USA > Ohio > Columbiana County > Lisbon > An historical sketch of the old village of New Lisbon, Ohio. With biographical notes of its citizens prominent in the affairs of the village, state and nation > Part 6
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in 1840, when he at once took high rank in the state of his adoption.
And such was his standing as an orator that he was elected to deliver an oration on the one hun .- dredth anniversary of Braddock's defeat, Nowem- ber 25, 1858. This was the great event in the history of western Pennsylvania, and the centennial address was printed in book form, and at the time was sought for and read in all sections of the United States. Mr. Loomis acquired a fair com- petence from his professional labors. He was a man of fine social qualities. Though urbane, yet sometime he was severe in denunciation in politi- cal and professional duties.
Charles D. Coffin established himself in the law at New Lisbon about the same time with Loomis. He was regarded as a hard student in his profes- sion. The first office held by him was that of clerk of courts from 1828 to 1835 ; he was also president of the village council in 1831 and 1832. In 1837 he was elected by the Whigs to Congress to fill the unexpired term caused by the resignation of Loomis. He subsequently removed to Cincinnati. There he at once took such a standing at the bar, that he was soon elevated to the bench, and it is said of him that he filled that position to the entire accept- ance of the bar of that city, and when it is remem-
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O
COPYRIGHT
THE FIRM OF TICE & HARDY.
In the year 1897, A. J. Tice started in the meat business, in Lisbon, Within three years his business had grown to be such a mam- moth affair that he thought it advisable to take in a partner, therefore, in 1900, Mr. Edward Hardy entered into partnership with Mr. A. J. Tice, making the firm name of Tice & Hardy, Within one year from that time they branched out still further and pur- chashed a large ice plant, and at the present time they are leaders in every line of their business, which takes in the meat business, the ice business, refrigerator and ice cream freezers. Yours truly,
TICE & HARDY.
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bered, in so large a manufacturing and mercantile city, the subject matters of litigation must be so varied and numerous, and whose practicing lawyers are the most learned and versatile in the state, such a commendation from its bar is no slight compli- ment. Mr. Coffin was eminently pleasant and agreeable in all his relations with his fellow men.
A. L. Brewer came to New Lisbon from Con- necticut in the year 1826, and at once took a fair rank in the bar of this county. In 1829 he was elected village recorder ; during the same year he was junior counsel in the defense of Morton for the murder of Holman in Goshen township. He was president of the Columbiana County Agricul- tural Society at about the time it commenced to hold its exhibitions on its present grounds. From 1852 to 1854 he was the president and legal adviser of the Columbiana County Mutual Insurance Com- pany. In 1860 and 1862 Mr. Brewer was a mem- ber of the state senate and assisted in the then new and arduous legislation which devolved upon the state at the outbreak of the civil war. In 1861 he was commissioned paymaster in the service of the United States, and not his life by the blowing up of the steamer Sultana on the Mississippi, April 27, 1865, on which he was. About the time that Brewer came to this place, also came William D. Ewing
from Washington County, Pa., and remained up to 1840, when he removed to Pittsburg, Pa. No record is found of any official position held by Mr. Ewing, though as a member of the bar, he seemed to have had his full share of practice, and is reported to have been an excellent advocate, a department of a lawyer's duties in which he delighted. In poli- tics he was a Whig, though it is charged he changed sides to get the postmastership under Jackson.
Dorsey B. Pentecost was admitted to practice law in September, 1826, and opened an office here in 1827. He is not reported to have had a very large practice. It is not known that he held any office ex- cept that on the organization of the Columbiana County Mutual Insurance Company, in 1837, he was elected its first secretary. He died in this place. He came to this county from Washington County, Pa. In 1829 Isaac Stetson was practicing law here. Of his merit and legal standing nothing is disclosed by records relative to his professional standing. He is reported to have moved further west in 1832. At about the same time with Stetson, an attorney named Loyd was in practice in this place, and is said to have been a good lawyer, but he soon re- moved to Cleveland and from there was elected a member of the state house of representatives. Nothing further is known of him. From 1830 to
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W. H. HEPBURN, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE,
NORTH SIDE PUBLIC SQUARE,
LISBON, OHIO.
109
COURT HOUSE.
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COMMERCIAL HOUSE, WM. BRADBURY, PROP., LISBON, OHIO.
