Summit County, Ohio - Chapter 19, 1908 (part 1 of 2)

Chapter 19

Prior to the erection of Suiniiiit County, about the year 1838 or 1839, there were comparatively few lawyers in the city of Akron. Those who were here, were required to attend the courts in Ravenna, Medina and Canton, which were then the county seats of Portage, Medina and Stark Counties. The county of Summit was, in fact, made up by taking a number of townships from each of the counties named.

Among the earliest practitioners who had established themselves in the little town of Akron, were some of the old pioneer advocates who have long since passed away.

The completion of the Ohio Canal about the year 1827, and the subsequent junction at Akron of the Pennsylvania and Ohio Canal brought the town of Akron into great prominence, as there were practically no railroads at that time in the state, and the opening of these canals, opened water-ways for the tran.sportation of produce to the cities of Cleveland, Pittsburg and Cincinnati.

Quite a number of lawyers came to Akron who had previously located at Ravenna, and among the earliest lawyers of that time may be mentioned Gregory Powers, Rufus P. Spaulding, Seneca and Alvin Hand, John C Singletery, Van R. Humphrey, David K. Carter, George Bliss and others, who came in later years.

Later on the General Assembly of this sitate enacted a law, authorizing suits against water craft by name, and as the canal was then in full tide of prosperity, and there being a con-

(stant procession of boats in use, a large amount of litigation in the way of collections, damage suits and otherwise resulted, and this class of business occupied a considerable portion of the time of the court.

In those earlier years, following the erection of the Court House, there were comparatively few divorce cases and very few cases for the recovery of damages for personal injury. And the amounts involved in suits, compared with the present time, were exceedingly small. But the records of the court will show that the eases that were brought into court were generally tried by the court or jury, and they will also show that the cases were, without regard to the amount involved, carefully prepared and thoroughly and ably tried. There were then, as now, generally three terms of court during the year, but these terms rarely lasted longer than two or three weeks at the outside, and during this time the business was generally fully di.sposed of. Unlike the j)resent time, when the court convened, on the first day of the term, the lawyers of the town vacated their offices and attended the court. They were on hand and present at the trial of each ca.se, so that practically all the members of the bar heard the testimony and arguments of counsel in each case. And during the tenu of court there was generally a full audience, not only the members of the bar, but bystanders and people who came in to hear. The large court room in the present old Court House, was none too large to accommodate the people who were almast uni- formly present during the entire term of court. The lawyers were given ample time for the trial of their cases. They were rarely, if ever, limited as to the time for argument as to the court or jury. It ls needless to say that rare ability and the most persuasive eloquence was frequently displayed in the trial of cases.

All this has greatly changed in recent years, .so that appeals to the passions and prejudices of men are rarely permitited at the present time, and so valuable is the time of the court and so practical in business, that concise, clear and business-like statements have taken the place of the oratory and eloquent addresses of the lawyers of former years.

RUFUS P. SPAULDING, among the earlier lawyers, was conspicuous for his efforts as a member of the General Assembly in securing the passage of the act creating Summit County. He was foremost in the effort to make Akron a county seat, Cuyahoga Falls being at the time a very strong competitor for the location. Judge Spaulding was indeed an ornament to the bar and an example to imitate. He was dignified and courteous in his deportment, a logical and forcible debater, and he wa,- deeply learned in law. He was a graduate of Yale College, and in later years of life he became a judge of the Supreme Court in the State of Ohio. He was. however, strongly inclined to a political life, and his interest in politics brought about his election as a member of Congress to represent the Cleveland District, of which Summit County was then a part. He served in Congress with rare distinction during the period of the Civil War.

Another lawyer of great distinction was GENERAL LUCIUS V. BIERCE. He practiced law a great many years. He came to Akron about the year 1836 and died in 1864, and during that time he was engaged in perhaps as many suits in the courts of this county and Portage as any other lawyer of tha/t. time. He was very skillful. Among his partners during that time was Charles G. Ladd, and subsequently Alvin C. Voris. General Bierce was very efficient in aiding the government during the Civil War; he raised several companies of men for the military and naval service. He w^as elected to represent Portage and Summit Counties in the (Jhio Senate, and made an enviable record as a Senator. And in later years, towards the close of life, he was elected mayor of the city of Akron. He was an able and vigorous writer, and in the intervals of his large legal practice he prepared a number of lectures, which he delivered in various parts of the country. But above all General Bierce was a large practitioner, and very successful in his bu.^iness.

VAN R. HUMPHREY was one of the old (imo judges and lawyers. He was presiding judge and held court in Ravenna, Akron being then a part of that jurisdiction. He was a very portly man, affable and genial. He was skilled in the old common law practice, and when the oivil code went into effect in 1851, all those old common law forms were abolished and Judge Humphrey never could reconcile himself to the new modes of practice, and constantly made war upon the new proceeding. Pie was a very able lawyer and continued in practice up to the date of his death, which occurred at Hudson, in Summit County. He was effective, both before the court upon questions of law and in arguing oases to the jury.

GEORGE BLISS was a native of Vermont. He was educated at Granville College and came to Akron in 1832 and studied law with Hon. D. K. Carter. He practiced law in Summit County, and was appointed in 1851 president judge of the Court of Common Pleas in this county, succeeding Benjamin F. Wade. He held this po.sition which he filled with distinguished ability, \mtil the taking effect of the new Con.=;titution in 1852. He was elected a member of Congress, from this district in 1854, and subsequently he removed to Wonster, in Wavne Countv, where he practiced law in partnership with the Hon. John McSwaney. It is safe to say that Judge Bliss had few equds and no superiors as a lawyer. He was learned in the law and hi^ logic was most profound. His command of language was such that his extempore arguments to the court or jury would read like a page of Junius. His eloquence was of the Web.sterian type, profound and convincing, while in the art of examining and cross-examining witnes.ses he has never been excelled. He married late in life, and at his death a wife and five children survived him. He was a most companionable nian, very witty and interesting. He never lost his temper, but exercised complete selfcontrol. He took an active part in politics, and achieved a national reputation as one of the leading stat&^- men of the country. He was one of the leading counsel in the case of Ohio against -James Park.-:, which was the first and perhaps the most important murder trial ever tried in Summit County.

JAMES S. CARPENTER was a very prominent lawyer, born in New Hampshire in 1805. Moved with his i>arent.s to Pottsdam, New York, and was educated at the St. Lawrence Academy at Pottsdam. In June, 1832, he came to Ohio and removed to Medina, in Medina County, in 1835, where he edited a newspaper called the Constitutionalist. He was elected to the Legislature of the State dn the fall of 1839. He was a strong anti-slavery man and advocated in his papers as well as in his addres.ses the rights of the colored people of Ohio. He moved to Akron in 184(; and practiced law at Akron for many years. He occupied the Common Pleas Bench from 1856 to 1861. Judge Carpenter was of English ancestry, and in his example and by precept he represented the extreme type of Puritan morality and uprightnes-;. He was very highly educated as a judge, lawyer and citizen. His wife and three children survived him.

he came to Akron in 1854. He taught in the high school of Akron for a year or two, after coming to Ohio, and during the time studied law in the office of his uncle, Hon. Sidney Edgerton, and was admitted to the bar in 1876. On the breaking out of the Civil War in 1861, he enlisted in the army and was elected a lieutenant in Company G, Sixtyfourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He remained in service until 1863. He commenced the practice of law in Akron with his uncle, Sidney Edgerton, and his rise in the profession was rapid. He was a very fluent speaker, and was especially prominent in political discussions. Ho accompanied his uncle, Sidney Edgerton, to the territory of Idaho and to Bennock City; this was in 1884. Society in this portion of the west at that time was in a very chaotic condition. There was but little security for life or property, through the regular legal channels. Murders, robberies and crimes of all kinds were of such frequent occurrence that the peoi^le of this portion of the territory, for their protection, organized themselves into a body, called Colonel Saunders was very prominent in this organization, and fifty or more outlaws and desperadoes were hung under the orders of this court. It was a very speedy and effective measure of justice, but it made honest men and it was not long before law and order prevailed. Colonel Saunders was appointed United States attorney by President Grant, and he became also a inember of the Territorial Legislature, and in 1890 was elected L'nited States Senator from the newly organized State of Montana. At the expiration of his term he returned to the practice of the law in the city of Helena, Montana, where he lived until his death.

Christopher Parsons Wolcott

CHRISTOPHER PARSONS WOLCOTT came from Connecticut, was born in 1825, and with his parents removed to Steubenville, Ohio. He graduated at Jefferson College, Pennsylvania, and .studied law with Tappin & Stanton in Steubenville. Upon his admission to the bar in 1843, he formed a partnership with General L. V. Bierce at Ravenna,

Ohio, and in 1846 came to Akron, forming a partnership with William S. C. Otis, and after Mr. Otis removed to Cleveland, he became a partner of Judge William H. Upson. Upon the death of the Attorney General F. D. Kendel in 1856, Governor Chase appointed Ml-. Wolcott to fill the vacancy, and he was subsequently elected. His services as Attorney General were particularly notable. During that time there occurred a heavy defalcation in the State Treasury and this brought on a number of very important State trials, in which Mr. Wolcott took a very prominent j)ai1, and perhaps the most important case that occurred was the case of ex parte Bu^hnell, sometimes called the "Oberlin rescue ciuses." It grew out of the attempt to enforce the fugitive slave law by carrying back fugitive slaves to the State of Kentucky. The people of Oberlin resisted the enforcement of this law; indeed public opinion in the North was strongly against this enforcement, and a mn liber of citizens of Oberlin were arrasted for resisting the enforcement of tliis law, and the case came up in the Supreme Court of Ohio on application for a writ in Habeas corpus; in behalf of the persons who had been arrested. The main quesition was over the constitutionality of the Fugitive Slave law. Mr. AVolcotts argument on this occasion was a most masterh' effort. The decision of the court was against him, but they did Mr. Wolcott the honor of having his argument in full, printed in the volume of the Ohio Reports. Mr. Wolcott was strictly a lawyer; he gave law his whole attention, even at the expense of his social duties. His arguments were .solid, logical and convincing. He never indulged in matters of sentiment, or appealed to the emotions or passions. He relied simply upon his logical processes and reasoning. ^Ir. Wolcott was one of the leaders of the Summit County bar. Soon after the breaking out of the Civil W^ar, he was appointed by his brother-in-law, Edwin M. Stanton, assistant secretary of war. He entered upon the discharge of these important duties with energy and skill, taxing himself to sucli an extent that his health broke down, and lie died in

