History of the city of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio, Part 105

Author: Waggoner, Clark, 1820-1903
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: New York and Toledo : Munsell & Company
Number of Pages: 1408

USA > Ohio > Lucas County > Toledo > History of the city of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio > Part 105

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(Democratie) majority on Governor in the Dis- trict, was 4,868, that in Lucas County being 1,784. In the face of such remarkable showing, Mr. Haynes received a small majority in the District, and upon the returns was given the certificate of election. His majority in Lucas County was 2,237-a gain there of 4,021 over the Republican candidate for Governor. A contest ensued before the State Senate, where, upon a partisan division of that hody, the seat was accorded to the contestor. Upon the cs- tablishment by the State Legislature of Circuit Courts, in 1884, Judge Haynes was chosen as one of the three Judges for the Sixth Circuit, consisting of the Counties of Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky, Erie, Huron, Lorain, Cuyahoga, Me- dina and Summit; and in the allotment of terms he succeeded to that of six years. This position he has held with special ability and general satisfaction. In his political affiliations Judge Haynes was originally a Democrat, with which party he acted until the issue of the maintenance of Freedom and the extension of Slavery challenged the choice of the citizen, when he joined in the movement which resulted in the organization of the Republican party, with which he has since actively eo-operated. While in no sense a place-seeker or ambitious of prominence, he has sought in all suitable ways to promote the principles and policy of that organization. In 1872 he was chosen as Presidential Elector for the Toledo Congres- sional District, casting his vote in the State Electoral College for the re-election of Ulysses S. Grant. The professional character and standing of Judge Haynes arc best indicated by the repeated and marked recognition of the same by the Bar and the people most fully qualified to judge. For nearly 25 years he has been an active member of the First Congrega- tional Church, Toledo; while in the different directions open to the citizen. he has been identified with whatever movement promised the moral and intellectual well-being of his fellow-men. Of his father's family, he and his mother only survive, the latter at the advanced age of 82 years, now residing with him. He was married at Toledo, October 14, 1857, with Miss Anne Raymond, a native of the State of New York. Of four children born to them, two (daughters) are now living.

REUBEN C. LEMMON. In presenting a biographical sketch of one in mid-carcer of an active life, we are necessarily restrained from expressions of commendation which the subject would inspire were we writing of a man whose race was run and his journey ended. We therefore give hut a historical narrative of one of the respected and conspicu- ous citizens of Toledo, Renben C. Lemmon, a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas. His ancestors were of English nativity, and settled in the State of Maryland and in Somerset Co.,

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HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.

New Jersey, prior to the Revolution, in which a number of them participated with distinguished bravery. His father, Charles Lemmon, was born in Baltimore County, Maryland, in 1780. Early in life he removed to Varick, Seneca County, New York, where he married in 1821, Miss Hannah Compton. Of these parents, the subject of this sketch was born, May 12, 1825. Here, and previously, his father, although a boot and shoe maker by trade, engaged in farming. In 1837 the parents, with a family of 12 children, removed to Sen- eca County, Ohio, where his father engaged in farming until his death, in 1841. The educa- tion of the son consisted of the usual attendance during the Winter months at the District School, while the Summer portion of the year was spent in work upon the farm. Early in life he resolved to become a Lawyer, and in 1845, the more thoroughly to prepare him to begin his legal studies, he went to Norwalk, Huron County, and for one year attended the Seminary at that place, and for one year fol- lowing the Presbyterian Academy at Granville, Licking County. In 1847 he began the study of law at Tyrone, Steuben County, New York, with a lawyer by the name of Hill, with whom he remained one year. After this date he con- tinued his legal studies under the direction of General Joel W. Wilson, of Tiffin, Ohio, at which place he was admitted to the Bar in July, 1850. The following Spring he opened a law office in Fulton County, Ohio, and remained there one year. In September, 1852, he formed a partnership with the late H. S. Commager, and removed to Maumee City, then the County- seat of Lucas County. Here he remained until the establishment at Toledo of the County-seat, when he removed to this City. His legal at- tainments soon won for him a merited high position among the members of the Toledo Bar, and in 1861 he was elected Prosecuting Attor- ney for the County. In 1860 his partnership with Mr. Commager was dissolved. In 1867 he formed a partnership with J. R. Seney, which continued until 1869, when Mr. Seney was elected Judge of the Court of Common Pleas. After this, Mr. Lemmon was in practice alone until 1874. He then was elected to the position he now so ably fills, having since been twice elected. In the Masonic fraternity, with which Judge Lemmon has been long connected, he has taken the warmest interest. He first joined Toledo Lodge in 1855, and a year after Fort Meigs Chapter, and subsequently To ledo Council, and Toledo Commandery. In 1875 and 1876 he was elected Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Ohio, and in 1879 and 1880 Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ohio. For several years he has been Treasurer of the General Grand Chapter of the United States. Judge Lemmon was married in November, 1850, to Amelia Armstrong, of Bellevue, Sandusky County, Ohio, who died in

