USA > Ohio > Defiance County > History of Defiance County, Ohio. Containing a history of the county; its townships, towns, etc.; military record; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; farm views, personal reminiscences, etc > Part 20
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Mills, at the upper lock of the canal; this he fin- ished, in connection with Frederick F Stevens, a brother-in-law. In 1847, he resumed the practice of the law. In 1850, he sold his residence at the corner of Jefferson and First streets to H. Davidson, and, with Ephraim A. Greenlee, a Defiance attorney, he re- moved to La Fayette, Ind., and formed a partnership in the practice of law. When the territories of Kan- sas and Nebraska were opened for settlement, he be- came interested in the making of them free States, and determined to change his home to Kansas. In 1855, he temporarily removed to Defiance, and, for the time being, entered into the practice of law with Edward H. Phelps. In 1859, his plans being per- fected, he removed to Kansas, settling in Leaven- worth, his unfinished business, however, frequently recalling him to Defiance. The summer of 1860 was spent in Defiance. The latter part of the summer he left for his home, not being in good health; after reaching home, his disease, a complicated trouble with stomach and brain, rapidly prostrated him, and he soon yielded to its power, dying the 14th of Sep- tember, 1860. He was a man of excellent judgment, conscientious and painstaking in the preparation of his cases, cautious to a fault, but firm in his belief and aggressive to offensiveness when he thought the right in peril. He believed every criminal, no mat- ter how vicious, should have a fair and reasonable defense, lest justice be too severe; but many is the time that the writer has seen him put to his wits' end when he had found himself on the wrong side of the case, and his client demanding what seemed, by de- velopment of testimony, an unjust claim. A maxim he always impressed on his children, which he said he had learned in active law practice, is never to judge any cause until the other side had been heard. There are two sides to every case, he would frequent- ly say. He was above medium height, of full weight, powerful in frame and of good presence. Not fluent in speech, he did not excel when address- ing a jury, unless in a case where his feelings became deeply stirred, but in the preparation of a case, in examining witnesses and in discovering the weak points of an adversary, he had but few superiors at the bar in which he practiced. He early became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and after he settled in Defiance, before any regular church organization was formed, he helped form, and was the Superintendent of a Union Sunday school. He and an old colored woman were the first members of the first class of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Defi- ance, and through his instrumentality Defiance first became a preaching place for Methodist preachers. It was through his means that the old frame Methodist Church was built; he for some years carried the entire
indebtedness of its building, imperiling thereby his own property interests. While residing in Defiance, he was always a Class Leader, Steward and Trustee. His home was always known as the home of the Methodist preacher. When a Masonic lodge was con- stituted in Defiance, he was made a Mason, taking his degrees in Tuendawie Lodge. In early life, through ancestral influence, he inclined to federalism, and when the Whig party was formed he was an active member. He was a pronounced Protectionist of American labor, and intensely American in his feelings. Born in a Slave State, of slave-holding ancestry, he had the good fortune to have a slavery- hating father, from whom he learned to hate slavery with intense hatred. Being of a judicial mind, and of conservative tendencies, he did not rush into ex- tremes in anything, and so belonged to the Emanci- pation rather than the Abolition wing of the Whig party, and was always a warm advocate of emancipa- tion. He aided in forming the Republican party, and was always ready to advocate its principles, either in public or in private.
He was married in Defiance on the 19th of No- vember, 1834, to Mrs. Mary W. Wells, widow of Joshua W. Wells, of Piqua, Ohio, and daughter of John Oliver, who was then living on the south side of the Maumee, east of the Auglaize, on a farm. Four children were born of this union, two boys and two girls. Two died in infancy and two are now liv- ing-William Oliver, born August 23, 1835, who is Professor of Chemistry in the Ohio Wesleyan Univer- sity, Delaware, Ohio, and Anna E., born June 4, 1848, wife of Rev. Orville J. Nave, of the Ohio Con- ference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Post Chaplain in the United States army.
SAMUEL H. GREENLEE.
(From the Defiance Banner.)