SAMUEL W. McCLURE was born in Cheshire County, New Hampshire, November, 1812. In 1828 he came to Medina County, Ohio, and taught school at Medina for a period of two years. He then attended Allegheny College, Pennsylvania, where he graduated. At that time he intended becoming a minister of the Gospel. He taught the academy at Ashland, in Ashland County, for two years, and while so engaged studied law in the offices of Silas Robbins and Judge Charlas Sherman ; during the time he edited the Ashland Phoenix. He subsequently returned to Medina and became the editor of the Constitutionalist, and during that time also entered into a law partnership with Judge Carpenter. He removed to Cuyahoga Falls, in Summit County, about the year 184.3, and practiced law at that place with great suc- CC.S.S, until he removed to Akron, about 1865, where he practiced his profession in partnershiip with the late Edward Oviatt. Judge Mc- Clure held the office of prosecuting attorney in Summit County, and was elected a member of the General Assembly of the State in 1848, and he was .subsequently elected a judge of the Court of Common Pleas for the districts of Summit, Medina and Lorain Counties, which office he held for one term. Judge McCluro 'was a very able lawyer, and by his constant attention to business and his skill and energy, he acquired a large practice and was very .successful, especially in the trial of jury cases. While Judge McClure lived at Cuyahoga Falls, he entered into a partnership with Hon. Henry McKinney, who .still lives in the city of Cleveland.

MR. McKINNEY was elected i)rosecuting attorney of Summit County, which office he filled with great succe,«s, and was also elected a Senator from this district. He removed to Cleveland in about 1880, where he wiis elected a judge of the Court of Common Plea-; and held the oftice for one term. It i< no more tlian just to say that Judg.' McKiniiiy liad few equals as a trial lawyer. He was especially strong in the trial of jury cases, and his preparation for trial, both as to law of the case and the facts involved, was complete dn every particular. He w'as a man of large s}-mpathie.s and most generous impulses.

HON. SIDNEY EDUERTON, ' formerly one of Ohio's distinguished citizens, who from 1852 until 1865 sei-ved his city. State and country, in positions of honor and great responsibility, was born at Cazenovia, New York, August 17, 1818. His fathei'. a teacher by profession, was afflicted by l^lindness during his later life, dying when Sidney was six months old. Mi's. Edgerton, left in straitened circumstanc&s, could support lier family for a few years only, and the boy was forced into the world at the age of eight to battle for himself.

After attending the district school for the usual period, he began at the age of seventeen to ie-M-h school, soon earning enough to enable him to enter Wesley Seminary, at Lima, New York, where he was subsequently engaged as a teacher. In the spring of 1844 he came to Akron, making the journey bywater. The day after Ms arrival he entered the office of Judge Rufus P. Spalding, for the study of law, and during the following winter he taught in the Tallmadge Academy. In 1846 he was graduated from the Cincinnati Laav School and admitted to the bar in that city and immediately opened an oflico at Akron. He soon became identified with public affairs, and in 1848 was a delegate to the convention which resulted in the formation of the Free Soil Party. In 1852 lie secured election as pro.secuting attorney of Summit County, in which office he served for four years. In 1858 came his election to Congress, followed by his re-election in 1860. His record as a statesman was such that in 1863 lie was appointed by President Lincoln to the oflice of chief justice of Idaho. It wa?, Mr. Edgerton who prepared the bill for the organization of the territory of Montana, and who went to Washington and presented it to Congress, making the long journey partly by stage and horseback through a country then almost entirely unsettled. President Lincoln recognized the value of his services l)y appointing him governor of the Territory of Montana, an office he held until a more perfect organization was effected, and the way [>aved for further legislation and the opening up of that rich region to settlement. Mr. Edgerton then resigned his office and in Januai-y, 1866, resumed the practice of his profession at Akron, where he continued a resident during the rest of his life, which terminated July 19, 1900.

On May 18, 1849, Mr. Edgerton was married to Mary Wright, of Tallmadge, Ohio, and they became the parents of nine chililren. ilrs. Edgerton died August 3, 1883. Four of their children survive, namely: Martha E. Plassmann, residing at MLssoula., Montana; Mary Pauline Edgerton, of Akron; Lucia Idaho Buckingham, wife of George E. Huckingham, of Akron, Ohio; Nina E. Whitman, wife of CaiJtain W. M. Whitman, U. S. A., now stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas. Those (locca.^ed are: Wright Prescott Edgert')n, jirofessor of mathematics at the We.-t Point Military Academy, at the time of his death, June 24, 1904; Sidney Carter Bdgert'lii. died November 29, 1895; Francis Lowell Edgerton, died Octol>er 2, 1861 : Lucy lone ]':duerton, died May 10, 1906.

Sidney Edgerton was a man of stanch moral courage, wonderfully proven in the anti-slavery struggle, and in the formaitdve jieriod of the New West, He was gifted with a mai'velous memory, his reading broad, yet discriminating. In his profession of law he gained distinction, and was parti cularly renowned as a jury lawyer. He had a keen <;Mise of humor, and possessed an inexhaustible supply of anecdotes. He was an ardent champion and a fervent hater, and his whole life was a struggle for the upbuilding of right and justice.

HON. NATHANIEL \Y (GOODHUE, formerly judge of the Probate Court of Sunniiit County, was one of the county's mo.st prominent and u.^eful men in his day and genera- tioii. He was barn in Lincoln County, Maine, December 20, 1818, in childhood accompanying bia parents to Lower Canada, where he lived until the age of seventeen years.

In 1837 N. W. Goodhue moved to Wayne County, Ohio. At that time there were fewer avenuea of labor promising satisfactory emoluments than at present. He was ambitious and turned his eyes in the direction of the law even while spending his summers in peddling notions and general merchandise through the country and his winters in teaching school, which occupied his time for several years. In 1840 he studied law in the office of Hand & Nash, at Middlebury, having come to Summit County as a teacher, and in 1846 and 1847 was fortunate enough to secure the posiition of engrossing clerk in the House of Representatives, at Columbus. In the latter year he was admitted to the bar, in 1848 he was elected auditor of Summit County and was re-elected in 1850, filling the office for four years. In 1856 he was appointed canal collector, serving for two years, and was collector of internal revenue for Summit County, from September, 1882, until September. 18G(). He bed always been active in the Reinil)lican party since its formation, and in 1878 he was elected by this organization State Senator from Summit and Portage Countie,s, sen-ing two years. In 1880, he was Republican elector for the Eighteenth Congres.sional -District and president of the Ohio Electoral College. In October, 1881, he was elected .judge of the Probate Court of Summit County, this being has last public honor. On the bench lie gave entire satisfaction and occupied this honorable position until his death, which occurred September 12, 1883. In his many official capacities he had always acquitted hin^'elf with credit.

Judge Goodhue was married December 20. 1841, to Nancy Johnston, who was born in Green Township, Summit County and they had four children, namely: James P., who died in infancy; Allan J., now residing at Chicago, Illinois, who served as a member of the 104th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, during the Civil War; Mary H., now deceased, who was the wife of Rev. Samuel Maxwell, a clergyman of the Protestant Episcopal Church ; and Nathaniel P., ex-clerk of the Summit County Court. The last named is a prominent business citizen of Akron, interested in many of her successful enterprises, and is treasurer of the Bruner, Goodhue, Cooke Company and president of the Akron Laundry Company. He resides at No. 140 Adolph Avenue.

CONSTANT BRYAN. Judge Constant Bryan was another of the old time lawyers. He was born in the State of New York in 1809. Read law and graduated from the law department of Yale College in 1833 and was admitted to the bar in 1834. He was elected Probate Judge for Summit County in 1852. He took a great interest in the cause of education and was a member of the School Board. Judge Bryan was a very dignified, quiet gentleman. He had no taste for the hurlyburly of a court trial, he preferred rather the quiet of an office practice, and the business part of the legal profession. He was a man of jiroved integrity and was very highly respected.

CHARLES B. BERNARD was a son of Rev. David Bernard, a former Baptist clergyman in Akron. Mr. Bernard was l>orn in New York, and came to Akron in 1846, where be taught school and later entered the office of the county auditor. Six years later he was elected auditor and served four years. During this time he studied law and was admitted to the bar, and became a member of tlie firm of Wolcott, LTpson & Bernard. He was a member of the Board of Education. During the Civil Wair he was made adjutant of the One Hundred and Sixty-fourth Ohio Rt'giment, Ohio National Guard. Mr. Bernard was a splendid .specimen of physical manhood and was prominent in public affairs. His probity no one ever doubted, and his character M-as the very highest. As a busines's laiwyer, or rather a lawyer for office practice, he had no superiors.

CALMN PEASE HUMPHREY, son of Van R. Humphrey, Avas born at Hudson, Ohio, in 1840. He graduated at "Western Reserve College in 1863, and was soon after admitted to the bar. He served for a time in the Civil War. After the close of the war Mr. Humphrey commenced the practice of his profession at Cuyahoga Falls, later coming to Akron, where he entered into a partnership with .ludge E. \V. Stuart. Mr, Humphrey made a specialty of patent laws and he became a very successful and efficient attorney in that department. He wa.s a clever lawyer as well as a skillful mechanic.

