Billings) Killey, was born November 15, 1848, near Bellevue, in the county of Huron, State of Ohio, and was the eldest of a family of seven children (six sons and one daughter), and the only one now living of the seven, the others having died in infancy. His father having served in the Mexican war, after the close of the war located his land warrant of 160 acres of land in Putnam County, Ohio, and shortly after removed with his family, consisting of himsell', wife and George (then an infant) on the same. Here his father remained with his family for about a year, when he removed with his family to Defiance, Ohio, then but a small place, and soon after his father commenced to work in the Defiance Mills. Here George spent his youth and commenced his education in the common schools of Defiance. In the year 1860, his father removed to Florida, Ohio, and remained in this place for perhaps a year, thence removed to Napoleon, Ohio. Here George remained, and went to school till the 15th day of January, 1864, when he enlisted in the Ninth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, and was mustered in the service at Columbus on the 10th day of February, 1864, and remained in the service and with this regiment until he was discharged on the 16th day of July, 1865, at Columbus, Ohio. Thence he returned to Henry County, Ohio, and assisted his father on a farm till the fall of 1867. In the fall and winter of 1866 and spring of 1867, he taught school in the disti-ict where he then resided, and then returned to assist his father on the farm until August, 1868, when he went to Eepublic, Seneca Co., Ohio, to attend academy, and remained at the academy for one year, when he came to Defiance and attended school under the instruction of Mr. A^'allace, and in the fall and winter of 1869 and spring of 1870 he taught school. In the spring of 1870, he entered the law oflfice of Messrs. Hill & Myers, attorneys. Defiance, Ohio, and commenced the study of law, and was admitted to practice as an attorney and counselor at law on the 18th day of July, 1872. On the 4th day of August, 1871, he was married to Mannie B. Greenlee, daughter of the late Samuel Greenlee, Esq. She was born on the 15th day of November, 1849, at Defiance, and was raised in Defiance, Ohio. He then removed with her to Kansas, on the 6th day of November, 1872, and had by her one child, Daniel H., born June, 1873 He resided in Kansas until the 20th day of August, 1874, when, his wife's health failing, he returned with her and child to Defiance. In September of this year his child died, and in April of the next year his wife died. In this year, he located himself at Defiance and commenced the practice of law. In the year 1876, he was married to Abbie- F. Mason, daughter of L. and E. Mason, who came from Vermont State a number of years ago. She was born in Baton Township, Lorain Co., Ohio, on the 21st day of April, 1854. He has by her three children, two boys and one daughter, to wit, George H. Killey, born Decembor 27, 1876; Edgar V. Killey, born April 24, 1879, and Mattie E. Killey, born April 20, 1881. George is now a practicing attorney at Defiance.

John P. Deateick, Mayoe And Attoeney At Law

was born in the old Arcade Building, Chambersburg, Franklin County, Penn., November 26, 1829, and is a son of J. J. N. and Elizabeth (Boyer) Deatrick, natives of Pennsylvania, both of whom were of German descent. When four years of age, his parents removed to Fredericksburg, Wayne County, Ohio, where he grew to maturity, and in the village school received a good practical education. In 1850, he went alone to St. Paul, Minn., where he resided until 1852, when he returned to Wayne County and located in 1853, at Defiance, with the intention of establishing a woolen factory. But future prospects not proving sufficiently encouraging, he abandoned the enterprise. His qualifications as a scholar eminently fitted him to teach, and diiring one winter he was engaged in that honorable calling, and for the two succeeding years was employed in agricultiu-al pursuits. Tiring of the inconveniences of farming in a new country, and the monotony that accompanies a rural life in a land yet vested in its primitive wilderness, he moved into Defiance and entered the law office of his wife's brother, David Taylor, and began the study of the law, Mr. Taylor being his preceptor. After completing tbe necessary legal course, he was admitted to the bar in 1 856, after successfully passing an examination by a committee of lawyers who were appointed by the District Court. lu 1857, he became" connected with the Phoenix Insurance Company of Hartford, Conn., as their special agent, and is yet actively engaged in the business - representing all of the best companies, and has full control of the business in this city. Ilis superior qualifications in this particular employment, combined with strong natural forces and great reserve power, have won for hima deserved popularity. In 1861, he was appointed Deputy United States Marshal, and as such continued until 1880, when he resigned and was elected to the mayoralty of Defiance, and was re-elected in 1882. In 1865, at Cleveland, Ohio, he was admitted to practice at the bar of the United States Courts. Although he is well posted in legal lore, he never entered fully into the practice, having acquired the knowledge more particularly for the benefit of his individual business. His broad range of knowledge, admirable tact, liberal and progressive views, have tended to keep him in pace with the spirit of the age. He has been the nominee of the Eepublican party for Representative and Probate Judge, but at the present time Mr. Deatrick affiliates with the Democratic party - the party of power in Defiance County. He is an acceptable member in the Ancient Order of Masonry, holding membership in Tuendawie Lodge, No. 195, Defiance Commandery, No. 71, and in the Consistory, which is inclusive of eighteen degrees in the order. The effort he has made in life has been justly rewarded, and although he began his career a pon- boy,he has laid by a competency, besides suffering financial losses aggregating $35,000. He was married, December 28, 1853, to Miss Nancy, a daughter of the Hon. John Taylor, ex- member of the Ohio Senate. Eight children have been born to them, five of whom are now living, viz. : Frances M., now Mrs. Milton Sumner, of Defiance; Claude T., associated with his father in the insm-ance office; Fred L., Charles and Ralph M. The deceased were Edith May, aged four years; Nettie May, aged eight months, and Nannie Kate, aged four years.