" Died, on the 23d day of February, 1852, at the residence of his brother-in-law, J. P. Ayers, in High- land Township, Samuel H. Greenlee, Esq., of Defi- ance, in the thirty-fifth year of his age. Mr. Green- lee had been declining for the last twelve months with consumption of the lungs, but, with the natural buoyancy of his nature, he hoped eventually to over- come his disease; especially did he look forward to the returning spring as a time when he should recover at least a portion of his lost health; but, alas, his friends too plainly saw, by the progress of the insid- ious destroyer that had fastened itself on his vitals beyond remedial power, that this was but the delusive syren voice of hope. Mr. Greenlee, although but a young man, has always since his coming to this place held an enviable position among our most prominent citizens. He was noted for his public spirit, his
J. J. Sulphur
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liberality and his unflinching devotion to those princi- ples which he deemed promotive of the public good. He was also distinguished for the exactitude of his business habits, and above all for the probity of his character; it has been the fortune of but few men to have their word, in matters of business, more implicit- ly confided in than was his. Mr. Greenlee was a self-made man; he had neither the advantages of a good education, nor pecuniary means to start himself in the world. By improving the leisure moments afforded him in his daily avocations in studying the law, he attained to a reputable standing in the legal profession. By economy, industry and application to business, he acquired a competence for his family. By his public and private virtues he obtained esteem and consideration among his fellow-men. The ab- sence of his example and influence is truly a public loss to this community, During his residence among us, he was frequently commissioned with important public trusts, by both State and local authority, which he invariably executed in the most satisfactory manner. But in private life, that little world where the heart reigns supreme, his many virtues proved the goodness of his nature. They who knew him best loved him most. Warm- hearted, affectionate, generous and hospitable, his intimate friends will cherish his memory among the most sacred recollections of the past."
At a meeting of the members of the bar of De- fiance County, held on the evening of February 24, 1852, pursuant to public notice, at the office of Davi- son & Welles, Hamilton Davison, Esq., was appointed Chairman, and Woolsey Welles, Esq., Secretary. Whereupon it was
Resolved, That a committee be appointed by the Chairman to prepare and report resolutions in refer- ence to the recent decease of Samuel H. Greenlee, Esq., a member of the profession, late of Defiance. ยท
The Chairman thereupon appointed William Sheffield and William Carter, Esqs., upon said com- mittee, who reported the following preamble and re- solutions:
WHEREAS, It has pleased the Almighty disposer of human events to remove, by death, from our midst, and from scenes of activity and usefulness, our pro- fessional brother, Samuel H. Greenlee, Esq., late of Defiance, and his brief professional career has been marked by fidelity, industry and an upright and hon- orable bearing; therefore
Resolved, That we deeply sympathize with his afflicted family and friends in that recent bereave- ment which has deprived his companion of an affec- tionate, provident and faithful husband, his children of a kind and prudent father, this community of an energetic, efficient business man, and the members of
the Defiance bar of an honorable and fair practitioner of the legal profession.
Resolved, That we tender to his afflicted family and relations our sympathies in this their painful be- reavement, and in testimony of respect for our de- ceased brother, the members of the bar will attend his funeral, and wear the usual badge of mourning for a period of thirty days.
Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be presented to the widow of the deceased, and be pub- lished in the newspapers in the town of Defiance.
On motion of William Carter, Esq., said report was received and adopted.
H. DAVISON, Chairman.
WOOLSEY WELLES, Secretary.
GILBERT L MYERS
died at Defiance, December 28, 1880, in the prime of manhood; one of the leading attorneys of Defiance, a citizen whom everybody respected, and whose death all mourn. In early life, Mr. Myers learned print- ing, under Judge Greene, in the Democrat office. At the breaking-out of the rebellion, he enlisted in the Sixty-eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served his country faithfully. At the close of the war, he returned to Defiance, studied law, and for many years was partner of Hon. W. D. Hill. His legal at- tainments were of a high order, and as such were rec- ognized in all the courts of this section. Dropping off in the height of his usefulness, his death was a loss to the community. Mr. Myers married Etta, eldest daughter of H. S. Hunter, of Defiance, May 4, 1875; to them was born one daughter, Carrie Ger- trude.