1857. One child, Charles H. Lemmon, was born to them, who at present is practicing law in Toledo. In 1859 Judge Lemmon married his present wife at London, England. Prior to his accession to the Bench, Judge Lemmon was engaged in a general line of legal practice, in which his studions habits and a mind particu- liarly qualified for his profession, he won a high degree of success. He inspired confidence and trust by his honorable methods and conscien- tious devotion to the interests of his clients. The best evidence of the popular feeling in his honesty and ability, is the successive years he has been elected to the judicial office by the suffrages of the people, in which position he has discharged his duties to the gratification of the entire Bar. His experience renders business easy and familiar to him, and he gives it dis- patch without undue haste. He comes to his opinions, decisions and rulings with charac- teristic promptness, directness and clearness. Partiality or prejudice, fear or favor, or the apprehension of consequences personal to him- self, have never exercised the slightest influence over his deliberations. This we believe to be the opinion not only of the Bar, but the people, concerning Judge Lemmon.

WILLIAM BAKER, Lawyer, son of Hon. Timothy Baker, was born at Norwalk, Ohio, February 5, 1822. His father was a native of Massachusetts, and removed to Ohio in 1818, settling at Norwalk, which continued to be his residence until his death in 1878. From his advent to the new Western settlements, he was active and prominent in the development of the country and the promotion of its material and moral well-being. Although not a Lawyer, he served for 21 years (three terms) as Associ- ate Judge of Huron Common Pleas, much of that time as the most prominent and active of the three Associates. The son pursued his earlier studies at home, chiefly at Norwalk Academy ; whence he went to Granville Col- lege (now Dennison University), where he was gradnated with honors in 1841. Pursuing the study of the law for a year with Goddard and Converse, Zanesville, Ohio, he entered the Law School of Harvard University in 1842, in which the late Joseph Story and Professor Simon Greenleaf were instructors. Here he was graduated, with the Bachelor's Degree, in the Spring of 1844. At the age of 22, he came to Toledo in November of the same year, and there entered upon the practice of his pro- fession, opening an office in Mott's Block, cor- ner of Summit and Monroe Streets. It so happened, that his advent here was contem- poraneous with the entrance of Toledo upon the era of prosperity caused by the long-de- layed opening of the Wabash and Erie Canal ; which favorable condition was by him turned to special account. The first year of his prac- tice was one of exceptional success in the char-

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aeter, no less than in the amount, of business coming to him, which was so eondneted as to give him specially favorable position at the Bar. He was alone in practice until 1847, when he entered into partnership with llon. Myron H. Tilden, who at that time resigned the position of President Judge of Common Pleas Court for this Circuit. In 1850, ludge Tilden removed to Cincinnati, when the part- nership was dissolved. In 1857 Mr. Baker became associated in practice with William A. Collins, Esq., which connection continued until the election of the latter, in 1870, as Judge of Common Pleas. For the following 10 years, Mr. Baker was again alone in practice. In 1880, his youngest son, Rufus H. Baker, then graduated at Columbia College Law School, became associated with him: as did Barton Smith, Esq., in 1881, the firm then becoming Baker, Smith and Baker, as it still continues. Mr. Baker's practice, from the first, has been not only large and successful, but chiefly in the direction of real estate and commercial law and equity, for which classes of business his sound judgment, thorough reading and methodical habits of mind and action specially fit him ; to all which was added recognized integrity and promptness in all matters entrusted to his hands. These qualities early brought him in confidential relations with men and corporate bodies representing large property interests. As the agent of such, largely in the East, he has loaned and looked after vast sums of money, whereby he was enabled, while placing capital productively, to secure to Toledo large amounts of means for profitable employment. Mr. Baker's constant close attention to his profession and other business, has not made him unmindful of the claims upon him of his fellow citizens. Illustrating in his daily life the strietest rules of personal demeanor, he has ever been ready to co-operate with others in the promotion of the principles and practice of the same. One of the originat members of the First Baptist Church, Toledo, he has from the start been an office-bearer and liberal supporter of that organization, and has been active in other agencies for the promotion of the moral and religious welfare of the community. And so, in local enterprises for the material benefit of Toledo, he has ever borne his part. Ile was prominently active in the construction of the Toledo, Norwalk and Cleveland (now Lake Shore) Railroad. He was actively identified with the organization and construction of the Wabash Railway, of which Company he was from the first and for 15 years a Director. He has been prominently identified with the pro- motion of the manufacturing interests of To- ledo, and especially in connection with the Milburn Wagon Works, with the start and management of which he has been actively con- nected, while he has rendered substantial aid to other enterprises of the same general class.

