USA > Ohio > Bench and bar of Ohio; a compendium of history and biography, Vol. II > Part 44
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was nominated for Congress in his district in the summer of 1896, during a temporary absence from home, but on his return declined the nomination. He is a member of the Masonic Order. In 1872 he was married to Miss Laura L. Laughry, daughter of John Laughry, of Portsmouth, Ohio. They have one son, Carlisle M. Southard, now reading law in his father's office.
GEORGE K. BROWNING, Zanesville, prosecuting attorney of Muskingum county. Mr. Browning is a native of Muskingum county, born on his father's · farm in Hopewell township, March 26, 1860. His parents were James and Elizabeth (Shepard) Browning, both natives of Virginia. Both of his parents were of Anglo-Saxon descent, and their ancestors were among the pioneer settlers of Virginia. His father brought his family from Virginia to Ohio in 1856, and settled on a farm in Muskingum county. George K. received his elementary education in the public school of his district, and practical lessons on his father's farm between school terms. In 1884 he entered the Muskingum College at New Concord, remaining there three years. In 1887 he commenced the study of law in the office of John W. King, at Zanesville, pursuing his studies for three years.
He then entered the Law Department of the University of Michigan, from which he was graduated in 1891 with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. He returned to Zanesville and read law for another year, when he was admitted to the Bar and to practice in all the courts of the State. He at once began practice alone at Zanesville. In the fall of 1893 he was elected prosecuting attorney of Musk- ingum county for a term of three years and has discharged the duties of the office in a manner that has been very satisfactory to the court and to the public. During his term of office he has tried about fifty felony cases and secured convictions of about eighty-five per cent. of them. One notable case was that of the State vs. Jacob Cherry, indicted for murder in the first degree. The defendant was represented by able counsel, and the defense was insanity. Among the one hundred and twenty witnesses examined there were many expert specialists, involving a vast amount of technical research. The trial lasted for twelve days and the State secured a conviction of murder in the second degree. Mr. Browning had no assistance in this or any other matter that came under his jurisdiction since he occupied the office. He is a man of exemplary habits, of strict integrity and moral worth. Of his professional standing one of the leading members of the Zanesville Bar said : " George K. Browning is one of our promising young attorneys. What his future will be I cannot say, but he has made a good start. As prosecuting attorney he has made a record that would be a credit to an older practitioner. He is a hard worker, attends to his business, and will undoubtedly succeed." He was married March 12, 1896, to Miss Helen M. Lewis, daughter of Henry and Harriett Lewis, of Lansing, Michigan. Mrs. Browning is a niece of Charles
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D. Lewis, of Brooklyn, New York, the well known humorous writer under the nom de plume of M. Quad. Mr. and Mrs. Browning attend the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which they are honored members.
SIMEON M. WINN, Zanesville. Mr. Winn is a native of Muskingum county, born on his father's farm near Adamsville, January 27, 1862. His parents were Dolphin and Catherine Jordan Winn, the former a native of Loudon county, Virginia, and the latter of Baltimore, Maryland. Mr. Winn's paternal grandfather, William Winn, came to Ohio in 1823, and settled on a farm in Perry township, and was the first to break ground for cultivation in that part of the county. The family has been among the most prominent in Perry township, from its settlement down to the present time. Dolphin Winn died on the farm where he had spent the mature years of his life, in 1885, his widow still surviving him. Simeon received his rudimentary education in the district school in Salem township, which was supplemented by a course in the Adamsville high school. He put in the time between school terms in assisting with the work on his father's farm. In 1882, at the age of twenty, he began teaching and followed that avocation for the three years following, studying law privately as his duties would permit. In the latter part of 1884 he came to Zanesville and took up a systematic course of legal studies in the office of Frank H. Southard, which he continued for one year. In 1885 he entered Zanesville College, where he took a commercial course, keeping up his law studies in the meantime. In October, 1886, he was admitted to the Bar and at once began the practice of his profession at Zanesville. In November, 1887, he was elected prosecuting attorney of Muskingum county and three years later was re-elected, serving the county most acceptably for six years in that capacity. In politics Mr. Winn is a Democrat. He is a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias, and is a Past Exalted Ruler of Zanesville Lodge No. 114 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Said one of the leading members of the Zanesville Bar, in referring to his standing in the profession and in the community :
" Mr. Winn is recognized as one of the hard working and rising young members of the Zanesville Bar. He began his career as a teacher in the pub- lic schools of the county and has always been a hard student. Shortly after his admission to the Bar he was elected prosecuting attorney of Muskingum county and in that position his ability gained general recognition. He held the office for six years and during that time the business was the greatest for many years and he was a prominent figure at every session of the court. His defense of Elizabeth Honnold in 1890, on trial in the Common Pleas Court of Licking county, charged with murder, in which he secured her acquittal, gained for him quite a reputation as a criminal lawyer. Another case that attracted wide attention, which was brought about at his instigation, was the defeat of the amendment to the River and Harbor bill in 1890. He claimed the act to be unconstitutional and advised the county commissioners to ignore the notice of the Secretary of War. In the suit that followed, registered on the
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docket as United States vs. the Commissioners of Muskingum county, his con- tentions were maintained by the Federal Circuit Court. For a young man his practice is both large and lucrative."
