USA > Ohio > Adams County > A history of Adams County, Ohio, from its earliest settlement to the present time, including character sketches of the prominent persons identified with the first century of the country's growth > Part 25
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In his active political life, which was continued for a number of years after the war,he was a regular attendant of state and other conven- tions of the Republican party, and had a wide acquaintance with public men and politicians in the state. He was famous as a debater, and no antagonist could easily annoy or ever discomfit him, for his quick, full mind was always ready to reply with facts, arguments, stories and witti- cisms. He usually had the best of every discussion, because from his nature and conscience, he always took the best side of the question. Thus he was in constant demand as a speaker, and during his long, active life, made many thousands of addresses of all kinds, professional
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and political, and on temperance and religious subjects. He was never an office seeker, nor often a place holder. He declined many nominations and appointments, which he felt would take him away from his law practice and family life.
He was long and closely identified with the Presbyterian Church of Ripley, which he truly loved and faithfully attended for more than half a century. For more than forty years he was a trustee, and chair- man of the board for many years. He also served several terms as elder in his later years, and always took a deep interest and an active part in the religious services. He was earnest and effective in all church work and charities, and contributed largely of his time and means to their support and furtherance. He was long connected with the Sunday School in various capacities, and for some years was teacher of a large Bible class. He served repeatedly as a delegate from the church to the meetings of the Pesbytery and Synod, and was once a del- egate from the Presbytery of Portsmouth to the General Assembly.
Major Baird was of medium height, fine, regular features, a hand- some man, possessing a sound mind in a sound body. From his mid- dle life, he wore a full brown beard, later tinged with gray. His dispo- sition was sunny and cheerful, and his manners were kindly and courte- ous. He was friendly to every one, and had a great fondness for little children, with whom he was a fast favorite. He was fond of men and company, of books and of social pleasures,-the life of every assembly with his vivacity, humor, and stories. His temper was easy and kindly. In affairs of duty and honor, his courage was unaffected by opposition or self-interest. He always saw the right clearly and instantly, and took his stand upon it without any fear or wavering. He was gener- ous to the poor and helpful to the deserving, always ready to assist per- sons in distress and trouble. For years he maintained many private charities and dependents, of which the world knew little or nothing. His personal and professional life was clear, just, and consistent, and he lived an earnest, devoted Christian gentleman. He lived long and worked hard, rising from simple beginnings to the highest eminence in his profession and in the consideration of his communiaty. In his profession of the law, he attained the highest reputation; among men of business and affairs, he was esteemed as a banker and financier; in politics, he was the trusted Republican leader of his county, and pos- sessed the unlimited confidence of the leaders of his party in the State; in the work and counsels of the Presbyterian Church, he was promi- nent and useful as a trustee and an elder; in slavery and temperance agi- tation and in other moral reforms, he was ever active and eloquent ; and in the general routine of life, he was helpful, sympathetic and generous, a leader in all good works and deeds. He lived a long, full life, and the world and humanity are the better for his efforts and example.
"Only the actions of the just Smell sweet and blossom in the dust."
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William M. Meek,
son of Rev. John and Anna Meek, was born November 22, 1818, in West Union, where he resided with his parents until 1836, when they re- moved to Winchester. That same year he entered school at Hillsboro,
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and completed the Hillsboro schools. He then accepted a position with the dry goods firm of Trimble & Barry, where he remained until 1838, when he returned to West Union, accepting a like position with Edward Moore. In 1841 he began the study of law. He was the pupil of the Hon. Nelson Barrere. In May, 1844, in the Supreme Court of Hillsboro, he was admitted to practice. The Hon. Thomas L. Hamer, of Brown County, was one of the committee who examined him and recommended his admission. He opened up a law office in West Union and remained there for more than a year. In August, 1845, he was married to Miss Hester DeBruin, of Winchester, daughter of H. I. DeBruin, a well-known merchant. In October, 1845, he formed a partnership with Hon. Nelson Barrere, in the practice of law at West Union, and this continued until March, 1850, when he removed to Win- chester and entered into merchandising as a partner with the late I. H. DeBruin in Winchester. He continued the practice of law at the same time he was engaged in merchandising business, which he continued until 1854. when he removed to Hillsboro, Ohio, where he resumed practice. He was elected probate judge of Highland County first in 1863, re-elected in 1866, and again in 1869. In 1872 he resumed the practice of law, and continued until his health broke down. In politics he was a Republican. He was a member of and devotedly attached to the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he was reared, and he was twice a lay delegate to the general conference of that church, first at Baltimore in 1876, and again in 1880 at Cincinnati. He was made a Master Mason in 1849 in West Union. He was a Royal Arch Mason, Hillsboro Chapter, in 1850, and was made a Knight Templar in the Chillicothe Commandery in 1851. He departed this life April 29, 1893.