Silas T. Sutphen, Attorney At Law

The gentleman whose name introduces this sketch was born in Liberty Township, Fairfield County, Ohio, August 28, 1838. At the age of ten years, he removed with his parents on a farm near the village of Baltimore, in the above named township, where the succeeding ten years were spent in assisting his father and brothers in the arduous labor of the farm, and their united efforts resulted in producing one of the finest, best tilled and most profitable farms in that region of country. During the winter months of the period spoken of above, he regularly attended the union schools at Baltimore, and by diligently applying his mind, completed the course of study afforded and was prepared to enter college. In the spring of 1859, he entered the Heidelberg College, at Tiffin, Ohio, and became a member of the Freshman Class. Prom this institution he graduated in 1862, with the second honors of his class, and as a reward for his excellent deportment and the great proficiency he had made in his studies, he was awarded the valedictory address at the commencement exercise of the college for that year. Immediately thereafter, he commenced the study of the law with Judge James Pillars, at Tiffin, and was admitted to the bar of Ohio by the District Court at Fremont, Ohio, June, 1863, and in the same month located and entered upon the practice of his profession at Defiance. In October of the same year, he married Miss Sarah, the daughter of David and Sarah Huss, pioneers of Seneca County, Ohio, who came from Virginia and located upon the present site of the beautiful city of Tiffin, which then could only boast of two or three log houses of the primitive kind. Mr. Sutphen first opened an office in what is now the bar-room of the Empire House, and had his residence in the same building on the upper "floor. Persistent and determined were his efforts to acquire success and standing among the attorneys at the bar before which he practiced, and it was not long before his popularity assumed a prominence that an older disciple of Blackstoue might well have envied. In 1865, he was elected to the mayoralty of Defiance, a position he held two years, and in 1867 was elected Prosecuting Attorney of Defiance County, which office he held six consecutive years, and discharged the duties that pertained thereto fearlessly and to the entire satisfaction of all, irrespective of party. During his terms of office, he encountered several important cases thai involved great interests, and in consequence of which was brought into direct conflict with the best legal talent in Northwestern Ohio. But, without any assistance whatever, he managed all State cases in a manner highly creditable, and proved himself an adversary worthy the mettle of the best advocates at the bar. Always cautious in his movements, and extremely careful in the preparation of his cases, he was able generally to bring about results favorable to the great commonwealth he represented. His tact and ability became noticeable, and he very soon attained to such a standing in his profession that he had no lack of clients, and for more than twelve years he has enjoyed an unusually lucrative practice, and during the time there has scarcely been an important case tried in the county that he has not been engaged in. And as a result of this uniformly good practice, he possesses tangible proof of having accumulated a handsome competency, likewise evrdencing the fact that he has been no drone in the bee-hive of industry. In 1879, he erected a commodious brick residence, in which he now resides, on the corner of Jefferson and First streets, and it is said to be the finest, most elegantly furnished and conveniently arranged residence in the county. It is located on one of the most beautiful sites in the city, and commands an unobstructed view of the Auglaize and Maumee Rivers, Old Fort Defiance, and other more or less picturesque scenery. To Mr. and Mrs. Sutphen have been born four children, viz. : Mary, who died in infancy; Minnie Q., born June 30, 1872; Richard H., born August, 1875; Robert, born September 9, 1880. The latter was a bright and promising little fellow, who died in 1881. Col. R. D. Sutphen, father of our subject, was boru in New Jersey and settled in Fairfield County, Ohio, in an early day. He held several important offices of trust and confidence, and in the palmy days of the Ohio militia was Colonel of one of the finest and best disciplined regiment.s in the State. In person he was tall and erect, of dignified and commanding appearance, firm and resolute, yet perfectly courteous to all ; he won the esteem and confidence of his superiors in rank, and the respect and obedience of his subordinates. Col. Sutphen was married to Sarah Zerkle, a daughter of David Zerkle, one of the pioneers of Fairfield County, Ohio, by whom he had seven children, viz. : Catherine C, who married the late Henry Houk, of Carey, Ohio; Mary Jane, who married Noah Blosser, of Licking County, Ohio, she died in 1862; James Z. and Edward G. , successful merchants at Carey, Ohio; Charles M., an advocate at the Van Wert bar, and David C, a merchant at Pleasantville, Fairfield County, Ohio.

