History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 35

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

USA > Ohio > Pickaway County > History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens > Part 35

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Jacob P. Winstead was born in Clear Creek township. Fairfield County, Ohio, April 25, 1846. He was graduated from Miami Uni- versity, at Oxford, in 1869 and then studied law with Judge Courtright and taught school until 1872, when he entered the law depart- ment of the University of Michigan. at Ann Arbor, where he was graduated the following year with the degree of LL. B., shortly there- after commencing the practice of the law, with office in the Odd Fellows' Block in Circleville. He was elected city solicitor in 1874 and re- elected in 1876; in 1879 was elected prosecut- ing attorney and re-elected in 1881, having im- portant criminal cases during his term; in 1890 he was elected probate judge and re-elected in 1893. At the close of the six years on the bench, he resumed the law practice.

Charles Dresbach, now judge of the Court of Common Pleas, was born in Clear Creek township, Fairfield County, Ohio, August 15, 1859. After finishing in the district school, he entered the National Normal University at ·Lebanon, graduating in 1884; in the fall of the same year he entered the department of law in the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and was graduated in 1886. In 1885 he was admitted to the bar in Ohio, having been pre- viously admitted to practice in Michigan. In 1886 he opened an office in Circleville and ac- quired an extensive practice. In February. 1903, Mr. Dresbach was appointed by Gov- ernor Nash to fill the vacancy in the Court of Common Pleas, resigned by Judge Festus Wal- ters, to take his place as circuit judge; at the November election following, he was elected

for the unexpired term and in 1904 was elected for the full term of five years.

Henry P. Folsom was born in Logan County, Ohio, in 1854. He was educated at the National Normal University at Lebanon and studied law at the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor. One year after his return to Circleville, he entered the office of his uncle, Henry F. Page. He was admitted to the bar in 1876 and for the four following years prac- ticed law at Toledo, Ohio. Returning to Cir- cleville, in 1880, the firm of Page, Abernethy & Folsom was formed, which continued until 1886, when Mr. Page withdrew. The firm then became Abernethy & Folsom, which continued until 1890, when Mr. Abernethy was elected to the common pleas bench. In 1891 the firm became Folsom & Pontius, but the old firm of Abernethy & Folsom was again established at the close of Judge Abernethy's term on the bench.

Charles J. Delaplane was born in Circle- ville in 1847 .. During the war of 1861-64 he served in an artillery company. In 1867 he graduated from the Cincinnati Law School and immediately opened a law office in Circleville, where he continues in the practice. He was city solicitor from 1869 to 1873, and prosecut- ing attorney two terms, elected in 1875 and 1877.

Andrew R. Bolin, born at Circleville in 1849, was graduated from the Circleville High School in December, 1867, and from Miami University, at Oxford, Ohio, in 1871. He then entered the Cincinnati Law School where he was graduated with the degree of LL. B. in 1873. Shortly thereafter, he commenced the practice of the law in Circleville, and from that time has been active in the profession. In 1895 Mr. Bolin was elected Representative to the General Assembly, being re-elected in 1897. On the 20th of June, 1900, the law firm of Bolin .& Bolin, father and son, was formed.

Stuart R. Bolin, the junior member of the firm of Bolin & Bolin, was born in Circleville,

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June 20, 1878, completed his education at the Ohio State University, Columbus, studied law in the law department of Yale University, on June 28, 1899, receiving the degree of LL. B. He is now assistant secretary of the Ohio Commission, appointed to represent the State at the Jamestown (Virginia) Exposition in 1907.

Clarence Curtain, a native of Madison County, was born near London, Ohio, in 1853. After the ordinary educational course, he en- tered the law department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, graduating in 1874. Coming to Circleville, he entered upon the law practice, being associated with the late Hon. A. T. Walling until 1879, when he started in the business alone. In 1884 Mr. Curtain was elected prosecuting attorney, being re-elected in 1887. While in the office, the Court House improvement, the building of the county jail and the treasury defalcation, brought new duties and complicated questions to the prose- cuting attorney, all of which Mr. Curtain handled with conceded legal ability and skill.

George H. Pontius was born in Washing- ton township, Pickaway County, August 6, 1856, was educated in the district school, finish- ing at the National Normal University at Leb- anon, Ohio, where he received the degree of B. S. in 1879. He taught district schools in Pick- away County until 1884, when he was elected clerk of the courts, to which office he was re- elected in 1887. While in the clerk's office, he studied law with Jacob P. Winstead and in March, 1888, was admitted to the bar. On February 9, 1891, he formed a partnership with Henry P. Folsom, the firm name being Folsom & Pontius, which continued four years. He then opened a separate office. Mr. Pontius was elected probate judge in 1902 and was re-elected in 1905. He served two terms as a member of the Circleville city Board of Edu- cation, part of the time as secretary and two years as president of the board. When the Australian ballot system was adopted in Ohio in 1891, he was appointed a member of the County Board of Elections,' continuing until 1902.

