USA > Ohio > Pickaway County > History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens > Part 34
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Henry F. Page, one of the ablest lawyers of the Pickaway County bar in the past half century, was born in Circleville; graduated from Miami University at Oxford; attended law lectures at Harvard University, Cam- bridge, Massachusetts, and began the practice of the law in 1845. He ranked with the ablest in the profession in Central Ohio, was a vigor- ous advocate, fluent and forceful to a jury. Mr. Page was chosen at the April election in 1873 to represent Pickaway County in the con- stitutional convention of 1873-74, running as an independent candidate, the only position to which he was ever elected, having been de- feated for State Senator in 1863, by the late George L. Converse. In the constitutional convention, he was an active member and one of the readiest and most forcible debaters, tak- ing part in the important discussions. Mr. Page was not only successful professionally, but also pecuniarily, acquiring a large estate, consisting of a large body of choice land in Champaign County, Illinois, and three farms in Pickaway County.
Mr. Page died suddenly October 27, 1901, leaving a will which devised his real estate to his wife and daughter during their lifetime and at their death to go to the Ohio State Uni- versity, at Columbus, provided the daughter ratified such bequest, which she did. She died before her mother, and after the death of the latter the validity of the bequest was taken into the courts of Ohio and Illinois by the heirs of Mr. Page for determination; after several years' litigation the bequest was con- firmed to the University. The sale of the land yielded to the University $165,000.
Palmer C. Smith had a leading place at the Pickaway County bar for 50 years. He came from New York, born in Whitestown, Oneida
County July 31, 1823. He received a good academic education and worked on the home farm until he reached his majority, when he removed to London, Ohio, and studied law in the office of his cousin, Henry W. Smith; was admitted to the practice by the old Supreme Court of Ohio in December, 1846; and in April following opened an office in Circleville. From that time he devoted all his attention and energies to the profession, securing and holding a large law business. He was elected1 city solicitor at the April election in 1855, and was re-elected in 1857; was elected prose- cuting attorney in 1855, holding the office one term. Mr. Smith was the Republican candi . date for common pleas judge, in the Franklin. Madison and Pickaway sub-division, in 1879 and 1882, and, while defeated, his vote showed his strength at home, having a majority in the county in 1882. Mr. Smith, during his half century in the law practice, had a partner most of the time-from 1849 to 1857, Thomas C. Jones; in 1861-62, Henry F. Page; in 1863-66, Hon. Jacob J. Pugsley, now of Hillsboro, Ohio; subsequently, for 10 years, William F. Hurst; and from 1877 his partner was Milton Morris, the firm of Smith & Morris existing until Mr. Smith's death, August 19, 1900. He was then in his 78th year and had been the Nestor of the Pickaway County bar for 15 years .. Mr. Smith, in 1858, married Sarah Osborn, daughter of Hon. Ralph Osborn, one of the earliest attorneys mentioned. She die.1 in 1892, leaving three daughters.
Joseph Olds, one of the best lawyers Pick- away County has produced, was born in Cir- cleville, April 15, 1832. He was the son of Dr. Edson B. Olds, for years one of the fore- most men of the county. After receiving his preliminary education in Circleville, he en- tered Yale College in 1849 at the age of 17 years, graduating in 1853. He began the study of the law with his uncle, Chauncey N. Olds, in Circleville, from here going to the Harvard Law School, graduating in 1857, re- ceiving the degree of LL. B. The same year he was admitted to the practice of the law by the District Court in session at Chillicothe, and
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at once commenced the practice in Circleville. For a few years he was in partnership with Jonathan Renick, which association was ter- minated by the latter's death, in 1862. Mr. Olds soon impressed the people with his ability as a lawyer and business quickly came to him. He was three times elected prosecuting at- torney of the county-in 1857, 1859 and 1865. An additional judgeship having been created in the Franklin, Madison and Pickaway sub- division of the Fifth Judicial District, Mr. Olds was elected to this judgeship at the April election in 1868. His record on the bench placed him in the first rank of the judiciary in the State. As a judge he was patient to hear, diligent to investigate and impartial to decide. He declined a re-election and at the close of the term in May, 1873, associated himself with Hon. Richard A. Harrison, then of Lon- con. Ohio, opening an office in Columbus, their partnership continuing until the death of Mr. Harrison. This firm had a deservedly high reputation in Ohio and other States and in the 30 years of its existence successfully car- ried through the higher courts cases of great importance, involving vast interests and close legal questions. Judge Olds was thoroughly familiar with the law and authorities on all subjects, and in argument was always logical and forcible and a close, effective reasoner. His death occurred at his home in Columbus, January 31, 1904, in his 73rd year. His brief and fatal illness followed a few hours after consultation upon an important pending case, so that it could truthfully be said he "died in the harness." Mr. Olds was twice married and twice a widower, his second wife being the only daughter of the late Col. WV. Marshall Anderson, of Circleville.