John Mitchell Smith ..
Among those who were continuous residents of the village of West Union for the greater number of years was Judge John Mitchell Smith, who was born in Columbus, Ohio, June 29, 1819. He was of Scotch-Irish extraction, his ancestors having emigrated from Argyl- shire, Scotland, to the north of Ireland, and thence to the New Hamp- shire Colony, America, in 1719. His grandfather, John Smith, was a non-commissioned officer in the Revolutionary War, and was wounded in the service of his country.
His father, Judge David Campbell Smith, a graduate of Dartmouth College in the class of 1813, came to Ohio from Francestown, New Hampshire, where he was born October 2, 1785, and settled in Frank- lintown, now a part of the city of Columbus, in the year 1815. He was the first lawyer to locate permanently in Columbus, and was one of the first associate judges of the common pleas court for Franklin County. having been elected as "David Smith" in 1817. Almost invariably after- wards, he dropped his middle name. He was a member of the House in the Twenty-first General Assembly and also in the Twenty-fifth Gen- eral Assembly of the State. From 1816 to 1836 he was editor and pro- prietor of the Ohio Monitor (afterwards in the Ohio Statesmen), the third newspaper established in the county. He was State Printer in 1820 and again in 1822. From 1836 to 1845 he was chief clerk in the "Dead Letter" office in the Postoffice Department. On August 17,
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1814, David Smith was married to Miss Rhoda S. Mitchell, of Haver- hill, Mass., and John M. was their third child. His mother died when he was only six weeks old, and on June 5, 1820, his father again married -a sister of the fist wife, Miss Harriet Mitchell (born in Haverhill), December 23, 1802. By this latter marriage, there were also three childen. Mrs. Harriet Smith died of cholera, August 11, 1833. Judge David Smith remained a citizen of Columbus until 1836, when he went to Manchester, Adams County, Ohio, to reside with his daughter, Mrs. Elizabeth McCormick. He died at her home February 4, 1865. His remains, as also those of his wife, repose in Greenlawn Cemetery, at Columbus.
Until seventeen years of age, John Mitchell Smith continued to live with his father in Columbus, receiving such education as the public schools and the severe training of his father's printing office afforded. He then took three years' course of study in Blendon College. In the spring of 1840 he removed to West Union. Here he studied law for two years in the office of Joseph McCormick-afterwards attorney general of the State, and was licensed to practice law by the Ohio Su- preme Court in 1843. In the meanwhile he had served as deputy sheriff under Samuel Foster, and from 1841 to 1846 was recorder of Adams County. In 1850, greatly to his surprise and against his wishes, he was nominated and elected representative of Adams and Pike Counties in the Fifty-ninth General Assembly, serving but one term. In 1846 he was clerk of the courts for a short time to succeed General Darlinton, whose term had expired. In December, 1846, he purchased and for the next twelve years, successfully and ably edited and published the Adams County Democrat Though a vigorous organ of the Demo- cratic party, the paper was popular with all patrons, and is yet fre- quently mentioned as one of the ablest journals ever published in the county.
In 1851, upon the adoption of the present constitution of the State, he was elected probate judge. In 1854, the year of the famous "Know- Nothing" campaign, Judge Smith was defeated, along with the remain- der of the Democratic ticket, as a candidate for re-election. In 1856 he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention at Cincin- nati, and was a firm supporter of Lewis Cass, from first to last, as against James Buchanan and Stephen A. Douglas. In 1857 he was again nominated and elected probate judge, and, in 1860, was for the fourth time nominated and the third time elected to that office. Owing to the declination of Judge Henry Oursler, in 1865, he continued to per- form the duties of the position for a year longer-serving practically for ten years.