ALFRED ASHWELL FRAZIER, Zanesville. The Frazier family, as the name implies, is of Scotch origin. The progenitor of the American branch of the family, David Frazier, came to America in the early part of the last cen- tury and settled in Virginia. His descendants took part in the struggle for independence and have taken an honorable part in the history and develop- inent of the country. Samuel Frazier, the grandfather of our subject, removed from Ohio county, Virginia, to Belmont county, Ohio, about 1825, and ten years later removed to Muskingum county, and settled on a large tract of land in Licking township. Stocton Frazier, the father of Alfred Ashwell, was reared on the farm, and still resides on his farm in Muskingum township. Alfred A. was born October 19, 1854, and was reared on his father's farm. His mother was Elizabeth A. McCann Frazier, of Scotch-Irish descent. Her people also came to America in colonial times and settled in Pennsylvania, removing to Ohio early in the present century. Mr. Frazier's early education was obtained in the public schools of Muskingum township, which was supple- mented by a course at the Dresden high school. In 1872 he entered Denni- son University, where he spent three years. He finished his college course at thè Wooster University, entering the sophomore class in 1876 and was gradu- ated with the class of 1879, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He also received the second honors of his class. In the fall of the same year he entered the Law Department of the Cincinnati College, from which he was graduated in 1881, again standing second in his class and receiving the degree of Bachelor of Laws. In 1882 his Alma Mater conferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts. He began the practice of law in 1881, at Zanesville, in partnership with H. C. Van Voorhis, now representing the Fifteenth District in the National Congress. This association remained in effect until 1885, when Mr. Van Voorhis went out of the firm to accept the presidency of the Citizens National Bank. Since that time Mr. Frazier has been alone in prac- tice. During the fifteen years he has been in the active practice of law he has confined himself strictly to the profession and built up a large and important clientage. Referring to his standing and ability as a lawyer, said one of the well-known members of the Muskingum county Bar: "A. A. Frazier must be classed with the successful practitioners of this Bar. He entered the profession thoroughly well equipped for the practice of law and has ever since been a con- scientious worker and consequently is well grounded in the principles of law. He has always attended strictly to business, has no ambition for political pre- ferment, has not dabbled in outside speculation, but has in short been purely a lawyer and is meeting with deserved success. His standing as a member of the Bar is irreproachable. He is of strict integrity, fair in his practice, and
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upright in his dealings with all men. He is respected by the community and esteemed by the profession." In his political affiliations Mr. Frazier is a Republican and takes an active part in the advancement of the interests of his party. He was chairman of the executive committee for the years between 1885 and 1890. He was married in 1881 to Miss Emma L. Clark, daughter of James and Anna Wilson Clark, of Van Wert, Ohio, and of Revolutionary stock. They have one son and one daughter, named respectively, Florien and Florence. They attend the Putnam Presbyterian Church, of which Mr. Frazier is a member. During the year 1889 Mr. Frazier was one of the members of the board of examiners for admission of applicants for membership in the Bar, by appointment of the Supreme Court.