John A. Lutz was in the law practice in Circleville nearly 45 years. He was born in Salt Creek township, Pickaway County, De- cember 29, 1824, one of the 14 children of Samuel Lutz, who came to that locality in 1802, was one of the pioneer surveyors of this section of Ohio and prominent in public affairs in the county a great number of years, and who lived into his 102nd year. John A.
Lutz, after obtaining a common-school edu- cation, taught school a few years. In April. 1848, he entered Wittenberg College. at Springfield, Ohio, where he graduated in the spring of 1853, and in November of the same year began the study of the law in the office of Chauncey N. Olds at Circleville. In De- cember, 1855, he was admitted to the bar and at once commenced the practice of law, contin- uing until the fatal illness, which caused his death. April 16, 1900. He gave his attention to office business mainly, having a large prac- tice in the Probate Court, and settled many estates. Mr. Lutz had literary tastes and ac- quirements and for 30 years was a frequent contributor to the Circleville Union-Herald, in his latter years writing numerous articles of a local historical character. He served a few years as a member of the County Board of School Examiners and in 1861 was appointed by Governor Dennison as one of the trustees of the Institution for Feeble-Minded youth. at Columbus, and was five times re-appointed. serving 18 years. He was a zealous member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Lutz was twice married: first. to Mary H. Humphreys. of Springfield, Ohio. Four of the six children of .this marriage are now living-three sons : John E. Lutz, in business at Oakland, Cali- fornia : Harry E. Lutz. of Seattle, Washing- ton, engaged in the banking business at Seat- tle and Port Angeles : Samuel J. Lutz, in busi- ness at Port Angeles, Washington; and one daughter, Katherine, married and living at Oakland, California. The first wife died in August, 1894, and 'on the 11th of August, 1896, Mr. Lutz married Anna L. Sain, a former teacher in the Circleville schools, who survives him.
David M. Jones was a prominent attorney in Circleville from 1858 to 1863, coming from Washington Court House. His death occurred June 23, 1863, and the obituary published in a newspaper of the city said of him: "Mr. Jones was a lawyer in large practice and a gentleman of very considerable attainments in his profession. He was attentive to his. business and lived a quiet, unobtrusive life.
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Few men for the time they have lived in this community gained such universal respect." Mr. Jones was survived by his wife, Mrs. Lois Jones, who has ever since his death resided at the family home on West Main street, and her daughter, Mrs. Edward Wittich, who is the only one of the children living.
Ansel T. Walling located at Circleville in 1863. He was born in Otsego County, New York, January 10, 1824. removing when a boy to Erie, Pennsylvania, where he received a common-school and academic education and learned the printer's trade in the office of the Erie Observer. In 1843 he came to Ohio, was editor and publisher of the Mahoning Index in 1848 and of the Coshocton Democrat from 1850 to 1854: in 1851-52, was assistant clerk in the Ohio House of Representatives; in 1852 was admitted to the practice of the law ; moved to Keokuk, Iowa, in 1854 and from 1855 to 1858 was editor and publisher of the Keokuk Daily Times; was a delegate from Iowa in the Democratic National Convention at Cincin- nati in 1856. He returned to Ohio in 1861. In 1865 Mr. Walling was elected to the State Senate from the Franklin-Pickaway district and Representative from Pickaway County in 1867. and during the session of 1869 was Speaker pro tom; in 1874 was elected Repre- sentative in Congress from the 12th Ohio Dis- trict and during the term served on important committees, including the special committee appointed to investigate the Florida election, in 1876. Mr. Walling died June 23, 1896, leav- ing his wife, who was a daughter of Gen. Jo- seph Burns, of Coshocton, Ohio. and four chil- dren-three sons : Commander Burns T. Wall- ing. United States Navy; Stewart D. Walling, of Denver. Colorado, and Percy A. Walling, both attorneys-at-law : and one daughter, Mrs. Belle Heffner. the wife of Dr. George W. Heff- ner, of Circleville.