In 1866 he was appointed United States deputy internal revenue collector for Adams County, and served for a number of months under Gen. Benjamin F. Coates, of Portsmouth, the collector for the district. Afterwards, he served as deputy sheriff under Messrs. John Taylor, John K. Pollard, James M. Long, and Greenleaf N. McManis, and at the time of his death was deputy county clerk under Wm. R. Mahaffey.
As school director, he actively assisted in establishing the union school in West Union, shortly before the Civil War, and for twenty years prior to his death he was almost constantly clerk of the incor-
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porated village of West Union (generally by unanimous election), and clerk of the school board of the special district, ever taking pride in every movement for the advancement and progress of the people, and especially of the youth of the village. In 1880 he was United States census enumerator for Tiffin Township, by appointment of Henry A. Towne, of Portsmouth. For years he was county school examiner, and for a long time was the secretary of the old agricultural society of the county. From the time of the adoption of the Australian ballot system in Ohio, until his death, he was president of the county board of elections, and his last official act was in connection with that office.
On the breaking out of the Rebellion, Judge Smith was what was known as a "War Democrat," but, during or about the close of the war, he became a Republican, and was as ardent in support of that party as he was in earlier years of the Democratic party. However, he was always fair and conservative in his political opinions, and inde- pendent and conscientious in support of party candidates.
On November 30, 1842, John M. Smith was married to Miss Ma- tilda A. Patterson, third child and oldest daughter of John and Mary Finley Patterson, who were among the early settlers of Adams County. The acquaintance of the families began in Columbus, where their fathers served together in the Legislature. They were married in the house on Main street (built by Mr. Patterson), in which they lived from 1848 to 1892, and in which eight of their eleven children were born. Two of their children (John David and Thomas Edwin) died in infancy ; Elizabeth, married to Rev. William Coleman on May 18, 1864, died April 26, 1873, at Pleasant Hill, Mo .; Joseph P. died at Miami, Florida, February 5, 1898. Those surviving (in the spring of 1899) are Mary Celia (Mrs. Chandler J. Moulton), Lucasville, O .; Virginia Gill (widow of Luther Thompson), West Union; Clarence Mitchell, Columbus; Clifton Campbell, Columbus; Frederick Lewis, Cincinnati; Herbert Clark, Hyattsville, Md; Sarah Lodwick (Mrs. Charles E. Frame), West Union.
John M. Smith was never a church member, but he respected the beliefs of others, and encouraged his children to imitate their mother's example as a humble follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. His religious convictions were in accord with those entertained by those persons who are affiliated with the Universalist Church of the present day. In his last days he said to his wife: "I have always considered religion a matter of personal belief and concern. I have tried to lead an honor- able and useful life, and am content to leave my future in the hands of a merciful God." He died on November 17, 1892, after a sickness of about a month.
In the "inner circle"-the home life, the wife and children of John M. Smith knew him as an affectionate husband and loving father; generous and thoughtful, tender and compassionate, indulgent and self-sacrificing. What some others saw in his life is expressed in their own language, as follows :- Judge Henry Collings said in part-
"The modesty of his disposition and the great antipathy to any- thing like display, probably prevented his taking the rank he other- wise might have done at the bar, and certainly obscured his ability, to an extent, among the common people. But lawyers and courts knew and often attested that we had no profounder legal mind, no
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man of sounder judgment, no one whose opinion of the law was more deferred to than Judge Smith."
Judge Frank Davis, of Batavia, said:
"I learned to respect and honor him as a just, honest, true, in- telligent man; one whom, had he desired to actively engage in the practice of law, had rare ability and thorough knowledge, and, with it all, an intimate insight into the motives of men."
Col. John A. Cockerill wrote from New York that "He was the first man, outside of my own father, whom I learned to esteem and honor * * *
* Judge Smith was indeed a very able man, and I think in a wider field than Adams County afforded, would have achieved marked distinction."
Matilda A. Smith, wife of Judge John M. Smith, was born in the house in which she was afterwards married, in which she made her home for so many years, and in which she died. Her birthday was October 4, 1823. Her mother died February 6, 1831, and as the eldest daughter, three younger children were left for her to care for. Her father married Miss Celia Prather on the ninth of the following No- vember. Five children were born to this union, previous to the death of the mother at Columbus, O., February 22, 1840. Never freed from the care of her own brothers and sisters, during the illness and after the death of her step-mother, the additional care of her half-brothers de- volved upon Matilda. She also assisted in caring for the children of her second step-mother. (Mary Catherine McCrea,) married to John Patterson at Columbus, November 12, 1840, until after her marriage in 1842.