E. P. GREEN. Judge Edwin P. Green was born in Windsor County, Vermont, Marcli 10, 1828. He was educated at Bradford .Vcademy, and commenced the study of law in Littleton, New Hampshire. Coming to Akron in 1852, he entered the office of Humphrey & Edgerton, and was admitted to the bar in 1853. He was elected clerk of the court in October, 1854, .and at the clo.^ie of his term he resumed his law practice, and he was elected Judge of the Common Pleads Court, -which office he held for five years. Judge Gre«i was president of the Ohio Bar Association in 1878. He Mas a very careful lawyer; he was not an advocate in any sens? of the temi, but he was learned in the law and WHS a prudent judicial advisor. His decisions a* judge of the Connuon Pleas Court were very able, and his judgments were very rarely reversed by the higher courts. Judoe Green was prominent in educational matters, he was a great reader and po.ssessed a splendid and well selected library of books. He was a member of the Akron Public Library A.s.sociation, and was one of the corporator- and trustees of Buchtel College.

ROLIN W. SADLER was born in St. Joseph County, Michigan, in 1856. His father was a .school teacher by profession. ^Ir. Sadler entered Baldwin University and later went to Mt. Union College, where he graduated in 1871. He then engaged in teaching, finst aprincipal of the High School at R-ad'ng.

Michigan, and then at Bedford, Summit County, Ohio. In 1876 he entered the law office of Edgerton and Kohler, and was admitted to the bar in 1876. He was for severtil years in partnership with Mr. Kohler and later he became a partner in the firm of Marvin, Sadler & Atterholt. Mr. Sadler was one of the j'ounger members of the bar, but from the very start of his profession he exhibited tho.se qualities which brought him to the front of the profession, and he very soon became one of the best equipped lawyers of the Summit County bar. He had a thorough education and his mind readily grasped the most intricate leading questions and solved them with intuitive ease and clearness. He was also an influential, persuasive and eloquent speaker. He met with an accident in the city of Akron which co.st him his life, and had he lived there is no doubt that he would have achieved a national reputation as a great lawyer and advocate. In his practice and in the trial of cases he was, in the best sense of the term, a gentleman, and made it clear that one can be a perfect gentleman, kind and courteous, and at the same time a most effective trial lawyer.

FRANK M. ATTERHOLT was born in 1848 near New Lisbon, Ohio. He w-as educated at New Lisbon High School and at Mt. Union College, graduating at the latter institution in 1870. He wa.s a prominent teacher for several years and became editor of the Columbiana Register. He came to Akron in 1879 and read law with Upson, Ford and Baird. "Was admitted to the bar in the Supreme Court at Columbus, and later became a partner of Judge ilarvin in the law ])ractice. i\Ir. Atterholt was a member of the Board of Education, member of the Board of School Examiners and trustee of Mt. Union College. Mr. Atterholt ga.ve the latter years of his life almost exclusively to business affairs, being largely interested in a number of corporations and in organizing others. He was a prominent member of the Methodist Church in the city of Akron. He died at Akron after a long and painful illne.-s.

DAVID LESLIE MARVIN, son of Ulysses L. Marvin, was born at Kent, Ohio, in 1862. He was educated in the Akron public schools and at Kenyon College, Gambler. He was elected assistant engineer of the board of Public Works of Ohio, and was re-elected in 1888 and 1890. During this time he read law, and was admitted to the bar in Decc^mber, 1889. Coming to Akron he began tlie practice of his profession, as a member of the law firm of Marvin, Atterholt, Slabaugh & Marvin. Mr. Mar\-in was a bright, capable and genial young man, and gave promise of success in his profession. His untimely death was mourned by all who had enjoyed the pleasure of Ids acquaintance.

HENRY AVARD INGERSOLL was born in Richfield, October 23, 1833. He moved -with his family to Hudson. He was graduated at the Western Raserve College in 1857, and studied law in the office of Judge Van R. Humphrey, and Avas admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court at Columbus, March 9, 1859. Upon the breaking out of the Civil War he enlisted in the Second Ohio Cavalry Regimental Band, serving in the division of General Blont in the Western campaign. He was commi,s.sioned by Governor Tod as Captain in the 124th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. In 1864, at the caU of Governor Brough, he served one hundred days in defense of the National Capital as a member of the 164th Ohio National Guard. Mr. Ingersoll was a,n indefatigable worker, energetic and painstaking. He was a man of high character and was highly educated. In addition to hi? attainments as a lawyer he was a fine mnsician ; he had- a splendid voice, which was highly cultivated.

WILLIAM M. DODGE desen-es honorable mention among the earlier lawyers of Summit County. He was born in 1805, in New York, where he studied law with Judge WTieeler. After his admission to the bar, he came to Middleb;ir\% which was then the chief town in Summit County. He was elected prosecuting attorney of the new county, being the first one to hold that ofHce in the new jurisdiction ; he was re-elected and held the office two years. He was one of the leading advocates and workers for the famous Akron School Law, and became a member of the first board of education in the city of Akron. In 1860 Mr. Dodge was elected probate judge of Summit County, and this office he held until his death, July 21, 1861. He was fifty-six years of age at the time of his death.

EDWARD OVIATT was another of Summit County's earlier lawyers. He was born in Hudson Township in 1822. He attended school at the Richfield Academy, whei'e the family lived, and later at Granville Institute and Western Reserve College. He prepared for admission to the bar in Akron in the office of Hon. D. K. Carter, and he was admitted to the bar at Medina in 1844. He was engaged in practice for a number of years until about 1865, when he became partner of Hon. Samuel W. McClure, and after the dissolution of that firm Mr. Oviatt continued his professional practice with his .«on-in-low, George G. Ellen, Esq.; later Mr. Charles Cobbs was admitted to the firm. Mr. Oviatt held the office of prosecuting attorney of Summit Cinnity. to which he was elected by the people, and during the Civil War he served in a hundred day service as a member of the 164th Regiment, Ohio National Guard. Mr. Oviatt was a patriotic, public-spirited citizen and a most painstaking, conscientious lawyer. He was frequently selected and instructed with the set tlement of estates in which he was very prompt and thorough.

ROLLAND 0. HAMMOND was another of the old lawyers long since pa.s,?ed away. He was born in 1826 in the town.ship of Bath. He wa? educated at Oberlin College and also attended Western Reserve College. He prepared for the business of his profession in the office of Judge Carpenter and IMcClure and was admitted to the bar in Painesville in 1850. He held the office of probate judge, imder appointment from Governor Reuben Wood. He made a very excellent officer, and, upon the election of James Buchanan as president, he wai appointed postmaister of the city of Akron, which office he held for four years. Mr. Hammond Avas an excellent trial lawyer. He was a man of high tastes and culture, and was a fine writer as well as a persuasive and eloquent orator.

HON. ULYSSES L. MARVIN was born in Stow, in 1839. He was educated in the district schools and Twinsburg Institute, and for a time engaged in teaching the common schools. In 1858 he entered the law office of H. B. Foster in Hudson, and then he came to Akron and entered the law office of Hon. Sidney Edgerton, and was admitted to the bar in 1860. In 1862 he enlisted as a private in the 115th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and later he became first lieutenant of the Fifth United States Colored Regiment. He was promoted tO' captain during the Siege of Richmond in 1869. Judge Marvin was elected probate judge of Summit Count}^, serving six j^ears and was appointed Common Pleas Judge by Governor Faster in place of Judge Tibbals, serving until the following October. He was later elected a judge of the Circuit Court for Cuyahoga, Summit, Lorain and Medina District and is still serving as a judge of that court, having been nominaited for a third term.

GEORGE C. KOHLER was born at Akron June 26, 1869. He attended the High School in Akron and Buchtel College, and in 1885 went to Williston Seminary, East Hampton, Masj^achusetts, graduating there three years later. He then went to Yale College and graduated from that University, returning to Akron and entered upon the study of law in the office of Kohlcr & Mu.-ser, and was later admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court at Columbu.s. He was a member of the Board of School Examiners in the city of Akron for several years and was appointed by the Supreme Court a member of the board of the examination of applicants for the admission to the bar. He became a member of the law finn of Musser, Kohler & Mottiiiger, and is

HENRY W. HOWE, son of Captain Richard Howe, was born in Bath, 1828. He came to Akron with hiis parents and was educated in the Akron public schools, and afterwards attended the Oberlin College, where he graduated in 1849. He read law with James S. Carpenter and became his partner and practiced with him, until the judge's election to the bench in 1856. Mr. Howe was a member of the Akron Board of Education. For many years last past Mr. Howe has devoted his entire time to agTicultural matters, living upon his farm in Northampton Township. He is a prominent member of the Grange, and is a close and careful student of important questions, and has largely directed his attention, his writing and addresses to the subject of agriculture.

LORENZO DOW WATERS was born in Carroll County, Ohio, 1855, and when fourteen years of age, came to Akron with his parents. He attended "the public schools here until 1872, at which time he entered Buchtel College, where he studied for three yeare. Jn 1877 he became a student in the office of -John J. Hall, Esq., and upon his admission to the bar in 1879, became a partner of Mr. Hall, by the firm name of Hall and Waters. Mr. Waters was mayor of the city of Akron, 1883 to 1885, and was re-elected, serving in all four years. At the end of his term Mr. Waters then resumed his practice of law on his own account. He was popular as an office holder, and his discharge of the duties of mayor' were highly satisfactory.

HON. CHARLES DICK was born in Akron November 3, 1858, and was educated in the Akron schools. Mr. Dick marked out for himself a bu.siness life, and commenced as clerk in a hat .store. He then became bookkeeper for the Citizens' Savings and Loan Association. Later he was chief bookkeeper for the Empire Reaper and MoA^'er Company. In 1881 he formed a partnership with Liicius C.