Albert H. Roose was born at Tarlton, Pick- away County, April 8, 1846, the son of David and Rebecca Roose. He was educated in the Tarlton school and at the Kingston Academy, afterwards for several years teaching district
schools. Having read law, finishing the course in the office of John G. Reeves, at Lancaster, he was admitted to the bar and began the prac- tice of the law at Tarlton, continuing there until the beginning of the year 1885. He served as mayor of Tarlton and also as justice of the peace for Salt Creek township. In April, 1878, he was appointed by the probate judge as a member of the County Board of School Examiners and was re-appointed in 1881 and 1884. In 1884 Mr. Roose was the Democratic candidate for probate judge and was elected by a plurality of 772 votes. He faithfully discharged the duties of the office and was nominated for re-election. but be- cause of disaffection in his party was defeated. In 1890 he was appointed by Governor Camp- bell a member of the State Canal Commission, serving efficiently and acceptably for two years. and then resumed the practice of the law and was getting an excellent business, engaged in important cases. when he suffered a slight hemorrhage of the brain, which impaired his health and caused his death August 30. 1900.
Charles F. Krimmel was born at Ebingen, Wurtemberg, Germany. December 10, 1843. his parents coming to America in 1853. locat- ing in Circleville. He received a thorough edu- cation. graduating from the Circleville High School in March. 1862. and from Oberlin Col- lege in 1865. He was principal of the Circle- ville High School for several years and assist- ant superintendent of the Columbus schools in 1872-73. As an instructor he was an adept, and had he made this his life work would have attained eminence in the profession. Having read law with Samuel W. Courtright. he was admitted to the bar in 1870 and for some time was associated with Judge Courtright in the practice. In 1875 he was elected Representa- tive in the General Assembly by the Demo- crats and in 1877 was elected Senator from the 10th Senatorial District by 3,720 plurality. At the close of his senatorial term. he for a while had a law office in Columbus, from there going to Leadville, Colorado, where for a few years he was a high school teacher, afterwards being in the employ of silver mining com-
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panies as an assayer. His death occurred some years ago.
Burr H. Bostwick, a prominent attorney at Circleville from 1868 until his death, Novem- ber 11, 1894, was born in Mahoning County, Ohio, August 21, 1835, his parents afterward moving to Ashtabula County. He finished his education at Hiram College, having James A. Garfield as tutor. In 1859 he came to Pick- away County and taught school in the John Morris district in Walnut township and the winter of 1860-61 taught the school in the Hulse district in Jackson township. At the breaking out of the war in 1861, he enlisted for the three months' service in Company D, 19th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and at the close of the service re-enlisted as a private in Com- pany K, Seventh Reg., Kansas Vol. Cav., Colonel Jennison, serving to the end of the war; was promoted to captain ; was in numer- ous engagements and passed through many (langers. having been struck on the head with a bullet and having had two horses shot under him. After the close of the war, in April, 1865, the regiment was transferred to the far West to assist in the suppression of lawless- ness, serving there until September, 1865, and was then mustered out of the service. After his discharge, Captain Bostwick returned to the home of his parents, where he remained until February, 1866, when he came to Circle- ville and on the 23rd of that month was mar- ried to Hattie A. Hall, daughter of Jeremiah Hall, an attorney. Having studied law, Cap- tain Bostwick was the same year admitted to the bar and in 1868 located in Circleville for the practice, in 1869 forming a partnership with his father-in-law, Jeremiah Hall, which continued a number of years. Captain Bost- wick was a successful practitioner and had a good practice. He was a Republican in poli- tics and active. Several times he allowed the use of his name as a local candidate without any hope of election. He was one of the char- ter members of Groce Post, G. A. R., No. 156, of Circleville, also a trustee of the Soldiers' Monumental Association of Pickaway County, and was always ready to help any beneficial or public enterprise.
Julius Wyman was a legal celebrity at Cir- cleville for 20 years or more. He was elected prosecuting attorney in 1852, by the Whig party. He was quaint in his appearance and quite eccentric. In the latter years of his resi- dence he had scarcely any business, becoming very needy. He died many years since at his native place in Vermont.
Jeremiah Hall was a well-known attorney of Circleville for 30 years, coming from Adel- phi in 1857, having been admitted to the bar in Ross County, where he practiced for some years. His specialty was land cases and he instituted numerous suits, to recover lands in the Virginia Military District, some of which he won. He was elected solicitor of Circle- ville in 1859, serving two years. In 1861 he was the Republican candidate for prosecuting attorney, and was defeated. He removed to Lancaster some years before his death.
