History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 33

Author: Aaron R. Van Cleaf
Publication date: 1906
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 923

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CHAPTER XXIV

BENCH AND BAR OF THE COUNTY

The first lawyer who located in Pickaway County was Richard Douglass, a native of New London, Connecticut, born in 1785, who came West to "grow up with the country" in 1808 and when he reached Chillicothe, Ohio, decided to remain there for a while, finished his law studies with Col. Henry Brush. a noted lawyer of his time, was admitted to practice law in 1809, opened an office in Chillicothe. publishing his professional card in the Scioto Gazette of . December 23rd of that year. Soon after the organization of Pickaway County in 1810, Mr. Douglas came to Jefferson, the tem- porary county seat, and "hung out his shingle." He was present at the first court held in the county and was appointed prosecuting attorney, holding the office until 1813. In 1812 he was elected one of the Representatives of the county in the General Assembly, serving one year. In 1815 Mr. Douglas returned to Chillicothe and to the end of his active life was a leader in the profession, a forcible speaker, noted for his ready and sparkling wit, in fact- was a remark- able man. He died in 1852. His son, Dr. Al- bert Douglas, was a prominent citizen of Chilli- cothe until his death some years ago, and his sons, Albert Douglas and J. C. Douglas, are leading lawyers of the Ross County bar, the former when this was written the Republican candidate for Congress in the Ross district and the latter having served 10 years as common pleas judge.

Ralph Osborn, who was one of the first attorneys who located in Columbus, came to

Pickaway County soon after the county seat was fixed at Circleville and opened a law office. He was a native of Waterbury, Con- necticut. In 1810, he was elected clerk of the Ohio House of Representatives and was re- elected in 1811, 1812, 1813 and 1814. In 1813 he was appointed prosecuting attorney of Pick- away County, continuing in office until 1816. In 1815 Mr. Osborn was chosen Auditor of State by the General Assembly in joint meet- ing, and was continuously re-elected until 1833. He had few, if any, superiors in a clerical position. Soon after his first election as Auditor, Mr. Osborn changed his residence to Columbus. In 1833 he was elected to repre- sent Franklin and Pickaway counties in the State Senate. His death occurred December 30, 1835, at the age of 52 years. Mr. Osborn was twice married; first, on April 26, 1812, to Catherine Renick, daughter of John Renick, then living near Darby Creek, Jackson town- ship. After her death, about 17 years there- after, he married Mrs. Jane Turney, widow of, Dr. Daniel Turney, who was the eldest daughter of Col. James Denny, of Pickaway County. He was the father of a number of children, three by the second marriage; the only one now living is Mrs. Catherine Ruggles. widow of Samuel H. Ruggles, of Circleville, born of the second marriage.

Joshua Folsom was one of the first law- yers in Pickaway County, coming to Circle- ville the first year of its existence. He was born in New Hampshire in 1783 and was

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partly educated at Dartmouth College. His reputation was that of a very good lawyer. well-read on all subjects and possessed of ex- tensive information. He served as prosecut- ing attorney from 1828 to 1832, after which, having acquired a considerable estate for those tract of land which he owned, in Logan County, Ohio.

Guy W. Doane, a native of New Milford, days he quit the law and located upon a large : Connecticut, a graduate of Union College, New

Caleb Atwater, who came to Circleville in 1815 and engaged in the practice of the law. was a man of varied ability-educator, minis- ter. lawyer, legislator, author and antiquarian. He was born at North Adams, Massachusetts. December 25, 1778. He was one of the earliest graduates of Williams College, He moved to New York and for a while conducted a school for young ladies, at the same time studyiing for the ministry, and was ordained as a min- ister of the Presbyterian Church. Soon there- after deciding to change his profession. he studied law and in due course was admitted to the practice. In 1821 Mr. Atwater was a Representative from Pickaway County in the General Assembly, serving one term and was conspicuous as an advocate of popular educa- tion and public improvements, a pioneer in the movement for the construction of the Ohio canal system. At the close of his legislative service. he was commissioned to represent the United States government in the treaty with the Winnebago Indians at Galena, Illinois. Thenceforth he devoted years to literary pur- suits, writing one of the earliest works, on "Western Antiquities", also works. on other subjects, and a "History of Ohio." Mr. At- water died at Circleville March 13, 1867, hav- ing survived his second wife 10 years. Of his nine children only one, Mrs. Lucy Brown, is living. It was said of Caleb Atwater by one who knew him intimately : "He was a man of somewhat eccentric characteristics, but of large and genuine worth. He combined, with culture the qualities of exceeding kindness and of the most rigid conscientiousness. He was un- selfish, labored for the benefit of others-the masses and his neighbors-and exhibited but little desire for pecuniary gain or personal advancement. His character commanded the

respect and his talents and his employment of , them, the admiration of all who, personally or by reputation, had knowledge of his life and. services."

