Fairfield County, Ohio - Chapter 11: Bench and Bar, 1912

Chapter 11: Bench and Bar

The Majcst\ of the Laiv - Justice Gray - Wendell Phillips and Rufus Choate - Laivyers of "Ye Olden Times" - Their Fun and Their JVork - The Giants of the Lancaster Bar - None Greater - Sketches of Lawyers and Judges, a I^ong List of Highly Educated and Brilliant Men, Past and Present - Fairfield County Juvenile Court.

The Majesty Of The Law

The law has long been regarded as one of the learned professions. To fully understand and follow its intricate channels, explain its obscure provisions, and maintain its majesty, all the learning and integrity of the best men of the ages are required. Only when the highest scholarship is coupled with integrity and energy, do we see the ideal lawyer.

Every principle of civilized life, and therefore of progress, is based upon the majesty of the law. The majesty of the law can only be maintained by the integrity of judge and jury, and the faithfulness of the advocate. Honesty is no more a jewel in any profession than in tlie law. The widow's mite and the vast estate of the millionaire, the reward of \irtue and the punishment of vice, alike depend upon honesty in the execution of the law. Well has the blind goddess of justice been chosen as her symbol.

The reply of Justice Gray, of the Supreme Court of Massachusetts, to the young lawyer is significant: The young attorney had won the case of his poor client in his home courts, and won it upon its merit. The case was appealed to the Supreme Court of the State, and when the young lawyer arrived upon the scene he learned that the opposition, with wealth at their command, had employed no less distinguished talent than Hon. Benjamin F. Butler. The young man asked a postponement until his client could get equally as strong counsel.

Justice Gray replied : "Young man, go on with your case. If you have justice on your side, you and I can beat all the lawyers in Massachusetts."

Wendell Phillips, the world's most eloquent advocate of human rights, and defender of the majesty of law. thus blasts the reputation of Rufus Choate, in his great fraternity lecture on "Idols," delivered in Bo.ston, October 4, 1859:

"Suppose we stood in that lofty temple of jurisprudence, on either side of us the statutes of the great lawyers of every age and clime, and let us see what part New England - Puritan, educated, free New England - would bear in the pageant. Rome points to a colossal figure and says, 'That is Papinian, who, when the Emperor Caracalla murdered his own brother, and ordered the lawyer to defend the deed, went cheerfully to death rather than sully his lips with the atrocious plea ; and that is Ulpian, who, aiding his prince to put the army below the law, was massacred at the foot of a weak, but virtuous throne.'

"And France stretches forth her grateful hands crying, 'That is D'Aguesseau, worthy, when he went to face an enraged king, of the farewell his wife addressed him - "Go ! forget that you have a wife and children to ruin, and remember .only that you have France to save." '

"England says, 'That is Coke, who flung the laurels of eighty years in the face of the first Stuart, in defense of the people. This is Selden, on every book of whose library you saw written the motto of which he lived worthy, "Before everything, Liberty!" That is Mansfield, silver-tongued, who proclaimed,

" 'This is Romilly. who spent his life trying to make law synonymous with justice, and succeeded in making life and property safer in every city of the empire. And that is Erskine, whose eloquence, spite of Lord Eldon and George III., made it safe to speak and to print.'

In the early days of the administration of justice, there was not such a rush of business that pleasure was entirely crowded out. Most of the legal lights of those days had some accomplishments, in addition to their silvertongued eloquence at the bar, and the hours

The Famous Lancaster Bar

It is not always found in the annals of a city, that its greatest prominence comes from the legal profession. This is pre-eminently the case, however, in regard to Lancaster. Her Bench and Bar attracted national comment, and her leaders were often called to practice in the courts of other states, particularly in New York. Hon. Henry Stanberl-y won a noted case in New York City, and then, because of the treatment he had received at the hands of his opponents, he brought suit for damages against them and won his case, single handed and alone. When a young lawyer he was appointed to defend a man who was accused of stealing a horse. He wished to hold a conversation with his client before the case began, and was given permission to take him to the rear of the building, there being no private room. He asked if he had stolen the horse, and the man replied that he expected they would prove it on him. Young Stanber>-y asked him how long it would take him to run to the woods, about 300 yards distant. The fellow thought he could do it in about one minute. "Try it" said Stanberry, and then returning to the court room alone was asked by the Court "\Miere's your client?" "I've cleared him," said Stanberry.

As attorney-general for the United States he was strong and alert. His masterful logic, power and eloquence and intense earnestness made him a most successful officer. Perhaps his greatest efiforts and most marked success were seen in his remarkable defense of President Johnson during his impeachment trial.

the peers of any lawyers in America, while Hocking H. Hunter, William Irwin, Sherman and Beecher held the standard high in those early days.