The following are the resolutions of the Defiance County Bar, on the occasion of Mr. Myers' decease:
WHEREAS, Gilbert L. Myers, who for many years was an honored member of this bar, having departed this life since the last term of this court, and we, as members of the same profession, desiring to express our high regard for the memory of the deceased, do
Resolve, That in the death of Bro. Gilbert L. Myers, our profession has lost one of its most indus- trious, honest and useful members. Being an inde- fatigable worker and thorough and careful student, and fearless in the discharge of his professional duty, we have long since learned to admire him for his professional worth, and shall ever love to remember him for his good qualities and gentlemanly deport- ment in the practice of his profession, and, while re- gretting our own great loss, we are not forgetful of the afflicted family of the deceased, each of whom we beg to assure have our heartfelt sympathy in the loss of a dear companion and father.
Resolved, That it is the wish of this bar that the
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foregoing resolutions be spread upon the records of this court.
ERASTUS H. LELAND.
" Hon. Erastus H. Leland. a prominent and lead- ing lawyer of Northwestern Ohio, died at his residence, in Defiance, March 12, 1863, of consumption, aged abort forty-eight years. The deceased was a native of Vermont, read law in Ashtabula County, Ohio, and immigrated to Williams County about the year 1841, where he continued to reside until 1849, at which time he removed to Defiance. He represented the Defiance District in the Legislature during the session of 1854, of which body he was a leading and prominent member. He was an able and accom- plished lawyer, standing second to no member of the profession in the Maumee Valley. When the Thirty- eight Regiment was organized, in the fall of 1861, he was appointed Adjutant, and remained with the regiment through its Kentucky campaign, and until his failing health compelled him to retire from the service."-Northwestern.
MAJ. SAMUEL A. STRONG.
(From the Dehance Democrat.)
Died, on Friday last (September 22, 1865), in this place, Samuel A. Strong. aged thirty-five years. Maj. Strong was a native of Vermont, and he resided in Defiance about fourteen years, and possessed the con- fidence and esteem of the citizens generally. Maj. S. was a Captain in the Twenty-first Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry in the three months' service, and, on the re-organization of the regiment for three years, was appointed its Major, which he was forced to re- sign on account of ill-health, after something over a year's service. Mr. Strong married Emma G., only daughter of Hamilton Davison, of this place, by whom he had a family of five children, three boys and two girls, viz .: Charles H., William H., Frances, Edward A. and Marion. Charles H. graduated at Wooster University, Ohio, in June, 1879, and died at Defiance April 9, 1880, aged twenty-two years.
At a meeting of the Defiance County bar, held in the court house September 23, 1865, Horace Sessions was chosen Chairman and S. T. Sutphen Secretary. William Carter and J. F. Deatrick were appointed a committee to draft resolutions expressive of the senti- ments of the bar on the much-regretted death of Brother Strong. Said committee reported the follow- ing preamble and resolutions, which, on motion, were adopted:
WHEREAS, By a dispensation of an All-wise Provi- dence, our late associate and brother, Samuel A. Strong, has been removed from our midst by death, and the bar of Defiance County, as expressive of their great loss they have sustained, do
Resolve, That in the death of Samuel A. Strong he bar of Defiance County has lost one of its ablest, useful and worthy members, and this community one of its most energetic and enterprising citizens.
Resolved, That we sincerely deplore the loss of our departed brother and associate, and. shall revere his memory as one whose professional life was without a blemish and worthy of imitation;
Resolved, That our heartfelt sympathies are here- by extended to the family of the deceased.
Resolved, That the members of the bar attend his funeral in a body.
Resolved, That these resolutions be published in the Defiance Democrat and Paulding Press, and copies of the same be presented to the family of the de- ceased. Also, on motion, it was
Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be pre- sented to the Court of Common Pleas of Defiance County, at the next term thereof with a request that they be copied into the record of said court.
HORACE SESSIONS, Chairman.
R. T. SUTPHEN, Secretary.
THOMAS COWEN.
