Wayne County, Ohio - Chapter 15: Bench and Bar, 1910

Chapter 15: Bench and Bar

The bench and bar of Wayne county have a proud record of achievement and their history is of more than ordinary interest. The roll contains the names of distinguished statesmen, generals, jurists, authors and lawyers, who have won both state and national fame.

The Wayne county bar for ability and integrity has always stood high in the estimation of the bar of the state. This bar has the reputation of sticking closely to forms of practice, and making hard fights on close points of law, which is often a surprise to lawyers from other counties, who have been accustomed to loose practice.

The stress of the profession of law is very great. On the bench or in the ranks the law is an absorbing pursuit, and is characterized by situations that engage the whole man. The relations of lawyers to each other is professionally that of opponents. They stand against each other; they contend; and yet it is creditable to the influence of the study and pursuit of the law that these contentions do not reach the heart or become a part of the life. There is, perhaps, no one of the learned professions more characterized by liberality and kindliness of thought among its members than that of the law.

The attorneys and judges of this community have always taken a conspicuous part in moulding public opinion. Their business brings them constantly in the "limelight." Their forum is the whole community, while other professions are confined to a small proportion of the entire people. Therefore the members of the legal profession wield, perhaps, a greater influence over the life and destiny of the community as a whole than any other class of men.

The memories of the lawyers of the earlier decades of the history of Wayne county are perhaps less striking, familiar and interesting than those of the later years. The daily glow of natural sunlight is regarded as a matter of course, and less memorable than the shadow which settles down in the

Judges Of Common Pleas

Judges of the courts of common pleas who have presided in judicial districts of which \\"ayne county constituted a part, from 1812, were as follows :

Benjamin Ruggles was born in Connecticut. After his admission to the bar he removed to Ohio, and later became prominent in the United States Senate, serving from this state from 1815 to 1833. He held court in Wooster as early as 1812.

William Wilson was a native of New Hampshire, emigrating to Ohio about the time of the admission of the state into the Union. He appears among the president judges of the court of common pleas in 1803, 1810, 1820, holding court in Wooster in 1816. He seiwed two terms in Congress.

George Tod was the father of David Tod. Judge Tod was from Trumbull county. Ohio, represented the district of which that county formed a part in the Ohio Senate in the early history of the state, was a member of the supreme court of Ohio during the first decade of his history, and as president of the court of common pleas held court in Wooster in 1816.

Alexander Harper was a native of Ireland, immigrated to the United States, settled in Ohio, served in the earlier sessions of the General Assembly, was a member of Congress, was elected to the judgship, and held court in Wooster as early as 1822.

Circuit Judges, Fifth District

Circuit judges from the fifth district, Ohio, elected in November, 1884, under an act of the General Assembly of April 14, 1884, establishing said court, three judges being elected, the respective periods each was to serve to be determined by lot, resulting as follows :

John W. Albaugh, for two years, re-elected, for six years; Charles Follett, for four years, re-elected, for six years; John A. Jenner, for six years, re-elected for six years. Albaugh dropping out in 1892, J. C. Pomerene was elected for six years, in 1892, but dying in December, 1897, M. L. Smyser was appointed by Governor Bushnell to succeed him, serving from January 15, 1898, until November, of that year. John M. Swartz, in November, 1898, was elected to fill the residue of the term, serving from November 17, 1898, to February 9, 1899. 1898, R. M. Voorhis was elected for the full term. In 1894, John J. Adams was elected for six }^ears. In September, 1895, John A. Jenner resigned, and George E. Baldwin was appointed by the Governor, and served until in November of that year. In 1895 Charles H. Kibler was elected to fill the unexpired time, occasioned by the resignation of Jenner. In 1896 Silas M. Douglass was elected for six years.

Early Prosecuting Attorneys

But little is known, or of record, relative to a majority of the lawyers who were in attendance at the first session of the court of common pleas held in Wooster, August 6, 1812, Hon. Benjamin Ruggles presiding, with Christian Smith, David Kimpton and John Cisna as associate judges. We give the names of the lawyers who were present : Roswell M. Mason, C. R. Sherman, J. W. Lathrop, Nathaniel Mather, John M. Goodenow, John C. Wright, William B. Raymond, Elderling Potter.

Jacob Parker was a great lawyer and a great judge. He served on the common pleas l)ench under the old constitution, when liis circuit included the counties of Knox, Richland, Holmes, Medina and MHyne. He was born in New England and was the brother-in-law of Judge Charles R. Sherman, who was a justice of the supreme court of Ohio, and three of whose sons are famous in the annals of Ohio, the Judge, the General and the Senator. He was president judge of the eleventh circuit, and sat in Wooster in 1841 and 1842.

Among the prominent men wlio were principally lawyers, whose births occurred, and whose earlier, and euen later years, were spent in Wayne county, or within a radius of twenty-five miles of Wooster, this territory then being in \Vayne county, we may mention the name of Hon. William B. Allison, of Dubuque, Iowa, who was born in Wayne county, in 1829, before the formation of Ashland county in 1846. He studied law in Wooster, and removed to Iowa in 1857, has served four terms in Congress, was elected to the United States Senate, taking his seat March 4th. 1873, ^.nd retained his place in that honorable body over a quarter of a century,

William L, Strong, ex-mayor of New York city, went to Wooster in May, 1845, was employed by the firm of Lake & Jones, the largest retailing dry goods house in Wooster, and remained in their employ until the first of January, 1847. He removed to the city of New York in 1857, and at the end of forty years had risen to the rank of one of the merchant princes of that city.

Charles R. Sherman is on record fis among the first lawyers, with J. W. Lathrop, William C. Raymond, John C. Wright. John M. Goodenow, -Roswell M. Mason, Nathaniel Maher and Elderling Potter, in attendance at the court, in Wooster, at the October term, 1813. He was the father of Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman, Judge Charles T. Sherman, and Hon. John Sherman of Washington, D. C., who in the earlier time appeared in trial of causes at the Wooster bar.

Rufus P. Ranney was recognized by the lawyers of Wayne county, where professional duties occasionally called him, as a man of superior legal talent.

Rufus P. Spalding and David K. Carter quite frequently were interested in legal contentions in the Wayne county court, both having been in Congress and both lawyers and jurists of wider than state reputations.

Col. Enoch Totten 'was a son of our late respected pioneer fellow-citizen, Michael Totten, and was born in Wayne county. He won a national reputation as a lawyer.

