Scioto County, Ohio - Chapter 4: Scioto County in the Legislature, 1903 (part 3 of 3)

Charles Ellsworth Hard, the son of William and Tryphena (McMullen) Hard, was born at Haverhill, Ohio, January 21st, 1864. His parents removed to Portsmouth in 1869. He was educated in the public schools, graduating with one of the honors in the Class of 1882. He engaged in bookkeeping under George D. Selby and J. J. Rardin until 1888, when he entered the law office of Judge J. W. Bannon. Admitted to the bar in 1889, he soon after became a partner with Hon. A. C. Thompson, now United States District Judge, in the firm of Thompson and Hard. He served as Secretary of the Board of Trade for two years. In 1892, he was appointed United States Commissioner by Judge Taft. He organized Company "H", Fourteenth (later Fourth) Infantry, O. N. G., serving as First Lieutenant and Captain. He is a member of the Elks and'a charter member of Magnolia Lodge, Knights of Pythias. In 1893, he was elected Representative from this County on the Republican ticket, defeating Hon. R. H. Hayman by a majority of 1,011. In 1895, he was re-elected, defeating Edward K. Walsh by a majority of 2,274. He was the author of the Collateral Inheritance Tax Law, Express Company Excise Tax Law, Foreign Corporation Franchise

Fee Law, and aided materially in solving the financial and taxation problems, then before the State, by his service%on the Finance and Taxation committees. He was the author of many other important measures, one making many needed improvements in the Australian ballot law, giving the franchise practically an educational qualification. He also secured the passage of a resolution declaring for the election of United States Senators, by direct vote of the people. Of Mr. Hard's legislative service, Governor McKinley, among other complimentary things, in the campaign of 1895, in the last speech he ever delivered in Portsmouth, said: "I watched him in his first term in the City of Columbus, and I want to say to his friends and neighbors and constituents that no more earnest, faithful, honest and painstaking legislator was in our legislative counsels at Columbus."

He was a member of the Republican State Central Committee in 1895, and its Secretary in 1896. He was Chairman of the Republican County Committee in both the McKinley presidential campaigns of 1896 and 1900 when the record breaking votes in Scioto County of 5,496 and 5,756 were gotten out. In January, 1897, Mr. Hard retired from the legal profession and became editor of the Portsmouth Blade, which underwent a complete reorganization at that time. He ment which has resulted in eliminating personal journalism from the local press and placing it upon its high and proper plane. Since the expiration of his legislative terms he has sought no other office for himself, but few men have been more active and successful in politics for the advancement of the welfare of their friends.

was born October 5th, 1861, in Nile Township, Scioto County, Ohio. His father was George S. McCormick, and his mother's maiden name was Nancy Fleak. His grandfather, James McCormick, was a native of Pennsylvania. Our subject spent two years at the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio, and afterwards, four years at the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio. After the completion of his college course, he became a law student of the Hon. Thomas E. Powell, of Delaware, Ohio, and graduated from the Cincinnati Law School in 1886. While studying law in Cincinnati, Ohio, he was in the office of Cowen and Ferris, Attorneys, the Ferris being Judge Howard Ferris, of the Probate Court of Hamilton County. Mr. McCormick was admitted to practice in 1886, and removed to Indianapolis, Indiana, where he became manager of the R. G. Dun & Company, Commercial Agency. He continued his employment and resided there seven years. He removed to Portsmouth, Scioto County, Ohio, in January, 1895. He was elected, as a Republican, in 1897, to represent Scioto County in the House of Representatives, and served from January 2nd, 1897 to April 8th, 1898.

Hon. Chandler J. Moulton

He was re-elected in 1899 and served from January 3rd, 1900, to April 27th, 1901. In the House, he served on the Committees on Municipal Affairs, Corporations, Military Affairs, and Public Works. | He was married to Miss Anne Corrille Scarlett, daughter of Joseph A. Scarlett, manager of R. G. Dun's Commercial Agency in Cincinnati, on the 3ist of December, 1885. They have one daughter, Corrille, now a student in St. Mary's School in Columbus. Mr. McCormick had been a Democrat until 1897, but then became a Republican of the stalwart type. He is a man of liberal views and ideas. He is an excellent lawyer, and his friends think he ought to eschew politics and confine himself to the law. However, as a politician, he has been quite successful, and bids fair to be one of the prominent men of the State. He is one of the handsomest men of the state. He is very active and energetic in anything he undertakes. Chandler Julius Moulton was born December 26th, 1839, at Randolph, Orange County, Ver- 'mont. His father's name was Norman Moulton, and his mother's maiden name was Mary Belknap. His grandfather's name was John Moulton, who was a Revolutionary Soldier. Our subject came to- Scioto County in March, 1848, by way of the Erie Canal. His parents came with him and located at Lucasville, and he has been there ever since. He had a common school education. In 1857 and 1858, -he attended the Ohio Wesleyan College at Delaware. He then spent six or seven years in agricultural pursuits. In 1867, he went into the mercantile business, which he has been engaged in ever since. In September 1876, he married Miss Mary Celia Smith, daughter of the late Judge John M. Smith, of West Union, Ohio. They have had the following children: Frank, a graduate of the Ohio University at Athens, and of the Cincinnati Law School; he is now practising law with N. W. Evans, of Portsmouth, Ohio; Arthur, in the mercantile business with his father; Mabel and Jennie at home; John attending school at Kenyon Military Academy; and Earl. Mr. Moulton has always been a Republican. He was Chairman of the Republican County Executive Committee twice; the last time being in 1896. He has been a member of the Republican County Central Committee for six or eight years, at different times. He was elected Representative of the County. in the Legislature in 1900, by a vote of 4,352 to 2,405 for Doctor James B. Ray, his opponent. He has been a successful merchant and his integrity, perseverance and industry has secured him a high position in the community of his residence. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, a Mason and Knight Templar. He is a man of commanding influence in business and in politics in his township, and county; and his advice is sought and followed on those subjects. He has no sharp corners, and is liked by all his neighbors. He takes everything easy and does not worty about anything. Job could have taken lessons of him and improved his book.