Heney Hardy

was born in Troy, N. Y., June 28, 1831, and immigrated to Ohio with his parents, William and Mary Hardy, when about eleven years of age. This removal interfered with his com-se of study and deprived him of the opportunity of enjoying the advantages of the higher branches of an English education. His parents settled in Oxford Township, Tuscarawas County, where he completed his com-se of study in the common schools of that district. At the age of seventeen years, he became an apprentice to his brother, who was carrying on at the time a tailoring establishment. He completed his trade in eighteen months, and with a new ambition awakened in his breast, he went to Defiance County and settled on a farm in Delaware Township. Here he was married, A. D. 1853, to Miss Mary A. Platter, daughter of George and Elizabeth Platter, of Paulding County, Ohio. To them was born one son, George P., who now is married and resides in the village of Paulding. Mrs. Hardy died in May, 1855. For his second wife Mr. Hardy married Miss Elizabeth Hamilton, in 1858, a daughter of Gavin W. Hamilton, of Orangeville, De Kalb County, Ind., a lineal descendant of Gavin Hamilton, spoken of by the poet Burns in his " Holy Willie's Prayer. " Of this union two children have been born to them, John, who is a telegrapher, and resides in Idaho Territory; Mary, is a teacher in the Union School of Defiance City, residing with her father, No. 28 Wayne street, the old court house in which Chief Justice M, R. Wait delivered his first legal speech. In October, 1857, Mr. Hardy was elected Recorder of the counly and served two terms, six years, and during this time he was made Mayor of this town and studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1860. In October, 1863, he was elected Prosecuting Attorney of the county and served two terms (four years). In 1873, he was elected a member of the House of Representatives of the Sixty-first General Assembly, and in 1877 he was returned to the same body. He is now, 1882, devoting his whole time to his profession; office in Wolsiffer's Block, Defiance, Ohio.