Politically, he was a Whig from the time of becoming a voter until that party was merged into the Republican party, with which he has since acted. While earnest and active in that relation, he never has been a seeker for office or personal prominence of any sort; but con- tent to meet the responsibilities and duties of citizenship in private ways. As a loyal citizen of the United States, he did what he could toward sustaining the Government during its struggle with the Rebellion. His position in that respect, was indicated in 1864, upon the organization of the Toledo Branch of the United States Christian Commission, in the interest of the Soldiers of the Union, when the representa- tives of the leading Churches of the City selected him as the President of that organiza- tion. Through the various channels open for pecuniary contributions to the well-being of his fellow-citizens, he has always been ready to do his full share. Mr. Baker's literary quali- ties, amid the constant pressure of business pursuits, have never had the opportunities for manifestation to which they are entitled. Occa- sional lectures and addresses, and letters for the publie press while traveling, constitute bis contributions in that direction. In 1882, with Mrs. Baker, he visited every European coun- try, Russia and Turkey only excepted, spending 18 months in such trip. August 28, 1849, Mr. Baker and Miss Frances C., daughter of Peter Latimer, Esq., were married at Norwalk, Ohio. They have four sous-William L., Engineer and Superintendent of Detroit Bridge and Iron Works ; Herbertand Arthur E., Iron Founders ; and Rufus H., Lawyer, Toledo ; and one daugh- ter, Miss Kittie.

CHARLES PRATT, an able lawyer of Toledo, was born near Rochester, New York, January 15, 1828. lle is a descendant ofold Pu- ritan stock. Ilis father, Alpheus Pratt, was a native of Massachusetts, and died at the age of ninety-one years. In 1819 he removed to the State of New York, being a pioneer in the vicinity in which he settled, and in 1833 re- moved from that State to Michigan, settling in what was then known as the " Bean Creek Country," which is within what is called the Maumee Valley, now known as Hudson, Michigan, where he died in March, 1884. Mrs. Pratt, the mother, is also of New England lineage, and is now living with her son, at the advanced age of ninety-one. On both paternal and maternal sides of Mr. Pratt's ancestors, almost all the members reached ages ranging from eighty to nearly one hundred years. Charles Pratt's earliest education began at home, as in the pioneer days of Michigan there was hardly a School-house to be found. Where his earlier years were spent, were few inhabitants, except a tribe of the Pottawatomie Indians, which had its camping-ground near his father's ; but when he had reached the age