Samuel H. Kauffmann, formerly of near Millbrook, Wayne county, reared in that neighborhood, and yet remembered by some of our citizens, possesses the distinction of being one of the owners and editors of the Washington (D. C.) Star, a great metropolitan daily.

John Sloane in his day was a distinguished citizen of Ohio, and an honor to Wayne county, to which he removed soon after the admission of the state into the Union. He was a member of the Ohio Legislature as early as 1804. In 1807 President Jefferson appointed him receiver of public moneys of the new land office at Canton, Ohio. He served ten years in Congress, from 1819 to 1829. In 1841 the Legislature of Ohio appointed him secretary of state for three years. He held the office of treasurer of the United States, by appointment of President Fillmore, dying in 1856.

Major-General David Sloane Stanley is a growth of Chester township, Wayne county, Ohio, of over seventy years ago. He was reared and educated by the late Doctor Leander Firestone, of Wooster. He graduated from West Point in 1852. In 1861 he was appointed captain in the Fourth United States Cavalry. He was made brigadier-general of volunteers, in 1861, and soon rose to the rank of major-general.

Hon. Patrick A. Collins, a native of county Cork, Ireland, ex-mayor of Boston, and twice elected to Congress, lived for a time in Wayne county, acting in the capacity of coal miner.

Bliss, Martin Welker, A. S. McClure, M. L. Smyser, and Lewis P. Ohliger. The last-named four gentlemen all resided in Wooster, and with the exception of Hon. Martin Welker, all vigorously and successfully engaged in their respective pursuits, two of them swordsmen of the law.

John K. Cowen, of Baltimore, Maryland, formerly lived in Wayne county. He has been congressman and president of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad company.

Rush Taggart, of New York, is a brother of Judge Frank Taggart of Wooster, and was born in Smithville, Wayne county, Ohio. Fie completed his collegiate course at the University of Wooster, a member of a class of six, who were the first graduates of the institution. After this he taught for a year in the Wooster high school, when he entered the law department at Ann Arbor, from which he also graduated. He commenced the practice of law in Wooster.

Gen. Samuel R. Curtis was a Wooster lawyer, with a record of statesman, patriot and soldier, and shed lustre on the American army in two of his country's wars.

John Bruce points to Plain township, Wayne county, as his old home. He is of the Scotch clan of Bruces, of Bannockburn. His parents immigrated to the United States and settled in Wayne county in 1840. He was a soldier in the Civil war from Iowa, rose to the rank of general, and became a prominent lawyer in Keokuk, Iowa.

Hon. Martin Welker was lieutenant-governor of Ohio, with Chase as governor, a patriotic and prudent legislator in Congress, judge of common pleas and United States coiu'ts, a doctor of laws and for years lecturer on international and constitutional law in Wooster University.

Present-Day Wayne County Lawyers

Lyman R. Critchfield was born in Knox county, Ohio, May 22, 1831, and is a son of the late Reuben T. Critchfield, of Millersburg, Holmes county, Ohio. He was graduated from the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohia, in June, 1852. Soon thereafter he commenced the study of law, in Columbus, Ohio, with Hon. George E. Pugh, then attorney-general of the state, and after this, a United States senator from Ohio. He was admitted to practice in March, 1853, and the following year he spent in the Queen City, in the office of the clerk of the superior court. He opened an office in Millersburg, Holmes county, Ohio, where he rapidl)^ grew into practice and became a conspicuous member of the bar. He has served as prosecuting attorney of Holmes county, and was a member of the senate in the General Assembly of Ohio. He was attorney-general of Ohio, in 1863-4, and discharged his duties in a manner satisfactory to his constituents and the state. As one of the leaders and foremost thinkers and orators of the Democratic party, he has fought congressional battles. On two occasions nominated for the supreme judgeship of Ohio on the Democratic ticket, in each instance he made a vigorous and animated canvass, and with a splendid running record shared in the disasters of his party in the state.

Hon. Addison S. McClure was born in Wooster, Wayne county, Ohio, October 10, 1839. He received a common school education in Wooster. In the fall of 1853 he entered Jefiferson College, Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, where he remained five years, taking the honor for oration in the annual literary contest. In 1859 he left college and went to the South as a teacher, and found employment near Natchez, Mississippi, where, for a time, he remained, when he returned to Wooster, in April, i860. He immediately entered the law office of Messrs. Cox & Welker, where he completed his elementary studies, and was admitted to the bar of Ohio, in March, 1861. April 16, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, Fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, to serve for three months, re-enlisting in the same company and regiment for three years at Camp Dennison, Ohio, June 4, 1861. In October, of the same year, he was transferred to the Sixteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, then being organized at Camp Tifhn, Wooster, Ohio, recruiting Company H of this regiment, having been commissioned captain of the same. After the close of the war he resumed the practice of law in Wooster. He was elected recorder of the then village of Wooster, in April, 1867, and was appointed postmaster of this city in May, 1867, serving for twelve years. He became one of the proprietors of the Wooster Republican in August, 1870, assuming the editorial management and direction of that paper, which continued until 1881. He was a member of the Republican national convention, held in Chicago in 1868, which nominated General Grant for the presidency, and of a similar convention, held in Cincinnati, in 1876, which nominated Rutherford B. Hayes. He was elected to Congress in 1880, was unanimously renominated in 1882, and .was defeated. In 1894 he was again elected to the federal House of Representatives. He ran eighteen hundred ahead of the state ticket,- carrying Wayne county by the unprecedented majority of nine hundred and ten. He was renominated in 1896, and was defeated He was married September 26, 1866, to Mary L. Brigham, of Vienna, Michigan. Their only child, Walter C. McClure, was born in August, 1880.

Judge Martin Welker was born in Knox county, Ohio, April 25, 1819; his early life was of obscure and modest origin. At the age of fourteen he held a clerkship in a store in the neighborhood. Four years later, at Millersburg, Holmes county, Ohio, he commenced his researches of the law, and at twenty-one was admitted to practice. He was appointed clerk of the common pleas court in Holmes county, serving five years. The Whigs nominated him for Congress in 1848, but he was defeated. He was elected common pleas judge of the sixth district of Ohio, and served five years, under the new constitution of 1851. He was nominated for lieutenant-governor in 1859, upon the ticket with Salmon P. Chase, and was elected, but refused a second nomination. During the Civil war he was a gallant defender of the Union cause; he was appointed major on the staff of Gen. J. D. Cox, and served with the three months' enlisted recruits, subsequently acting as aide-de-camp to the Governor, and as judge-advocate-general of the state, until the expiration of the term of Governor William Denison. He superintended the Ohio drafts in 1862 in the capacity of assistant adjutant-general of Ohio. While in the military service he was nominated by the Republicans for Congress, but was defeated. He was nominated again in 1864, this time being successful, re-elected in 1866 and 1868. President Grant in 1873 appointed him district judge of the United States for the northern district of Ohio.