S. L. Grigsby was born February 8, 1841. at Zanesville, Ohio, where he was educated. He came to Circleville in April, 1865, and for nine years was deputy in the county auditor's office. In 1873 he was admitted to the bar, the next year beginning the practice as a part- ner of Isaac N. Abernethy under the firm name of Abernethy & Grigsby. After the dissolution of the firm, Mr. Grigsby was alone in the prac- tice for three years, then entered into partner- ship with Andrew R. Bolin, under the firm name Bolin & Grigsby, which continued until 1891. Since then Mr. Grigsby has practiced alone.

Charles C. Chappelear, born March 18, 1861, at Thornville, Perry County, Ohio, was graduated from the law department of the Uni- versity of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, in June, 1889. In the following October he was ad- mitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of Ohio, and in 1890 began the practice of the law at Frankfort, Ross County, Ohio, soon removing to Circleville, where he practiced from October, 1891, to February 1, 1903, when he was appointed postmaster of the city.

Irvin F. Snyder has been engaged in the practice of the law in Circleville for the past 14 years. He was born in Walnut township, Pickaway County, in 1869, attended Capital University, Columbus, and graduated at Hei- delberg College, Tiffin, Ohio, in 1890. In 1892 he was graduated from the law department of the Ohio State University and was admitted to the bar and engaged in practice in Circle- ville the same year. In 1896 he was elected prosecuting attorney, being re-elected in 1899. He has also been a member of the City Coun- cil. On May 31, 1906, Mr. Snyder entered into a law partnership with George W. Lindsay.

Charles H. May, who was born in Ross County, Ohio, March 20, 1873, attended the Ohio Normal University, at Ada, and the Cin- cinnati Law School, from which latter institu- tion he was graduated in 1895, in which year he was also admitted to the bar. Coming to Circleville, he entered into partnership with

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Charles Dresbach, under the firm name of Dresbach & May. Mr. May has practiced alone since his partner became judge of the Court of Common Pleas. He also has an office at New Holland.

Charles Gerhardt was born March 28, 1870, in Walnut township, Pickaway County; was graduated from the Ohio Normal University, at Ada, and was admitted to the bar in June, 1895, after which he spent a portion of a year in the law department of the Ohio State Uni- versity. In February, 1896, he formed a part- nership in Circleville with John Schleyer, which continued until June 1, 1899. Since then Mr. Gerhardt has practiced alone. In 1902 he was was elected prosecuting attorney and was re- elected in 1905.

Charles W. Murphy is a native of Greene County, Ohio. He attended the Ohio Wes- leyan University, at Delaware, Ohio, several years and in 1874 was graduated from the law department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, being admitted to the bar in the same year. He was engaged in newspaper work up to 1894, when he entered into the prac- tice of the law in Circleville. In 1902 he was elected city solicitor and has been twice re- elected.

Joseph W. Adkins, born in 1864 in Pick- away County, was educated at the National Normal University at Lebanon and in the law department of the Ohio Normal University, at Ada, where he was graduated in 1898. He was admitted to the bar in June of that year and commenced the practice of the law in Circleville in 1900. Previous to taking up the study of the law at Ada and also subsequent to his graduation he was engaged in teaching school.

Chris. A. Weldon, who was born in 1873 in Circleville, studied law at the Cincinnati Law School, where he was graduated in 1894. He commenced the practice of his profession at Circleville the following year. He was elected city solicitor in 1896 and served one term.

L. F. Wegerly is a native of Circleville township, Pickaway County, born in 1880. He was graduated at the Ohio Northern Uni- versity in the scientific course in 1903 and the following year graduated in the law course, being admitted to the bar on June 22, 1904. From April, 1905, to May 31, 1906, he was a member of the law firm of Lindsay & Wegerly.

George W. Lindsay was born in Hocking County, Ohio, December 15, 1878. He spent two years at the Ohio State University at Co- lumbus and in 1903 was graduated at the Uni- versity of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee. He was graduated from the law department of the University of Michigan in 1904 and soon after was admitted to the bar. In April, 1905, he formed a partnership with L. F. Wegerly at Circleville, which association continued until May 31, 1906, when Mr. Lindsay entered into a partnership with Irvin F. Snyder.