William Carter

was born at Columbus, Chenango County, N. Y., December 15, 1812. He was one of six children. In the year 1818, the family moved to the township of Florence, in Erie County, Ohio, where they settled upon a new farm, two miles from Birmingham. Here he followed the usual life of a farmer's boy, and probably acquired that love of nature which in later years led him to seek relief from the cares and perplexities of professional life in the supervision of his farm near Defiance. He devoted his spare time to books, and obtained much knowledge of history and the classics. Soon after reaching majority, he left the paternal home to seek his fortune. Among his early ventures was that of shipping lumber to Perrysburg, the head of navigation for sailing vessels on the Maumee. Several loads of lumber were disposed of there; and it was upon one of these trips, in the year 1834, that he was induced to visit Fort Defiance. Being pleased with the place, he determined to locate there, and did so the following year. Soon after his arrival, he invested iu a toll bridge across Tiffin River, at Brunersbui-g. About that time, he engaged in keeping a country store at the same place. The store was not recumerative and the bridge was carried away by a freshet. These were severe blows, and Mr. Carter gathered together the remnants of his property, left. Brunersburg for Defiance, where he has since resided. Here he was attended by ill-luck, until being elected Constable, in 1839, he determined to study law, and commenced a course of reading by himself, and later entered the office of Curtis Bates, then practicing law in Defiance. As a student he was more than ordinarily industrious. It was a resolution firmly adhered to through his business life, to learn each day some maxim of law, and as a consequence, he became well grounded in the principles of law. On July 19, 1841, he was admitted to the bar at Napoleon, Ohio, and at once entered practice at Defiance. On October 17, 1855, he was licensed to practice in the Federal Court at Cincinnati. Among his first cases, was one in behalf of some contractors on the canal, against the late Pierce Evans. It was a case which excited much public interest, and being prosecuted to a successful termination by Mr. Carter, gave him a wide notoriety as a careful and discriminating lawyer - a reputation which he retained through life. He was much consulted in matters of intricacy, and seldom failed to unravel the discouraging and perplexing entanglements, in the interest of justice. He was a man of few words, but many thoughts, and as a consequence, he was, in style, terse and pointed. Everything said was well considered before it was spoken, and he was seldom obliged to reconsider a proposition. " He had a varied and lucrative business, extending over Northwestern Ohio, until 1868, wheu he was elected to the Ohio Senate, and withdrew from active practice; though he was occasionally consulted and engaged upon important cases until within a few months of his death, which occurred January 29, 1881. With a thorough knowledge of law, he united a strong sense of justice and sterling integrity. In politics, Mr. Carter was an unflinching Democrat, and labored in season and out of season for the success of principles he cherished dearly. In 1876, he was a delegate from this district to the National Democratic Convention at St. Louis. In the fall of 1839, Mr. Carter married Miss Elizabeth A. Dagget, daughter of Gardner Dagget, OLe of the early pioneers of Defiance County. His wife and four children survive him. Of the latter, the eldest, Emma, resides with her husband. Judge Hooker, at Charlotte, Mich. The others are Florence A. Carter, William Carter, Esq., a lawyer of Defiance, and Elbert E. Carter, connected with the Defiance National Bank, all reside at Defiance.

ri">HE canal system of Northwestern Ohio has J- played a important part in the development of Defiance County. Its two important canals, the Miami & Erie, and the ' Wabash & Erie, unite a few miles above Defiance and thence proceed by a common trunk to Maumee Bay. In the early days, canal projects received the attentioa which has since been given to railroads, but their greater expense made legislative action necessary to secure their construction. As early as 1822, a bill passed the Ohio Legislature, authorizing an examination into the practicability of connecting Lake Erie and the Ohio River by canal, by various routes, among them, by way of the Maumee River. In 1824, a survey was made under the direction of M. T. Williams, of Cincinnati, for many years Acting Canal Commissioner. The survey north to Defiance was for a long distance through an unbroken forest. It was not until June, 1845, that this canal was open for business to Defiance, where it connected with the Wabash & Erie, already constructed.

Maumee Bay in 1828. In 1827, Congress granted to the State of Indiana one-half of five miles in width of the public lands on each side of the proposed canal from Lake Erie to the navigable waters of the Wabash River. This was the first grant of any magnitude made by Congress for the promotion of public works. In 1828, by another act of Congress, a similar cession of land was made to Ohio for extending the Miami Canal from Dayton to the Maumee River at the mouth of the Auglaize, on condition that the work of construction be commenced within five and completed within twenty years. By the same act, Indiana was authorized to relinquish to Ohio her right to lands in Ohio ceded to her for canal purposes, which was afterward done. The breakino- of ground was performed at Port Wayne, March 1, 1832, and completed to the Ohio line in 1840. The State of Ohio, realizing less than Indiana the need of this channel of navigation through her sparse settlement in her northwestern territory was more tardy in providing for its construction. In the spring of 1837, proposals were received at Maiunee for constructing the canal from its eastern terminus, near Manhattan, to the "Head of the RapidH,"and Octo- ber 25, 1837, proposals were received at Defiance for the construction of the remaining part of the line to the Indiana line. The remote situation of the line from well-settled portions of the State, the high price of labor, caused partially by the sickness which prevailed along the course, and the poor prospect for payment retarded the work, which was not completed till the summer of 1843. The completion was duly celebrated at Fort Wayne by the citizens of both States, July 4, 1843, to whom Gen. Lewis Cass delivered an able and classic oration.

Prior to the construction of the canals, the chief mode of. travel through the country was afoot or on horseback, and goods and produce were transported on the rivers chiefly by pirogues and flat-boats. The merchants of Defiance obtained their goods thus from the mouth of the Manmee, whence they had been brought by boat from Buffalo. Sumptuous packets and numerous line boats were then placed on the canals, but their benefits to the country had hardly been realized before the pioneer railroads on all sides diminished the canal trade.