Judge Olartin L. Smyser was born in Chester tounship, Wayne county, April 3, 1851, on a farm, where he was reared. He remained on the paternal homestead with his father. Emanuel Smyser, a native of York county, Pennsylvania, v, ho removed to A\'a}'ne county in 1832, when he registered as a student at Wittenburg College, Springfield, Ohio, from which institution he graduated in 1870. He soon thereafter commenced the study of law in Wooster in the office of Hon. L. R. Critchfield. He passed his legal examination at Columbus, Ohio, in April, 1872, opening an office at once in Wooster. He was nominated during the fall of that year for prosecuting attorney of Wayne county, by the Republicans, having then but passed his twenty-first year. In 1873 he entered into professional relations with Hon. A. S. McClure, which partnership continued for much more than a quarter of a century. To the Republican national convention at Chicago in 1884 he was chosen as an alternate delegate, and in 1888 he was sent as a regular delegate, and during this year he was elected to Congress. He was appointed to the bench of the circuit court, January 15, 1898, by Governor Asa S. Bushnell, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of Judge Julius C. Pomerene.

Eugene W. Newkirk was born in Clinton township, Wayne county, Ohio, is a son of Isaac Newkirk, who died in December. 1870, and a grandson of Henry Newkirk, a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania, he being a son of Isaac Newkirk, who was a soldier under General Crawford, in the disastrous military campaign against the Indians of Sandusky, Ohio, in 1782. Isaac Newdvirk, the father of WHde N., was a successful farmer. The son graduated from the University of Wooster in 1882, and from the Law College in Cincinnati in 1885, and then opened an office in Wooster.

Samuel B. Eason was born at the old Eason homestead in Springville, Plain township, Wayne county, Ohio, April 2, 1844, and is a son of the Hon. Benjamin Eason, of Wooster, the oldest member in active practice at the Wooster bar. The son enlisted in the Federal army May 27, 1862, and served three months. Then he studied at Mt. Union, Ohio, Vermilion Institute, Hayesville, Ohio, and the law^ department of the University of Michigan, graduating in 1869. He has practiced about thirty-five years in Wooster, was appointed to a judgeship, and he is something of an astronomer.

ship, Wayne county, October 14, 1849, which place he lived until April, 1876, when he removed to West Salem. He hrst engaged in the tanning business and then at the carpenter's trade with his father, John Keeler, who \.as rnaiiied to Hannah Matthews, of Wooster, a sister of Airs. Sarah Kuffel, a daughter of the famous Adam Poe, the Indian lighter. He received a good education and taught school until he removed to West Salem. During the time he was teaching, he commenced the study of law at Wooster. Pie was admitted to the bar in Wooster in 1874, but did not enter upon practice until 1876. He was married in 1874 to Ida Wiltmer, and has two children, John V., his son, and a daughter, Ida. He has been engaged in the practice of his profession at West Salem.

Lyman R. Critchiield, Jr., was born in Millersburg, Holmes county, Ohio, and is a son of Hon. Lyman R. Critchiield. His primary education was received in the schools of his native town, which was supplemented by a college course at the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio. After the termination of his studies at this institution he returned to Millersburg, entered the office of his father, and there completed the elementary work of preparation for the professional practice. Pie passed the state examination at Columbus, Ohio, for admission to the bar June 4, 1891. In politics he is a Democrat, and on that ticket in April, 1899, he was elected to the office of city solicitor of the city of Wooster. He was married September 28, 1898, to Rose, daughter of Allen Brown, of Salt Creek township. When the war between the United States and Spain was declared he enlisted as a private in Company D, Eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

Asbury Durbin Metz was born in Wooster, W'ayne county, Ohio, July 24, 1852. He was a son of Jacob Metz, in the earliest history of Wooster and when it was a village, and for years afterwards a boot and shoe merchant. The son was graduated from the University of Wooster in 1874. He studied law and has practiced in Wooster.

Price Russell was born on a farm in Medina county, Ohio. In 1865, when he was ten years old, with his parents he came to Creston, Wayne county, where he continued to live. Pie passed through the common schools, and the Ohio University, then studied law for one year with Hon. Lyman R. Critthheld. at Millersburg, Ohio: then graduated from the Cincinnati Iriw College in 1890. He engaged in newspaper work for some time, owning the .Medina Standard; then began jjracticing law in Creston, Wayne county.

born in Chester township, November 26, 1854. He was educated at the business college of Valparaiso, Indiana. He was editor and manager of a weekly journal published at Shreve. He read law in the office of McClure & Smyser of Wooster and was admitted to the bar about 1899. He has an office in Shreve and is engaged in the law and insurance.

Charles M. Yocum was born in Plain township, Wayne county, February 17, 1842, the son of Joseph G. Yocum, a farmer in that vicinity for over a half century. The son graduated from the Vermilion Institute in 1866. He had a short military service in Company D, One Hundred and Sixtysixth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in 1864. He was admitted to the bar in 1868. On December 25, 1872, he married Isabella A. Ross, of Wooster. For many years he has practiced law in Wooster.

D. Wenger was born March 22, 1864, in Sugar Creek township, Wayne county, Ohio. His parents were Pennsylvania Dutch. They removed to Ohio about fifty-five years ago, and settled on the farm where Mr. Wenger was born. His early days were occupied on the fami, where he remained until he was eighteen years old, when he entered mercantile life, in which he is at present engaged. He began the study of law in the spring of 1893 admitted to the bar in March, 1896. He studied under the

Harry R. Smith, son of Richard H. Smith, received a common school education and studied law, opening an office in W ooster. He is attorney for the Camp system of railroads, having assumed general management of the Ashland & Wooster Railway April 15, 1899.

James B. Meech was born in Chippewa township, Wayne county, and he has been engaged in the practice of law for over thirty years in this county. Pie is a Republican.