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1839 E. T. Merrick was a practicing lawyer at this place. He is reported to have been a young man of brilliant attainments. At the last date named he moved to Louisiana, where he was subsequently raised to the supreme bench of the state, and gave to the decisions of that tribunal their deserved high authority throughout the United States in matters of mercantile law ; and when we remember the pe- culiarities of the law of that state, we recognize the standing of her judges.
Among the other lawyers who once were mem- bers of the New Lisbon bar were D. E. Harbaugh, who practiced here from about 1828 until his re- moval ~~ ~~ mit about 1834, where he became a judge. Charles M. Aten located here as a lawyer in November, 1828, and represented this county in the state senate from 1841 to 1846. William W. McKaig, who practiced here between 1833 to 1839 and served in the state senate in 1834-5, went to Missouri about 1839. David Small was admitted to the bar in 1838, but died soon after he began prac- tice. James L. Vallandighan and James Mason be- came attorneys here in 1839, and it is said of them that at the examination for admission to the bar the former ranked remarkably high, while the latter barely passed, but after a few years of unsuccessful attempts at practicing law Mr. Vallandighan de-
cided that the law was not his forte and abandoned that profession in 1843 for theology, and became a prominent minister in Delaware, where he still re- sides ; while Mr. Mason, who removed to Cleveland in 1852, became one of the foremost lawyers of that city. T R. Vannatta became a lawyer here about 1839 and Alexander Curtis came probably in the same year and was a partner of Theodore Umbstaet- ter until his death in 1840. Mr. Umbstaetter then formed a partnership with Edwin M. Stanton, who afterward became the great war secretary of the United States during the Rebellion. Mr. Umb- staetter removed to Pittsburg about 1850, having served as prosecuting attorney of this county from 1844 to 1849, inclusive. Joseph M. Vance settled at New Lisbon about 1840 and practiced until 1855. He died in 1871. A short time before 1840 Thomas J. Morgan practiced law here and subsequently went to Brazil in some official position under the United States government. John Clarke was ad- mitted to the bar in 1835 and in 1840 began the practice in New Lisbon. He filled the office of prosecuting attorney from 1850 to 1853, inclusive, and was appointed judge of common pleas court in 18 =< and continued on the bench until the ap- pointment and qualification of his successor, Judge Lyman W. Potter. Clement L. Vallandigham be-
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LOCH'S BAKERY, 30 N. Market St. Fresh Bread, Cake and Pies delivered daily to all parts of town. `PHONE 96, LISBON, OHIO.
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came an attorney in 1842 and represented this county in the legislature in 1845-7. He removed to Dayton in August, 1847, where he became promi- nent as a Democratic politician. He died June 17, 1871. His brother, John L. H. Vallandigham, be- came a lawyer at New Lisbon, but removed to Han- over. James B. Blocksom, a native of New Lisbon, practiced here as an attorney about 1845, but soon after located in Canfield. From about 1845, for terms varying from three to fifteen years, the fol- lowing were members of the New Lisbon bar: E. J. Estep, John E. Clark, James Summers, John Watt, James H. Reeves, Samuel W. Orr, Moses D. Stallcup, William K. Upham, Jabez Beaumont, John M. Gillman, R. D. Hartshorn, Lyman W. Pot- ter, John W. McCord, John Reed, and Seth L. Wadsworth. E. J. Estcp removed to Cleveland and became one of the prominent attorneys of that city ; Samuel W. Orr became a resident of Mis- souri ; John M. Gillman removed to St. Paul; Ly- man W. Potter became judge of common pleas court in this district in 1857; and Seth L. Wads- worth served as prosecuting attorney of Columbiana County from 1856 to 1859 and again in 1864.
Without any disparagement to the other lawyers above named, it may be said that William K. Up- ham was one of the most brilliant and able men of
that time at the bar of Columbiana County. Eloquent in speech, fertile in resources, well educated in the law, of a genial nature and pleasing address, he was one of the most dangerous adversaries in the trial of a law suit at that time practicing in the county.
Among the many able lawyers of a later date who were practitioners of this place, should be men- tioned Hon. J. H. Wallace, who began practicing here in 1849; Simon Wisden, who began in 1850, James L. Smith in 1851; W. A. Nichols in 1862; and W. J. Jordan in 1870. " Major " Wallace, as he was familiarly known, was a polished gentleman of the old school, and by his friendly yet dignified manner, made many friends and drew a large client- age around him. He was prosecuting attorney of the county in 1854-5, was appointed common pleas judge in 1885, was a candidate for Congress in 1882 against William Mckinley, and after a long contest was declared elected about the close of the term. He died here in 1892. Simon Wisden was a man of positive ideas, a well read lawyer and elo- quent advocate. He was prosecuting attorney of the county in 1860-3, and was probate judge from 1873 to 1879, inclusive. He dicd herc in 1890. James L. Smith was a nervous, energetic, industri- ous lawyer, of no mean ability, and commanding a
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In 1803,
our fathers were satisfied with a " Tallow Dip."