Alfred Williams, who was identified with the legal profession at Circleville for 30 years, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, the son of Prof. John Williams, of Pleasantville, Oho, a noted educator. Mr. Williams located in Cir- clevile about 1856. He was mayor of Circle- ville from 1859 to 1861. When the office of collector of internal revenue for the 12th Dis- trict was opened in Circleville in 1862. Mr. Williams' was selected by the collector, Nathan Denny, of South Bloomfield, as his chief clerk and continued in the position until 1866. and afterwards for several years was employed in other legal and clerical capacities. In 1867 he was the Republican candidate for prosecut- ing attorney, when Samuel W. Courtright was first elected. Mr. Williams was editor of the Circleville Union-Herald from 1872 to 1874. He secured a position in the State Department at Washington, D. C., during the administra- tion of President Hayes and showed such capa- bility in the work assigned him that he retained the place until his death, February 8, 1901. He had charge of the correspondence with England and Spain.
C. B. Mason located in Circleville in 1853 and opened an office. He came from Colum-
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bus where he studied law with Noah H. Swayne, afterward judge of the Supreme Court of the United States. Mr. Mason soon became active in local affairs and was captain of the Circleville Guards, a military company existing a few years previous to 1861. At the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion, he assisted in raising a company for the 13th Reg- iment, Ohio Vol. Inf., and was elected lieu- tenant-colonel of the regiment, resigning Sep- tember 13, 1861. Colonel Mason was post- master at Circleville from 1861 until 1865. In 1866 he moved West and located at Ottawa, Kansas, where he has since practiced his pro- fession. He is now about 75 years of age.
James Green was in the practice in Circle- ville in the '40's, elected prosecuting attorney in 1845, and after the close of the term located elsewhere and nothing of his subsequent his- tory can be obtained.
Joash Miller, Joseph Knox, Samuel P. Brainerd, Gustavus Scott, Harrison Welton and perhaps others unknown to fame, were reg- istered as lawyers in Circleville for long periods, years ago, and drifted away to un- known locations.
Jacob J. Pugsley, from 1863 to 1867, was a partner in the law practice with P. C. Smith; moved to Hillsboro, Ohio, was elected Repre- sentative in the General Assembly from High- land County in 1879 and 1881 ; elected to the State Senate from the Highland and Ross district in 1885: elected a member of Con- gress in 1886 and 1888. He is now one of the trustees of the Boys' Industrial School, first appointed in 1892.
Frank C. Doddridge, a native of Circle- ville, son of Joseph G. Doddridge, a leading merchant of the town for many years, was one of the younger members of the Pickaway bar for a few years after 1867. He studied law with his relative, Joseph Olds; was a partner of A. T. Walling in 1868-69. He emigrated to Kansas and from there removed to Chicago, where he died.
Amherst Franklin began the law practice in Circleville ; moved to Ottawa, Kansas, was elected probate judge two terms; has since lived in Ottawa and is on "Easy Street." He was a son of Nelson Franklin, who was promi- nent in Pickaway County for 30 years.
Lewis Hamilton Bond was born in 1838 at Nelsonville, Athens County, Ohio, where his father, Dr. . A. J. Bond, then lived. His parents removed to Frankfort, Ross County, in 1840, and he attended school at that place and at the Greenfield Academy in Highland County. He also attended the Circleville High School during the years 1856 and 1857. He came to Circleville in 1854 and for some time there- after was employed in the office of the Cir- cleville Il'atchman. He also taught school in Pickaway County for a short period. He studied law in the office of P. C. Smith. of Circleville, and was admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court of Ohio in 1859. He was elected prosecuting attorney of Pickaway County in 1861 and held that office for two years, although during a portion of his term he was absent in the army.