William C. Yost was born July 5, 1854, in Congress township, Wayne county, Ohio, and spent his earlier years on his father's farm. At the age of sixteen he entered the Smithville high school, which he attended for two years, when he commenced the study of law, and graduated at Ann Arbor University, Michigan, in the class of 1884. Soon thereafter he came to Wooster, opened an office and began the practice of his profession, in which he is at present engaged. He was elected mayor of the city of Wooster, in 1889, and re-elected to the same position in 1891 ; he was elected city solicitor of the city of Wooster in 1893 and re-elected in 1895. He was largely instrumental in organizing the Wooster Shale Brick works, also in locating the preserving works in Wooster, of which he is one of the board of managers.

John S. Adair was born May 26, 1859, the son of Anderson and Henrietta (McClure) Adair. He was reared on a farm in Wooster township. He studied six years at the University of Wooster, began studying law in 1881, moved to Kansas in 1886 and began practicing law, returning to Wayne county in 1888; elected city solicitor of Wooster the following year.

George W. Miller was born in Wayne township, Wayne county, November 22, 1857. His parents came from Pennsylvania. In 1870 he began learning the carriage-making trade, and served a three-years apprenticeship and worked in many different cities at this trade for ten years. In 1880 he entered school, graduated from a normal and began teaching; in 1890 he entered the Cincinnati Law School, graduating in 1891. then lived in Chippewa township until 1895, farming, serving two terms as justice of the peace. He still farms and practices law. .

M. L. Spooner is a native of the Queen City, Ohio, where he was born October 22, 1852, and is a son of Hon. Thomas Spooner, who, as a member from Ohio of the Republican national convention in i860 assisted in the nomination of Abraham Lincoln for the presidency, and who, in the fifties, was president of the national organization of the American party. At the age of sixteen he entered Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute of Troy. New York. In 1869 he was engaged upon the survey and construction of the Kansas Pacific railway, and in the winter of 1869-70 he became a member of Troop E, Seventh United States Cavalry, then stationed at Ft. Wallace, Kansas, in which he served for a year, guarding the line of the road against the attacks of hostile Indian. He then located at Humboldt, Kansas, where he learned the trade of printer in the office of the Humboldt Union. In 1872-73 he was engaged in the government survey of what is now Oklahoma. In 1875 he returned to Cincinnati, where he resumed the craft of printer, having been foreman in a number of the large printing establishments of Wooster, whither he came in 1881, taking charge of the Wayne County Herald. From 1884 he engaged principally in examining and abstracting titles. He became a member of the Ohio bar in 1897.

Edgar E. Stone is a resident of Milton township, spent his earlier years on his father's farm, was a student at the University of Wooster for a term, also at Ann Arbor, Michigan, and was admitted to the bar about 1888. He is not, we believe, actively engaged in practice, and lives on his farm near Sterling, Wayne county,

Warren Ramsey, a sou of Whirren Ramsey, is a native of Wkiyne count v, and remained with his father on the farm until he was sixteen years of age.

when he attended the Smithville Academy, A'ayne county. He graduated from the University of Wooster in 1887, was admitted to the bar and opened an office in Orrville. where he continued in the practice.

Edward Maag was born in Mt. Eaton, Paint township, Wayne county, about forty years ago. He is a man of good education, and was a teacher for a number of years. He studied law and was admitted to the bar.

Thomas W. Peckinpaugh was born in Pennsylvania, November 17, 1817. On his father's side he is of German extraction, on the mother's English. In 1821 his parents emigrated to Green township, when the subject of this sketch was but four years of age. His father rvas a farmer, and with him his son remained until he was twenty-one. He studied law in Wooster and was admitted to the bar in 1848. On October i8th of that year he married Jane E. Cotton, then began practice in Chippewa township. He filled several local offices and two terms in the Legislature.

Eugene Carlin, son of George Carlin, a prominent physician of West Salem, Wayne county, is a graduate of the high school of that village and the law school at Ada, Ohio, and has been practicing many years.

D. T. Downing was born in Wooster* township, July 17, 1849. After attendance upon the public schools in Wooster, he took a classical course at Denison University, Granville, Ohio. He was admitted to the bar in 1877. He opened a law office in Wooster, but after a few years retired from practice.

George A. Starn was born in Wayne county, Eebruary 20, 1874, and was reared on a farm, upon which he remained and worked until he was eighteen years of age. He was a student at the University of Wooster and is a graduate of the law department of Ada Institute, Ada, Ohio, and was admitted to the bar in 1899. He is located in practice in Orrville.

John C. Morr was born in Holmes county, Ohio, July 18, 1850. His father was a farmer, and the son worked on the farm until he was seventeen years of age, then began plastering and stone cutting, continuing until the spring of 1880. May 5, 1880,, Mr. Morr was admitted to the bar by the supreme court and has since been practicing his profession in Wooster.

P>enton G. Hay was born in Ashland county, Ohio, February 18, 1874. He was reared and worked upon the farm until he was eighteen years of age, when he began a course of study, taking the law course at the Ada Normal Institi.te. PTe was admitted to the bar, at Columbus, Ohio, in March, 1898, and during the fall of that year opened an office in Wooster.

nity, his mother, Elizabeth Lehman, being a daughter of David Lehman, deceased. He was admitted to the bar in 1898, at Columbus, Ohio. He hoisted his legal gonfalon in Smithville.

John R. McKinney was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, November 12, 1843, his parents removing to Wayne county, Ohio, in 1847. His father was a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania ; his mother of Scotch birth, her parents immigrating to the United States when she was young. The family settled near Dalton, in Sugar Creek township, .where they remained until 1867, when he transferred his domicil to Wooster. His son worked on the farm until his seventeenth year, when he went to the Ontario Academy, Richland county, Ohio, where he studied for two years. August 22, 1862, he joined the One Hundred and Twentieth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. After his return from the army he attended Vermilion Institute, Hayesville, Ohio, for one year ; then taught school, then he came to Wooster. In June, 1875, he was admitted to the bar here. He was three times elected justice of the peace on the Republican ticket. He is now located in Wooster.

Ed S. Weitz is one of the latest recruits tO' the Wayne county bar, and since establishing himself in Wooster he has won a very creditable standing in his profession.

Alfred J. Thomas was born in Paris, Stark county, Ohio, and is the son of a mechanic. At an early age he went to Salem, Ohio, and entered a machine shop. Prom there he removed to Wooster, in 1859, and became an employe with the old firm of McDonald, Laughlin & Co., with which he remained for a number of years. He read law with the late Hon. William M. Orr, of Orrville, was admitted to the bar, opened an office in Wooster, and continued in the practice here.