Milton Morris was born in 1851 in Walnut township, Pickaway County. He read law with P. C. Smith, of Circleville, and was ad- mitted to the bar in 1875. He has practiced in Circleville since 1877, when he entered into partnership with his preceptor, P. C. Smith, which continued until Mr. Smith's death, Oc- tober 19, 1900. He has since practiced alone.

John Schleyer was born in 1861 at Chilli- cothe, Ross County, and received a college edu- cation at the Capital University, Columbus. He read law in the office of Smith & Morris in Circleville and was admitted to the bar Janu- ary 2, 1883, at once beginning the practice of his profession here. In 1886 he was elected city solicitor and was re-elected in 1888. In 1890 he was elected prosecuting attorney and was re-elected in 1893.

M. A. Sweetman was admitted to the bar May 5, 1875, and began the practice in 1881, for several years previous having been deputy county auditor. He is an adept in the making of abstracts of title of real estate. Mr. Sweet- man was born near Tarlton, Ohio, October 4, 1841. He was a soldier in the 114th Regi-

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ment, Ohio Vol. Inf., in the War of the Re- bellion.

H. B. Weaver is a. native of Pickaway County, born in 1869. He was graduated at the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware. in 1892, and two years later was graduated from the law department of the Ohio State University, at Columbus. He was admitted to the bar in August, 1894. opening an office in Circleville, where he has continued in prac- tice. Since 1902 he has filled the office of United States referee in bankruptcy.

Ed. A. Brown was born in 1868 in Walnut township, Pickaway County, and attended the Ohio Normal University at Ada, leaving this institution in 1889 and engaging in teaching for six years. He then returned to the univer- sity and completed the law course in 1895. He was in partnership with Irvin F. Snyder in Circleville for three years and has since prac- ticed alone.

C. A. Leist, who was born in 1866 in Pick- away County, was educated at the Ohio Nor- mal University at Ada. He later studied law with the firm of Folsom & Pontius and then with Judge Festus Walters. He was admitted to the bar in December, 1893, and has contin- ued to practice in Circleville since January I, 1894. He served as city solicitor of Circle- ville for four years.

William A. Welch, attorney-at-law at New Holland for 20 years, was born in Pike Coun- ty. Ohio. August 16, 1853, and began teaching school at 20 years of age. He passed the re- quisite examination and was admitted to the practice of the law, April 23, 1879. He has satisfactorily filled the office of solicitor and mayor of the village of New Holland, member of the Board of Education, township clerk and is now justice of the peace.

Perry G. Bostwick has practiced law in Circleville since 1869. In 1859-60, he taught school near Circleville, coming here from Ash- tabula County. He was born in Mahoning County, Ohio.

Festus Walters, born in Fairfield County, Ohio, graduated from Cornell University ; en- tered the law department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, graduating in 1872, and soon after beginning the practice of the law in Circleville; in 1894 was elected common pleas judge in the Highland, Fayette. Madison, Ross and Pickaway sub-division and re-elected in 1899; in 1902 was elected circuit judge in the Fourth Circuit, for six years, without an opposing candidate, the circuit being largely Republican.

Percy A. Walling was born in Circleville, the youngest son of Hon. A. T. Walling; was educated in the Circleville schools and the Uni- versity of Michigan, at Ann Arbor: was ad- mitted to the bar in 1890 and has since prac- ticed law in Circleville.

John L. Heise, born in Washington town- ship, Pickaway County, was a school teacher for some years, and while thus engaged read law; was admitted to practice, and opened an office in Circleville about 10 years ago.

Howard B. Moore graduated from the law department of Harvard University in 1902, and was admitted to the practice of the law in Massachusetts; in 1903 was admitted to the bar of Ohio by the Supreme Court. He is not now .in active practice.

Barton Walters, the eldest son of Judge Festus Walters, was admitted to the law prac- tice in June, 1902, and has since had an office in the Masonic Temple. In March. 1903. he was appointed one of the receivers of the Citi- zens' Building and Loan Company, which has since taken a large part of his time. He is one of the most active young Republicans of the county and is now the chairman of the Repub- lican County Committee.

Meeker Terwilliger was born in Wayne township, Pickaway County. His parents, David and Elizabeth (Brown) Terwilliger, were among the most respected people of the community. He graduated from the law de- partment of the Ohio State University, at Co-

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lumbus, was admitted to the practice in De- cember, 1900, and has since had an office in Circleville. He was elected justice of the peace for Circleville township and served one term, declining re-election, and is now serving his second year as clerk of the Election Board of the county.

George W. Morrison, the attorney at Ash- ville, was born in Walnut township, Pickaway County, attended the law school of the Ohio

Normal University, at Ada, was admitted to the bar in 1891 and located at Ashville. where he enjoys a good and growing practice.