York, and a student in the law school at Litchfield, Connecticut, located in Circleville in 1816 to practice law. The legal profession was not then crowded with business, as Mr. Doane from January 20, 1818. to Feburary 9, 1819, was the editor of the Olive Branch, the pioneer newspaper of the county. Mr. Doane was prosecuting attorney two years, commenc- ing in 1824. and in 1826 was elected Repre- sentative in the General Assembly, serving one term. He continued in active practice of the ! law until 1844. when loss of eyesight disquali- fied him for active pursuits. He died February 4. 1862, and an obituary publishe.l in the Cir- cleville U'nion, the same week, says: "Mr. Doane was eminently a just man, an humble- minded, consistent Christian and a good citi- zen. * * * With social qualities that but . few possess, he was yet an indefatigible stu- dent : with an industry that never flagged, he kept pace with the progress of his profession. drew from the stores of ancient learning, and mastered the current literature of his day." One of Mr. Doane's sons, George W. Doane, located at Omaha, became prominent as a lawyer, served in the Legislature and upon the bench. Clement Doane, another son, was editor of the Jasper ( Indiana) Courier for over 30 years, dying in 1905. The youngest daughter of Mr. Doane. was the second wife of the late Col. Samuel A. Moore.

It is recorded that, in 1819, Joshua Folsom, Guy W. Doane, Caleb Atwater and Neil Mc- Gaffey were the only resident attorneys of Circleville. McGaffey soon thereafter emi- grated farther west and nothing concerning him is obtainable. except that he was the son- in-law of John McNeal, the first coroner of the county.

The first lawyer, who completed his studies here, and began the practice in Circleville, was Joseph Olds, a native of Brattleboro, Vermont,

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and one of the Olds family, which became notable in Pickaway County, several of the brothers attaining prominence in the pro- fessions and in business. Joseph Olds came to Circleville in 1818, and in a short time began the practice of the law, soon rising to eminence in the profession. He was prosecuting at- torney four years, beginning in 1820, and Rep- resentative in the General Assembly in 1824 and 1825 and Senator from Pickaway and Hocking counties in 1827 and from Franklin and Pickaway counties from 1828 to 1831, and in both branches was a leader in legislation. He was not only one of the ablest lawyers of his time but one of the best and most success- iul financiers, dealing extensively in real es- tate in town and country, owned large tracts of land in Pickaway and Madison counties, as well as town property and laid out two addi- tions to Circleville. He was rated as one of the wealthiest men in the county. When the Bank of Circleville was organized in the fall of 1834, Mr. Olds was elected its president and con- tinued in that capacity until his death, always judiciously and successfully managing the af- fairs of the institution. In 1842 Mr. Olds built the large brick house at the corner of Main and Pickaway streets, now owned by Mrs. Mary G. Marfield, bought by her deceased hus- band. William B. Marfield, in 1870. When first erected, this house was considered as a palatial mansion, the finest in the town. In politics. Mr. Olds was a strong Whig; and in the memorable campaign of 1840 was a popu- lar stumper, doing efficient service for his party. The last time he appeared before the people. as a candidate, was in 1842, the Whigs having nominated him for. Representative. His brother. Dr. Edson B. Olds, was the Demo- cratic candidate. It was a hot, exciting, close contest, both candidates men of much forensic ability, sharp disputants and each "hewed to the line." no matter where the chips might fall. Joseph Olds was elected by three majority. having two majority in Circleville. He de- clined to accept the office, and a special election was held at which Dr. Edson B. Olds was chosen by a large majority and began his first term as a legislator. Mr. Olds died on the

26th of April, 1847, in the 53rd year of his afe, surviving his wife about two years. There not being any children, his estate was be- queathed in equal shares to his brothers and sisters. The late John A. Lutz, in reminis- censes printed in the Circleville Union-Herald about 20 years ago, said of Joseph Olds : "As the writer remembers him, he was of about me- dium height, rather slender, naturally bright and well educated for that period, ani being a good speaker he soon gained practice. He had the energy, shrewdness and push common to the Yankees in the early part of the present century, and in addition to being attentive to his profession, he took an active interest in all the enterprises and movements calculated to build up the city." An obituary of Mr. Olds published in the Circleville Watchman, May 7, 1847, contained the following: "His honesty was proverbial, and so high was his character in this respect, that no man, not even his political opponents, ever doubted the hon- esty and integrity of Joseph Olds."