In presenting a sketch of the life and character of Thomas Cowen to the readers of the history of Defi- ance County, we cannot do better than to introduce the subjoined obituary notice, published at the time of his death in the Bryan newspaper:
Thomas T. Cowen was born in the city of Dublin, Ireland, February 10, 1836. His father, Benjamin Cowen, was an Irish gentleman, noted for his culti vated manners and superior business capacity. He was Clerk of the Royal Canal Company for a period of twenty-five years, during which time it is said that no blot, erasure or stain marred the records intrusted to him. While in the canal company's service, the elder Cowen acquired a competency, amouuting to several thousand dollars, a part of which he proposed to set aside for the benefit of his children. Thomas, his eldest son, was the especial object of his regard, and he spared neither pains nor expense in giving him the rudiments of a first-class education. Thomas manifested a great fondness for books, and at an un- usually early age he was wont to learn and declaim the speeches and arguments of learned statesmen and lawyers. In 1844, when Thomas was eight years of age, his father's health failed him, so that he was un- able to do any kind of business. The care of the family and business management of the estate de- volved upon Mrs. Cowen, who did the best that she could; but being a lady of retiring habits and unac- customed to the ways of business, the means ac- quired gradually dwindled until 1848, when she deemed it expedient to emigrate to America, hoping
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that a change would benefit her husband's health, and enable her to obtain a home and bring up her chil- dren in comparative comfort. They arrived at New York in August, 1848, and immediately came to Defi- ance, where they halted for a few weeks, and moved thence to Butler, Ind., where Benjamin Cowen died in September, 1849. The mother, never a strong woman, broke down under the accumulated weight of affliction and sorrow, and Thomas became the main stay and support of the family. It is related by those who knew the family, that Thomas, at that time but thirteen years of age, was manly beyond his years, industrious and frugal; that he labored diligently and faithfully to support his widowed mother and six orphan sisters. About 1851, Thomas removed the family to Defiance, and did such labor as a boy could find to do. He was for a time in the employ of the Wabash Railroad Company, and assisted in the pre- liminary surveys of that road. About 1855-56, he went into the law office of Phelps & Leland, first as a clerk and afterward as a student. He soon attracted the attention of prominent members of the bar by his close application to study, his admirably drawn legal papers and his rare business capacity. When ad- mitted to the bar, brilliant success was predicted for him, but the war breaking out soon thereafter, changed. for a time, his plans and purposes. He was an earnest advocate of coerciou, and in furtherance of his opinions offered his services in behalf of his coun- try. On the 4th of October, 1861, he was appointed Second Lieutenant, was soon after assigned to the Sixty-eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and, on the 21st of December following, went into camp at Napoleon. In January, 1862, the regiment moved to Camp Chase, and soon afterward to Fort Donel- son, where it arrived in time to participate in the capt- ure of that stronghold. It is unnecessary to follow the regiment in all its marches, skirmishes, battles and sieges during the war; suffice to say that its bis- tory is part of the history of the war, and its battle flags are inscribed with the evidences of the prominent part it bore in the conflict. Soon after the capture of Donelson, Lieut. Cowen was promoted to First Lieutenant, and his superior qualifications and gen- eral deportment commending themselves to his supe- rior officers, he was appointed Adjutant of the regi- ment, and afterward Adjutant General of Brigade, which position he held until some time after reaching Chattanooga, when. declining further promotion, he was mustered out of service. The trite saying that a good citizen always makes a good soldier was fully examplified in the case of Lieut. Cowen. His com- rades bear willing testimony to his valor. and his offi- cial reports were regarded as models of promptness and efficiency. Soon after his return to Defiance, he
formed a partnership with Maj. Strong, and resumed his profession. The partnership was continued until the death of Mr. Strong, when Mr. Cowen became a partner of Hon. W. D. Hill, with whom he remained several years. Many important cases were intrusted to their management, and the law firm of Hill & Cowen acquired a name in the district, to which, we may say without disparagement to Mr. Hill, the jun- ior member contributed no small share. During his residence in Defiance, Mr. Cowen was elected Mayor of the village, an office he filled to his own honor and the satisfaction of his friends. In 1866, March 8, he married Miss Georgiana Richards, of Defiance; to them were born three children, one daughter, Mary A., and two sons, Benjamin O. and William R. Mrs. Cowen was born in Xenia, Ohio, February 8, 1837; moved to Defiance with her parents in Novem- ber, 1846. In 1870, Mr. Cowen came to Bryan, and became the