ALVIN W. KUMLER, Dayton. Judge Kumler is a native of Ohio. His ancestors were among the earliest settlers of the State. He was born on his father's farm near Trenton, in Butler county, January 30, 1851. He is a member of the well-known Kumler family of eight sons and three daughters. Six of the eight sons of the family became attorneys (one of whom has since deceased), and two of them have been judges, and all prominent in their pro- fession. Judge Kumler obtained his elementary education in the common schools of his district, putting in the time between school sessions in assisting his father and brothers on the farm. His father appreciated the worth of an education and furnished each of his sons and daughters with that which proved of more value than wealth. Judge Kumler attended Antioch College for two years, after which he spent one year at the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware. He early chose the profession of law for his life work, and immediatety after leaving school he took up the study of law in the office of the well-known law firm of Boltin & Shauck, of Dayton. Completing his ordi- nary reading, he entered the Law Department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, from which he was graduated in 1875. He shortly after began the practice of his profession at Dayton, for the first two years alone, after which he formed a partnership with the Honorable R. M. Nevin under the firm name of Nevin & Kumler, an association that continued in effect until his election to the Bench of the Common Pleas Court in 1896. In 1879 he was elected city solicitor, and again in 1881, both times in the face of a large adverse majority. By an act of the legislature in the session of 1895-1896 one (additional) judgeship was added to the Third Subdivision of the Second Judicial District, which Judge Kumler now fills for five years. Judge Kumler has always been held high in the councils of the Republican party in the State, and his judgment has been frequently sought by his brothers, both at the Bar and in politics. In addition to his legal acquirements, he has good judgment, and his manners are very affable. Referring to his legal abilities and his standing in the profession, said one of the most conspicuous members of the Dayton Bar :
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" Personally, Judge Kumler is a very popular man, and he is well liked both on and off the Bench -in the profession and out of it. The Judge has served but one year on the Bench, and his work has proven eminently satis- factory to the people and the lawyers. He has been in practice over twenty years and has taken part in much important litigation. He has a good mind and is well grounded in the principles of law. He is a pleasing and effective speaker, and states his law points logically and accurately. He has main- tained himself well in every position in which he has been placed, and as a judge continues to do so. He has given his time entirely to his profession and is a good all round lawyer. His duties as judge remove him entirely from active work in the political arena, but what his party loses in active politics, will no doubt prove of gain to the whole people."
JUDGE MILTON CLARK, Lebanon. Honorable Milton Clark, who is now judge of the Common Pleas Court, third subdivision Second Judicial District, was born at Foster's, Warren county, Ohio, October 27, 1848. His more remote paternal ancestors hailed from Ireland, but his grandfather emigated from Maryland to the Northwest Territory before Ohio became a State. His mother was Ruth Crawford, of English descent. Both of his parents were natives of the State of Ohio. Both families settled near the town which was afterwards named Cincinnati. Judge Clark's boyhood was passed on the farm at every kind of work known to husbandry, and his primary education was obtained in the common schools. At the age of twenty he was qualified for admission to college, and matriculated at Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware. He completed the full classical course, and received the degree of A. B. upon his graduation in 1873. He had already chosen the profession of law, and without delay entered upon the study of it in the office of Josiah Morrow, who was then one of the leading lawyers of Warren county. After studying one year under the instruction of Mr. Morrow he entered the Cincinnati Law School, from which he was graduated in 1875 as a Bachelor of Law. He first entered into the practice at Cincinnati, where he remained four years. Well equipped by learning and practical experience he removed thence to Lebanon, where he continued the practice without interruption until his election to the judicial office. He soon made for himself a name and a place at the Bar. His natural abilities, inclination and aptitudes, re-enforced by acumen, industry and fidelity to clients, were the potential influences which attracted a large client- age and built up a profitable business. Responding to the various demands, he went into all the State and Federal courts with all classes of cases, and proved himself a successful lawyer by either winning his cases or so conduct- ing his controversy in a bad cause as to win the admiration of the Bench and command the respect of his adversary. He was in practice at the Bar about twenty years, and formed several partnerships during the time -- first with I. N. Walker, second with A. M. Lewis, third with W. L. Dichant, and finally with F. N. Cunningham. At Lebanon, his home, no man stands higher as a citizen or more respected as an attorney. Referring to his career, one of the