John L. Green was the first of the early lawyers locating in Circleville, who was not a New Englander. Mr. Green was born at Richmond, Virginia, in 1807. His parents both perished in the burning of the Richmond Theatre, the night of December 26, 1811, if the writer was correctly informed. Mr. Green came to Circleville about 1830, and soon was successful in the law practice. He was clerk of the Ohio House of Representatives in 1831-32; was elected prosecuting attorney in 1832 and served six years; was Senator from the Pick- away and Franklin district from 1837 to 1840. He was commissioned as a general in the State militia, wearing the title for years. Mr. Green changed his location to Chillicothe in the '40's, forming a partnership with William Creigh- ton, Jr., which continued a few years. In 1850 General Green was elected as one of the repre- sentatives from Ross County in the convention which formed the present constitution of Ohio and in 1851 was elected the first common pleas. judge in the Ross, Fayette and Highland sub- division of the Fifth Judicial District, serving five years. In 1880 he moved to Columbus

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and in 1866 was elected common pleas judge in the Franklin, Madison and Pickaway sub- division, re-elected in 1871 and 1876, serving 15 years as did his predecessor, Judge James L. Bates. When Judge Green closed his ju- dicial career on the 9th of February, 1882, he did not resume the law practice, living a re- tired life until his death, July 3. 1886. Po- litically Judge Green was a zealous Whig, while that party lived. In 1861 he joined the Democratic party, to which he adhered there- after.

Henry N. Hedges, Sr., was the first of the legal profession in the county, who was "native here" and passed his life on his native heath. He was born at Jefferson in 1811. His father was James Hedges, who came from Berkeley County, Virginia, to Ohio in 1802. His mother was a sister of Henry Nevill, one of the earli- est settlers at Jefferson. He was educated in the village school at Circleville and at Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio, read law in the office of Joseph Olds, attended law school in Cincin- nati and in 1835 began the practice of the law in Circleville. He was prosecuting attorney from 1838 to 1840 and from 1854 to 1856. He was in active practice and in the front rank of the profession for 30 years, from 1854 to 1858 in partnership with John Cradlebaugh. From 1864 to 1867, he was a member of the city Board of Education and president of the board during the time. In 1875 Mr. Hedges was elected probate judge and re-elected in 1878 and 1881, at each election running far ahead of his ticket. He was thoroughly quali- fied for the office and his administration in every way has never been excelled. Judge Hedges died on the 15th of March, 1885, but a few days over a month after closing his services as probate judge, having been in feeble health for several, months. The Circleville Democrat and Watchman, in a sketch published in its first issue following his death, said : "Judge Hedges possessed fine legal ability, and an enviable professional reputation, estima- ble personal character, and the brightest honor and integrity, with eminent virtues as husband, father, friend and citizen, and had the respect

and esteem of his fellow citizens to a greater degree than any other man in the county. In religion he was of the Episcopal faith. Politic- ally he was a stanch Democrat from the days of his youth and aided greatly in organizing and strengthering his party, when it was struggling for ascendancy in the county."

Joseph H. Geiger was a well-known at- torney and celebrity of Pickaway County for 12 years preceding 1852, and to the end of his days had a host of acquaintances in the county. Mr. Geiger was born at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, November 11, 1818, was edu- cated in that city, graduating in 1836. He came to Circleville July Ist of the same year, read law in the office of Gen. John L. Green, was admitted to the bar at Cincinnati in 1840 and immediately thereafter commenced the practice of the law at Circleville. At the Oc- tober election following, he was elected prose- cuting attorney. Taking an active interest in the State militia, he was advanced to the rank of general and ever after carried the title. In 1850 he was elected Senator from the Pick- away and Ross district to succeed Chauncey N. Olds, resigned, and was the last senatorial representative of Pickaway under the consti- tution of 1802. In 1852 General Geiger moved from Circleville to Columbus, forming a part- nership with Elijah Backus, a leading lawyer of the "Capital City," which existed a few years. In 1862, General Geiger was appointed by his old-time friend, Judge Noah H. Swayne, as clerk of the United States courts at Cincin- nati, holding the office one year and eight months, resigning because the position did not suit him. In 1873, he was appointed by Gov- ernor Foster as State librarian and held the office one term-two years. General Geiger was a very effective and popular speaker, pos- sessing the powers of ridicule, ready wit and the quickness of repartee to a great degree, which made him a force in court or on the hustings. He was a "fellow of infinite jest" and companionable with all classes. He had been affiliated with all the leading political parties existing during his life, first a Whig. then a Democrat, afterwards a Republican, and