In 1903,
Lisbon is the best lighted town in the County. The Churches, Court House, City Buidings and the best residences, are lighted with Electric Lights, fur- nished by the
new Lisbon Gas Company.
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good practice. He served as ~~~ secuting attorney 25, 1886, the date of his death. He was a safe of the county in 1865 to 1868, inclusive. William counselor and-firm friend and a painstaking lawyer. Alpheus Nichols was born of Quaker parentage, Hon. John H. Clarke, of Cleveland, has been se- lected by the committee as representing the best traditions of the past with promise of the future and and the mild equable temperament attributed to the Quakers was a prominent characteristic of Mr. Nichols. Coming to the bar in this county in his early manhood, he spent all of the years of his busy, professional life here, known and thoroughly re- spected by every one, and regarded among his fellow practitioners as possessing one of the best legal minds at the bar of the county. He was prosecuting attorney from 1869 to 1872, inclusive, and was elected judge of the common pleas court in 1885, and continued in that office until the date of his death, April 16, 1893. As prosecuting attorney he was faithful and honorable in the discharge of his duties, and as a judge his decisions were remarkable for their clearness, logical reasoning, and perfect application of the principles of law. William J. Jordan who had served his country during the try- ing hours of the civil war as a commanding officer of the gallant One Hundred and Fourth Ohio Vol- unteer Infantry, returned from his services in the HON. JOHN H. CLARK. field to receive office from his fellow citizens by his indicating that the soil which produced the Mc- Kinlevs, Hannas, McCooks and Garretsons is not exhausted - that in the vein and lode which has produced some of the best metal in character and election to the office of clerk of courts in 1866, and served in that capacity until 1869, after which he was engaged in the practice of law until February
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LEROY H. ARTER, CONFECTIONER AND CATERER. ICE CREAM. WHOLESALE AND RETAIL.
24, EAST WALNUT ST., LISBON, O.
117
brains : in the past there yet
remain fine nuggets and
specimens of quartz - that this Bonanza mine is not worked out. Considerably short of the meridian of life and in the full strength of his powers Mr. Clarke occupies a position in the front rank of his profession among those devoted to its most impor- tant and weighty issues. It is a trite saying that the law is a jealous mistress. The position he has attained among the leading figures of the profession shows that he has not been neglectful of this, his Liege Lady. A student by instinct and training he has delved deeply along the lines of general litera- ture and scientific research and become a ripe scholar.
Mr. Clarke was born in New Lisbon on the 18th day of September, 1857, after the Sandy and Beaver Canal had collapsed and the knell of the old town's commercial importance seemed to have sounded. His friends of those days recall a rather delicate boy fishing and hunting along the fine stone locks, yet intact, of that extended ruin, and among the beautiful valleys and wooded hills surrounding Lis- bon which created the famed charm and beauty of its environment. In the air and sun he developed the store of strength and endurance which has since carried him through the intense application of his
studies and the strain of his important trials.
He was also captain and nitcher of a base-ball club during the days when enthusiasm for the na- tional game was at white heat, sending in curved balls which were mysterious to the batter and estab- lished a reputation for him as master of an occult science.
His father, the late Judge John Clarke, an im- portant member of the bar from the 'forties to the early 'eighties, was a student of general literature, as well as of law, and a man of much refinement of character. He was appointed Judge of the court of common pleas on October 17, 1855, and filled that office until the appointment and qualification of Judge Lyman Potter as his successor.
Having absorbed the learning of our schools Mr. Clarke entered Western Reserve College in 1873. That institution was then at the height of its achieve- ment. Its rolls contained the names of men who have since achieved distinction in many lines of ef- fort. From our own county David Carey, one of the brainiest men she has produced. had just gradu- ated with distinction and with high hopes from his Alma Mater destined not to be disappointed. After a brief dalliance with law and a display of remarka- ble oratorical equipment he entered upon his career of journalism. His brother, James R. Carey, a
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E. J. HENDERSON, Livery, Feed and Sale Stable. Quiet Horses for Ladies' Driving Prices Reasonable. Col. Co. 'Phone 159, Washington Street. LISBON, OHIO.