ALVIN W. KUMLER
MILTON CLARK
OREN B. BROWN
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leading members of the Warren county Bar writes substantially as follows : Judge Clark is perhaps the best fitted man by nature and education to fill the position of judge of any man who has occupied the Bench of the Common Pleas Court of Warren county for many years. He has good judgment, an equitable mind, and is thoroughly well posted in the principles of the law. As a prac- ticing lawyer he ranked with the best at this Bar, and when he was elected to fill the unexpired term of Judge Walter Dilatush, deceased, he received the endorsement of every member of the Lebanon Bar, thus evidencing their con- fidence in him. In the two years he has sat on the Bench he has demonstrated that this confidence was not in any respect misplaced. It is the universal senti- ment with the members of the Bar here that when they go into court with a case they will get equal and exact justice for their clients in so far as his rulings and instructions will affect the result. He is absolutely impartial, inter- preting and applying the law, as he understands it, without fear or favor ; and he is in a position to do this. His elevation to the Bench was due solely to his recognized fitness for the place, and it came to him unsought. He was a member of the Lebanon Bar for about fifteen years before going on the Bench. He established his reputation as a strong lawyer in the case of the State vs. Graham and Coleman, the defaulting auditor and treasurer of Warren county, which took place in Lebanon some ten years ago. Because of the large sum involved, and peculiar methods used in effecting the embezzlement, the case attracted wide attention. He was retained by the commissioners to assist Albert Anderson, the public prosecutor, and despite the fact that the culprits were defended by the ablest lawyers in the State, the prosecution was suc- cessful. His practice was large, and for several years he participated in most of the important litigation that arose in this county. One of his leading attributes is his ability to state his points clearly and concisely. He is unas- suming in his manners, always courteous and affable in his intercourse with his fellow men, whatever may be their position in life. He is high-minded and honorable. In all the years of his practice at this Bar he was never known to stoop to a mean act to secure an unfair advantage of an opponent. As a citi- zen he has the respect and esteem of the entire community, not only at home but wherever he is known. He is a inan of strong convictions. Politically he is a staunch Republican, but aside from regularly assuming his prerogative as an American citizen to cast his ballot he has not been active in politics. Judge Clark has never sought or accepted political office. His abilities, activities and energies have been employed in his profession. He was endorsed generally by the Bar for election to the vacant judgeship in 1895, and was again nomi- nated by the Republicans for a full term in the spring of 1896 without opposi- tion. He was married in 1878 to Miss Isabella Gordon, of Lebanon, and has two children living. One of his brothers, Lucien Clark, was for many years a prom- inent minister of the Gospel in the M. E. Church. The family occupies a high position intellectually. socially and morally. The judge is not a member of any social club or benevolent society. His family and home take the place of a club for enjoyment and recreation, and the opportunities for benevolence are open on every hand. He is strong, self-poised and upright.
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OREN BRITT BROWN, Dayton. Judge Brown was born at Juddo, Orleans county, New York, June 27, 1853. His parents were Colonel E. F. Brown and Elizabeth Britt Brown, both natives of New York. Colonel Brown entered the United States service as commander of the Twenty-eighth New York Regiment in 1861 and lost his left arm at the battle of Cedar Mountain. Recovering from his wound he remained in the service until the close of the war, as post department commander. On the completion of the National Millitary Home at Dayton he was, in 1868, made governor, retaining the position until 1880, when he was made inspector general of the entire system of national military homes. Oren Brown's early education was obtained in the public schools of Medina, New York, which he attended until he came to Dayton with his father's family, in 1869. For two years thereafter he attended the Dayton high school, when he entered the Dennison University at Granville, Ohio, continuing his studies there for three years. In January, 1874, he entered the sophomore class at Princeton College, from which insti- tution he was graduated in 1876. He began his legal studies the same year in the office of Gunckle & Rowe, prominent practitioners at the Dayton Bar. He was admitted to the Bar in 1878 and began practice at once. He was nominated for prosecuting attorney in 1879 and defeated by a small majority, the entire ticket being defeated. In 