The elder Ewing was a giant in physical as well as mental power. Many interesting incidents are related of his great strength, and good will in its use. While engaged in chopping wood, when a mere youth, an itinerant Methodist preacher came along. Recent rains had swollen the stream which must be crossed. The preacher was afraid to risk it. Mr. Ewing placed the man upon his shoulders, led the horse by the bridle and landed them safely on the other side of the stream.

On another occasion after he had been admitted to the bar, on passing the court house, he found a group of men testing their strength by trying to throw an ax over the building. They could not accomplish the feat. Mr. Ewing stopped long enough to take the ax handle in his hand and to send it far above the steeple - then he walked on to attend to his business. His distinguished son, Gen. Thomas Ewing, was for many years a leading lawyer in New York City, and was president of the noted "Ohio Society of New York" for three years - 1886 to 1889. He was one of the founders of that society.

John S. Brasee and Charles D. Martin had a wide practice outside of Lancaster, and many appointive offices were open to them - most of which they declined.

These great names ha\e made famous their day and generation. But they were not alone. There were a large number of brilliant younger men who were active in the practice at the same time and in the years that followed. The Lancaster Bar today is almost equally noted, and her Bench has an enviable reputation for justice and power. We have divided the list into two parts - those who have filled their mission and have been called to report to the Great Judge of aU, and the Bar of today.

John M. Wright was the only son of Silas H. and Katherine M. Wright. He was born in Logan, Ohio, March 13, i860. W'hen he was fourteen years of age, Judge Wright's family moved to Lancaster. John, or "Jack" as he was called, attended our public schools, afterwards entering the Fairfield Academy at Pleasantville, Ohio, where in 1880, he graduated with honor. His father's library and his continuous presence in the courtroom, during his boyhood and early manhood, gave him an inclination towards the law. For several years he combined the management of his father's farm in Rock-Bridge and the study of law, with Martin and McNeil. In the early part of 1882 he was examined in law and admitted to the bar, standing second in a class of fifty. In 1887 he went to Birmingham, Ala., and for nearly a year was engaged in literary and newspaper work. He was called back to Lancaster by the fatal illness of his father. He was married to Miss Angle Oliver, of Circleville, in June, 1888. In 1890 he was elected prosecuting attorney of Fairfield County, serving to the full satisfaction of the public.

clients, prudent and careful in preparing his cases, terse and logical in his pleadings, eloquent and convincing in argument and successful as a lawyer. "Jack" Wright was a man of commanding presence and superior mind. He possessed an excellent voice and strong personal magnetism. He was of an ardent and enthusiastic disposition. He inherited from his distinguished father, literary tastes and tendencies. He had a remarkable command of language, a vivid imagination and great descriptive powers. From early boyhood his productions were numerous. His first publication being a sketch of the life of his venerable friend David Foster, the cabinet maker, for this work "Jack" received six solid handmade chairs. Before his graduation he wrote a poem, which was inspired by a visit to Riven or "Christmas Rocks," which we copy.

"Esmerelda," a romance founded on pioneer life in Lancaster, is also worthy of note. This brilliant young man died at the age of 41, being cut off in the prime of life. He died in 1901, after an illness of two years.

Silas H. Wright was born in Hocking County, Ohio, June 21, 1830. He attended the country schools when a boy. His father, John Wright, was a farmer, but Silas displayed no aptitude for farming; when sent to plow he sat under a tree and read. At the age of thirteen his father placed him with the famous educator. Dr. John Williams, of Greenfield .\cademy. Here he acquired the love and laid the foundation for a student's life. From this school he went to Delaware, where he graduated from the Wesleyan University. Silas Wright then studied law with Judge Van Trump of Lancaster. After his admission to the bar, he settled in Muscatine, Iowa. After remaining one year, he returned to Ohio, and began the practice of law in Logan. He was twice elected prosecuting attorney of Hocking County. In 1S58 he married ]\Iiss Kate Moore of Newark, daughter of John Moore, owner of the famous old Mary Ann furnace. In 1866 he was elected Judge of the Common Pleas Court of Hocking, Perry and Fairfield counties. In 1874 Judge Wright moved his family to Lancaster. He served upon the bench continuously for over twenty-one years, having been elected for a fifth term. Judge Wright's life was an open book, his nature as frank, free and familiar as the beautiful sunshine he loved so well. He had a deep, inborn, earnest love for nature, including everything animate and inanimate, made by the master of the universe. He was a man of kindly, social nature, his instincts were all for and with the people. He felt as if all men were brothers and as such were entitled to receive due respect and attention, irrespective of race, condition, color or creed. He was instinctively broad and democratic in his views, generous in judgment, boyish in his vivacity, frank in his faults, spotless in his honesty, strong in his attachments, true to his friends and forgiving to his enemies. Judge Wright was not only a jurist, but he was also a man of fine literary taste, and was all his life a student. He possessed a large and well selected library, was a careful reader and was endowed with a most retenti\'e memory. He was the author of a number of poems and prose articles, which appeared in the papers and magazines of the day, notable among them is "Bound and Unbound," "The Persimmon," "Hills of Hocking," together with many memorial addresses and orations. His oration on the life and death of his old friend and teacher Dr. Williams and upon the death of Thomas Ewing, Sr., are worthy of note. Doubtless had Judge \\'right devoted his time and talents exclusively to writing, he would have occupied a place in the literary world possessed by few. Judge Wright was one of the founders, workers and first trustees of our public library. He was deeply interested in its welfare from the day it was established until his death which occurred at his home (located on the lot where our new postoffice now stands) in November of 1887.