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of twelve, white inhabitants had begun to grow more numerous, and School-houses began to be established, and from that time until he was sixteen years of age he attended the District School; and although the course of instruction was of the crudest nature, he nevertheless ob- tained a fair knowledge of the fundamental branches. Soon after he attended a select School at Adrian, Michigan, from whence he went to Albion, Michigan, attending the Semi- mary which finally developed into what is now known as AAlbion College. Here he continued his studies until the age of twenty. one, teach- ing School, in the meantime, to help himself along. In 1850 Mr. Pratt commenced his legal studies, by entering a law office in Adrian, where he remained as a law-student but a short time. Then going to Toledo, he en- tered the office of Hill and Perigo, where he remained two years, at the end of which period he was admitted to the Bar. After his admis- sion, Mr. Pratt succeeded Mr. Perigo in the firm, which continued as Hill and Pratt until 1861. At this time Mr. Hill entered the Union Army as Brigadier General, and served during the Rebellion. Although the firm was known as Hill and Pratt until 1870, Mr. Hill had little connection with it after 1861. The firms is now Pratt, Wilson and Pratt, his son Henry S. Pratt being the junior partner. Mr. Pratt's carlier inclinations were toward the profession he now follows, against the earnest wish of his parents ; but being confident of his fitness for this calling, he adopted it, and has attained marked success. His professional life has been of very even tenor. He has always been what may be termed a general lawyer, without any specialty in his practice. He has always pre- ferred the legitimate practice of his profession, and has often declined official positions, and never was ambitions for political distinction. Hlis ambition has been confined to the engross- ing duties of his profession. Politically, Mr. Pratt was originally a Whig and then a Re- publican, having made his first political speech for Fremont in 1856. Mr. Pratt's prominent position at the Bar has been the result of patient toil, added to his natural mental quali- fications for his chosen profession. Besides acknowledged ability and snecess as a lawyer, he is also an active leader in Political, City, and Church affairs. He has done valuable service in the City Council, both as a member and President. He has also been a member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church for more than twenty years, having been one of its Trus- tees since its organization, and for many years President of the Board of Trustees. He has also been President of the Y. M. C. Association and an active Temperance and Sunday School worker. Though one of the most laborious men in his profession, he has always found time to discharge the duties incumbent upon every good citizen and well-wisher of the public

prosperity. That he should occupy a high and respected position in a community where he is so well known, is the natural and just re- ward of those qualities of mind and heart which have made him professionally, socially and morally an honorable lawyer, a good citi- zen, and an affectionate husband and father. Mr. Pratt was first married in 1853, but his wife soon after died. In 1857, he married his present wife, Catherine Sherring. The result of this union is seven children, all of whom are living.

JOHN C. LEE, of Toledo, was born January 7, 1828, in Brown Township, Delaware County, Ohio. His ancestors on both sides, were from the North of Ireland. His parents, Hugh Lee, and Mary A. Lee, were natives of Virginia, and came to Ohio soon after their marriage, settling in Delaware County. The mother died in 1836, and the family removed to the Town of Dela- ware in 1838, where they remained un. il 1844, when they went to Union County, and in 1847 to Tiffin, Seneca County, and thence, in 1851, to the West, where the father pursued farming until his death in Missouri, in 1859, at the age of 61 years. The educational privileges of the son began in a rude log School-house, and were limited to that until the removal of the family to Delaware, where the way was opened for his preparation for Central College, Franklin County, where be was for one year, whence he went to Western Reserve College at Hudson, in 1845, and was graduated in 1848. For two years he taught Academies-one at Atwater, Portage County, and one at Tiffin. Selecting the law for his profession, he entered the office of R. G. Pennington, Esq., at Tiffin, in 1850, and pursued his reading until July, 1852, when he was admitted to the Bar, and became a partner of his tutor, whom he soon succeeded in his practice. Two years later, N. L. Brewer began the reading of law with Mr. Lee and upon admission to the Bar, became a partner. In 1857, Mr. Lee was the Republican candidate for Judge of the Common Pleas Court, with George E. Seney (Democrat) as the successful candidate. Upon the outbreak of the Rebel- lion in April, 1861, Mr. Lee surrendered his professional business to enter the military ser- vice of the Government, enlisting in the Fifty- Fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, of which he was at once made the Major, and was promoted to its Colonelcy before reaching the field. In Jannary, 1862, he reported his command to General Rosecrans in West Virginia. At Moore- field the Regiment first met the enemy, who were defeated and the Town taken. After spend - ing the month of March as a member of a Court- martial, at Charlestown, Colonel Lee rejoined the Regiment at Romney. By order of General R. C. Sehenek, he was given command of the District of the South Potomac, and in May, 1862, under that officer, marched for the relief