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leader of the younger bar of this and adjoining coun- ties, was a senior classmate of Mr. Clarke's. The Lisbon boy graduated with honors in the class of 1877, having taken special rank in oratory and rep- resented his college in oratorical contests. He at once began the study of law and was admitted to the bar at Columbus in October, 1878. For a year or two he practiced in Lisbon in partnership with Mr. John McVicker ; then, having purchased the Youngs- town Vindicator, a weekly newspaper, removed to that city and assumed the political editorship thereof in conjunction with his law practice. Mahoning County, then as now, contained some of the brightest practitioners of Ohio, and his schooling there was of the best. He soon retired from his newspaper du- ties and, after a partnership with Judge L. D. Tho- man, which was terminated upon the Judge's ap- pointment as United States Civil Service Commis- sioner in 1882, and a comparatively brief co-partner- ship with Monroe W. Johnson, formed, in February, 1886, a partnership with Mr. C. D. Hine, a solid and leading practitioner largely emploved in railroad and corporation practice. The opportunities of the firm's junior member now broadened rapidly and were energetically embraced, the practice of the firm being among the largest at that important cen- ter involving a wide clientele and issues of impor-
tance, frequently involving fortunes in amount.
From taste and equipment Mr. Clarke has been the trial lawyer largely of the firms with which he has been connected. He attracted the attention of leading lawvers in the cities who had secured the highest prizes of the profession in railway and other corporation practice, and in 1807 was offered and accepted a partnership with Judge Williamson and Mr. VI E. Cushing, of Cleveland, under the firm name of Williamson, Cushing & Clarke. The firm was one of the best established and of the highest standing of the Forest City, its ability being recog- nized broadly among men in the higher keys and reaches of the profession.
In 1899 Judge Williamson was appointed general counsel for the New York Central & Hudson River Railroad Company and removed to New York City, and Mr. Clarke was appointed general solicitor for the New York, Chicago & St. Louis Railroad Com- pany and acted with his firm as one of the general attorneys for the Erie Railroad Company west of New York. He has charge of the Pullman Com- pany's business in northern Ohio and receives fre- quent retainers from other railway companies and large corporations in important litigation.
By taste and habit Mr. Clarke is a student. Such leisure as he can tear out of a busy profes-
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ERIE
ERIE
The Erie Railroad is popular- ly and justly known as "Ameri- ca's Picturesque Route," and operates daily, solid vestibule trains with all the accessories known to modern travel, be- tween
Chicago and New York Cleveland and New York Cincinnati and New York Buffalo and New York
Its trains are everywhere protected by block safety
signals.
Connection from Lisbon with the Main Line is made at Niles.
R. H. Wallace, A. G. P. A., Erie R. R. Cleveland, O.
W. D. Alexander, Agent, Erie R. R., Lisbon, 0.
121
sional life is largely spent in his library. He has expended both time and money in establishing and extending the equipment of public libraries. Some of the fruits of his interest in these lines have de- veloped into a number of lectures upon literary sub- jects which he delivers to fortunate audiences occa- sionally for educational and charitable purposes. His "Some Clowns and Fools of Shakespeare," "Shakespeare the Man" and "James Russell Lowell and Liberty " have delighted some of the largest audiences and ranked with the best talent in city courses.
He stands in the front line of the political ora- tors of his party. His eloquence upon the stump charms political friend and foe and he never fails of pleasing. His party friends have repeatedly in- sisted upon making him their candidate for Congress at favorable moments. He has been enthusiastically urged to accept his party's nomination for governor, but has declined political honors with a firmness which could not be shaken.
He is a strong friend and a hard fighter.
The older members of the bar will recall the memory of one, who, while not a member of the pro- fession, mingled with them in his duties as an attache of the court house and whose quaint expressions, clothed in broken English, furnished entertainment
and amusement to all who were called to the court house on business or pleasure.
The features of Captain Ferdinand F. Beck were familiar to all old Lisboners. Few of the boys now grown gray but have whistled at or otherwise aroused the irascible little German and fled from his wildly flourished cane amid the anathemas
CAPTAIN BECK.
hurled after them. Very few, indeed, of them but have danced just outside his reach and been the subjects of a shaken forefinger and designated as
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CARRIAGES & HARNESS.
J.L. SCOTT.
J. L. SCOTT, CARRIAGES AND HARNESS. FIRST-CLASS REPAIR WORK OF ALL KINDS A SPECIALTY.
EAST WASHINGTON ST ..