Edson Lee Shaw was born in West Rushville, Ohio, Jan. 15, 186 1, and was the son of Mr. and Mrs. John W. Shaw. His boyhood days were spent on his father's farm, attending the village school until 17 years old, when he began teaching. After several years as instructor of township schools he spent three years at Ann Arbor University, afterward taking up the study of law, and graduating from the Cincinnati Law School in 1885.

Miss Annie Wright, second daughter of Judge Silas H. Wright. Three sons were born to them : Silas Wright, Leland Moore and Rhoderick Reese (twins).

Edson Shaw was a young man of perseverance and ambition, and anything he undertook was pushed to the front. He engaged in abstracting, and made the Fairfield County abstract. He also published a city and county map which proved of great value. He founded the Fairfield County Democrat. He was elected Clerk of Courts and immediately set to work straightening out records and classifying the papers on iile in the clerk's office. His efforts were greatly appreciated by the attorneys and those having business in that office. He was elected for a second term.

He originated and had copyrighted a complete form of abstract which was unique in idea, embracing the whole United States. He was of a cheerful disposition and was a friend of all classes. His death occurred Feb. 24. 1899, at the age of 38 years, having been stricken with apoplexy, while on duty at his office of Clerk of Court.

General Philoman Beecher came from Litchfield, Ct., in 1 80 1. He opened a law office at once and in 1803 he was elected a member of the Ohio Legislature. In 1818 he was elected to Congress and served for seven years. He died 1839 aged sixty-four years.

Elijah B. Merwin came from Vermont and commenced the practice of law in 1804. He represented his county in the Legislature 1808: moved to Zanesville, 1815. He married a sister of Mrs. Elnathan Scofield of Lancaster.

Legislature. In 1810 he was elected Judge of the Supreme Court of Ohio, and in 1828 was elected to Congress; was several times a member of the General Assembly. He died March 27, 1842.

Charles Robert Sherman was born in Norwalk, Ct., May 26, 1788; admitted to the bar, 1810. He came to Lancaster in 181 1. He was Internal Revenue Collector (July, 1817) for four years. In 1823 he was elected Supreme Judge of Ohio. He died June 24, 1829, aged forty-one years.

Henry Stanberry, born in New York City in 1803, came to Zanesville with his parents in 1814. He was educated at Washington College, Pa. ; read law in Zanesville, and was admitted to practice in Gallipolis, O. He was in partnership with Thomas Ewing. In 1846 he was elected Attorney General of Ohio, and served for five years. He moved to Columbus in 1850 and was a member of the Constitutional Convention from Franklin County. Later he moved to Cincinnati. He was Attorney General of the United States in 1866, in President Johnson's Cabinet ; he resigned to defend the President during his trial for impeachment. He died while on a visit to New York City, in 1883, aged eighty years.

Thomas Ewing eame to Ohio - fpom near Wheeling in 1789. He came to Lancaster in 181 5 and commenced the study of law with Phil^mefn Beecher and was admitted to the bar in 181 6. He was prosecutor for Fairfield County from 181 7 to 1830. He formed a partnership in 1824, with Henry Stanbery. In t&te he went to the U. S. Senate and served six years. In 1841 he was Secretary of the Treasury under President Harrison. In 1849 he was Secretary of the Interior under President Taylor. He was appointed to fill the vacancy of Senator from Ohio, caused by the

John Trafford Brasee was bom in Hillsdale, Columbia Co., N. Y., in '1800. He came to Ohio about 1819; graduated from the Ohio University at Athens. He read law with the Hon. Joseph Dana, of Athens, Ohio, and was admitted to the bar in 1826. He began the practice of law in Gallipolis, where he remained for seven years. He moved to Lancaster in 1833 and practiced until his retirement in i860. He was State Senator for one term, and died in October, 1880.