Miles, under the name of Dick & Miles, in a general grain and commission business. Mr. Dick was elected auditor of Summit County in 1886 and was re-elected in 1889. Tliis ottico he filled with great credit to himself, and made many friends by his prompt and agreeable manner in doing business. About this time Mr. Dick took a prominent part in the politics of Summit County; he became chairman of the Republican E.xecutive Committee, and so efficient was he in the performance of his duties that he became a member and chairman of the State Executive Conunittee. He has held that office for a number of years, successfully carrying the Republican party to victory in this state in many successive campaigns. He was one of the close friends of William McKinley, as well as of Mark Hanna. Upon the death of Mark Hanna, Mr. Dick was elected United States Senator, which office ho now holds, and the duties of which he has performed to the satisfaction of lids constituents and with great credit to himself.

ARTHUR S. MOTTINGER, born at Inland, Green Township, Summit County, Ohio, May 14, 1873. He attended the district school and completed a course at Uniontown High School, graduating in 1892. He then taught in district and village school at. Summit, Ohio, for several yeai-s, entering Hiram College in the fall of 1895, and graduating from that in.«titution in 1899, having completed the collegiate course, including one year of legal work. October 29, 1899, he came to Akron and took up the study of law with the tirm of Musser & Kohler. He was admitited to the, bar in the January term of 1901, «nd remained in the employ of Musser & Kohler until January, 1905, when he was taken into the firm of Mus,ser & Kohler. the firm l)eing Musser, Kohler & Mottinger. In June, 1906, this firm was dissolved, Mr. ]\Iusser reliring from the firm, and Judge J. A. Kohler taking his place, since which time the firm has been known as Kohler, Kohler & Mottinger. Mr. Mottinger was married August 9, lOOli. 1o Cassie M. Lawyer, of Burton, Ohio.

F. J. ROCKWELL, attorney-at-law, Akron, was born in Akron, Ohio, February 19, 1878, and has always resided in this city. His liti>rary education was acquired in the public schools, including the High School, from which he was graduated in 1895, and at Buchtel College, 'where he was graduated in 1899. He studied kw with tlie firms of Atterholt & Marvin, Rowley & Bradley, and Rogers, Rowley & Bradley, and was admitted to the bar in 1902, He immediateh' entered into partnership with Messrs. Rogers, Rowley and Bradley, and is now a member of the successful law firm of Rogers, Rowlev & Rockwell.

ERNEST C. HOUSEL, son of Martin J. and Amanda C. Housel, was born in Middlebury (now East Akron), Summit Countv, Ohio, Augusit 18, 1868. He attended the Akron public schools, read law in the office of John J. Halland, and was admitted to the bai', October 3, 1889, since Avhich time he has been engaged in the practice of law in the city of Akron. He wa* elected justice of . the peace in Akron Township in the spring of 1891. and .served in that capacity for the term of three years. He was a memlier of the Akron Board of Education from 1902 to 1905. He was appointed a director of public safety for Akron, in January, 1906, to serve for the term of four years. Mr. Housel was married, December 28, 1892, to Emma E., daughter of Robert and Jane Caine, and ha^ one daughter, Elinore E.

CHARLES BAIRD, a well known attoriiey of Akron, was born in this cily ^larch 25, 1853, a son of Robert and Helen Baird. His father Avas a native of Scotland, born in Kincardine.^liire, in 1818, who came in 1843 to America, settling in Akron, where he followed the trade of blacksmith for many years. He was a strong anti-slavery man and freestiiler. and later one of the most faithful adherents of the Republican party. He was married in Akron to Helen Knox Moir, a native of Forfarshire, Scotland, and daughter of Charles and Mary (Gordan) Moir. She died in Akron in February, 1891, at the age of seventy-oiie year.*. They were the parents of five children - William, Isabel, Charles, Mary and Helen.

Charle.3 Baird acquired his elementary education in the common schools, being later graduated from the Akron High School. He then spent a year in classical study at Buchtel College, after which he entered the law office of Upson & Ford, under whose mentorship he studied closely until his admission to the bar, November 2, 1875. He then entered into partnership with Judge Up^on, under the firm name of Upson & Baird. Mr. Ford entering the firm in 1877, its style became Upson, Ford & Baird, and it was so continued until March, 1883, when Mr. Upson was called to the Supreme Bench of Ohio. The firm was then dissolved and Mr. Baird practiced alone until 1891, at which time he formed a partner- .ship with Edwin F. Voris, under the firm name of Baird & Voris, which connection la.sted until June, 1895. Mr. Baird now has a large and lucrative law practice and gives special attention to corporation law, in which branch of his profession he has been very successful.

j\Ir. Baird has taken an active part in the orjganization and development of some of Akron's important industries. He was one of the incorporators of the Portage Straw Board Company, and also one of its directors, until it was consolidated with the American Straw Board Company. He also assisted, in 1880-81, in the organization of the Diamond Match Company, and was one of the incoiporators of the Goodrich Hard Rubber Company, in which he has also been interested as a director and .stockholder. He has taken a prominent part in the organization and development of the town of Barberton, and i.? interested as an officer, director, or stockholder, in various other important enterprises, both local and foreign. He has also been concerned as administrator or executor in the administration of several of the largest estates ever administered in Summit County, notably the Commins c-tate, in 1888. and that of Thomas W.

Coi-nell, of which he was appointed one of the executors in 1892. As an attorney Mr. Baird practices in the courts of IllinoLs, Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New York and Ohio, and also in the federal courts.

Mr. Baird was married, Febmary 10, 1882, to Miss Lucy Allen Voris, a daughter of General A. C. Voris, of Akron, of which union there have been born children as follows : Alvin Voris, December 3, 1882; Helen Elizabeth, August 30, 1884; Betsev Coe, June 11, 1886; Charles, October 15, 1888; and Katharine, November 19, 1890.

JAMES MADISON POULSON wa^ born March 27, 1842, near Holmesville, Holmes County, Ohio. In his boyhood he attended the district schools and was early trained to agricultural work. For several years before attaining his majority he taught winter school, working on a farm during the summers. He supplemented his education by attending a private school in Fredericksburg for several terms, and, after studjdng for a year in Hayesville Academy, he entered, in 1865, Princeton, New Jersey, College, from which he was graduated in June, 1868. In the same year he 'became a student at the Columl)ia College Law School at New York, and was graduated therefrom in May, 1870. On May 12, 1869, he was admitted to the bar in New York city, on examination. In August, 1870, he came to Akron, and was admitted to the bar of Summit County on September 9th following. He soon after entered into partnership with Mr. John J. Hall, which wa.5 continued until January 1, 1877. He was elected on the Democratic ticket prosecuting attorney for Summit County in October, 1874, and efficiently performed the duties of tliat office for two years - from January 1, 1875, to Jannary 1, 1877. He has since been engaged in the general practice of his profession and has lieen very successful. !Mr. Poulson was married September 28, 1875, to Miss Helen F. Smagg, only daughter of William Smagg, of Akron.

MATTHEW CANFIELD READ was born August 21, 1823, in Williamsfield, Ashtabula County, Ohio. When he was about twelve years old his parents removed to Mecca, Trumbull County, where he attended the district schools, working a part of the time on a farm. Resolved to secure a better education, he attended successively the Western Reserve Seminary, at Farmington, and the Grand River Institute, at Austinburg, and then, in 1844, entered the Western Reserve College. From tliis institution he was graduated in 1848, afterwards receiving from it the degree of A. M. He taught school for a while, and began the study of law under Chaffee A. Woodbury, at Jeffei'son. On the close of his law studies he became editor of the Hudson Family Visitor, and about the same time he taught for a year in the grammar school of Western Reserve College. After this he practiced law for a while in Hudson. During the Civil AVar he was employed as general agent of the Western Department of the United States Sanitary Commission, and at its close became deputy revenue collector. He then obtained the congenial position of geologist on the Geological Survey of Ohio. For several years he was lecturer on zoology and practical geology in the Western Reserve College, and he had charge of the archeological exhibits of Ohio at the Centennial Expositions at Philadelphia and New Orleans. He has also spent some time in the investigation of mineral lands for private parties. Mr. Read has served in the local offices of township clerk, justice of the peace, mayor, etc., in all jwoving an efficient public servant.

HON. "\WLLIAM H. UPSON, now living retired at Akron, after a long and distinguisihed public life, wa.s born January 11, 1823, in Franklin County, Ohio. In 1832 he removed with his parents to Tallmadge, Summit County.

At an early age he displayed the native ability which in later life contributed to his professional success, for he was but nineteen years old when he was graduated from the Western

Reserve College. He then read law with Judge Reuben Hitchcock, at Painesville, afterwards spending one year in the laAv department of Yale College. In September, 1845, he was admitted to the bar, and in January of th© following year entered upon the practice of his profession at Akron. For many years he was in partnership with Hon. Sidney Edgerton and Christopher P. Wolcott, and stood at the head of his profession in Summit County. He was elected the first president of the Summit County Bar Association, and was a member of the Executive Committee of the State Bar Association. In March, 1883, Mr. Upson was appointed by Governor Foster, judge of the Supreme Court of Ohio, and served until December. In 1884 he was elected judge of the Circuit Court, and in 1886 was re-elected for the full term of six years.

Judge Upson has always been a stanch supporter of the Republican party, and for years stood very near to the head of the organization in the .«tate. His first public office was that of prosecuting attorney, in which he served Summit County from 1848 to 1850. He was a member of Ohio State Senate, 1854-5. In 1868 he was elected to Congress from the Eighteenth District, serving imtil 1873. His party delighted to honor him, and in 1864 he was sent as a delegate to the Republican National Convention, which renominated Abraham Lincoln. He was also a delegateat-large to the convention which nominated Rutherford B. Hayes, in 1876.