Reno H. Critchfield was born in Ripley township. Holmes county, Ohio, September 22, 1865. He was reared on a farm and his earlier years were spent in labor upon it. In 1886 he made a tour of the Pacific coast, for sixteen months remained there, when he returned to Ohio. He then registered as a student at the Ohio Normal University, a learner in summer, a teacher in winter, and this he continued for twelve years. The last three years of his school life were exclusively spent in studying law, and on the completion of this course of research in the law college he entered an office in Millersburg, Holmes county, Ohio, where he remained until March. 1899, when he was admitted to the bar. He then located at Shreve, Wayne county.

November 4, 1873, is a son of Rev. S. C. Hubbell, long a resident of Wooster while a retired minister of the United Presbyterian church. Hervey H. is a graduate of the Wooster high school, class of 1891, and a graduate of the University of Wooster, class of 1895; was admitted to the bar in June, 1897.

Silas N. Coe was born in Sugar Creek township, Wayne county, Ohio, in June, 1837. His father was a farmer and mill owner, and he remained in his service until the death of the father in 1854. He served for some time as a private in the Sixteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, enlisting in 1861, and was ranked as sergeant-major. He \vas admitted to the bar in 1874, and opened an office in Orrville. He served as United States commissioner. He was married February 14, 1877, to Ellen Steele.

Aquila Wiley was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania. His father, William Wiley, was a farmer. In 1852 he came to Wayne county, Ohio, with his father, who purchased land and settled a short distance northeast of Reedsburg. Although quite a young man, his education was sufficient to qualify him for the duties of teaching, and for several years he successfully engaged in this vocation. He read law in Wooster, and was admitted to the Ohio bar in June, 1857. He was married May 19, 1876, to Emma, daughter of Hon. Neal Power, a former dry goods merchant of Wooster. Mr. Wiley entered the Union army in 1861, and by a series of promotions became brigadier-general in 1865. He was prominent in politics, was elected probate judge of Wayne county in 1876, elected to Ohio Legislature in 1897.

James E. Snyder was born near Burbank, Congress township, Wayne county, January 14, 1869, and is a farmer's son. He studied law, graduated from the University of Wooster in 1893, winning a reputation as an orator; graduated from the Ohio State University in 1895, admitted to the bar that year.

Charles C. Jones is the only son of ex-State Senator Lake E. Jones and Jennie Jones, of Wooster, and was born in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, October 22, 1873. He is a great-grandson of Hon. Benjamin Jones, who settled in Wayne county as early as 1811, who served in both houses of the General Assembly of Ohio, and two years in Congress. He received his education in the public schools of Wooster, taking a commercial course at Bixler's Business College of this city, later attended the Ohio State University, and was admitted to the bar in 1900.

Walter J. Mullins is the youngest son of James Mullins of Wooster, who permanently established himself in this city a number of years ago. He graduated from the University of Wooster in the class of 1881, subsequently becoming a student of law, was admitted to the Ohio bar, and for a period engaged in the practice of his profession in Wooster, later engaging in the coal business.

Cyrus A. Rider was born in Wayne county, January 16, 1844. He enlisted in the Union army in 1862, was wounded at Mission Ridge and mustered out June 13, 1865. He studied at various academies after the war, was admitted to the bar in 1876 and filled several local offices.

Benjamin Eason was born in a log cabin in Worcester, May 5, 1822, the son of a millwright and farmer. He had a hard time securing an education; went to California in 1850, returned to Wayne county, lilled local offices, elected state senator in 1859 and in 1882; entered the Federal army in 1862, becoming captain, later colonel. He purchased the Wayne County Democrat in 1864, opened a law office in 1870.

Other living members of the Wayne county liar whose sketches appear in the biographical section of this work are, Ross W. Funck, J. O. Fritz, W. b'. Kean, John McSweeney, J. C. McClarran, T. \V. Orr, kfahlon Rouch, H. B. Swartz, Frank Taggart, James B. Taylor, W. E. Weygandt and C. A. Weiser.

Frederick J. Mullins, son of James Mullins, was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and came with his parents to Wooster, Ohio ; graduated from the university here, was admitted to the bar and opened an office here; located later at Salem, Ohio, as attorney for the Pennsylvania lines.

Enos Foreman was born in Baughman township, Wayne county, August 9, 1820, and was educated at Wadsworth Academy. He was admitted to the bar in June, 1847, when he commenced the practice of law in Wooster in which he continued for a number of years. In August, 1852, he, with PI. C. John.'-on, purchased the AToster Democrat, wliich, in 1853, thev changed to Wooster Republican, selling the same in 1870. He removed to Kansas City, Missouri, a number of years ago.

J. C. Christy came to Wooster from Washington county. Pennsylvania, in the early eighties, where he remained about a year. He had served three years as a soldier in the Union army. He was a lawyer of average ability. He removed to Kansas City. Missouri.

a graduate of Jefferson College, and also of the Albany Law School. His sojourn in Wooster was of short duration, during wdiich time he practiced law^ and was local editor of the Wooster Republican. In 1869 he removed to Rock Island, Illinois, began practice and has twice been elected county judge. -

John F. Maxwell w^as born in Holmes county, Ohio, May 27, 1835, was reared on a farm. He attended the public schools and the Fredericksburg Academy. He w'as admitted to the bar in i860; two years later he entered the Union army; he was elected common pleas judge in 1896.

W. H. Spence practiced law' for a short time about 1888. Abandoning his office in \Vooster, he returned to Columbiana county, w'hence he came.

Martin George Pauley w'as born in Wooster in 1862, though reared in Massillon, Ohio. He w'as a student of law' in Wooster but attended the Cincinnati Law College, from w'hich he graduated in 1890. He began legal practice in Wooster, but removed to Massillon where he remained.

William G. Myers w'as a resident and land owner and lawyer for many years in Chippewa township, Wayne county. In 1873 he removed to Canal Fulton, Ohio, where he continued in the practice of his profession. He w'as captain of Company G, One Hundred and Twentieth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, enlisting in 1862.

Wellington Stilhvell studied law' in Millersburg, Holmes county, where he was born in 1859; in 1882 he was elected judge of the common pleas court of the sixth judicial district.