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ST. JOSEPH'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, CIRCLEVILLE

BAPTIST CHURCH, CIRCLEVILLE

ROAD BRIDGE OVER SCIOTO RIVER, CIRCLEVILLE

THE SULPHUR SPRING, WILLIAMSPORT In the center is shown the old Radcliff Distillery.

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had campaigned for each; in his latter years he was an independent voter. General Geiger survived three wives. . He died March 23, 1903.

John Cradlebaugh for 15 years was one of the foremost lawyers and factors in politics in the county, and whose achievments after- ward on the judicial bench and in the Civil War made his name enduring in the county, where he was born and reared. John Cradle- baugh was born in Circleville in 1816. He was the son of Andrew Cradlebaugh, who operated a tannery and kept a hotel on West Main street. He was educated in the home schools, studied law with Henry N. Hedges, Sr., and was admitted to the bar in 1840, and at once began the practice in Circleville, his talents soon placing him in the front rank. In 1851 Mr. Cradlebaugh was elected to the State Senate by the Democratic party from Franklin and Pickaway counties, the first to represent that district under the new consti- tution, and was an active, influential member. In 1854 he entered into a law partnership with his former preceptor, Henry N. Hedges, Sr., which continued until 1858, when Mr. Cradle- baugh was appointed by President Buchanan as United States judge in the Territory of Utah; soon after he assumed the duties of the office. The Territory of Nevada was formed from part of Utah, making an additional ju- dicial district, and Judge Cradlebaugh was assigned to the northern or Nevada district. Soon after the transier, Judge Cradlebaugh made a record that is indelible. The bloody Mountain Meadow massacre, wliere 120 emi- grants were murdered by Mormons disguised as Indians, occurred on the 10th of September, 1857. and efforts were being made to bring the murderers to justice. Judge Cradlebaugh, in opening his court, charged the grand jury to investigate the massacre and placed the re- sponsibility upon the Mormons. The Terri- torial Enterprise at the time, discussing the oc- casion, said of Judge Cradlebaugh : "He spoke and acted with the fearlessness and resolution of a Jackson; but the jury failed to indict, or even to report on the charges, while threats of violence were heard in every quarter, and

an attack on the U. S. troops intimated if he persisted in his course. Finding that nothing could be done with the juries, they were dis- charged with a scathing rebuke from the Judge and then, sitting as a committing magistrate. he commenced his task alone. He examined witnesses, made arrests in every quarter and created a consternation in the camps of the saints greater than any they had ever wit- nessed since Mormondom was born."

Judge Cradlebaugh was elected a delegate in Congress from Nevada in 1861, and was active in securing the admission of the Terri- tory into the Union as a State. While in Con- gress he assisted in recruiting the 114th Regi- ment, Ohio Vol. Inf., at Circleville, in 1862. and was commissionedl as colonel. He was with the regiment in several battles and in the first charge of Vicksburg, and on the 22nd of May, 1863. was seriously wounded by a bullet passing through his cheeks, under his tongue. making his articulation very difficult, render- ing it necessary for him to. retire from the service. He resigned soon after. Returning to Nevada, he was a candidate for United States Senator but the Stewart-Nye combina- tion was too powerful and he failed. Having become reduced financially, he accepted a sub- ordinate position. He died at Eureka, Nevada. in 1873. After the lapse of six years, the re- mains were brought to Circleville, May 29. 1879, and. on the following day, Decoration Day, were laid to rest, beside the remains of his wife (who died in Columbus while he was Senator) in the lot in Forest Cemetery under the imposing monument placed there years before. The exercises attending the re-inter- ment were of a suitable and patriotic character.