From Judge Upson's return to privaite life until his retirement from the practice of his profession he took a conspicuous part in everything pertaining to the development of Akron and Summit County. For many yeare he has been a trustee of the Western Reserve College, Oberlin College and the Lake Erie Female Seminary.

On May 20, 1856, Judge Upson was married to Julia Ford, a daughter of Hon. James P. and Julia A. (Tod) Ford, of Akron, whose family consisted of seven children. Mrs. Upson's father was born in New York state, January 28, 1797, and in earlv manhood became a resident of Suiuiiiit County, where the remainder of his Hfe was spent. He was appointed by Governor Bartley, associate judge of the Court of Common Pleas, for Summit County, and filled this position until ill health forced him to resign, in 1849 ; his death took place less than two years later, January 2, 1851. His wafe was a daughter of Judge George Tod, of Youngstown, Ohio. Judge Upson and his wife have four children, namely: William Ford, a practicing attorney in New York city, with residence in Glen Ridge, New Jersey; Henry Swift, a resident of Cleveland, engaged in the practice of medicine; Anna Perkins, wife of Colonel G. J. Fieberger, U. S. Engineer Corps, now professor of engineering at the U. S. Military Academy, West Point, New York : and Julia Ford. Judge Upson resides with his family on East Market Street.

SENEY A. DECKER, attorney-at-law, at Barberton, is a leading member of the Summit County bar and has been established in this city since May, 1903, having convenient offices in the Barberton Savings Bank building. He was born in Seneca County, Ohio, March 11, 1875, and is a son of Samuel and Levi n a (Noel) Decker.

Mr. Decker was reared on his father's farm and attended the country schools. He was an ambitious boy and made the most of his opportunities and secured a certificate permitting him to teach, before he had completed his own education. For five years he taught country schools and then attended Heidelberg College, at Tiffin, Ohio, for two years, following this by the study of law in the office of Piatt & Black, leading attorneys at Tiffin. After two years of study there he attended the Ohio Normal University, at Ada, for eight months, and on December 6, 1902, he was admitted to the bar. His close devotion to study had somewhat impaired his beallh. and he returned to the home farm, where he remained until the follo^ang March, when he located for practice at Attica. From there, six weeks later, he came to Barberton, where he found he was not deceived in believing that a field of business was awaiting him. On February 19, 1905, Mr. Decker was married to Minnie Leininger, who is a daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth Leininger, of Flat Rock, Seneca County, Ohio. Mr. Decker is fraternally connected with the Elks and the Eagles. His i^rofcs-sional ability has brought him many business friends while the agreeable personality of himself and wife has led to their welcome admission into the most select social circles of Barberton.

CETARLES C. BENNER, attorney, of Akron, Ohio, was born in ^Manchester, Franklin Township, Summit County, Ohio, March 27, 1870, son of Simon and Caroline (Slaybaugh) Benner. His parents, both of whom are now deceased, were natives of Franklin Township, this county.

Simon Benner was a farmer and dealt in stock. Born January 17, 1846, he died August 22, 1884. His wife was born July 21, 1844, and died January 7, 1890. They had nine children, as follows: Elda F., wife of Frank Warner, of Barberton ; Clinton A., attorney at Cleveland; Melvin L., who owns and conducts a ranch at Sidney, Montana; Charles C, subject of this sketch; Otto M., who died in 1877, aged five years; Irvin R., a dentist of Barberton; Gertrude M., single, a resident of Akron; Wallace J., a physician of Cleveland, Ohio; and Howard C, auditor for the .Etna Insurance Company, who resides in Cleveland. The parents were members of the M. E. Church. Simon Benner was a Democrat, and though not in any sense a politician, he held the office of justice of the peace in Norton Town.ship.

Charles C. Benner was reared on the farm, and acquired his literary education in the district and High Schools of Copley and Norton Townships. He attended the law school of the Northern Ohio University, at Ada, Ohio, and finishing his law course in ihe office of Baird and Voris, of Akron. Ohio, was admitted to the bar June 8, 1893, at Columbus, He immediately opened an office at No. 12 East ISIarket Street, where he has since remained, bavins: met witli a mo~l gratifying

On September 29, 1897, Mr. Beniier was married to Gertrude F. Foster, a native of Akron, and a daughter of Martin B. and Sarah (Clark) Foster. In politics Mr. Benner is an Independent Democrat.

Fraternally he belongs to the Elks, being Past Exalted Ruler, a charter member of the local lodge, and a life member of the Grand Lodge of the United States. He is also a charter member of Akron Lodge 603, K. of P., a member of Adoniram Lodge 517, F. & A. M.; Wa-^hington Chapter, R. A. M., No. 25; Akron Council, R. & S. M., No. 80; Akron Commandery, K. T., No. 25, and Lake Erie Consistory, Ancient Accepted & Scottish Rite of Free Masonry, of Cleveland. He was captain of Company B, Eighth Regiment, Ohio National Guard, for four years, 1894-1897. He is a member of the Portage Country Club and a trustee of the City Ho.spital of Akron.

Hon. William Barnabas Doyle

HON. WILLIAM BARNABAS DOYLE, until recently a prominent member of the Summit County bar, formerly mayor of Akron, and editor of the present volume, was born in the city of Akron, in the old Doyle homestead, at (old) No. 150 South High Street, April 19, 18G8. His parents were William B. and Mary Maud (Lantz) Doyle, and he is a lineal descendant of Felix Doyle, who came to America from the North of Ireland very early in the eighteenth century, and made a home for himself in the wilderness, where a son, whom lie named Barnaba«, was born.

Thomas J. S. Doyle, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, married Anne Taylor, who was born at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, Februarv 12, 1797, and who died in Akron December 12, 1882. Their children were: William Barnabas (1), Thomas John, and Mary A., the last mentioned of whom became the wife of Hon. James Ferguson, of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.

William Barnabas Doyle (1) wi\s born in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, in a valley of the Blue Mountains called Path Valley, March 5, 1825. When thirteen years old, he was apprenticed for three years to learn the trade of cabinet-maker, which he mastered. At the age of seventeen, filled with a spirit of adventure, he turned his steps toward the West; in 1842 arriving in Akron practically penniless, and having walked the entire distance on foot. He soon found employment at his trade, however, and in time became a master cabinet-maker. After several years he gave up that business, and became a member of the firm of Doyle & Chamberlain, dealers in cattle and meat. Later he engaged in agriculture on a large farm which he had purchased in Coventry Township. In August, 1865, with John H. Dix and Daniel Farnum, he purchased the lumber and manufacturing business of S. G. Wilson and originated the firm of W. B. Doyle & Co. Of this business, he subsequently became the sole owner and conducted it alone until his death, which took place in Akron, August 6, 1890, when he was sixty-five years old. He was a stanch supporter of the Republican party, but neither held nor sought office. In 1863 he was captain of the Coventry Company of National Militia, organized under the act of April 14, that year, but the company was not called upon to go to the front.

Mr. Doyle Avas married October 30, 1855, to MLss Harriet Sage, of Monroe County, New York, who died November 6, 1862, leaving one child, Dayton A. Doyle. On June 9, 1867, IVIr. Doyle married Mary Maud Lantz of Akron, who died February 11, 1874, leaving three children - William B. Doyle (2), Delia May Doyle Wilcox, and Dean Lantz Doyle. In 1877 Mr. Doyle married again, and of that union there was one daughter, iVnna.

William Barnabas Doyle (2), son of William B. and Mary Maud (Lantz) Doyle, whose nativity has been already given, was educated in the Akron public schools from 1874 to 1883 ; in the Wes.tern Raserve Academy from 1883 to 1886, where he graduated after com- pleting the classical course; he received his higher educational training at Amher.st College from 1886 to 1890, and was graduated as a member of the class of 1890. In January, 1891, he was elected a director and treasurer of the Akron Electrical Manufacturing Company, but resigned to enter Harvard Law School in October, 1892. He .«pent three years at Harvard and graduated in June, 1895, receiving the degree of LL. B. from Harvard University. In 1895 he was again elected a director and treasurer of the electrical company, positions which he continued to hold until recently. In October, 1895, Mr. Doyle w'as admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court of the State of Ohio, at Columbus, and immediately commenced the active practice of his profession in his native city. He sensed as mayor of the X'ity of Akron for the years 1901-1903, having been elected on the Repul>lican ticket April 1, 1901. He was invited by the League of American IMunicipalities to read a pai^er on "The .JMunicipal Situation in Ohio" at its annual meeting in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in August, 1902. This paper was afterwards printed by several legal journals. In June, 1903, he was granted the degree of Master of Arts by Amherst College, for researches in Municipal Government.

Upon quitting the office of mayor he resumed the successful practice of law in Akron until Februarj", 1907, when the tnistees of the Carnegie Technical Schools of the Carnegie Institute in Pittsburg invited him to take the chair of Contract Law in their school of Applied Science. As he felt himself especially fitted for work of that nature, he accepted the invitation and will hereafter reside in Pittsburg.

Mr. Doyle was married on September 14, 1899, to Frances Louise Wilcox, of Akron. They have five children : Mary, Enid, Kathleen, Wilhelmine and William B. Doyle, Jr. The last named was born November 15, 1907.

Mr. Doyle is a member of the Beta Theta Pi college fraternity, and was for two years chief of the New England district. In July, 1906, he was elected president of the national convention of the fraternity, held at Denver,

FRANK G. MARSH, a leading member of the Akron bar, with offices in the Dobson Block, belongs to one of the old pioneer families of this section, and was born March 18, 1869, in Franklin Township, Sunnnit County, Ohio. He is a son of Hiram F. Marsh and a grandson of George Marsh, who came to Summit County among its earliest settlers.