LISBON, OHIO.
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" snakes in the grass." Captain Beck was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, in the year 1800, and came to New Lisbon when a young man. He rang the bell in the steeple of the old court house for more than two score years. He may not have been equal to the Swiss bell-ringers nor an artist in chimes equal to those of the Canterbury Cathedral, but surely no more unique or original genius ever pulled a bell rope. For scores of years at nine o'clock every evening the bell in the steep-coned tower pealed forth under the Captain's manipula- tions with greater regularity than the sun rose and set. And in theory at least, every one retired there- upon. In fact most of our citizens began prepara- tions for repose before the bell ceased pealing. Had not the bell rung and the Captain issued his orders! Weird stories are told by the oldest inhabi- tants of a time way back in the grav when the Cap- tain was on duty at night as watchman and of the repose of the sleeping village being disturbed by the hourly shout of the watchman with such marvel- ous happenings - as " twelve o'clock ! and the moon shined out twice."
For several generations Captain Beck tolled the bell in the old court house as each solemn funeral cortege wended its way from the church, or resi- dence of the deceased, to the cemetery. These
burials were in charge of the veteran undertaker, Erastus Eells, who during the fifty years of his ex- perience as undertaker here officiated at more than five thousand funerals. He took great pride in his profession, performed its solemn duties with dignity and impressment and was the Nestor of his calling of the shroud and coffin of all the region round about. He was full of ghostly stories of his expe- riences, especially as to the alarms of the timid and superstitious in reference to his calling. He was a man of principle and character and had the re- spect of our people. The reference to Mr. Eells would probably have been more appropriately placed at the close of the sketch of the medical profession hereinbefore written.
Among the familics of character and brains whose records stand out as landmarks are the Garretsons. George Garretson being one of the foremost busi- ness men of the village in the 'thirties and 'forties. They were of Quaker stock, strong anti-slavery peo- ple, and of exceptional courage and capacity. The late Hiram Garretson became one of the leading business men of Cleveland. Of splendid personal appearance, when representing this country at the Vienna Exposition he accompanied the crowned heads of Europe at a special inspection thereof be- fore the doors were thrown open to the public gen-
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E. B. RAWSON, Pres. and Mgr.
G. D. EVANS, Sec'y.
Ohio Cement Company
Mine and Manufacture
HYDRAULIC CEMENT LISBON, OHIO
.
1875
1903
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erally. The London Times in describing this royal : pageant said that the American Commissioner was the most kingly looking man in the procession. His son, General George Garretson, of Cleveland, grad- uated at West Point Military Academy with dis- tinction. He thereafter retired, preferring a busi- ness career to military life in time of peace. At the breaking out of the Spanish war he tendered his services to President Mckinley, which were promptly accepted, he being appointed Major- General. He served with courage and high capacity during the most difficult days of the struggle in Cuba and then again retired from military to a business life. His success has been marked and he stands high in the business world and with a mili- tary record most honorable, which puts him in ac- cord with the highest traditions of the service.
The family name of Graham claims the distinc- tion of being classed among the very early settlers of Lisbon. The first pioneer of this name was George Graham, who was born in County Downs in the north of Ireland, and who was of that sturdy Scotch-Irish race, the infusion of whose energy and indomitable spirit in the commingled blood of the new race of Americans, contributed so much to the building up of a strong, self-reliant, and independent national character.
Mr. Graham migrated from the city of New York and located in Lisbon in the year 1807. His wife and infant son, two years of age, followed the next year, traveling by canal and stage coach, the final journey from Beaver, Pa., to Ncw Lisbon being made on horseback. Mrs. Graham carried her babe, an embryo preacher, who was thus early intro- duced to a method of travel very much in vogue among the preachers of the early part of the century, who with rifle, ax and saddle-bags peregrinated among their spiritual flocks. Mr. Graham en- gaged in general merchandising. He reared a fam- ily of four sons and two daughters, one of whom, George, a retired merchant, is still living in Terre Haute, Ind. Another son, the Rev. John B. Gra- ham, whose early adventure on horseback has been referred to, was for many years connected with the American Bible Society and pastor of several Pres- byterian churches, died in Lisbon in 1890. Two other sons, James and Albert, both deceased, were physicians. The former was professor of Theory and Practice in the Medical College of Ohio, at Cin- cinnati. The latter was a successful practitioner for many years in Lisbon and a man of brilliant mental endowment. The third generation of the Graham family are represented by Wm. T. Graham, president of the American Tin Plate Co., who re-
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