Ezra W. Miller w'as born in Wayne county and was reared on a farm. He read law', and after his admission to the bar opened an office in Wooster. He removed to Dakota w'hen it was a territory, and under both of President Cleveland's administrations he was appointed receiver of public moneys in one of the territorial districts.

D. H. Twomey located in Wooster in 1868, where he remained for one year, during wdiich time he engaged in the practice of his profession. He W'as born in the city of New' York. He w'as admitted to the bar in Lafayette, Indiana. From Wooster he went to Davenport, Iowa, from there to Duluth, Minnesota, and thence to Salt Lake City, Utah.

Josiah Given was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, in 1828, and in his early life was a farm laborer and blacksmith, and with his parents came to Holmes county, Ohio, where they settled when he was ten years old. He was a soldier in the Mexican war, w'as admitted to the bar in 1851 and served two terms as prosecuting attorney of Holmes county. He entered the Union army in 1861 with the rank of captain, became colonel of the Seventy-Fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and subsequently a brigade commander. He served as postmaster of the thirty-ninth congress. For a short period he practiced law in Wooster and in 1868 he removed to Des Moines, Iowa, where he has held many important offices.

James R. Woodworth is a native of Paris, Lamar county, Texas, but when he was six years old his parents removed to New Orleans, Louisiana, where he was reared and obtained his education. At the outbreak of the Civil war the family removed to Kansas. He served in and obtained promotion in the Union army. He read law in Kansas City, Missouri, and was admitted to the bar in 1870, beginning practice in that city. In 1874 he located in Wooster and was elected mayor of the city in 1887, serving one term. He subsequently removed to Kansas City.

William Reed descends from a patriotic ancestry. His father, Whlliam Reed, was a product of Adams county, Pennsylvania, and his grandfather, William Reed, who was of Scotch genealogy, was a soldier in the war of 1812. His son was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, in 1823. He was admitted to the Ohio bar in 1847 immediately began the practice of law in Millersburg, Holmes county, Ohio, where he became common pleas judge and prosecuting attorney.

A. H. Walkey located in Orrville, Wayne county, Ohio, probably twenty years ago and began the practice of his profession. He was a politician as well as lawyer and was the Republican nominee for Congress from this district upon one occasion. He went to Denver, Colorado.

Thomas Y. McCray was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, August 8, 1837; came to Ohio with his parents in j845. He was admitted to the bar in 1862 in Ashland county. In March, i866, he moved to West Salem, Wayne county; held many public offices; later moved to Mansfield, Ohio.

Ezra V. Dean was born in Wooster about eighty years ago. His father had been judge of the court of common pleas and had served in Congress two terms and gave the son a college education, who, when he was admitted to the bar in 1853, formed a partnership with his father. He served in the Ohio Legislature from Wayne county from 1854 to 1856. When the One Hundred and Twentieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry was organized he was appointed quartermaster, resigning in the the fall of 1863. In 186^, with his family, he removed to fronton, Ohio.

He settled in Wooster in the fifties and began practicing law. He was twice elected probate judge of Wayne county, serving from 1858 to 1864. After this he was, for a number of years, engaged in the banking business in Wooster, He removed to Cleveland, Ohio, in 1875, and thence to Kansas in 1882 and later to Chicago, Illinois.

George W. Ross was born in Milton township, Wayne county, Ohio, June 8, 1854. He was admitted to the bar March 9, 1879, opening an office at Sterling, practicing at the Wayne county bar until 1889, when he removed to Findlay, Ohio.

Linneus O. Jeffries is a son of the late Hon. John P. Jeffries and was born in Wooster in 1844, educated at the Wooster schools, read law with his father and was admitted to the bar June 6, 1866, opening an office that year at West Salem, Wayne county, practiced law here, later went to South Dakota, then Chicago.

Celsus Pomerene, representative of a distinguished family, born in Berlin, Ohio, June 18, 1866, received a generous education, practiced law in Cleveland and elsewhere.

Henry McCray was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, his parents removing to Ohio in 1845. He read law' in Wooster with his brother, T. Y. McCray, and was admitted to the bar in this city by the district court of Ohio July 6, 1868. Here he practiced his profession until March, 1872, when he removed to Ashland. Ohio, where he served as judge of the common pleas court.

AAhlbert I. Slemmons was born near Creston, Wayne county. September 20, 1861. He is a son of Samuel M. Slemmons, who was born in Milton township. The son graduated from the University of Wooster in 1884, practiced law^ here, then removed to Peoria, Illinois.

Florien Giaugue is the son of Augustus and Sophia (Guillaume) Giaugue, w'ho were born of good families in the canton of Berne, Switzerland, and came to Holmes county, Ohio, where Florien was born. May ii. 1843, the family moving to Wayne county in 1849. The son was highly educated and became a prominent lawyer and author.

Edward Avery, an eminent and distinguished law'^yer of his day, was a native of the state of Connecticut and a graduate of Yale College. He was one of the legal pioneers of Wayne county, removed to Wooster in 1817, where he permanently located and where he lived and practiced his profession for forty-nine years. He was elected prosecuting attorney of Wayne county in 1819, and with conceded ability executed the functions of that office until 1825. He was a member of the Senate of the state of Ohio, serving from December, 1824, to December, 1826. He served in the capacity of judge of the supreme court of the state of Ohio.

Levi Cox was emphatically the pioneer of the legal profession and the printing press in Wooster, Wayne county, to which he removed in 1815, in which he permanently and continuously lived for forty-seven years. The introduction of the newspaper press in Wooster is due to his intelligence and enterprise. In 1817 he established the Ohio Spectator, the first newspaper ever published in the county. From 1819 to 1833 he was state senator, later, for five years, was judge of the common pleas court.

William M. Orr was born in Baughman township, Wayne county, January 7, 1826. He was reared on the farm with his father. Judge Smith Orr, remaining with him until he was sixteen years old, when he commenced teaching school. He attended the Dalton and Wadsworth academies, and in 1846 entered Washington and Jefferson College, Pennsylvania, from which he graduated in 1847. annual contest of 1846, between the literary societies of the college, he took the highest honors in debate and was vale dictorian of the class of 1847. He was admitted to practice and opened an office in Wooster in 1859, where he remained until 1865, when he removed to Orrville, where he lived until his death, August 19, 1893.

James C. Miller, a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania, moved to Wayne county, Ohio, in an early day, became prominent as a lawyer, dying suddenly in 1844, when a young man of about thirty years.