Mr. Marsh was educated in the schools of Franklin Township and at a superior select school at Manchester, <where he spent four years. He began to teach when only sixteen years of age, and continued in that occupation for four school yeare in his native county. In 1891 he went to Detroit, where he took a course in stenography and typewriting at the Pernin Institute, and after his return he worked during that fall for the Republican Central Committee, teaching school dui'ing the following winter. On March 10, 1892, he accepted a position with the Aultman-Miller Company, and remained with that firm for eleven years, tenninating the connection in 1903. In 1896 he registered w'ith the law firm of Andress & Whittemore and was supplied with law text books. These he studied during all the hours he could call his own, for the next three years, and his diligence and perseverance were rewarded iwhen he successfully passed the examination necessary before the Supreme Court, at Columbus, in October, 1899. He was still retained by the Aultman-Miller Company as special correspondent and assistant counsel for the company up to May, 1903, when he went to the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, entering the sales department, where he remained one year. On May 15, 1904, Mr. Marsh .severed his connection with that firm and in the following month began the practice of law, in which he has been engaged since, meeting with the success which his years of preparation entitle him to. His personal popularity was proved in the following September, when he was brought forward as a candidate for a place on the Board of Education. Although he was one of fifteen contestants, he was selected as having the third largest number of votes and was subsequently elected for a term of four years. He has always been interested in politics and was a candidate for mayor before the Republican convention in 1907, but while ho had a large following, was not nominated. At a meeting held September 16, 1907, by the City Council of Akron Mr. Marsh received the apiaointment of justice of the peace, to fill the unexpired term of George A. Patterson, resigned. On Tuesday, November 5, of the same year, he was elected one of the four justices of the peacfe in and for the township of Akron for a term of four yeai's beginning witli Januaiy 1, 1908. Fraternally Mr. Marsh belongs to the Odd Fellows and to the. Modern AVoodmen of America. He is a member of the Reformed Church.

W. A. SPENCER, attorney, "a member of the well-known law firm of Esgate, Spencer and Snyder, at Akron, was born in London, England in 1870, and was seven years of age when his parents came to America and located at Akron.

In 1888 Mr. Spencer was graduated from the Akron High School and spent the following year on a fruit farm in Tennessee, earning the money with which to give him two years training at Buchtel College. He then entered upon the study of law in the office of Sawders and Rogers, at Akron, where he remained until the spring of 1898, when he enlisted in Company B, Eighth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantrj', for service in the Spanish-American War. His regiment was sent to Cuba, and with his comrades he participated in the Santiago campaign, and remained in the service for eight months. He mustered out at Wooster, Ohio, and returned to Akron, where he was admitted to the bar one year later. He began practice alone, but later became a member of the present firm of Esgate, Spencer and Snyder, which succeeded Esgate, Spencer and Loomis, on the death of Mr. Loomis. Mr. Spencer is a director in the Uerman American Building and Loan Association. He has ever taken an active jiart in i^olitics and is chairman of the Democratic executive comniittecs of city and county. Under Mayor Kemple he served two years as police prosecutor.

In 1900 Mr. Spencer was married to Gertrude Huse, of Akron, and they have one child, Margaret. Fraternally Mr. Spencer is identified with the Masons and the Pathfindere, and he belongs also to the Spanish- American War Veteran Association. He is a self- -made man to a large extent, and owes little to favoring circumstances attending his boyhood or youth.

JOHN C. FRANK, of the law firm of Tibbals and Frank, Akron, has been a resident of this city for the past twenty-seven years, and has been one of the enterprising citizens whose energies have contributed to its remarkable development during that pei'iod. He was born at Uniontown, Stark County, Ohio, in 1864, and when sixteen yeai's of age came to Akron, completing his literary education in the Akron High School. He prepared for his chosen profession in the law department of the University of Michigan, where he was graduated in 1885. He immediately entered the law office of the late General Voris, where he remained until June, 1886, at which time he became associated professionally with Judge Tibbals. He subsequently practiced alone for two years and then formed his present partnership with Judge Tibbals. The firm of Tilibals and Frank is now the oldest law firm in Akron, and has been concerned in a large share of the most important litigation that has come before the courts of the city and county during the period of its existence. Probably no law firm in Summit County stands higher in public esteem, or more justly deserves the high reputation which it enjoys.

Mr. Frank was married in 1888 to Celia E. Esselburn, of Akron, and he and his wife have two sons, Charles W. and Paiil A., both of whom are receiving superior educational training, calculated to fit them for the best American citizenship. Politically Mr. Frank is a liepublican, and takes an active interest in public affairs. He is a member of the Court House Building Committee, an important office at this time. With his family he belongs to Grace Reformed Church.

Col. George Mitchell Wright

COL. GEORGE MITCHELL WRIGHT, only son of Clement Wright and Lucy Ayer Whitney, his wife, was born August 8, 1847, in Tallmadge Township, Summit County, Ohio, on the farm, one mile south from Tallmadge Center, on which his great-grandfather, Captain John Wright, and his grandfather, Alpha Wright, settled in 1809, and where his father, Clement Wright, was born. Of this branch of the Wright family four generations have lived on this farm and, including Colonel Wright's children, five generations have lived in Tallmadge. The home of Colonel Wright, however, was on the farm only during his infancy, his father having moved from the farm to Tallmadge Center and there engaged in the mercantile, business when Colonel '\\'right was less than two years old.

The father and mother of Colonel Wright were both from well-known New England families of high standing, which had been transplanted from England to America prior to 1640. His father was a direct descendant of the eleventh generation, in the male line, from .John Wright, Escj., of Kelvedon Manor, Kelvedon Hatch, County Essex, England, who acquired Kelvedon Manor by purchase in 1538, the emigrant ancestor to this country being Thomas Wright, who settled at Wethersfield, Connecticut, before 1640, probably in 1639. The mother of Colonel Wright was from one of the most ancient and honorable families of Herefordshire, England, the earliest ancestor in England, in the direct male line, having been one of the invaders who came with William I. in 1066. Of this branch of the Whitney family, the emigrant ancestor to America was .John Whitney, who, with his wife Elinor and five children, came from England in 1635 and settled at Watertown, Massachusetts. Colonel Wright's mother was of the seventh generation from this emigrant ancestor to America; and before such emigrant ancestor this branch of the family is traced in England for eighteen generations in the direct male line. Although for manj- generations after the Norman Conquest this family was one of the most distinguished in Herefordshire, it began gradually to die out in England about the time the American branch was transplanted and established in this country.

Colonel Wright was educated in the public schools, Tallmadge Academy and Western Reser\'e College, but left college early in the course. After studying law at Akron, Ohio,- with his uncle Hon. Sidney Edgerton and Hon. Jacob A. Kohler (who were then in partnership) he was admitted to the bar in Ohio, June 16, 1873, and began practice at Akron as a partner of Hon Henry McKinney, who had then recently moved from ^Vkron to Cleveland, Ohio, and desired a partner for his Summit County business. The law partnership of "McKinney & Wright" existed for several years, and Colonel Wright afterwards continued in the active and successful practice of the law until 1882. But his interest in scientific researches in the domain of geology was so great that for several years he devoted much time and attention to scientific studies. Finally, in 1882, having received an appointment as Assistant Geologist in the United States Geological Survey (without the aid of any political influence whatever, but on the recommendations and indorsements of scientific experts only), he left the practice of the law and during the next four yeai's devoted him.self wholly to geological field-work and investigations for the government. Assigned at first to the stafif of the Division of the Great Basin, his field-work was in Nevada, California and Utah. Subsequently transferred to the staff of the Division having charge of the geological survey of the Yellowstone National Park, that interesting region was his special field of work for three years, with field-work also in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. While his work and investigations were in structural and dynamical geology in general, his spe- lialty was the study of volcanic and crystalline ri)c-k.-i and the problems of volcanic action and phenomena (which throw so nmch light on mineral deposits), and he also did some special work in glacial geology. During the winters he was stationed in Salt Lake City, Utah, New York City, N. Y., and Washington, D, C., engaged in scientific study and research, working out the problems presented by field observations and collections, and writing report;3. Having had the valuable experience and education of these four years of scientific study and field investigation under the most favorable circumstances and in some of the most instructive and interesting regions known, he resigned in 1886, although requested and desired to continue in this scientific work for the government, and resumed the practice of the law at Akron, Ohio, where he continued in active practice until the breaking out of the war with Spain in April, 189S.

Colonel ^^'right has always taken great interest in military affairs, and prior to the War with Spain he had been an officer of the Ohio National Guard, having held a commision for more than five years in the First Regiment of Light Artillery - then one of the finest military organizations in the United States. At the beginning of the war he was commissioned in the military service of the United States, May 13, 1898 (having been enrolled April 26, 1898), as second lieutenant and battalion, adjutant in the Eighth Regiment of Ohio A'^olunteer Infantry; wa.s detailed as acting ordnance officer of the regiment, May 14, 1898, and accompanied the regiment from Camp Bushnell, Columbus, Ohio, to Camp Alger, Virginia; was appointed aide-de-camp and brigade ordnance officer on the staff of Brigadier General George A. Garret.son, June 13, 1898, and served as such until after the close of the war; left Camp Alger, Virginia, July 5th, with brigade headquarters and two regiments, and proceeded by rail to Charleston, South Carolina - the third regiment of the brigade being transported by rail to New York, there to embark for Cuba; sailed Jvtly 8th from Charleston, S. C, for Cuba, on the