1881 he was the nominee of the Republi- can party for clerk of the courts of Montgomery county, and was the only one elected on his party ticket. He served in this position three years, declining another nomination in order to resume his law practice, which was done by forming a co-partnership withi Oscar M. Gottschall, under the firm name of Gottschall & Brown, a relation that remained in effect until he was appointed to the Common Pleas Bench, in July 1896. Possessing both tact and ability he built up a valuable clientage early in his professional career. The firm of Gottschall & Brown has for several years been one of the most prominent in south western Ohio. Being in hearty sympathy with the principles of the Republican party and possessing qualifications of a leader, he very naturally became quite prominent in local and State politics, although he never accepted an office for himself that was not in the line of his profession. He represented the Third Congressional District as a delegate in the National Republican Convention at Chicago in 1888. During several campaigns he served as chair- man of the county central committee and has represented the party frequently in State conventions. He was chairman of the Montgomery county delega- tion in the convention held at Zanesville in 1895, which nominated Bushnel for governor, Foraker for United States senator and Mckinley for President. He was for many years president of the board of elections of the city of Day- ton, and until he went upon the Bench. In June, 1896, upon the unanimous recommendation of the Dayton Bar, Mr. Brown was appointed by Governor Bushnell to the judgeship of the Common Pleas Court, third subdivision of the Second District, made vacant by the death of Judge Elliott. At the Novem- ber election of the same year he was chosen judge for a full term of five years. Referring to his career as a lawyer and a citizen, one of the practitioners of the Dayton Bar, remarked :
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The Century Publishing & Engraving Co Chicago.
y . B. Hollister
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"So far Judge Brown's work on the Bench has been very satisfactory and I have no doubt that he will maintain himself well in the position under all circumstances. He is well versed in the principles of law and has good judgment ; is fair and impartial, firm in his convietions, dignified in bearing and commands the respect both of the Bar and of the publie. As a lawyer he has been a success and as a public-spirited citizen he is universally respected. Like all men of capacity and force he has created some animosity, but he has never stooped to take an unfair advantage of an opponent, either in the politieal arena or in the practice of law."
Judge Brown was married June 12, 1883, to Miss Jeanette Gebhart, daughter of Simeon Gebhart, an old and prominent resident of Dayton. In social eireles Judge and Mrs. Brown are highly esteemed.
GEORGE B. HOLLISTER, Cincinnati. George B. Hollister was born at Plattsburg, Clinton county, New York, April 29, 1820. His father, Alva Hollis- ter, who was a farmer, and his mother, Polly Munson Hollister, were natives of Manchester, Bennington county, Vermont, and resided at that place during most of their lives, each living to be considerably over seventy years of age. Mr. Hollister's paternal grandfather and his maternal great-grandfather were soldiers in General Ethan Allen's army of Green Mountain boys, and his ancestors, direet and collateral, took an active part in the American Revolu- tion. When a youth Mr. Hollister attended the Burr & Burton Seminary, founded in part by his great-unele, Josiah Burton, and was there prepared for Middlebury College, which he entered in the class of 1847. After two years of study at college his health failed, and in hope of regaining it he went to New Bedford, Massachusetts, and shipped on a whaling vessel then about to start on a long voyage. For two years and a half the vessel cruised in the Pacific Ocean, Behring Sea, and Sea of Okhotsk, and was the first whaler to enter the Japan Sea. After a successful voyage the ship returned by way of Cape Horn, bringing baek the young sailor then in most vigorous health. In 1848 Mr. Hollister eame to Cineinnati and entered the law office of Thomas J. Strait, then in active practice, with whom was S. S. Cox. Two years later he was admitted to the Bar, and has been in continuous practice for more than forty-seven years. In 1851 he was married to Laura B. Strait, the only daugh- ter of his law preceptor. The children were Ella S., Emma B., Howard C., Thomas, Laura S., and Burton P. Hollister, and the family reside on Southern avenue, Mt. Auburn, where Mrs. Hollister has lived for fifty six years. Mr. Hollister continues in the active practice of his profession in partnership with his second son, Thomas. In polities Mr. Hollister was a Whig, and became identified with the Republican party at its formation, and has since been an earnest supporter of it. While a member of the city council, as chairman of the law committee, it beeanie his duty to take charge of the organization of the MeMicken, or Cincinnati, University. He subsequently entered the board of trustees of that institution and remained a member for sixteen consecutive
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