Samuel Hemphill was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, in 1817, and in 1827 he came with his father to Wayne county. He attended college at Athens, Ohio, and became an excellent scholar. He read law with Judge Levi Cox of Wooster, with whom he was associated in practice after his admission to the bar. He died in his thirty-sixth year, February 22. i8s3.

Lucas Flattery was born in 1821, on a farm in Fairfield county, Ohio. His father was an early settler and farmer in that county, from Pennsylvania, and a man of good education. He served as county surveyor for several years liefore he died in 1837. Mr. Flattery moved to Wooster in 1846, where he resided until his death in 1889, having held many puldic offices.

Arnold A. Ingram was born in Pennsylvania in 1843 came to Wooster in 1866 and studied law here. In 1861 he entered the military service of the United States. In 1885 he was elected city solicitor of Wooster on the Republican ticket.

George Bliss was born in Jericho, Vermont, January i, 1813. He came to Ohio in 1832 and held some important offices here, including that of congressman. He came to Wooster in 1858 and lived here until his death in 1868. He was a A^ery prominent lawyer.

Daniel C. Martin was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, in 1816 and died at his home in Reedsburg, Plain township, Wayne county, in May, 1889. He was admitted to the Ohio bar by the district court at Wooster, Ohio, in April, 1857. His practice was of a local character. He was a good business man, a most successful collector, aiming to conciliate misunderstanidngs between neighbors rather than foment litigation. He was for a number of years justice of the peace of Plain township.

Nelson Ferrell was born in Harrison county, Ohio, in December, 1834. He read law in Carrollton, Ohio, and was elected mayor of that city. He removed to Orrville in 1884 and acquired considerable popularity in his profession and was regarded as a good business lawyer. There were many pleasant traits to his character, and he aimed to be just and fair in his dealings with men. His life was suddenly terminated at Orrville several years ago.

Hamilton Richeson died in Wooster June 19, 1870, in the thirty-seventh year of his age. He was prosecuting attorney of Wayne county two terms and he was a Union soldier.

Edward S. Dowell was born in Holmes county, Ohio, in 1847, educated in Wayne county, admitted to the bar in 1869 and opened an office in Wooster, became prosecuting attorney in 1874 and was re-elected. In 1887 he was elected judge of the common pleas court. He died in 1896.

William Given was born in 1819 in Pennsylvania. In 1838 he removed with his family to Holmes county, Ohio. He was admitted to the bar in 1843, the same year was elected prosecuting attorney of Holmes county, to which he was re-elected. In 1849 elected to the General Assemblv of Ohio. In 1850 he located in Wooster, and in 1858 was elected judge of the common pleas court. He remained on the bench until 1862, when he resigned, and in August of that year was commissioned colonel of the One

Hundred and Second Regiment Volunteer Infantry, serving in the army for nearly three years. In March, 1865, he was commissioned brigadier-general. He died in Wooster in October, 1866.

Benjamin F. Eason was born in Plain township, August 3, 1847. He died August 21, 1895, and was a son of Col. Benjamin Eason of Wooster. He was admitted to the Wayne county bar in 1873 ^^^o held local offices.

Joseph H. Carr was born in Wayne county, in 1842, and was educated at the public schools of Wooster. He commenced studying law in 1859 and afterwards was admitted to the bar. He entered the Union army in 1861 and rose to the rank of lieutenant-colonel. He practiced law in Wooster and held public offices. He died in 1898.

Ohio F. Jones was born in Wooster in 1822 and was a son of Benjamin Jones, at one time a member of Congress. He studied law and was admitted to practice in 1846. Until the time of his death, 1882, he continued in the prosecution of his professional duties.

William S. Peppard was born in Salt Creek township, Wayne county, in 1829. He read law in Steubenville, Ohio, with Edwin M. Stanton, Lincoln's war secretary, and was admitted to the bar in 1853. He began the practice of law at Cadiz, Harrison county, Ohio, but subsequently located in Fredericksburg, Wayne county, where he continued in practice until his death, July I, 1889.

Wilson S. Orr was born December 28, 1846, in Canaan township, Wayne county, and died at Wooster, Ohio, September i, 1888. He was admitted to practice by the supreme court at Columbus in 1874, and immediately thereafter entered upon the work of the law in Wooster, where he continued in practice until the time of his death.

John K. McBride's father came from Pennsylvania in 1813 when John K. was three years old and located in Wayne county. He became probate judge and a noted lawyer.

George Brauneck was born in Prussia in 1813 and came to the United States in 1835., settling in Wooster in 1843. He studied law under the direction of George Rex, was admitted to the bar in 1858, and began practice in Wooster.

Hiram E. Totten was born in Wayne county in 1838. He was a son of Michael Totten. He was reared upon a farm, but came to Wooster with his parents in 1858 and was admitted to the har in 1861, when he opened an office in Wooster. He joined the Federal ranks, was wounded and died in Wooster in 1863.

George Rex was born in Canton, Ohio, July 25, 1817. He removed to Wooster in 1843 began the practice of law. He was elected and served for several terms as prosecuting attorney of Wayne county and as a conspicuous member of the Ohio Senate. Was appointed judge of the supreme court in 1874. He died March 27, 1879.

Joseph H. Downing was a native of Belmont county, Ohio, and with his family removed to Wayne county in 1826. He was one of the most successful school teachers in Wayne county. In 1853 he was elected to the Ohio Legislature. He was admitted to the bar in i860 and opened an office in Wooster. He became a captain in tbe Union army, became judge of the common pleas court and judge of the probate court. He died in 1879.

Eugene Pardee was liorn in tbe town of Marcellus, Onondaga county. New York, in 1814, and died at Wooster, Ohio, on the 14th day of October, 1888. He was elected prosecuting attorney in the fall of 1841, re-elected in 1843, held other offices.

James C. Glasgow was a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania, where he was born in 1811, and came to Millersburg, Holmes county, Ohio, with his father about 1824. He removed to Wooster in the early thirties where he studied medicine and law% although he never practiced medicine. He practiced law in Wooster until his death in i860.

Solomon R. Bonewitz was a native of Wayne county, Ohio, and was born November 28, 1820, and died in his seventy-eighth year. He was raised on a .farm in Wayne township, working upon it during the summer months and going to school in winter. In 1844 removed to Wooster, studied law and opened an office here in 1845.