Chauncey N. Olds came to Circleville with his father's family in May. 1830, being then. 14 years of age. He was born at Marlboro, Vermont, February 2, 1816. He was educated at Ohio University, Athens, and Miami Uni- versity, Oxford, Ohio, graduating from the latter in 1836, and from 1837 to 1840 was in- structor in Latin in the institution, after which he finished the study of the law in the office of his elder brother, Joseph Olds, in Circle-

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ville. He was admitted to the practice in the spring of 1842, and entered into partnership with his brother. In 1848 he was elected by the Whig party one of the Representatives from Pickaway and Ross counties in the Gen- eral Assembly and in 1849 was elected Senator from the same counties, served one session and resigned, never afterward accepting a nomina- tion for public office. In 1856 he moved to Columbus and devoted his whole time to his profession, having an extensive and valuable practice. In 1865 he accepted from the Gov- ernor the appointment as Attorney-General of the State to fill a vacancy, filling the unex- pired term. He was an earnest churchman of the Presbyterian faith, was active in church and Sunday-school work, delivering numerous addresses at Sunday-school gatherings. He was a ruling elder for over 40 years, and a frequent representative in Presbyterian synods and general assemblies and in 1877 was a dele- gate in the Pan-Presbyterian Council, held at Edinburg, Scotland. He died some years ago.

Thomas C. Jones came to Pickaway County about 1843 and practiced law here 12 years, then removing to Delaware. In 1859 he was elected to the State Senate from Delaware and Licking counties and afterward served as com- mon pleas judge 10 years. He was greatly in- terested in agriculture and stock breeding and had a choice herd of Shorthorn cattle on his farm near Delaware. He was a member of the State Board of Agriculture from 1860 to 1867. Judge Jones was of Welsh origin and had many of the traits of that nationality

M. C. Canfield had a law office in Circle- ville for a few years after 1840; was elected prosecuting attorney in 1841, serving one term, then going elsewhere.

John C. Groom, a native of York County, Pennsylvania, came to Ohio in 1837, was clerk in a store at Harrisburg, Franklin County, and afterwards was a salesman in the store of Gregg & Wolfley in Circleville. Having studied law in the office of Joseph Olds, he was ad- mitted to the bar December 3, 1841, com-

menced the practice in Circleville and in 1843 was elected prosecuting attorney, serving two years. During the War with Mexico, he served as Ist lieutenant in Company E. Fourth Regi- ment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Returning at the close of the war, he resumed the law practice, continuing until 1858, when he located in Kansas City, Missouri, where he had a law office two years. He removed to Columbus, Ohio, in 1861 and engaged in the practice of his profession; entered military service; was appointed major of the 84th Regiment. Ohio Vol. Inf., but was soon transferred to the colonelcy of the 100th Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf., which he resigned May 13, 1863. He continued the law practice in Columbus and was elected to represent Franklin County in the House of Representatives, serving in 1876-77 and 1880-81.

Jonathan Renick was one of the most prominent attorneys in the county for 15 years. He was born in Jackson township, Pickaway County, the son of Thomas Renick, graduated from the Canonsburg ( Pennsylvania ) College, studied law with Odlin & Schenck, eminent lawyers at Dayton, Ohio. He began the prac- tice of the law at Circleville in 1846 and soon forged to the front; was elected prosecuting attorney in 1847 and held the office four years. He died in the prime of life September 22. 1862, after a brief illness, and as said at the bar meeting at the time: "He occupied in the legal. and political circles a more prominent place than any other man in our community. In his intercourse with the members of the bar, he was upright and courteous; in his so- cial relations, he was the idol of his friends."

The Circleville Democrat (now Democrat and Watchman), September 26, 1860, said editorially of Mr. Renick's death: "Perhaps we have not a citizen in the county whose loss will be more deeply felt than that of Mr. Renick. He was universally respected by all. He advanced rapidly in his profession, com- manding a most extensive practice. All of his early friends looked to him with pride and hope. A man of fine developments, of easy manners and liberal education, he passed rap-

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idly to an extensive business and to a re- spected popularity. In all the enterprises and improvements of our town and county, he lent a liberal hand. His funeral was one of the largest we have ever witnessed in this town, the procession reaching from town to the cemetery."

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History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 33

Author: Aaron R. Van Cleaf Publication date: 1906 Publisher: Number of Pages: 923

Author: Aaron R. Van Cleaf
Publication date: 1906
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 923