U. S. S. "Yale," carrying Major General Nelson A. Miles, conmianding the U. S. Army, and staff', and arrived off Santiago Harbor, July 11th, while the fleet was bombarding the city, six days before the surrender; and took part in the demonstrations against the Spanish works at the entrance to Santiago Harbor before the surrender of Santiago, being on duty with the troops under command of Generals Henry and Gai'retson, held in readiness for three days under orders to be landed at a given signal, under protections of the fire of the fleet, west of Sacopa Battery - the first plan being to try to connect with the right of General Shaffer's line, which plan was changed to one involving an attempt to carry Sacopa by a.ssault. After the surrender of Santiago the troops held on shipboard, being no longer needed at Santiago, were available for the expedition to Porto Rico, the final plans for which were arranged in a conference between General Miles and Admiral Sampson on board the flag-ship "New York," lying off Aguadores, July 16th. Colonel (then lieutenant) Wright was so fortunate as to be one of the staff officers present at this conference. Lieutenant Wright continued on board the "Yale," which the next day (July 17th) steamed eastward for Guantanamo Bay, still carrying General Miles and staff and also General Garret.son and staff. The troops for the first expedition to Porto Rico having been concentrated at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, the transport squadron, with its naval convoy, sailed for Porto Rico, July 21st, carrying an effective force of only about 3,300 troops to invade the island of Porto Rico, where the enemy then had 8,233 Spanish regulars and 9,107 armed volunteei-s - more than 17,000 troops in all. But General ^liles having outwitted the Spanish commanders by causing the course of the fleet to be changed at the last moment, a landing was effected at Guanica on the southwestern coast of Porto Rico, .July 2oth, without loss of life. Lieutenant Wright Avas with the first troops landed here, and was present when General Miles formally planted the flag and took possession of the island for the LTnited States ; and he also took part in the decisive action the next day (July '26th), under General Garretson, in front of Yauco, Porto RicOj which gave the American troops possession of the important town of and the railroad leading thence to Ponce, and resulted in the surrender of Ponce, then the largest town on the island, without resistance. In the commanding general's official report of this action the name of Lieutenant Wright ajjpears in a list of the names of eight officers "especially commended for gallantry and coolness under fire.'' Lieutenant Wright accompanied the troops under Generals Henry and Garretson on the march from Guanica, via Yauco, to Ponce ; and, in General Mile^' subsequent concerted movement of the four columns of troops from the southern coast northward. Lieutenant Wright accompanied the left-center column, under Generals Henry and Garretson, in its march from Ponce over the mountain trail, via Adjuntas and Utuado, toward Arecibo - ^which column penetrated farther north than any other American troop.s before the peace protocol put an end to hostilities.

Colonel (then Lieutenant) Wright wa.* recommended for brevets as First Lieutenant and Captain (recommendation indorsed and approved by General Miles) for meritorious services during the Porto Rican campaign, and for great personal bravery in action with Spanish troops near Yauco, Porto Rico, July 26, 1898 ; and after the close of the war he was honorablv discharged from the service of the United States, November 21, 1898. In 1899 he resumed the practice of the law and is still engaged in active practice at Akron, Ohio.

In the Ohio National Guard Colonel Wright has held tlie following commissions and positions: second lieutenant, First Regiment, Light Artillery; second lieutenant and battalion adjutant. Eighth Regiment, Infantry; captain and regimental adjutant. Eighth Regiment, Infantry; acting adjutant general, Second Brigade; lieutenant-colonel and assistant adjutant general, adjutant general of the division ; lieutenant-colonel and chief of staff of division : and colonel and chief of staff of division. He is now (November, 1907) chief of staff of division, -with the rank of colonel; and he has served as such chief of staff, or as adjutant general and chief of staff ever since January 29, 1900 - for very nearly eight years.

Colonel Wright is a member of the Philosophical Society of Washington, D. C, and is at present the president of the Akron Bar Association. He is also a member of the -Vlpha Delta Phi college fraternity, and a member of numerous military and patriotic orders and societies, in several of which he has held some of the higher offices.

Colonel Wright was married October 18, 1876, at Akron, Ohio, to Lucy Josephine Hale, of Akron, a daughter of James Madison Hale and Sarah Allen, his wife. Their children, all born at Tallmadge, Ohio, are: (1) Clement Hale Wright, born July 4, 1882, who graduated at the United States Military Academy, June 15, 1904, and is now a second lieutenant in the Second United States Infantry, on duty with his regiment in the Philippine Islands; (2) Allen Whitney Wright, born July 17, 1889; and (3) George Maltby Wright, born June 24, 1892. Lieutenant Clement Hale Wright was married at Hartwell (a suburb of Cincinnati), Ohio, January 1, 1906, to Laura Mitchell, a daughter of Rev. Frank Gridley Mitchell, D. D., and Mary Electa Davis, his wife.

AVADE G. SHORT, LL. B., principal of the Hall BiL~ine,'>s L^niversity at Youngstown, Ohio, the Lorain Business College, at Lorain, and the Hammel Business College, at Akron, is engaged in the practice of law, with offices in the Dobson Building, at Akron. Professor Short was born in Geauga County, Ohio, in 1880, where he secured hi-^ preliminary educational training.

When but fifteen years of age Mr. Short went to Cleveland, where he made a thorough .«tudy of eomriiercial work, and graduated from a commercial college in that city, and later from the law denartment of Baldwin L'niversitv. He was admitted to the bar in

1902. For sonic six yeaxs before coming to Akron, Mr. Short had been closely connected with business college work, having purchased the Hammel BiLsiness College from its founder, who had established it in 1881. In June, 1904, he bought the Hall Business University, which had been established at YoungstofWTi, in 1892, and in 1903 he established the Lorain Business College, at Lorain. The officers of these several commercial schools are as 'follows : Of the Hamauel Business College, W. G. Short, LL. B., is president, and J. W. Short is business manager. Of the Hall Biisiness University, C. C. Short is manager, J. W. Shorti, treasurer, and W. G. Short, LL. B., principal. The saime personnel makes up the official force of the Lorain Business College, W. G. Short, LL. B., being president, J. W. Short, vice-presiident, and P. S. Short, manager. All these gentlemen are thoroughly competent in the work of commercial instruction and their institutions take high rank in the business world.

Few men of his years have accomplished so much along a given line in so short a time as has Mr. Short, and he is justly numbered with the progressive and enterprising young men of this city. In addition to his law practice and commercial college interests, Mr. Short handles a large amount of real estate.

RAY F. HAMLIN, a young but able member of the Akron bar, now serving his second term as city clerk, in spite of his youth has been nominated by the Republican party for the important office of city treasurer. Mr. Hamlin was born at Akron, April 24, 1881, and is a son of Byron S. Hamlin, a native of Summit County and for forty years a resident of Akron. He was reared in his native city, where he attended the public schools, and then took a two-years' course in the law department of Columbia University at Washington, D. C, and was graduated from Baldwin Univer.*ity at Cleveland in 1903. Upon his return to Akron he took the bar examination and in the same year was admitted to practice. lie was at once appointed city clerk

On May 28, 1907, Mr. Hamlin was married to Mabel J. Gordon, who is a daughter of Fred F. Gordon, of Akron. He is a member of Woodland Methodist Episcopal Church. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias and the Odd Fellows. He and wife are participants in the pleasant social life of the city, and both are valued for their personal attributes.

ORLANDO WILCOX, one of the leading members of the Summit County bar, and senior member of the law firm of Wilcox, Parsons, Burch and Adams, at Akron, was born in Medina County, "Ohio, in December, 1851, and is a son of Dr. Orlando Wilcox, once a man of great prominence in this section.

Dr. Orlando Wilcox settled at Cuyahoga Falls in 1828, and in the following year, in association with Henry Wetmore, organized the first temperance society in the state of Ohio. He remained one of the leading citizens of Cuyalioga Falls until 1831, when he moved to Medina County, where he practiced for many years, but prior to his death, in 1886, he returned to the Falls. It is interesting to recall historic events and compare them with those of modern times. The temperance organization mentioned above, was the cause of the first strike in the industrial world of Summit County. At that time Mr. Wetmore was the owner of the paper mills at Cuyahoga Falls and it had been his custom to each Saturday set out a barrel of whiskey for his employes to help themselves. After the organization of the temperance society, he cut off this luxury, with the result that the men went out on a strike, and a number of them were never again employed in the mills. Mr. Wilcox has in his possession, with other interesting papers, a number of the original contracts made between Joshua Stow and William Wetmore, father of Henry Wetmore, for the organization of Stow Township, some of these bearing the date of 1804.

to entering Baldwin University. He subsequently read law in the otRcc of A. J. Marvin, of Cleveland, being admitted to the bar in the spring of 1884. Locating at Cuyahoga Falls, he entered upon the practice of his profession and continued it there until 1898, when he went to Indian Territory, being assigned to duty as special United States district attorney. During the time he remained in Indian Territory, which covered a period of two years, he tried sixty-four murder cases, - and convicted the first man that was ever * hung in the Territory by order of the Federal courts. For various reasons Mr. Wilcox resigned this position and returned to Ohio, in 1900 establishing his law office at Akron, and becoming dissociated with C. T. Grant in the firm of Wilcox and Grant, which continued until the spring of 1904. In a new association Mr. Wilcox became senior member of the law firm of Wilcox, Parsons and Burch, Mr. Adams later being admitted as the junior member of the firm. Mr. Wilcox has successfully handled a large number of important cases before the Ohio courts, and has an enviable record in the different branches of his profession.

Mr. Wilcox still retains his home at Cuyahoga Falls and is interested in several financial enterprises in that city. He is a director in the Cuyahoga Falls Savings Bank and in the Falls Savings and Loan Association. He is also president of the Mercantile Credit Company, of Cincinnati. Fonnerly he took an active interest in politics and his party chose him as its candidate for prosecuting attorney, and in 1896 for probate judge. He came within seventy-seven votes of the nomination for the latter office. For fifteen years he was city solicitor for Cuyahoga Falls, but the demands of his profession have given him very little time to push his claims for political preferment, had he po.?sessed the ambition to do so.