Isaac Johnson, the subject of this sketch, was liorn in Wayne township, in this county, January 10, 1836. He engaged in the mercantile business in Wooster, later practiced law until 1881 when be was elected probate judge and was re-elected in 1884.

James Taylor was a Virginian by birth, born May 10, 1802. Was admitted to tbe bar, at Wooster, October 23, 1840, at the age of thirty-eight years. He died at Fredericksburg, Ohio, July 8, 1873.

John P. Jeffries was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, July 19, 1815. In 1836 he removed to Wayne county, Ohio, and settled in Wooster. He was admitted to the Ohio bar in 1842. He served four years as prosecuting attorney of Wayne county. In 1858 be was a candidate on the Democratic ticket from the fourteenth congressional district for a seat in the House of Representatives, but the district being largely Republican he was defeated. He was a delegate to the Democratic national convention at Charleston. South Carolina, in i860, under instructions to vote for Stephen A. Douglas for the Presidency. He served one term as probate judge of Wayne county. Mr. Jeffries, in 1844, commenced collecting facts concerning the primitive peoples of this continent, and continued his research until 1868, when he produced his volume entitled the "Natural History of the Human Races," which was published in New York in 1869. He died in Wooster, August 13, 1888.

Because of his honesty, impartiality and good judgment, none among the men who have served the state of Ohio in a judicial capacity deserves a higher place than Charles C. Parsons. He was born near Ithaca, New York, on September 25, 1819, and while he was still very young his parents removed to Rochester, in that state, where they lived until 1830. In that year the .family came to Ohio and settled at Medina. He was admitted to the bar in 1840, practiced at Dalton until 1849 when he removed to WMoster. Held local offices, including common pleas judge, retiring in 1887 and dying in 1890.

John McSweeney was born, as best we know, in the town of Black Rock, Erie county. New York, August 30, 1824. He came to Wooster in 1845 began practicing law at once. Was prosecuting attorney in 1852, won great notoriety as an orator and became one of the leading lawyers of Ohio, his reputation being national.

Elsewhere

George L. Willyard was a native of Knox county, Ohio, born in 1818, admitted to the bar in 1839 and opened an office in Wooster and died in 1840.

Wyllys Silliman was a state senator as early as 1803. He came to Wooster in the thirties, and subsecjuently removed to Cleveland where he died.

Charles Wolcott practiced law in Dalton and Wooster aliont 1838, became a representative and a state senator. He died in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where he was practicing law.

John A. Holland was in the forties a partner of Gen. Samuel R. Curtis, had studied law at Mt. Vernon, Knox county, Ohio, and was admitted to (he bar in 1837, later came to Wooster, then moved to Rockport, Illinois, where he died.

Hayes Holliday was a member of the Wayne county bar and for a number of years was a justice of the peace in Wooster township, moved to Dubuque, Iowa, where he died.

Dennis Winfield Kimber was born in Wooster, January 30, 1855. He was admitted to the bar in the fall of 1878. He commenced the practice of his profession in Wooster, moved to iMissouri and died there in 1895.

Samuel R. Curtis practiced law in Wooster for a short time in the forties, had experience in the Mexican war, became a major-general in the Civil war, had been in Congress, and was connected with many public national improvements. He died in 1868.

William Sample was twice elected judge of the common pleas court, serving from 1857 to 1866. Upon his retirement from the bench he formed a partnership with the late Hon. John P. Jeffries, of Wooster, and remained in the practice of his profession in this city for two years when he went to Newark, Ohio, and thence to Coshocton, Ohio, where he died in 1877.

Lucian H. Upham was born in Vermont in 1808 and came to Wayne county in 1839, was admitted to the bar in 1843, served one term as auditor of Wayne county. He removed to Delta, Fulton county, about 1850, where he died in 1897, he was elected probate judge of Fulton county, in 1854. In 1856-7 he represented Fulton and Lucas counties in the state Legislature.

James Jeffery was born in Congress township, and was of Irish ancestry, his parents immigrating to the United States in 1819, locating the same year near West Salem, Wayne county. Mr. Jeffery was admitted in 1873. In 1876 he was elected mayor of West Salem. He removed to western Ohio where he died several years ago.

Henry Lehman was born in Pennsylvania, June 9, 1809. He came to Wooster about 1833, practiced law and held several local offices, including probate judge. Fie died in Atlantic City, New Jersey, March 17, 1897.

John McNeil Connell was born in Lancaster, Fairfield county, Ohio, November 7, 1829, and located in Wooster about 1859, served in the Civil war. died in Lancaster, Ohio, in April, 1882, after serving in the Ohio state Senate in 1864.

William McMahon located in Wooster in the late thirties and began the practice of his profession, serving as prosecuting attorney of Wayne county in 1840.

Hugh Wilson was born at Smithville, Wayne county. After his admission to the bar he opened an office in Orrville, where he remained for a number of years, afterwards changing his location to New Orleans, Louisiana, where he died about 1899.

Noah L. Jeffries was admitted to the bar in 1851. He opened an office in Wooster. After an experience in practice of five years in Wooster, he went to Millersburg, then to Ravenna, and then to Mansfield, where he entered the military service of the LTnited States. He died in Washington, D. C., about twelve years ago.

Ezra Dean was a native of Columbia county. New York, and had a Revolutionary ancestry, and served himself as a soldier in the war of 1812. He located in Wooster in 1824. He became a member of the Ohio Legislature, iudge of the court of common pleas and served in Congress. Later on removed to fronton, Ohio, where he died.

George W. Wasson was a son of Joseph Wasson, who was a native of Lancaster count3^ Pennsylvania, and who removed to Wayne county, Ohio, about 1819, practiced law in Wooster, held local offices, moved to Columbus, Ohio, where he died.

John W. Rankin was a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania, and in tlie forties removed to Wayne county, when, for a short period, he taught school in Wooster, but, probably in 1850, removed to Keokuk, Iowa, which he made his permanent home, and where he died. He practiced law in Wooster for several years.

John Elliott Irvine was born in Wooster, Ohio, January 18. 1830. About 1855 he began practicing law in Wooster. He died in Richmond. Ohio, in 1869. He was a noted lawyer.

Henry C. Johnson came to Wooster from Wadsworth, Medina countv, Ohio, and practiced law here. For a number of years he was associated with Enos Foreman in the publication of the Wooster Repnhlicau. After his withdrawal from this paper he removed to Sandusky City, Ohio, where he published a daily sheet for a time, when he returned to Medina county, where he died about 1870.