law partner of Hon. A M. Pratt. It was a new era for him -- it brought him into closer contact with abler legal minds than he had before contended with; the field was worthy his labor; he applied him- self with renewed energy, and rapidly won his way to the front, and took rank with the leading lawyers at the Williams County bar. He was on the high road to prosperity and renown when death claimed him. Never, perhaps, in its history, has this community been so profoundly shocked as it was on last Sabbath (January 19, 1873), by the sudden and wholly unex- pected death of Mr. Thomas T. Cowen. For two years and more Mr. Cowen had lived and moved among us, the very picture of health, and with every prospect, to all human appearance, of a long life. Up to the very moment of his death he had appeared well and hearty, and when it was announced that he had fallen before the great destroyer, death, without a moment's warning, the announcement fell upon the community like a clap of thunder from a cloudless sky. The circumstances attending his death are as follows: He arose Sabbath morning, apparently as well as usual, except that he complained of a pain in his head. About 10 o'clock he started down street, saying to his wife that he would not go to church, but would go down to his office and write a letter to his sister in Kansas. Mrs. Cowen proceeded to church, and, after service, started home. Passing by Mr. Cowen's office. she stepped in, when there sat her husband in his chair-dead. His head was thrown back and it was evident. from the fact that the ink was not yet dry in the pen with which he had been writing. that he had been dead but a few moments. Terribly shocked, Mrs. Cowen sprang to the door and called for assistance, when persons who were passing by from church rushed in. Medical aid was at once summoned, but it was too late. [The immediate
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cause of the death of Mr. Cowen was undoubtedly due to heart disease .- ED. ] The news of the death soon drew a crowd about the office, and as one after another passed in to gaze at the inanimate form so suddenly and unexpectedly stricken down, strong men were bowed with grief, eyes unused to weep were suffused with tears, and one and all stood almost speechless, feeling that they were in the presence of death, and realizing how impotent is man when the hand of the destroyer is upon him. As soon as possi- ble the body was removed to the house of the family, where it was dressed for the grave. During the after- noon and evening, many of our leading citizens called to offer their assistance, to speak a word of comfort to the bereaved ones, or to shed, with the almost dis. tracted widow, the sympathizing tear. The personal character of Mr. Cowen was endowed with all those high qualities that contribute to the formation of an almost perfect man. Invariably courteous, alike to friends, acquaintances and strangers, at all times manifesting a respect for their opinions, yet not for- getting to exact what was due to himself; a keen per- ception of the right, and a strong, unyielding devo- tion to principle; a courage unquestioned, but con- trolled by temper, kind and respectful to others, and honor intact, he won troops of friends and admirers from all ranks and conditions of people, and became one of the recognized leading spirits in community, county and district. In early life, Mr. Cowen was a Republican, and voted for Abraham Lincoln in 1860; but soon after entering the military service, his polit- ical opinions underwent a change, and he became a Democrat, of the conservative school. He recognized party only as far as its aims tended to serve the great- est good to the greatest number. Personally, he had no ambition for political distinction. He sought to aid rather than direct in the counsels of his political friends, and his advice was always well received, be- cause he seldom yielded to the impulse of the moment, but made his tongue wait upon his judgment, which was always marked with strong, practical good sense. Once, since he came among us, he yielded to earnest solicitation, and stood for the office of Village Solicit- or. His election, in a precinct quite evenly divided, is a fair criterion of the estimation in which he was held by his fellow-citizens. Last season he was re- peatedly solicited to allow his name to be used in con - nection with the office of Judge of Common Pleas, but he invariably declined, alleging, as a reason for his declination, that he was too young and inexperi- enced to occupy a position so honorable and responsi . ble. In' the more intimate and tender relations which bound him to kindred and family, he was all that friendship could claim or affection enjoin-an affec- tionate son, a kind brother, a most devoted husband
and indulgent father; his every effort was devoted to their comfort and welfare. Indeed,
" His life was gentle, and the elements So mixed in him, that nature might stand up And say to all the world, 'This was a man.' "
The following resolutions were passed by the Bryan and Defiance Bar at Bryan, Ohio, January 21, 1873, on the death of Thomas T. Cowen:
The Willams and Defiance County Bar met at the court house, pursuant to call, and organized by ap- pointing the Hon. S. E. Blakeslee, Chairman, and L. E. Brewster, Esq., Secretary.
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