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of General Milroy, at McDowell; took part in the Shenandoah campaign; and was in the battles of Freeman's Ford, White Sulphur Springs, Warrenton, Bristow's Station, New Baltimore, New Market, Thoroughfare Gap, Gainesville, Chantilly, the Second Bull Run, and others, in which he bore parts which chal lenged the approval of his superior officers. At Chancellorsville, in 1863, Colonel Lee com- manded a Brigade, consisting of the Twenty- Fifth, Fifty-Fifth, Seventy-Fifth and One Hun- dred and Seventh Ohio Regiments, who did noble service there, while their commander's prominence was indicated by his horse being shot under him. In May, 1863, in consequence of the death of a child and the serious illness of Mrs. Lee, the Colonel was forced to leave the field, and his resignation was accepted May 18, 1863. During the ensuing political cam- paign in Ohio, Colonel Lee took an active part in support of John Brough, and against C. L. Vallandigham. candidates for Governor of Ohio. The condition of his family warranting his absence from home in the Spring of 1864, he accepted the command of the One Hundred and Sixty-Fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry (National Guard), which was assigned for service chiefly about the fortifications of Washington City, where it remained, with more or less of activity, until the aggressive movements of Grant about Richmond, com- pelled the abandonment of the Rebel move- ment against the Capital. During May, June and July of 1864, he was in eom- mand of all troops from Long Bridge to Chain Bridge in the defenses of Washington. His military service, throughout, was marked by a degree of intelligence, earnestness, devo- tion and consideration for his command. which from the first challenged the admiration and confidence of superiors and subordinates. In good conduct and discipline, his command evi- denced the thoughtful care which alone could have secured to them such distinction. The reports of Second Bull Run made special men- tion of Colonel Lee's efficiency in command. His regiment had been sent to an advanced position, of special peril, and during the fight a Rebel force made a flank movement, forming a line at right-angle with the Union lines, making necessary a change of front by Colonel Lee, whose command already was largely dis- organized by being compelled to fail back to the main line from the advanced position to which he had been assigned. Regardless of Company organization, which was lost, and under the raking fire of the enemy , he was able to change front successfully by Battalion-in- stead of by Companies. Such operation, under the circumstances stated, could be possible only with men well disciplined and with full confidence in their commander. Upon leaving the Army, General Lee resumed the practice of the law at Tiffin. With this he was largely

identified with different interests of a public nature, serving for five years as a member of the City Board of Education, and for seven vears as Chief Engineer of the Fire Depart- ment. In 1869 he removed to Toledo, where he then formed a partnership with James M. Brown, who had been a student under him at Tiffin. This firm continned until 1882, when a son of the senior partner (Henry E. Lee), was admitted, the firm name becoming Lee, Brown & Lee. This arrangement continued until the retirement of the junior partner in 1887. For a few years after becoming a voter, Mr. Lee acted with the Whigs, but from its organiza- tion he has co-operated with the Republican party, both as a voter and in such more general methods as occasions have opened to him. Upon the declination by Samuel Galloway, in 1867, of a nomination as the Republican can- didate for Lieutenant-Governor, General Lee was selected for that position, and was elected, being again nominated and elected to the same place in 1869, serving for both terms with Governor R. B. Hayes. As presiding officer of the State Senate, he commanded the respect and confidence of that body, irrespective of political divisions. On the occasions of three State Republican Conventions, he was called to preside over the same. In 1868 he was a delegate-at-large from Ohio to the Republican National Convention ; Presidential Elector-at-large for Ohio, and President of the State Electoral College in 1872. Ile was ap- pointed United States Attorney for the North- ern District of Ohio, in 1877, his term expiring in March, 1881. His special qualities both as debater and orator, early made him a favorite with public assemblages, of all kinds, his power in political discussions being exceptionally great. The appreciation of his talents and character is best seen in the extent to which his services have been called in public ways. Though without Church connection, he has for many years been identified with Presbyterian and Congregational Churches; and while an earnest advocate of Temperance, he has not acted with a political Temperance party. May 26, 1853, General Lee was married at Tiffin, with Miss Charlotte E. Hoffman, a native of Germany. There were born to them three children-a daughter (now dead), and two sons, Frank A. and Henry E. Lee, both now residents of Toledo.

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History of the city of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio, Part 105

Author: Waggoner, Clark, 1820-1903 Publication date: 1888 Publisher: New York and Toledo : Munsell & Company Number of Pages: 1408

Author: Waggoner, Clark, 1820-1903
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: New York and Toledo : Munsell & Company
Number of Pages: 1408