On the Ist of August, 1862, he was ap- pointed by Governor Tod to superintend the recruiting service in the counties of Perry and Fairfield and rendered efficient aid in organiz- ing troops. On the 12th of August, 1862, he was appointed 2nd lieutenant of Company B, 88th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., then stationed at Camp Chase, Ohio. In 1863 he was detailed to command a battalion of the Third Ohio In- fantry, whose officers were in Libby Prison and with that regiment served under General Kelley, in Virginia and Maryland. He was ordered to report with his command at Par- kersburg. (West) Virginia, to engage in the pursuit of Gen. John H. Morgan, whose Con- federate raiders were then in Ohio. His com- mand was mounted at Parkersburg and for five days raced and fought with Morgan's men until on the 26th day of July, 1863, near Salineville, in Columbiana County, Ohio, his troopers and those of Major Rue of the Ninth Kentucky Cavalry, surrounded the great raider and forced him to surrender, Bond being the
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first officer to whom Morgan's flag of truce announced his surrender. Major Rue. in writ- ing of the event. says: "Maj. Lewis Bond, of the Third Ohio. certainly deserves great credit for the proud manner in which he came forward with his men." On the 19th of August, 1863, he was promoted to be Ist lieu- tenant for bravery in the field and soon there- after assigned to duty as a judge advocate of the Ohio and Northern departments, on the staff of Gen. Joseph Hooker, at whose per- sonal request he was brevetted major of United States Volunteers by the Secretary of War. He was retained in the military service for some time after the close of the war, and was offered a lieutenant's commission in the regular army, and the position of judge advocate of the Department of the East, but declined to accept.
On January 1. 1866. he was appointed as- sistant United States district attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, which office he held for six years, when he resigned and began the practice of the law in Cincinnati. He was appointed United States commissioner for the Southern District of Ohio and served as such for many years. In 1877 Mr. Bond was nomi- nated for governor of Ohio by the Working- men's party and advocated measures to better the condition of labor, some of which have since been incorporated in the laws of Ohio.
At the request of the United States district and circuit judges for the Southern District of Ohio, Mr. Bond prepared and published two volumes of United States decisions ex- tending over a period of 15 years, which were so well received by the legal profession that the entire edition was soon exhausted, the bar of New York City alone requiring 500 copies of each volume. He is now engaged in practice in Cincinnati.
PRESENT MEMBERS OF THE BAR.
J. Wheeler Lowe is the senior in years of the present members of the Pickaway bar. having completed his 70th year on the 24th of September, 1906. He was born in Ulster County, New York. His par-
ents came to Williamsport, Pickaway County, in 1840. His father, Jacob J. Lowe, was a school teacher from early manhood, teaching for 40 years in the vicinity of his birthplace in Ulster County. J. Wheeler Lowe attended the school at Williamsport until his 19th year, when he entered Fowler's Law School at Poughkeepsie, New York. closing his course in 1859. He completed the study of the law under Col. C. B. Mason, of Circleville, and was admitted to the bar in 1866, by the Su- preme Court of Ohio, and entered upon the practice of the law in Circleville, in which he was actively engaged for 25 years. In 1885 he was elected mayor of Circleville and re- elected in 1887; in 1890 he was appointed mayor for the unexpired term of William E. Bolin, deceased, and in 1891 was elected mayor, serving until April. 1893. His administration as mayor was efficient and for the general good of the municipality. Mr. Lowe is now serving his fifth term as justice of the peace.
Samuel W. Courtright was born in Walnut township, Pickaway County. December 9. 1848. the son of Hon. Jesse D. Courtright. He was educated in the common schools and at South Salem Academy, began the study of the law with D. M. Jones. of Circleville, in April, 1863, graduated at the Cincinnati College of Law, was shortly afterward admitted to the bar and commenced the practice of the law at Circleville. The next year he was elected city solicitor. being re-elected in 1866. In October, 1875, he was elected. a judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the Fifth Judicial District of Ohio, serving five years.
Isaac N. Abernethy was born August 9, 1844. near Chillicothe, in Ross County. Ohio, and was graduated at Ohio Wesleyan Uni- versity in June. 1866. He then studied law with Alfred Yaple and later with Hon. R. A. Harrison; was admitted to the bar at Chilli- cothe. on September 1. 1868. He settled at Circleville in 1869 where he was in partnership for one year with E. Z. Hayes. He served as prosecuting attorney from 1872 until Janu- ary, 1877, when the firm of Abernethy &
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Grigsby was formed. In 1878 Mr. Abernethy entered into partnership with Henry F. Page, which was succeeded in 1884 by the firm of Page. Abernethy & Folsom, who continued until 1887. In November, 1889, he was elected judge of the Court of Common Pleas in the Franklin, Madison and Pickaway sub-division of the Fifth Judicial District, serving five years. At the expiration of the term, the law firm of Abernethy & Folsom was formed and has since continued.
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