Hocking H. Hunter was born in 1801. He studied law in the office of Wm. W. Irvin and was admitted in 1824. He was prosecuting attorney of Fairfield from 1830 to 1836. He was for many years, the law partner of Michael A. Daugherty. Vi V

William Medill, born 1802 in Delaware, came to Lancaster, 1832. In 1835-36-37 he was a member of Ohio Legislature from Fairfield. He served two terms in Congress, 1839- 43. He was assistant Postmaster General under President Polk, and later was made Commissioner of Indian Affairs. He was a member of Ohio Constitutional Convention in 1850 and was elected president of that body; lieutenant governor of Ohio in 185 1, and was elected governor in 1854. He was ap- - pointed Comptroller of the U. S. Treasury by James Buchanan. He died, 1865.

William J. Reese was born in Philadelphia, August 3, 1804. He came to Lancaster in 1827, moved back to PTiiladelphia in 1843. He was Brigadier General of the Ohio Militia. He was Secretary of Fund Commission, State of Ohio, for several years. He died in Lancaster, Dec. 17, 1883.

Michael A. Daugherty was bom in Maryland. He came to Ohio and became the law partner of William Irvin. Later he was the partner of Hocking H. Hunter. He was State Senator, 1870 1872, and served with John Scofield Brasee on the Codifying Commission, 1 876- 1 880. He moved to Columbus.

Henry C. WTiitman was a lawyer from - Washington City, 1843, ^'''^ was the law partner of William Medill. He was State Senator in 1849, and was at one time Common Pleas Judge. He moved to Cincinnati.

Morton Elnathan Brasee read law with his father, John T. Brasee. He went to Columbus and was the partner of George K. Nash. He died in 1870.

H. H. Geisey was born Feb. 17, 1836. He studied law with the Hon. John T. Brasee; was admitted to the bar and practiced here before the Civil War. He fell in the battle of Dallas, at the age of twenty-eight years.

John Himter studied law with his father, Hon. H. H. Hunter. He practiced for some years with his father, but later moved to Utah Territory and was chief justice there for several years. He died and is buried in Salt Lake City.

Charles G. Hood was born in Lancaster in 1845. He read law with M. A. Daugherty, and was admitted to the bar. He died in Butte, Montana in 1899.

Edward Hunter studied law with his father, Hon. H. H. Hunter and was admitted to the bar at the age of twenty-one years. The next year he went to California, where he practiced some time but returned to Lancaster and became a partner of his father. He later bets

John D. Martin was born Jan. 7, 1819. He read law with John Trafford Brasee and practiced in Lancaster for ten or twelve years, when he retired from the profession and became a prominent business man.

John M. Creed was a lawyer of Lancaster. He was Speaker of the Ohio House in 1835, and in 1840 he was a delegate to the National Whig Convention, at Harrisburg.

James Smith, a cousin of Benj. Smith, read law with the Hon. John T. Brasee and later went to Minnesota where he became a prominent lawyer and wealthy citizen of St. Paul.

Robert F. Slaughter, born in Virginia, went first to Kentucky and in 1796 went to Chillicothe, Ohio. He came to Lancaster about 1800. He was appointed Common Pleas Judge in 1805. He was elected to the Ohio Legislature. 181 7-19-2 1-23-24. He was prosecuting attorney for the county for four years ; was a member of Ohio Senate, 1810-11, also 1827- 1831. He died October, 1846, aged ^6 years.

Benjamin Smith was a member of Ohio Legislature 1813-1815 and moved to Charleston, West Virginia about 1820, where he became a prominent lawyer and politician.

Thomas U. White, attorney came from Philadelphia to Lanca.ster in 1827. He was appointed County Auditor upon the death of Edmund B. Thompson. He was postmaster

John M. Connell was born in 1828. After his admission to the Bar he moved to Indiana. In 1 85 5 he came back to Wooster, where he remained for a few months and then came to Lancaster. In 1857 he was chief clerk to William Medill, comptroller of the treasury. He was electel Colonel of the 17th Ohio Regiment in 1 86 1, but resigned in 1863 to become State Senator. He was U. S. Revenue Assessor from 1866 to 1869, and died April 17, 1882.

Col. Van Trump was born Nov. 15, 1810. He was Common Pleas judge in October, 1862, and member of Congress, 1867-73. He was nominated for governor in 1857. In 1838 he was a partner of Henry Stanberry. He died in 1874.

Newton Schleich was in partnership with Chas. D. Martin. He was appointed one of the three Brigadier-Generals to command Ohio troops during the three month's service. At the expiration of that time he recruited and commanded the 6ist Ohio regiment.

Charles Borland, came to Ohio from Rockingham Co., Va., in the 30's. He was elected clerk of the Ohio House of Representatives in 1839, and was appointed inspector of land offices, 1849. He abandoned his profession years before his death. He was Deputy Sheriff in 1841, under Thos. Eddingfield.

William T. Wise was admitted to the Bar in 1857. Before he began the study of law he was in business in Lancaster, firm name being (1846), Wise and Hilliard. He came from Rushville.