These family cares deprived Matilda A. Smith to a great extent of the educational facilities of her young days, and early privations had their influence on her health. But while frail of body, she was strong of mind and energetic will. Her younger brothers and sisters looked up to her as a second mother. She had a great; loving, sympa- thetic heart. In addition to caring for those mentioned, and for her own eleven chlidren, she also took into her family and her affections, treating him all his life as one of her own, John M. Chipps, a distant relative.
In the retrospect of the life of our mother, we the children, stand amazed at the duties assumed and wonder how it was possible for her to accomplish so much. And yet, despite her own cares, she found time to minister to the sorrowing and afflicted among her neighbors. Her whole life was a continuous round of unselfish usefulness. Her highest ambition was the success and happiness of her children; and her greatest earthly joy, as she reached the twilight hours of her life's journey, was that the members of her family were living in comfortable circumstances. After the death of her husband, she resided for a time with one of her sons in Columbus, but wanted to return to end her days in the old homestead. For more than fifty years, she was a de- vout member of the Presbyterian Church at West Union and died on August 21, 1895, with the blessed hope of a blissful eternity. Together the remains of Judge John M. and Matilda A. Smith are reposing in the old cemetery south of West Union. Their children bless God for such a father and such a mother. The world is better for their having lived in it.
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Major John W. MoFerran
was born September 15, 1828, in Clermont County, Ohio. He was the architect of his own fortune-was dependent upon himself from child- hood. He qualified himself to teach school and followed that occupation for several years. When a young man he ran a threshing machine in times of harvest. He came to West Union in about 1850, and began the study of law under the late Edward P. Evans. He maintained himself by teaching while a law student. He was admitted to the bar May 2, 1853, and began practice in West Union. That same fall he was a can- didate for the nomination for prosecuting attorney before the Democratic primary and defeated J. K. Billings, who had had the office but one term, and by all precedents was entitled to his second term. McFerran, how- ever, made an active canvass and being very popular secured the nomi- nation. Before the people, E. M. DeBruin, now of Columbus, Ohio, was his opponent, but McFerran was elected. He was renominated and re- elected for a second term as prosecuting attorney. In the fall of 1857, he determined to contest with Captain Moses J. Patterson for the place of representative to the Legislature. Captain Patterson resided near Winchester. He was highly esteemed by every one and had but one term in the Legislature. McFerran, however, contested the nomination with him and won. McFerran had 679 votes and Patterson, 407. Be- fore the people the Hon. George Collings was the Whig candidate. Mc- Ferran had 1626 votes and Collings, 1282. Legislative honors did not please McFerran. He said it was well enough to go to Legislature once, but a man was a fool to go a second time. He declined a second term and Moses J. Patterson succeeded him. McFerran then devoted himself to the practice of law and was making a great success when the war broke out. He could make pleasing and effective arguments before a jury and he carried the old and young farmers of Adams County with him. He was of a fiery temper and disposition. Whatever he under- took, he did with great enthusiasm. It was just as natural that he should be consumed by the war fever as that a duck should take to water. When the war broke out, he gave his entire soul to the Union cause. He aided in organizing the 70th O. V. I., and became its major, October 2, 1861. He was the idol of the men of his regiment and was willing to do anything for them. However, he fell a victim to the southern cli- inate and died of a fever at Camp Pickering, near Memphis, Tennessee, October 6, 1862. His body was brought to Cairo, Illinois, and after- wards to West Union, and reinterred among the people who admired and loved him.
He was married to Miss Hannah A. Briggs, June 27, 1858, a most estimable woman, and there were two children of the marriage, Minnie, the wife of Dr. W. K. Coleman, of West Union; John W., who died at the age of four.
In the public offices he occupied, he faithfully and capably dis- charged their duties. He was public spirited and always ready to aid any worthy and good enterprise. In his private dealings, he was honest and liberal. For his soldiers, he always had kind words and pleasant greet- ings. There was nothing he would not do for them and they knew it and felt it. He had the respect and esteem of his fellow officers. He was always at his post, always cheerful and uncomplaining and ready
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GEORGE COLLINGS EVANS
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to die at any time. He showed his bravery on the bloody field of Shiloh, at Corinth, Chewalla, Holly Springs and Memphis.