In 1874 Mr. Wilcox was married to Zelia M. Severance, of Medina County, and they have two daughters, Lottie and Mabel. Lottie is the wife of Charles C. McCuskey. residing at Cuyahoga Falls. Mabel is a student at

Buchtel College, where she has made a remarkable record, taking the highest honors of her class, both in 190o and 1907 ; she anticipates graduating in the class of 1908. The family belong to the Disciples Church at Cuyahoga Falls, which Mr. Wilcox has sensed as a member of the board of tnistees; he is now superintendent of the Sunday school. Fraternally he is connected with the Elks and the Knights of Pythias. The family is one of social prominence at Cuyalaoga Falls.

H. E. ANDRESS, a member of the law firm of Allen, Watere, Young & Andress, with oflices in the Hamilton Building, Akron, has been a resident of this city since 1893. He was born in Ashland County, Ohio, and is a son of the late Samuel D. Andress, formerly an agriculturist in Ashland County.

Mr. Andress spent his boyhood and obtained his early education in the schools of his native county, and later entered Vermillion Institute, where he was graduated in 1892. He then read law for two years with W. E. Slabaugh and in 1894 entered the Cincinnati Law School, from which he was graduated in 1895. During the period in which he was securing his own academic and collegiate training, he taught school, his time in this profession aggregating about five years. For six months after locating at Akron, Mr. Andress continued to practice alone, and then entered into partnership with F. E. Whittemore, under the firm name of Andress & Whittemore. This business association continued until 1902, when Mr. Andress became a member of the firm of Allen, Cobbs & Andress, T\'hich later became Allen, Cobbs, Waters & Andress, changing to Allen, Waters & Andress, on the death of Mr. Cobbs in 1905. The present style was assumed November 1, 1906, when W. E. Young became a member of the firm. This combination of legal talent is regarded by the bench and bar of the coimty as one of the strongest in this section ; flieir work covers all branches of law and jurispnidence and they have .successfully handled many cases of grave importance.

L. ]\lontcnyohl, who was formerly a popular teacher in the Akron public schools, and is a daughter of George Montenyohl. They have one child, Virginia.

Mr. Andress is a prominent Democrat and has served as chairman of the Democratic County Committee, and as a member of the Democratic State Central Committee. For four years he .«erved as clerk of the Summit County board of elections, and i.s a member of the board of Sinking Fund trustees of the city of Akron. ' He is interested in a number of the city's prosperous business enterprises, but the larger part of his time is given to his law practice. He is one of the directors of the National City Bank and a stockholder in other financial institutions.

Since early life, Mr. Andress has been united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he served on the board of trustees of the First M. E. Church at Akron for some time.

PHILIP B. TREASH, attorney, wa.-^ bori^ at Uniontown, Stark County, Augu.-^t 10, 1875, and a few j'eai's later came with his parents to Akron, where he has since resided. His preliminary education was received in the public schools and he graduated from the High School in 1895. During his High School course Mr. Treash decided to study law, but desiring to first acquire a broad academic education he. studied two terms at Buchtel College, then entered Oberlin College, from Mhich institution he graduated in 1900 with the degree of Ph. B.

Immediately after graduation from Oberlin he took up the study of law, only interrupting that study long enough to earn funds with which to continue. In 1901-1902 he wa^ assistant principal of the Cuyahoga Falls High School. Subsequently entering the law department of Ohio State University, he was graduated in June, 1903, and being admitted to the bar, he chose Akron as his field of work, and became associated with the law firm of Young & Wanamaker until Mr. Wanamaker was elected to the Common Pleas Bench. After the dissolution of this firm he remained with Mr. Youno; until November. 1906, since which time he has practiced alone. Mr. Treash is actively connected with the business development of the city, and is also a leading Republican, at present being chairman of the City Republican Committee. In 1905 Mr. Treash was married to Ida M. Roberts, of Akron. He is a member of the West Congregational Church and is serving as its treasurer. He belongs to Akron Tent, K. O. T. M., the Protected Home Circle, the Young Men's Christian Association, and several other organizations.

F. E. WHITTEMORE, of the well-known law firm of Grant and Whittemore, at Akron, was born at Fitchburg, Massachusetts, in 1870. When he was seven j'ears of age his parents located in Akron, where he was reared graduating from the Akron High School in 1887. He then entered Denison University, where he was graduated in 1892, with the degree of Ph. B. He studied law in the office of Marvin. Saddler and Atterholt, of Akron, and was admitted to the bar in 1894. He was with Judge Stuart, in the probate office for one year, which gave him excellent special training, and he then began the practice of his profes.<ion alone, one year later entering into partnership with H. E. Andress, under the firm name of Andress and Whittemore. This partnership continued until 1903, and about nine months later the firm of Grant and Whittemore was organized. It is considered one of the strong legal combinations of the city and handles a large amount of important litigation. Besides attending to his law practice, Mr. Whittemore has duties as a director of the Akron Grocery Company and the Colonial Tire and Rubber Company. For a number of years he served as clerk of the Board of Elections.

In 1897 Mr. Whittemore was married to Anna G. Clark, who is a daughter of the late George B. Clark, and they have two children - Marian Esther and Robert C. The family belong to the First Baptist Church, which Mr. Whittemore is serving as a member of the official board.

N. M. GREENBERGER, attorney, and Republican candidate for city solicitor of Akron, is one of the prominent j^ounger membei-s of the bar, and a very popular citizen. Mr. Greenberger has practically .^pent hid whole life in this city, securing his literary education in it.s excellent schools, and selecting it a.s the field of his professional work.

As soon as he had completed his education, Mr. Greenberger entered the law office of Edwin F. Voris, where he finished his lawstudies. He was admitted to the bar, by the Supreme Court of Ohio, in June, 1902. He has been notably successful, having climbed from the bottom of the ladder to his present position entirely through Iils own efforts. His fellow citizens who honor him a.s one fitted for high responsiljilities, recall when he blacked shoes and sold newspapers rather than be dependent. Later, while traveling for the Brooks Oil Company, of Cleveland, he spent his nights in hi.s hotel, poring over his law books. Energetic and ambitious, he has always taken an active interest in politics and has recently been nominated for city .solicitor on the Republican ticket, over four competitors, all of them strong men. His friends are confident that he has a bright future before him. both in hi^ profession and in public life. He is a member of Court Pride, of the Independent Order of Foresters, and of Akron Camp, Modern AVoodmen of America, also of thi-s city. He is located in the Central Office Building, Akron.

CHARLES H. STAHL, attorney-at-law, at Akron, with offices at No. 518 Hamilton Building, is a prominent citizen and has large financial interests in Summit and other counties. He was born near Winesburg, Holmes County, Ohio, May 18, 1873, and is a son of Charles and Louise (Dodez) Stahl. The father of Mr. Stahl was born in Gennany and was a pioneer of Holmes County. Ohio, v>-herc he became a man of suhstance and local prominence. He held county offices and wa* long numbered among the leading men cf his community. His wife, Louise, was of French extraction, but was born in Wayne County, Ohio.

Charles H. Stahl was reared on his father's farm and attended the country schools, later entering the Ohio Northern University at Ada, where he was graduated with the degree of A. B. He then engaged in teaching and for two years was principal of the Winesburg public schools. In 1902 he wa.s graduated with the degree of LL. B. from the law department of the Ohio State University, and in the same year received the A. M. degree from his alma mater. In that year he was also admitted to the bar, and in the following .spring he located in Akron and entered upon the practice of his profession, in which he has since continued. Politically he is a Democrat and has taken an active part in public affairs. He has many financial interests, being a director in the South Akron Banking Company, in the Akron Realty Company, and in the Beach City Banking Company, of Beach City, Stark County, Ohio.

September 26, 1906, Mr. Stahl was married to Cora B. Snyder, who is a daughter of C. J. Snyder, a prominent business man of this city. Mr. and Mrs. Stahl have one daughter, Margaret Louise, born August 8, 1907.

Mr. Stahl is a Knight Templar Mason and belongs to Akron Comrnandery, No. 25. and to Blue Lodge, Chapter and Council, of this place. He is a member of the Lutheran Church. He has never given up his membership in the Delti Chi college fraternity, having been one of the charter members of the organization, at the Ohio State Universitv in 1902.

ARTHUR JAMES ROWLEY, formerly city .solicitor of Akron and a member of the law firm of Rogers, Rowley & Rockwell of this city, was born December 4, 1868. at Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, and is a son of William and Mary J. (Wills) Rowley.

tlio family In .si'llle in Akron, where he did in 1H48. To the hitter helongs the dLstinction of establishing the tirst pottery here. He brought a family of seven children from England, and four more were added after the family settled here. He died in this city, aged seventy-three years. William Rowley, father of Arthur J., \va.s ten years old when his parents came to Ohio. He assisted his father in his work as a potter and succeeded him in the business. In 1886 he retired from active business and died in November, 1891, at the age of fifty-four years. HLs children were : Florence, who died in infancy; Arthur .J.. Maude L., and Zelle I.

Arthur James Rowley was graduated from the Akron High School in January, 1885, and from Buchtel College, in June, 1890. He then began the study of the law with Charles Cobbs, and the firm of Green, Grant & Sieber, and wa.s admitted to the bar in March, 1892. In the following year Mr. Kowley was elected a member of the Akron Board of Education. In 1895 he was made city solicitor, two years later being re-elected and by a larger majority than any other candidate. Since the close of his second term of office he has applied himself entirely to his large and growing practice. In 1902 he became a member of the firm of Rogers, Rowley & Rockwell, whose offices are in the Central Savings & Trust Building.

Fraternally Mr. Rowley is an Elk and retains membership in his college iraternity, the Delta Tan Delta. He belongs also to the Summit County Bar Association. He stands very high in public esteem, both as a citizen and profe.s.sionally.

On October 20. 1897, he was married to Amelia Grether and they have three children : Pauline Barbara, William Arthur and John Grether Rowley, all of whom reside at the family resident, 838 Eaet Market Street.