County, Ohio. He was a citizen of Lancaster in 1857; studied law with Henry Stanberry and Col. Van Trump. He formed a partnership with R. M. Clarke. He was prosecuting attorney for several terms. He died in Nevada.

William Dade, was a son of Ex. Gov. Dade, of Vermont. He was a partner of William Medill in 1840. He moved to Cleveland in 1850 and held some foreign appointment under the United States Government.

J.ohn Scotield Brasee, was born in Gallipolis, Ohio, August 19, 1832 and was brought to Lancaster in 1833. He spent two years at Greenfield Academy, one year at Milnor Hall, Gambler, and graduated from Kenyon College, 1852, with the degree of A. B. and afterward received the degree of M. A. from the same college. He read law with his father, John T. Brasee, and was admitted to practice in 1854. He was first president of the Ohio and West Virginia R. R., now a part of the Hocking Valley Railroad. He was appointed a member of the Codifying Commission, 1876- 1880, and was General Solicitor for more than forty years for the C. & M. V. R. R., now a part of the Pennsylvania system. He died February 23, 1905.

Charles D. Martin, born in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, Aug. 5, 1829. He read law with John D. Martin and was admitted to the Bar in 1850. He was elected to Congress in 1858, and served two years; was appointed a member of the Supreme Court Commission, 1883, for the term of two years. He died August law with Hon. John S. Brasee. He removed to Columbus, where he continued in the profession until his death, which occurred in 1904. Silas H. Wright, born in Hocking County, Ohio, June 21, 1850; studied law with Col. Van Trump. He lived in Logan and was twice elected prosecuting attorney for Hocking County. In 1866 he was elected Common Pleas judge for the counties of Perry, Hocking and Fairfield, and served for twenty-one years. He came to Lancaster in 1874, and died in 1887, aged fifty-six years.

Alfred McVeigh served one term as State Senator during the war. In 1862 he was a delegate to the great Union State Convention, held in Columbus and was accidentally killed near \\'inchester, Ohio, by the over turning of a stage coach.

Edson Lee Shaw, spent three years at Ann Arbor LTniversity and afterward went to the Cincinnati Law School, graduating in 1885. He then came to Lancaster and was elected City Solicitor. He was later elected Clerk of Courts, and while serving his second term, he was stricken with apoplexy, and died Feb. 24, 1899.

John M. Wright, graduated from the Pleasantville Academy in 1880. He studied law with Martin and McNeil, and was admitted to practice in 1882. He was elected prosecuting attorney in 1890; died in 1901.

John Trafford Brasee. graduated from Kenyon College with the degree of A. B. in 1882. He read law with his father, John Scofield Brasee; was admitted to practice in 1885. He entered into partnership with his father, which continued until he was appointed deputy state commissioner of insurance for Ohio, by Gov. George K. Nash in August, 1900. He served continuously in this capacity under Govs. Nash, Herrick, Pattison, Harris and Harmon until Sept. I, 191 1. Mr. Brasee is now in Cleveland, and is president of the Cleveland National Fire Insurance Company.

George E. Martin went to Wittenberg College, Springfield, Ohio, and to Heidelberg University; admitted to the Bar, 1883; was Common Pleas judge, and has recently been appointed judge of Customs Court of Appeals by Pres. Wm. H. Taft. He has moved to Washington.

Arthur I. Vorys, attended the public schools in Lancaster and spent one year in the Ohio State University. He studied la,w in the office of Hon. John S. Brasee and was admitted to the bar in 1879. He served two terms as City Solicitor. He was appointed commissioner of insurance in 1900 by Gov. Nash to fill an unexpired term. He was again appointed by Gov. Nash in 1902, and by Gov. Herrick in 1905. In 1907 Mr. Vorys resigned to take cliarge of the Taft campaign. He is now a member of the law firm of Vorys, Seymour, Safer & Pees of Columbus, Ohio.

Geo. W. Steinman, studied law with Geo. E. Martin and was admitted to practice in 1900. He practiced a short time in Lancaster. He was appointed chief clerk in the State Insurance Department, and served under Govs. Nash, Herrick, Pattison and Harmon. He is at present Comptroller of the Midland Life Insurance Co.

from Kenyon College, and was rector of the Episcopal church here. He later read law in the office of Hon. John S. Brasee, was admitted to the practice, but remained in the profession only a few months. He retired and became associated with the Hocking Valley Manufacturing Co., and became its president a few years later.

Virgil E. Shaw was elected probate judge by the Know-nothing Party. In 1856 he was chainnan of the Republican Committee. He later became a Democrat.

A. Reese Eversole, practiced law in Lancaster for a few years when he retired from the profession to become Editor of the Fairfield County Republican.

John D. McCormick, was bom in Cincinnati, O., Feb. 27, 1848. He graduated from Notre Dame University, June, 1872, with the degree of Bachelor of Science. He studied law with Kinnis Fritter and was admitted to the practice, 1875. Mr. McCormick also received the degree of Master of Science from Notre Dame. He was elected mayor of Lancaster in 1877 and prosecuting attorney in 1880. He died Sept. 23, 1881.