He was worthy of the cause he fought for and his patriotic career will be one which his descendants can look back to with pride and it will grow brighter as the years go by. It has been thirty-seven years since he gave his life to his country, but to those who knew him and loved him, and who survive, it seems but yesterday.
There were three officers of the Civil War who lost their lives in the service whom Adams County will always remember, and they were Major McFerran, Samuel E. Clark and Major Philip R. Rothrock.
George O. Evans.
George Collings Evans was born February 20, 1858, the son of Edward Patton Evans and Amanda Jane Evans, in the family home- stead now owned and occupied by John P. Leonard. As a babe, he was large, strong and healthy. He walked at the age of nine months. He was always a sturdy boy. His father and the Hon. George Collings, of Monroe Township, were close friends and the babe was named for the latter. George attended the public schools in West Union until his six- teenth year when he went to school in Portsmouth, Ohio, residing with his elder brother, Nelson W. Evans. In September, 1874, he entered the Academy at South Salem, Ross County, and remained there one year. In September, 1875, he entered Marietta College in the freshman class. He remained there until July, 1877. While in college he was a fair stu- dent and was very fond of athletic sports and all those amusements dear to college boys.
In the summer of 1877, he took up the study of the law with his father and was admitted to the bar by the district court in Ironton, Ohio, April, 1879. He formed a partnership with Luther Thompson, also now deceased, under the name of Thompson and Evans and practiced his pro- fession at West Union until January, 1881, when he opened an office in Columbus, Ohio, and began the practice of law there. From 1877, his father's health had been failing and in 1881, it had so far failed that he was confined to his home, a helpless invalid. About the first of Decem- ber, 1881, George returned to West Union to make it his home during the life of his father. On December 27, 1881, he was married to Miss Josephine Cluxton and the two took up their home with his parents.
On September 25, 1882, in the forenoon, he was in as good health, apparently, as any one could wish to enjov. He went to his office and attended to his business. Conversing with some friends that morning, in regard to the death of a young ladv, it was said to him, "You have the physical powers to live to old age." George replied he believed he would have a very long life. Tust before noon, he began to write out an administrator's deed. He had it half finished and left it on his desk, when he closed his office and went to dinner. He never was at his office again. He ate a hearty dinner and rested awhile. Then he complained of severe pain. He was attacked with hepatic calculi or gall stones. From that time until his death, he was never free from pain, unless under the influence of opiates. He continued suffering until 11 P. M. October 2. when peritonitis set in and from that time until he breathed his last at 9 A. M. October 3, he was in a mortal agony which opiates
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could not relieve. It is believed that at this hour, the gall stones rup- tured the hepatic duct and let the contents of the gall bladder into the cavity of the bowels. However, all this time, he was in his full strength. On the morning of October 3, at 6 A. M., a neighbor, David Thomas, called and saw that George was dying, though not apparent to others. He requested the physician in attendance to notify the family which was done and they gathered about him. His aged father was carried to his bedside to bid him a last farewell. His mother and his wife were beside him. George said, "Father, I had expected to be your comfort and stay in your old age, but I am called first." The word spread through the village quickly, "George Evans is dying," and his friends hurried to bid him farewell. He made his will; he prayed for himself and bade his relations and friends all a touching farewell. He left messages for his brother in Portsmouth and his sister in school at Ox- ford. He left directions as to his wife, expecting soon to be a mother, and expressed his willingness and readiness for the inevitable. Fifteen minutes before he died, he was on his feet and was conscious almost to the last moment. Those who were present say they never saw such a death scene and hoped to be spared from a like one. He died at fif- teen minutes past 9 A. M. October 3, 1882, and the court house bell at once tolled the fact and the number of his years. The community was never so shocked by the death of anyone since the cholera epi- demic of 1851. His funeral was held October 5th at his father's resi- dence. It was a beautiful, ideal, October day and the attendance was so numerous that the services were held in the open air. The Masonic Order had charge of the ceremonies and the West Union band, at its own request, preceded the funeral procession playing dirges. No sadder funeral was ever held in West Union than this and none in which more profound sympathy was felt and expressed for his family friends.
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