The following, who began the law practice in Circleville here in the last few years, located elsewhere : Lee M. Hammel, ex-mayor of Circleville, now at Wauchula, Florida ; Adolph Goldfredrick, at Columbus, and Felix R. Cald- well, at Seattle, Washington.

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CHAPTER XXV

COUNTY SOCIETIES AND ORGANIZATIONS

PICKAWAY COUNTY BIBLE SOCIETY.

In August, 1828, the Pickaway County Bible Society was organized, at a meeting com- posed of delegates from township societies. Rev. William Burton, then pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Circleville, was chair- man of the meeting and William B. Thrall, editor of the Herald, secretary. After the adoption of a constitution, permanent officers were elected as follows : Guy W. Doane, pres- ident; Rev. William Burton, Rev. Jacob Leist, Rev. Henry King, Rev. Shadrach Cole and William Renick, vice-presidents; Joseph Olds, corresponding secretary ; John T. Davenport, recording secretary; Matthew McCrea, treas- urer and depositor. These officers were re- elected for several years.

The society had in its list of presidents- Philip B. Doddridge, John Lynch, Dr. Mar- cus Brown, Adam McCrea and John A. Lutz, the two last named each serving a number of years successively. The society some years ago became dormant.

TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION AND INSTITUTE.

In May, 1833, an "Association of Teachers and Boards of Education in Pickaway County" was organized at Circleville. Guy W. Doane was president ; Joseph Olds, vice-president : Ar- thur Whiteside, secretary, and Sylvester Dana, treasurer. The object of the association was to promote harmony, co-operation and the dif- fusion of knowledge among the members : dur-

ing its existence meetings were held quarterly.

In 1868 the Pickaway County Teachers' Institute Association was organized, at a meet- ing held in Circleville, July 13th, 23 teachers present. The first regular institute was held in the Union School building (now Everts building) in Circleville, beginning August 10th and continuing one week. The instructors and lecturers were: Prof. J. F. Reinmund, super- intendent of the Springfield schools; Prof. J. C. Harper, superintendent of the Bucyrus schools; Prof. J. C. Hartzler, superintendent of the Galion schools; George H. Twiss, prin- cipal of the Columbus High School, and J. J. Childs, one of the principals in the St. Louis public schools. All of these prominent edu- cators are now deceased, Professor Harper dying at his home in Circleville in March, 1895.

Every year since, the institute has held a session of one week. The 38th annual insti- tute, held at the Court House in Circleville, August 27-31, 1906, was the largest ever held, 180 teachers being enrolled. The lecturers and instructors were: Lincoln Hulley, Ph. D., of Deland, Florida, and Prof. Harlan E. Hall, of Mansfield, Ohio. The officers were: T. Otto Williams, principal of the Circleville High School, president; Samuel M. Sark, of Derby, secretary, and W. F. Gephart, of Williamsport, treasurer. In the election of officers for the ensuing year, Prof. T. O. Williams was re- elected president; and Justin M. Ater, superin- tendent of the schools of South Bloomfield, secretary

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COUNTY BOARD OF SCHOOL EXAMINERS.

Since 1883 the Board of School Examiners of Pickaway County has been constituted as appears below, the membership of the board in each year being given in full. Commencing in 1888 the new board for each year has been organized in September; in previous years it was organized late in April or early in May.

1883-Elisha Warner (president), A. H. Roose, S. L. Grigsby (clerk) ; 1884-A. H. Roose (president), elected probate judge and succeeded by M. L. Smith, Elisha Warner, S. L. Grigsby (clerk) ; 1885-Elisha Warner (president), M. L. Smith, S. L. Grigsby (clerk) ; 1886-M. L. Smith (president), Elisha Warner, S. L. Grigsby (clerk) ; 1887- Elisha Warner (president), M. L. Smith, S. L. Grigsby (clerk) ; 1888-M. L. Smith (pres- ident), George S. Reichelderfer, John L. 1889-R. T. Dennis (president), M. L. Smith. S. M. Sark (clerk) ; 1890-S. M. Sark (pres- ident), George L. Morgan, R. T. Dennis (clerk) : 1891-George L. Morgan (presi- dent), John P. Adkins, S. M. Sark (clerk) ; 1892-John L. Heise (president), George L. Morgan, John P. Adkins (clerk) ; 1893-John P. Adkins (president), George S. Reichelder- fer, John L. Heise (clerk) ; 1894-John L. Heise (president), John P. Adkins, George S. Reichelderfer (clerk) ; 1895-John L. Heise (president ), George S. Reichelderfer, John P. Adkins (clerk) ; 1896-John P. Adkins (pres- iident). George S. Reichelderfer, John L. Heise (clerk) : 1897, John L. Heise (presi- dent), J. A. Marburger, George S. Reichel- derfer (clerk) ; 1898-George S. Reichelder- fer (president ) ; W. D. Stout, J. A. Marbur- ger (clerk) ; 1899-J. A. Marburger (presi- .dent ; H. W. Plum, W. D. Stout (clerk) ; 1900 -W. D. Stout (president), J. A. Marburger, H. W. Plum (clerk) ; 1901-J. A. Marburger (president ). H. W. Plum, W. D. Stout (clerk) : 1902-J. A. Marburger (president), H. W. Plum, W. D. Stout (clerk) ; 1903-W. D. Stout (president), A. L. Stump, H. W. Plum (clerk) ; 1904-H. W. Plum (presi- dent). W. F. Gephart, A. L. Stump (clerk) : 1905-A. L. Stump (president), A. J. Dunkel, W. F. Gephart (clerk) ; 1906-W. F. Gep-