George Washington Alfred, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Feb. 22, 1837. He attended the University at Athens, read law with the Hon. ^Villiam Medill of Lancaster, and was admitted to the Bar about i860. After about two years he went to Salina, Mercer County, where he remained until 1865. He then went to Hocking County and was elected probate judge in 1866 and served two terms. He remained in Hocking County until 1880, when he came to Lancaster and lived here until 1887. He then went to Columbus for three years but returned to Lancaster in 1900, at which place he continued in the practice of his profession until his death, which occurred March 17, 1909.

Tallman Slough read law in the office of Robert Clarke and was admitted to the bar in i860. In 1 86 1 he was elected City Solicitor and in 1862 he was elected Prosecuting Attorney and served two terms. He was elected Mayor of Lancaster in 1867 and served four temis. He was elected Common Pleas judge and died during his incumbency.

John Garaghty was for many years the partner of Hocking H. Hunter. He served as Mayor of the City in 1848-49. He later removed to Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Harry Kemmerer Beck, was admitted to practice in 1895. He graduated from the Georgetown University in 1895. He practiced law for about ten years in Washington, D. C, and returned to Lancaster in 1904. Mr. Beck is at present the Cashier of the Fairfield National Bank.

Mr. James Miller practiced law in Lancaster in partnership with his brother Mr. George Miller, but later moved to Los Angeles, California where he now lives.

Mr. H. C. Drinkle secured his education in the public schools of Lancaster, except a very short period at the Ohio University at Athens in 1866. He read law with the late Judge John Scofield Brasee, one of the greatest lawyers ever at the Lancaster Bar, and was admitted to practice Sept., 1869. He was elected city solicitor of Lancaster, Ohio, in 1873, aiid reelected for three additional terms of two years each, eight consecutive years. In January, 1876, he was elected one of the sergeants-at-arms of the Ohio Senate, and served two years. The democrats carried the Senate the next session by one majority. In April, 1883 he was elected Mayor of the City of Lancaster, and served only one term of two years, declining a re-election. In 1889 he was appointed deputy internal revenue assessor for Fairfield, Hocking and Perry Counties, serving four years when the office was abolished. On January 8th, 1900 he was appointed probate judge by Gov. Bushnell to fill a vacancy caused by the death of the then Judge William A. Shultz, and served until the following November election - a little more than eleven months. Mr. Drinkle continued in the practice of the law until September i, 1910, when he was appointed postmaster of the City of Lancaster by President Taft, upon the recommendation of Congressman Albert Douglas, and Hon. Arthur I. Vorys. He died April 4. 1912.

He was a farmer's boy. He attended Kenton High School and VermilHon Academy in Ashland County, a Presbyterian school, which is now superseded by W'ooster University. He taught school fourteen years, was principal of Kenton High School for two years; Lancaster High School, three years; and superintendent of Waverly, Ohio, schools for seven years. He read law with George D. Cole, of Waverly, Ohio, and was admitted to the practice in 1S78, and practiced at the Pike County bar until 1891, when he removed to Lancaster, Ohio. In 1894, because of ill health, he gave up practice and has since been the general agent of the American Book Company, traveling in this and other states.

John K. Henry was for a few years a member of this Bar, but for many years has been actively engaged in the practice of law in Columbus, Ohio.

The Bar Of Today

William A. Davidson graduated from Lancaster High School in 1867; Ohio Wesleyan University, June, 1871 ; studied law with Martin and McNeil; admitted to bar 1873; has been practising in Lancaster ever since.

Thomas Hanby Dolson, admitted to Bar Dec. II, 1873; fonned partnership with Levi Hite, under firm name of Hite & Dolson, which continued for ten years; prosecuting attorney 1876-78 and appointed to fill out unexpired term of John D. McCormick. He is one of the strong members of the bar.

Ben R. Dolson, bom March 13, 1879; graduated from Lancaster High School 1898; graduated from Ohio State University 1903, with degree of Bachelor of Philosophy; studied law in office of his father, Thomas H. Dolson; was admitted to the bar in 1905. November, 1905 he was elected City Solicitor and served two terms until Jan. i, 1910.

Charles Dickinson Brasee, read law in the office of his father John Scofield Brasee; was admitted to practice in 1903, and has practiced in Lancaster ever since.

Joseph S. Sites, studied law with Hunter & Daugherty; was admitted to practice in 1874, and entered into partnership with Tallman Slough, for two years ; graduated from Fairfield Union Academy, 1870, and from Ohio State University, 1872; superintendent of Public Schools at Dresden, 1873- 1874; elected to State Senate 1906 and served three years; member of City Council for eight consecutive years and was president of that body part of the time.