hart (president), A. L. Stump, A. J. Dunkel (clerk).

AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY AND FAIRS.

In June, 1833, the County Commissioners called a meeting of citizens in Circleville, to organize an agricultural society, which meet- ing was duly held. an organization effected and officers elected, viz .: Thomas Renick. presi- dent; Thomas Huston, vice-president; William P. Darst, recording secretary; Samuel S. Denny, corresponding secretary ; Matthew Mc- Crea, treasurer; and William Millar, William Renick, Jr., Elias Florence, George Radcliff, Peter Parcels and Robert Campbell, directors. The records of the original organization were long since destroyed. In 1853 the association made a new start. The fair, held the first week in October, was the best ever held in the coun- ty. The officers of the society at the time were: Joseph B. Renick, president; Dr. Mar- cus Brown, vice-president; Dr. P. K. Hull, secretary; George W. Gregg, treasurer; and Nelson Franklin, A. L. Perrill, Felix W. Renick, George Metzger and Joseph Shoe- maker, managers. During this year the man- agers decided to purchase fair grounds and ap- pointed Drs. Marcus Brown and P. K. Hull to devise the plan for the purchase, which resulted in securing the grounds north of Hargus Creek, extending to the Royalton turnpike, and west to the Columbus turnpike, now North Court street. The Fair Ground Association organized in 1858, purchased the grounds, which were leased to the Pickaway County Agricultural Society. The trustees of the Fair Ground Association were: Dr. Marcus Brown (president), George W. Gregg (secretary), A. L. Perrill, Harness Renick and Nelson J. Tur- ney. Some very successful fairs were held on these grounds, but in the latter years of the society's existence the interest in the exhibi- tion slackened. The last fair held there was on September 18-19-20-21, 1883. The grounds were shortly afterwards sold, and is a beautiful residence portion of Circleville known as "Park Place."

In 1895 a company was organized with W. E. Morris as president and A. J. Grigsby as

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secretary, which gave a stock fair and races on the grounds now known as Zwicker Park, East . Main street, Circleville, which continued three years.

In the fall of 1904 the merchants and other business men on West Main street, Circleville, projected a "Pumpkin Show," which included all grains, fruits, vegetables, manufactured articles, bread, butter, etc., all kinds of artistic and fancy work, live stock, etc. This was a successful exhibition and was repeated in Oc- tober, 1905, and also on October 19-20, 1906. The displays extended to other connecting streets and increased in size and interest.

TEMPERANCE ORGANIZATIONS.

In the early days of Pickaway County, so- briety and temperance were the exception rather than the rule. Distilleries on every hand converted the native corn into whiskey, which found a ready market both at home and abroad. It was even the custom to serve whiskey with meals at the taverns and the man who abstained wholly from the use of liquor was indeed a rara avis. But there finally came about an improvement in the situation. The distilleries disappeared one by one, as a market for the farmers' corn was secured and gradually a tem- perance sentiment was worked up, which fin- ally crystalized in the organization of lodges of Sons of Temperance and of the Independ- ent Order of Good Templars. Throughout the county there was scarcely a village and hamlet in which there was not one of these organiza- tions. Most of these societies flourished from 30 to 50 years ago. They served their purpose and finally ceased to exist, after they had as- sisted in creating a public sentiment in opposi- tion to intemperance and the liquor traffic. The work was then taken up by the women, who in the Ohio "Crusade" of 1873 worked wonders in bringing about the desired reform. The Woman's Christian Temperance Union was then organized and took up the work that had been so nobly inaugurated.

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History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 35

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