Augustus W. Mithoff graduated from Lancaster High School in June, 1889. He studied law under Charles D. Martin; was admitted to the bar in March, 1897. He was associated with Judge Martin from the time of his admission until the death of Judge Martin in August, 191 1.

Edward C. Rutter, admitted to bar 1893; had common school education; was elected probate judge in 1890, and served as such two terms 1891 to 1897; has been in practice since 1897.

Frank M. Acton graduated from the Lancaster High School in June, 1900. He read law in the office of Chas. W. McCleery and was admitted to practice in 1903 ; served as city solicitor and was prosecuting attorney of Fairfield County.

of Irvine Dungan and J. K. McClung of Jackson, Ohio; graduated, O. S. U., 1895; admitted to practice 1898; came to Lancaster from Jackson in 1901 ; has been secretary Pubhc Service Commission since June, 1909.

John Harvard Littrell, born in Greenfield Township, Fairfield Co., Ohio; graduated from the public schools of Pleasant Township ; began the study of law June 6, 1900, with J. S. Sites; was appointed clerk at the Boys Industrial School by D. M. Barrett, Apr. i, 1892 ; resigned Jan. i, 1893, and resumed the study of law in ofifice of H. C. Drinkle; admitted to bar June, 1895.

Charles Clayton Pickering read law with W. H. Lane, of Franklin County; admitted June, 1887; practiced three years at Canal Winchester; came to Lancaster, 1890, and formed partnership with his brother, James T. Pickering. He graduated from Ohio Wesleyan L^niversity in 1883.

James Tivis Pickering studied law with W. H. Lane of Franklin County; was admitted to the bar January, 1888. He practiced two years at Pickerington and came to Lancaster, 1900, where he formed a partnership with his brother, C. C. Pickering. He graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University, 1883, and was postmaster at Lancaster from 1898 until 19 10.

George Washington Moss read law with George E. Martin and was admitted Dec. 7, 1901. He was a member of the Board of Elections for eight years. He moved to Lancaster in 1892 from near Carroll.

Brooks E. Shell was educated at the O. W. University; studied law with George E. Martin; was admitted to the bar in Denver, Col., in Jan., 191 1. He was police prosecutor at Denver, 1895-1897; has practiced in Lancaster since 1898.

John G. Reeves, was admitted to practice, May 19, 1865; was admitted to practice in the District and Circuit Courts of U. S. at Cincinnati, in 1880 and in the Supreme Court of the U. S., at Washington, D. C, 1885. He was elected Common Pleas judge and is the present incumbent. A strong lawyer and worthy judge.

W. T. McClenaghan was admitted to practice in the state of Michigan, in 1880 and Ohio in 1 88 1. When he came to Lancaster, he entered the law office of Hon. C. D. Martin.

James W. Deffenbaugh was born in Perry Township, Hocking County, Ohio. He taught school from 1892 until 1902 ; began to study law under Judge I. N. Abernethy of Circleville, Ohio, and finished his course of law in the Ohio Northern University; was admitted to the Bar in December, 1902, and began to practice in Laurelville. He came to Lancaster in 1905 and has practiced here ever since.

James A. Tobin was admitted to practice by the Supreme Court of Ohio in 1881. He came to Lancaster in 1884 and has practiced here ever since.

George Ewing was admitted to the bar in May, 1888. He attended school at St. Vincent College, Westmoreland County, Pa. He graduated from the Cincinnati Law School in May, 1888; commenced to practice in Lancaster in 1889; was in partnership with his brother Fenwick from 1893 until 1898; has been a member of State Board of Pardons from 1895 until the present time.

Fenwick Ewing was admitted to the bar in 1903. He was in partnership with his brother George for some years. He now lives in Granville, Ohio.

Michael A. Daugherty is an active member of the profession here, and has been here many years. He is also prominent in political life and is widely known over the state.

Leroy G. Silbaugh was admitted to the bar Oct. 5, 1893. He came to Lancaster July 7, 1895; was elected Mayor of Lancaster 1901- 1903. He is a member of the Board of Education and the Board of Review. Mr. Silbaugh read law with Gen'l. Enochs of Ironton, Ohio.

Thurman Courtright came to Lancaster in igo2. He read law with Judge Reeves, and later completed the Law Course at the Ohio State University in 1900. He was elected prosecutor in November, 1908 and is the present incumbent of that office.

W. Stanley of Lebanon, Ohio, and was admitted to the bar in 1898. He came to Lancaster in 1907, and was appointed Clerk of the County Commissioners and is still acting in that capacity.

Alexander Brown Kiefaber was born in Oakland, Fairfield County, Ohio , in 1857. He was justice of the peace in Clear Creek and Amanda townships for eleven years; postmaster at Oakland, seven years; county school examiner, six years; probate judge, six years. He was educated in the common schools and the National Normal University of Lebanon, Ohio, where he took the degrees of Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts. He read law with John G. Reeves of Lancaster, Ohio; was admitted to practice in the Ohio State Courts on October 8, 1891 and in the Federal Courts on December 5, 1898. He is president of the Sinking Fund Trustees of the City of Lancaster, Ohio, and is practicing law in that city at the present time.

Geo. Strode Cunningham, came to Lancaster in 1880 and attended the public schools. In 1 88 1 he went to the Ohio State University and graduated from there in 1885. He read law with Martin & McNeil and later spent two years in the Cincinnati Law School, graduating from there in 1887. He was in partnership for several years with the late Edson L. Shaw. He was Mayor of Lancaster for two years.

Charles Edman Ruble came to Lancaster from North Berne in 1900. He read law with George E. Martin and was admitted to the Bar in December, 1901.

Lancaster, later attending Dennison University and in 1873 he was graduated from Amherst College with the degree of A. B. He was admitted to the Bar in 1874 and has been practicing in Columbus since that time. Though his professional life has been spent entirely in the capital city Fairfield County claims him as one of her distinguished sons.

John K. Henry, an attorney practicing at the Columbus bar, is a native of Fairfield County, born in Rush Creek township in 1859. He graduated from Muskingum College in the class of 1880, read law in Fairfield County and served for a time in the county clerk's office. He was admitted to practice in 1892, soon after which he located in Columbus, O., where he is now engaged in the practice of his profession.

William Davidson, a member of the Lancaster bar, was born in Licking County, Ohio in 1850. He graduated from Delaware College in 1 87 1. In 1873 he was admitted to the bar and has been in active practice in Lancaster ever since.

Hon. Hem-y Clay Drinker, the present postmaster of Lancaster, O., was educated in the public schools of this city and for some years was employed in the office of the Lancaster Gazette. He studied law under the Hon. John S. Brasee and was admitted to the bar in September, 1869. He gave up his law practice on being appointed to his present office. His death occurred Apr. 4, 191 2.

Hon. Elijah F. Holland, probate judge of Fairfield County, O.. now ser\'ing in his second official term has been a member of the Ohio ba-r for almost forty years. He was born at Baltimore, O., in 1845. After serving in the Civil war he taught school for a time. He then studied law under Judge Brasee and was admitted to the bar of Fairfield county in 1872, becoming one of its leading members. In 1900 he settled in Lancaster and in 1905 was elected to the bench, in which position he has proved himself a man of large capacity.'

Charles Bell Whiley was a student at the Ohio State University, 1882-3. ^^ ^^^'^ l^w with Hon. George E. Martin and has been engaged in its practice in Lancaster. He is now (1912) cashier of the "Farmers & Citizens Bank."

The Bench

The Bench of Fairfield County has been quite as noted as its Bar, though the number of distinguished men has not been so large. These judges have been clear logical reasoners with a desire for justice, based upon a wide and accurate knowledge of the law.

The list of judges as here given is as nearly complete as it is possible to obtain from the records, which are not at all times clear or full. The courts, and the districts have been changed by the Legislature quite frequently, which is the cause in part for the condition of the records.

Common Pleas Judges

The Common Pleas Judges elected April 6, 1802 were Wm. W. Irwin, Samuel Carpenter and Daniel Van Meter. Irwin was impeached by the senate for neglect of duties Jan. 6, 1806.

In January, 1833, David Ewing was elected associate judge; in January, 1835, Joseph Stukey; in January, 1838, John Graybill; in the session of 1840, David Ewing; in the session of 1842, Joseph Stukey.

Court Of Common Pleas Since 185I

Common Pleas districts 1901, as fixed by the General Assembly under its constitutional powers by act of January, 1879 - 7^^ District, 1st Sub-division.

The Juvenile Court was organized in this county on the ist day of January, A. D., 1909, by the appointment- by the Common Pleas judges of this sub-division of the probate judge of this county, E. F. Holland, as the judge of the Juvenile Court. S. Theodore Shaeiifer was, on said day, appointed by the juvenile judge as chief probation officer, and Miss Ethel Shaeffer was appointed assistant probation officer.

This is a most important court. It puts into the hands of the judge the care and keeping of the wayward and unfortunate youth of the county, who are soon to become citizens with all the rights and powers of citizenship. The judge should have a great heart and a deep insight into human nature. He can make or ruin the ward under his charge. He must be, for Fairfield County, all that Judge Ben Lindsay has been for the city of Denver, or Judge Samuel L. Black for the City of Columbus. The Common Pleas judges of this sub-division made no mistake when they appointed E. F. Holland as Juvenile Judge. He is a man of keen intellect and generous impulse. He is a true father to the erring boy and a wise advisor for the helpless orphan. His high Christian character and honorable career mark him as one of Fairfield's most worthy sons.